First Bryan Baptist Church, located in the heart of Yamacraw Village, Savannah, Georgia, represents a longstanding community presence, but both locals and church leaders face uncertainty as demolition plans are underway.
“It was astonishing to learn how many of our congregation members were born and grew up right here in Yamacraw, and have witnessed its evolution from a flourishing neighborhood to its current state,” expressed Rev. Christopher Pittman, the pastor of First Bryan Baptist Church.
With demolition on the table, Pittman says residents are worried about what may happen next.
He added, “Their primary fear is becoming homeless, as relocating from low-income housing to similar accommodation could be challenging for those already living there.”
The Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS) aims to alleviate these concerns with its relocation plan, providing families with moving assistance, a relocation coordinator, and an opportunity to return to the newly constructed units.
HAS has modified its approach to focus on the elderly and disabled, elongate voucher validity, and ensure the creation of as many on-site subsidized units as are currently used.
But Pittman says the church itself could be at risk from demolition vibrations, and he worries that history may be lost in the process.
“We’re crafting a response to the 106-section of the demolition process because our church, constructed partly on stilts of wood and brick combined, could suffer damage due to the demolition vibrations,” Pittman explained.
HAS’s application is still under federal review. Pittman said the church will continue serving the community even amid changes.
“We’re always going to be a church that serves the community, serves the poor, looks out for the elderly, and, you know, we provide even educational services. The difference is, is they can walk to the church, and they can, you know, come in the morning and get food and get diapers for their babies, get sanitary things for the household,” he said.
The Housing Authority says the relocation will be a smooth transition. For now, residents and church leaders say the future of Yamacraw and its history remains uncertain.
