ATLANTA — James Merritt, pastor of the 10,000-member First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga., is planning to start a new congregation 15 miles away in suburban northeast Atlanta on 70 acres of prime real estate.
During a Sunday afternoon gathering Jan. 26 near the proposed site, Merritt told approximately 4,000 people of plans to erect a 6,000-seat sanctuary and a 125-foot steeple that would be visible throughout the bustling suburban area.
He described the Duluth, Ga., site as “one of the greatest locations for a church anywhere in this country,” and told listeners that efforts to purchase the property fell through three times. After visiting the site alone and praying, however, Merritt said the owners offered to give the property to the church.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the parcel of land had been on the market for $22 million as recently as two years ago.
Merritt encouraged current members to come with him, according to the report, but acknowledged that some will choose to stay in Snellville, where the church has been for 120 years. The growth of First Baptist Church of Snellville under Merritt’s 17 years of leadership has led to sprawling complex of buildings in what was once a small town but is now a busy Atlanta suburb.
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