BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last Tuesday, the Sentinel printed an article about the possible foreclosure of a historically Black church. A business meeting took place Tuesday evening at the church to inform the members of the debt issues.

Dr. Henry Lyons, Senior Pastor at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church said “We had a very good meeting and answered questions, we explained just what we’re trying to get accomplished, and it looks like the bank is willing to work with us.”

Dr. Lyons further said that it was a general business meeting and any member who wished to attend was welcome.

Court documents show that a new date of sale for the church is August 15th. However, Deacon Rufus Spencer said that the date is tentative and was set 6 weeks from a hearing held last month. “That date is on the record, but the court has ruled that we will have a hearing before the sale can take place.”

He also said the church is being represented by legal counsel.

Last week, Spencer confirmed that Fifth Third Bank had filed foreclosure paperwork. An article in the St. Pete Times stated that the church defaulted on a $1.4 million loan and used existing church property as collateral. [private]

Dr. Lyons said they continue to work with the bank to satisfactorily resolve the issue.

Dr. Lyons said the church began experiencing financial problems when the economy went down. “The money coming into the church just dropped. We have already met with the bank and we are continuing our talks with the bank to get the issue resolved. The bank is working with us.” Church leaders are hoping to modify the loan so that they can pay it off.

Spencer further said that there is nothing new about their situation. He also said they still have plans to build a new church on the 43 acres of land adjacent to I-4 near Sligh Avenue they purchased in 2007. The cost of the land was $1.1 million.

Founded in 1906, New Salem M. B. Church moved to its current location in 1950. Dr. Lyons has been its religious leader since 2004.[/private]