HENDERSON, N.C.  The pastor of a church looking for room to grow is asking the City Council to change an ordinance barring houses of worship in shopping centers.
According to a report by WRAL.com news, the Rev. C.J. Dale is seeking to move his congregation to a vacant 25,000-square-foot store in Henderson Mall. Burning Bush Christian Church currently meets in a downtown storefront, but has outgrown that location.
A city ordinance does not permit a church in a shopping center, but it does allow such things as night clubs or schools. Dale said the planning board has already turned down his plans.
"It was quite a shocker," Dale said.
"Parking is a primary issue when you are dealing with a retail shopping complex," said Hal Barnett, owner of Henderson Mall.
Barnet supports the city ordinance because it protects businesses, according to the report.
"There are other uses that are compatible. We feel a church, given its hours and a large congregation, is not one of those," Barnett said.
Dale disagreed.
"If that's the case, then why [can] certain people get certain things approved without any type of hassle," he said. "The only thing we want to do is serve the Lord and try to be a blessing to every color, creed and nationality."
The council agreed to a public hearing, scheduled for Nov. 10.
