Planning commission backs amended landmark designation for Friendship Baptist Church after debate

The City of Aiken Planning Commission on Jan. 14 voted unanimously to forward a revised historic-designation amendment for Friendship Baptist Church to City Council that would treat the church complex as three separate resources.

The application (DES24-01-001) requested the complex remain under landmark designation for the sanctuary, reclassify the parsonage/admin building as contributing, and list the educational/activity building as non-contributing. Planning staff said the property had been treated as a single landmark complex since City Council designated it in September 1994, and the church now seeks to “debundle” the complex to allow rehabilitation and a proposed relocation of the parsonage building.

Kimberly Toney, who said she represents the church board of trustees, told the commission the congregation intends to preserve the sanctuary as a landmark while using the parsonage/admin building and activity building differently. “We continue to have the sanctuary be used as a historic landmark…we are debundling it and asking that those three buildings stand alone,” Toney said. Pastor T.C. Edwards urged approval, saying the parsonage is in poor condition and the church plans a new multipurpose facility: “Rather than allowing it to just sit and rot, it will be moved less than a 1,000 feet…we have the majority of the congregation voting in favor,” Edwards said.

Opponents, including Sharon White and Mandy Drumming, urged preservation of the whole complex. White said the complex has significant civil-rights and community history and objected to the parsonage’s reclassification; she noted the Design Review Board denied the church’s request by a 5–1 vote. Drumming emphasized the parsonage’s architectural ties to the Schofield School and said landmark status helps access preservation grants. In rebuttal, Toney said the church applied for a National Trust grant in 2024 but was denied and reiterated the congregation’s plans to stabilize buildings and build a facility to serve current needs.

After discussion, Commissioner Herb moved and Commissioner Clarkson seconded a motion to forward the amended designation to City Council—keeping the sanctuary landmark, making the parsonage contributing and the activity building non-contributing. The motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The church complex is in Aiken’s Old Aiken historic overlay; reclassifying components changes review pathways for future work and can affect eligibility for preservation grants and regulatory oversight. City Council will consider the Planning Commission recommendation and the Design Review Board’s previous finding before acting.

What’s next: Staff will include the commission’s recommendation and supporting materials in the packet to City Council for a final decision.

Quotes in context (from the meeting): “We continue to have the sanctuary be used as a historic landmark…we are debundling it and asking that those three buildings stand alone,” Kimberly Toney said. Pastor T.C. Edwards: “Rather than allowing it to just sit and rot, it will be moved less than a 1,000 feet…we have the majority of the congregation voting in favor.”