Church Shelter Finally Gets Off Ground

More than four months after church and city officials broke ground at the future site of a homeless shelter, construction crews will begin work at the First Southern Baptist Church on Saturday.

Grading will begin in a lot behind the church, meeting a court-imposed Aug. 20 deadline to start building the controversial shelter.

“We’re hoping to have it built before the end of the year,” said the Rev. Wiley Drake, whose church was convicted of four misdemeanor counts in July 1997 for letting homeless people sleep on a patio and camp in the parking lot. “But that could change. This work is being done purely by volunteers, so the timeline isn’t set in stone.”

A judge placed the church on probation for three years and ordered it to comply with city codes. As many as 52 people may continue to sleep on the patio until the 52-bed shelter is completed. In turn, the church agreed to regular inspections.

“Everything has been approved and is now in motion,” Drake said.