City of Sparta may buy Christpoint Church property

The City of Sparta and Christpoint Church may soon be arranging a sale.

Christpoint Church, while not leaving at this moment, is in discussion with the City of Sparta on potentially selling their current location, on Liberty Square, and moving their congregation to a new building.

During a work session Nov. 4, Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed buying the property, the price they would see as fair, and what the city could use it for in the future.

If the sale goes through, Christpoint intends to move to the old Faith Baptist Church, on 640 Maughon Rd., right behind Huddle House. After speaking with Pastor Steve Qualls, he said the church is not quitting or leaving. In fact, the church is growing and doing well. Part of the potential sale would include Christpoint staying at their current location for some time, while arranging their move to Maughon Road.

Christpoint’s initial asking price to the city was $1.3 million for the church property. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the asking price may be too high, and most of the aldermen agreed, but they also agreed that the property would be tremendously valuable to the city.

“We would own most of the square right there,” Lowery said. “It would be great for various functions, indoor concerts, school plays- it’s unlimited what we could use it for.”

He later continued discussing the price by saying, “I don’t think they are that far off, but I also want to think maybe it’s a little much.”

Some examples that the mayor threw out included bluegrass events moving into the building in case of rain or storm. Lowery also cited the chairs and tables that will be on site, and that the building is in really solid condition, especially since it has a new roof. One downside, however, is that the building will need sprinklers if the city takes ownership.

However the sale works out, Lowery is excited for the future of Sparta, and this deal is an indicator to him of its recent success.

“We talked about this for economic development,” Lowery said.  We talked about it and we met here, me and Tonya, did last week. We talked about a hotel, that this also would be a draw for. We need a hotel. We got this coming in, we got stuff happening, so we need to try and get a hotel. You take everything together, and Sparta’s got a little mojo behind us right now.”

Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen will vote, on Nov. 6, whether or not to authorize Mayor Lowery to negotiate and move forward with Christpoint on the sale. The aldermen agreed they need to be very careful with their wording moving forward, to make sure the sale is fair for all parties and that the City of Sparta can potentially unite Liberty Square with this purchase.