Figuring out where to put those bulky cell phone towers presents a challenge for the wireless communications industry, but it’s adding revenues to several churches in Alabama.
Extending and improving the quality of wireless transmissions requires newer and taller antennas, and communities often balk at plans to erect more of the metal monstrosities. The problem is forcing the wireless communications industry to provide creative solutions.
“The main idea now is to blend the technology into whatever the surrounding environment has to offer,” said Harold Gwin, director of engineering and operations for T-Mobile Communications in Birmingham.
Cahaba Heights Baptist Church, Birmingham Association, benefits from these blending efforts. According to Ed Duke, property and space committee chairman, a cell phone antenna is hidden inside a white flag pole in the parking lot and has been there for a couple of years. He was not at liberty to disclose how much money they receive for renting space to T-Mobile Communications, but Gwin said the contracts can be worth several hundred thousand dollars after several years.
“This is a win-win for both the wireless carriers and the churches,” Gwin said.
Duke explained, “An engineering firm surveyed our area for a cell phone tower location. They looked at an apartment complex nearby but there was not room. T-Mobile was directed back to the church. No thought about a cell phone tower being in a church before had been discussed. However, it works real well.”
Duke said the church investigated all issues with an attorney and worked with trustees at the church. The wireless company handled ancillary financial issues like landscaping and parking lot renovations.
Duke advises that churches should, “Request that the towers not be serviced on Sundays and make sure you’re not dependent on the extra money coming in.”
The rental money is used to introduce new programs, enhance the youth department and begin new ministries, not commercialize the Lord’s work, Duke said.
Steady income
In many instances, churches are looking for alternate sources of revenue and seek out wireless carriers to offer their properties. In other cases, the carrier approaches the church seeking an ideal location for their towers to be concealed.
“It’s a great opportunity for a solid revenue stream without a lot of effort by the churches,” Gwin said. “Many cities are now insisting that new wireless antennas be disguised as part of the natural or urban landscape.”
Wireless companies hide antennas everywhere: inside road signs, flagpoles, church steeples and smoke stacks, just to name a few,” Gwin said. “We can match almost any texture or structure, which means we can hide them anywhere and make them look just like what is there already.”
Another Birmingham Baptist Association member, Central Park Baptist Church, also has a cell phone tower on its property — in its steeple. Powertel pursued Central Park Church in May 1999.
Levan Parker, associate pastor of Central Park Church, said, “The tower is on three sides of the steeple and is the same color. It blends right in and does not take away from the aesthetic value of the church. The average person doesn’t even know it is there.”
Central Park receives a healthy rental income of several thousand dollars a year and utilities are furnished as well as liability insurance, according to Parker. T-Mobile has now purchased Powertel.
“We feel this is good stewardship of our building. We’ve been able to fund the missions ministry and reinvest back into the people of the community,” Parker said.
Parker offers this advice to prospective church cell phone tower locations: “Make sure it doesn’t cost the church anything and use it as a witnessing tool.”
Industry experts figure about 500 United States churches currently provide sanctuary for antennas, which are usually encased in or tucked behind crosses on steeples. T-mobile supports approximately 20 or so towers in churches in Alabama.
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