Trade In: 5 Point Congregation Financing for Future Growth

Location, location, location.

That's what Lawson Clary, executive pastor of 5 Point Church, said he likes best about the new facility the church will call home.

Seven years ago, 5 Point Church was just beginning at Pickens High School. With 40 faithful followers, the church has now grown to 900 members attending Sunday morning worship services at the former Colony Theater in downtown Easley.

"We've outgrown the space," Clary said. "We've used every inch. We have maximized that space as much as we could."

Clary said with that in mind, the church began looking for a bigger space.

In a matter of days, the church is hoping to ink the final deal that helps it put the "heartbeat" back into the former Crane Chevrolet dealership, located at 1600 E. Main St.

The 26,000-square-foot facility will double the capacity of the current church, allowing for the opportunity for further membership growth and a possible third Sunday morning service.

A year ago, Clary said they began a capital campaign to finance the deal. And thus far, they have raised 60 percent of the $1.35 million renovation costs.

"There has been a lot of prayer," Clary said. "A lot of thought and care put into this move."

Once the space is transformed, it will feature a 700-seat auditorium and a large area to accommodate the children of the church.

The former service bays will be transformed into the auditorium. The parts department will be a hallway featuring five large classrooms and soft, indoor play area called The Playhouse for children ages 0 to 4.

The showroom will become the Blast Zone where children K5 through fifth grade not only learn about their Christian faith but can interact with friends. The area will feature a smaller auditorium and a game room, Clary said.

The church, working with architect David McAbee of McAbee Architects, Inc., hopes to have the project completed within the next 14 weeks.

Clary said while the church has been able to grow, he likes that its mission has stayed the same.

"It doesn't matter who you are or what you have, the love of Jesus is greater than all of that," Clary said. "We want to teach people to how to love like Jesus."