Level Grove Baptist reaching for the sky with new building project

CORNELIA – The congregation of Level Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia is growing, so much so that the church’s addition required a height variance from the city.

The church, located at 157 Old Level Grove Road, has begun an expansion project that includes a new sanctuary and education building that will top out at 64 feet.

The facility will include worship seating of more than 900, making it one of the largest sanctuaries in Habersham County.

Because Cornelia limits maximum building height to 50 feet, the church requested a 14-foot height variance to allow for the church building’s 64-foot peak.

“For some reason, the planning board felt compelled to give them 70 feet because the [International] Building Code would allow them to go up to 75,” said City Manager Donald Anderson during Tuesday night's city commission meeting.

Additionally, the city commission voted to rezone the church property from R-1 (residential) to HB (highway business).

Level Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia is expanding its footprint with a new sanctuary and education building that will be 64 feet tall at its highest point.

Cornelia City Attorney Steve Campbell, left, conducts public hearings on rezoning of Level Grove Baptist Church property and a height variance request for the church's planned building expansion. Also shown are City Manager Donald Anderson and City Clerk Janie Henderson.

Level Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia is proceeding with construction of a new sanctuary and education building, shown at right, that is connected by a breezeway to the original sanctuary that faces Old Level Grove Road.

A new sanctuary and education building will be located to the right of the original sanctuary along Old Level Grove Road.

Contractors are continuing work on the site of the Level Grove Baptist Church expansion in Cornelia.

Level Grove Baptist Church is preparing to construct the second new sanctuary since the one built in 1955. The new one will seat more than 900 people.

Level Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia is proceeding with an expansion program that includes a new sanctuary and education building.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/3/985410/level-grove-baptist-reaching-for-the-sky-with-new-building-project