Demolition of the former First Baptist Church property is underway in Centre as the county makes plan for construction of a new courthouse facility.

In November of 2020, county leaders along with church officials struck a deal to sale the property to the county at a cost of $150,000. First Baptist Church is currently in the process of preparing to build a new state of the art facility on approximately 65 acres of land on the East Bypass where the current Recreational Outreach Center is located.

The original sanctuary was constructed in 1948 and the larger sanctuary was added some 40 years later.

At this point, architects are currently in the process of design of the new courthouse and we will be able to provide some more definitive information concerning costs in a few weeks. As of now, plans are to house the current judicial system in the new facility.

Cherokee County Commission Chairman Tim Burgess said the project will take anywhere between 3-5 years to complete.