At least one Atlanta church won’t be relying on tithes from the congregation much longer.
Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., has approved the city of Atlanta’s $19.5 million offer to sell the church’s property to make room for the Falcons’ new stadium downtown, according to Channel 2 Action News in Atlanta.
About 100 members of the church made the decision after meeting for 45 minutes and “overwhelmingly approved” the deal. The church has been on its current property on Mitchell Street for more than 130 years, according to Channel 2 Action News, so the decision wasn’t made lightly.
“It makes a lot of sense. Business sense and sometimes business and religion don’t quite meet,” said church member Lafayette Beamon.
The Falcons received a $200 million loan for the new high-tech stadium, which they plan to have in place for the 2017 season. The designs feature a retractable roof, vibrating “impact seating,” IMAX-like screens and a fantasy football lounge. Check out the concepts in the video below.
