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Resident urges commissioners to preserve Heck Chapel as city landmark
Summary
Clive McCarthy asked the commission to pause action and explore options to preserve Heck (Hecht) Chapel, saying the site has century-long historical significance tied to civil rights and community identity.
At the start of the public-comment period, Clive McCarthy asked the Board to protect Heck Chapel and allow the community time to explore preservation options.
"For more than a century, Heck Chapel has witnessed the evolution of this community through faith, civil rights, education, and neighborhood history," McCarthy said, asking the commission to "leave it open long enough for this community to be heard." He argued that preservation can support tourism, education and civic pride.
Commissioners thanked McCarthy and described the chapel as a historically significant site; Commissioner Ward called it "our home for the civil rights movement in Griffin" and urged staff and commissioners to "do everything we can to save that portion of history." No formal motion, referral or preservation action was taken at the July 28 meeting; McCarthy requested that the commission pause any irreversible steps and study options.
Preservation advocates or staff follow-up would be required to place the property on a historic register or to execute any city-led preservation plan.
