The Land: A Brief History

October 20, 2002, Centenary held a Churchwide Conference and voted by 70% majority to "expand our current facility and purchase the 100-acre parcel of land located at 4601-4701 Athens-Boonesboro Road" (later named "The Land"). Building The Foundry and keeping church debt low became the highest priorities.

2003: Recognizing the wisdom in a patient, phased approach, 11 church families (the "LLC") stepped up anonymously to purchase The Land and hold open an option for the church to purchase the same by early 2008 -- locking in the original purchase price of $29,500 per acre.

2004 to present: Thousands of new homes and a middle school were built in neighborhoods bordering The Land. What started out as a long-term solution for parking and space problems began looking like an incredible opportunity for ministry outreach unprecedented in Centenary history!

2005-2007: Our Men's Ministry has used The Land for numerous events; our Youth enjoyed Western Night of Youth Week last summer and we have celebrated Easter at our sunrise services for the last 5 years.

2007 to present: Close to $1 million in labor, materials and money were donated to improve The Land and purchase the first four acres. Close to 100 I Am 3rd soccer players and their families made The Land their new home. Council began preparations to launch a capital campaign in early 2008.