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Council approves steps to relocate Saint James Baptist Church and Cherry Hill School with county partnership
Summary
Council authorized a package of property transactions and first‑reading ordinances to relocate Saint James Baptist Church and the historic Cherry Hill School away from the airport runway protection zone, using state and county funding along with town real‑estate transfer fee proceeds.
The Town Council on June 9 approved a set of resolutions and first‑reading ordinances to enable relocation of Saint James Baptist Church and the Cherry Hill School out of the airport runway protection zone. The multi‑party effort involves the town, Beaufort County and the church, and relies on a mix of funding sources including a $4 million state grant, a $3.5 million Beaufort County general obligation bond and $1,290,000 in town real‑estate transfer fee proceeds to seed construction.
Town staff and project managers described the sequence: the town will acquire 1.7 acres at the corner of Beach City Road and Dillon Road for a construction escrow; the county will receive conveyance of 4.667 acres on Union Cemetery Road and will manage construction under a county contract. After construction, the new church property will convey to the church and the town parcel that today houses the church and school will be preserved as open space under restrictions to ensure public access.
Ben Burrow and project lead Zenos Morris told council that bids came in about $200,000 under budget and the county contract includes a 13% contingency; the current construction schedule anticipates start in October 2026 and completion by March 2028 for the new 250-seat sanctuary and associated facilities.
Council members praised long-term work on the project, thanked state legislators and staff and voted to authorize the acquisition, the sale to the county, a long-term ground lease and related first-reading ordinances; the resolutions and motions passed with unanimous support in the votes recorded on these items.
Funding and protections: Town leaders confirmed that the $1,290,000 acquisition funds will come from the town's real estate transfer fee account. The town also described deed restrictions and future land-use protections for parcels involved in the transaction to ensure that relocated properties remain publicly accessible or restricted to agreed uses.
Next steps: Council approved the resolutions and advanced two related ordinances to first reading; second readings and final ordinances are scheduled for the July meeting cycle, with rezoning and planning commission review to follow as needed.
