AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Augusta Preservation Commission held a meeting Thursday night, and the future of the Old First Baptist Church was on the agenda.

The church has been there since 1902 and was the founding site of the Southern Baptist Convention and some are fighting for it to stay.

Many members of the church and community showed up to the meeting in support of not getting rid of the building.

One of those members, Jayne Scott, says she grew up going to the church with her grandmother and would be sad to see it go.

“It’s disappointing, I think it’s exquisite architecture, we have beautiful memories, and I think we can use it for something extravagant.” Scott says.

She says instead of demolishing the property, they could use the building for a restaurant, a ballroom, or even dance classes.

The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a landmark for many in the downtown Historic District of Augusta.

Eric Montgomery, Executive Director of Historic Augusta, says, “Of course it would be a terrible loss, it’s a beautiful building although it needs a lot of work but it’s the finest example of Mozart style in Augusta. It has a really rich, long history, it’s just an unfortunate situation.” 

Scott says the church plays a significant role in the CSRA.

“I think it’s important that we hold on to as many historical markers, icons, statues, buildings, as we can that’s part of our identity, it’s part of our culture.” 

Discussion on the possible demolition for property was set to be discussed but the applicant for the proposal did not show up to the meeting postponing the request for the demolition to a later date.