Developing 27-Acre Site For Church Comes Near

– The Collierville Herald –

A 27-acre church site at Schilling Farms in Collierville is closer to being developed because the church is closer to moving from Germantown.

Union University received permission from the Germantown Planning Commission to take over the Immanuel Baptist Church property off Hacks Cross Road in Germantown, putting the church closer to moving to its new home in Collierville.

“That was a big hurdle to clear,” said Pastor Scott Payne of the church. “We hope to close by April 21 on our current property with Union University.”

Union University plans to have a nursing school and university class campus at the Germantown site. The college is currently using space at Mid-America Theological Seminary on Germantown Road in Germantown for classes.

Payne said that the 700 members of the church are excited about the move to Collierville.

“We are looking forward to moving. There is definitely a niche for us in that area,” he said. “We have many members from Collierville, Germantown, Olive Branch, and Cordova and this will be convenient for them.”

The church will be located west of Schilling Farms Middle School and the residential section of Schilling Farms, with primary visibility from Nonconnah Parkway. The church and developers of Schilling Farms are planning their application before the town’s planning bodies.

“It should take another 30 days or so after the closing with Union to close with Boyle and Schilling on the new property and then we look forward to working with the town on our new home,” said Payne.

He added that the church is looking at changing its name from Immanuel Baptist Church.

“We have been taking suggestions to come up with a new name,” he said. “We hope to announce the new name on Palm Sunday.”

He added that the church, despite the name change, will remain affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.