DeKalb First United Methodist Church to relocate to 16-acre land on Annie Glidden Road

DeKALB - A new church will be built in DeKalb, since the city's First United Methodist Church was approved to relocate from their current location on Fourth Street to a 16-acre site along the west side of Annie Glidden Road.

The City for the past few years has been working with church leaders as they proposed development on DeKalb's north side which required some zoning amendments. The development and land annexation was approved by the city council unanimously.

Ward 1 Alderman Carolyn Morris said the plan has been in the works since at least the inception of the Annie Glidden North revitalization efforts, when local social services, city planners and stakeholders came together to brainstorm ways to re-enliven the city's most densely populated area.

"I just want to note that we had support of some of the pastors during our strategic planing sessions with the community services group for the Annie Glidden north corridor," Morris said. "So it really meant a lot up front to have them present at that strategic planning, demonstrating well in advance of their relocation that they intended to invest in the area. So that really meant a lot to me, and I'm sure it means a lot to the residents of the area."

The DeKalb First United Methodist Church is relocating from the northwest corner of North Fourth Street and Oak Street to a 16-acre space which will be the site for a 7,730-square-foot church with a 203-seat sanctuary, documents show.

Part of the 16-acre site (about nine acres) was zoned in the City of DeKalb as part of Eden's Garden subdivision and another six and a half acres in unincorporated DeKalb County. The approved development plans includes an annexation of that land to the city, and upon annexation, a rezoning of the site to accommodate the endeavor.

The building will also include classrooms, a coffee and lounge area, roadway, administrative offices and a kitchen, documents show. A total of 65 parking spaces will also be on the land.