NEW CHURCH TO PURCHASE HISTORIC CHAPEL: WE NEED HELP

The Southern Pines Chapel, located at 240 East New Hampshire Avenue in the Historic District, is a well know, beloved community chapel. Amidst the old train station by the tracks, the Ice cream Parlor, Betsy's Crepes, Java Bean Roasting Company and Coffee Shop, the Southern Pines Brewery, the Sunrise Theatre, and several other numerous and popular sites and businesses in the Historic District, stands the Southern Pines Chapel. The cornerstone to this local landmark was laid in 1928. In 2018, after a long run as a place of worship, the property was about to be put up for sale. Several third parties were interested to convert the property into a bar, a coffee shop, or an apartment building. However, God desired to maintain this property as a house of worship and as a symbol of hope and light in the Greater Pines Region. God placed the desire to preserve this property as a church on the heart of Kathy Virtue, a longtime resident of Southern Pines, and director of a family-owned foundation focused on building churches, schools, orphan homes and medical clinics in Africa. She said at the time, "These are the buildings we want to save. This is what makes Southern Pines.” She added, “When I was driving down the road and saw the ‘for sale’ sign going up in front of the Chapel, I felt it in my spirit, we need to save this old church.” Virtue and her foundation stepped out in faith and purchased the church, trusting only in God to provide. She believed that God would provide a pastor and church family who shared the same vision and would desire to purchase the historic property. Sadly, after five years and COVID’s effects on the community, it seemed as if her godly hopes and vision for this property were coming to an end. The foundation was about to place the property on the market, saddened that it would no longer serve the greater community as a church. This is when Fr. Michael McKinnon, a priest in the Anglican Christian tradition, who recently moved with his family to Moore County, North Carolina to plant a new church, heard that the property was about to come up for sale. "I was meeting with a mutual friend of Kathy Virtue for coffee at Java Bean in the Historic District who informed me that Kathy and her Christian missionary organization was about to list the property. I too felt in my spirit, as Virtue had five years earlier, 'we need to save this old church'. It needs to remain a church." McKinnon added, "When I first saw the church, I could hear the voice of God saying, 'Welcome Home. Feed my people.'”

Thus, ninety-five years after the cornerstone to this church was laid, the little brick church on East New Hampshire Avenue is set once again to remain a community church. However, McKinnon and his church family only held their first services in the area on Sunday, September 18, 2022. Thus, they have a less established financial history. By God's grace and the leading of the Holy Spirit, the Church of the Advent (ACNA) is purchasing Southern Pines Chapel to preserve it as a house of worship, prayer, discipleship, evangelism, and outreach. The new church is establishing a two-tier campaign to help them purchase the church by July, 2023. Firstly, they are looking for a minimum of 200 people in Moore County who desire to help them preserve this historic building and Chapel as a place of worship to make a one time donation of $200. McKinnon said, "We have not even officially announced this campaign, and already checks for $200 are coming in. We are so blessed to see people in the community helping us to preserve this chapel as a house of christian worship and support to the greater community. We need an ol' fashioned neighborhood church in the Historic District." Secondly, they are receiving donations to their new capital campaign drive. "$10, $50, $100, or $20,000 will help. "The smaller the mortgage loan, the more we will be able to invest in our community. This is my heart, to help those in need. We are committed to serving our community. Please help us to help others." McKinnon said.

Fr. McKinnon is already active in our local community, serving as Chaplain to the Southern Pines Fire Department who recently celebrated their 125th anniversary, is a proud member of the Southern Pines Rotary Club, and volunteers with Meals on Wheels, serving those in need in both Southern Pines and Aberdeen. He also serves on the Faculty and as Dean of Students for All Saints Christian Academy, Cameron. McKinnon believes, "A priest must be involved in his local community, serving all in need. We believe that God himself came from heaven in the person of Jesus Christ, not to be served, but to serve. If I believe this, and I do, then I too must be among God's people as one who serves."

Leasing until they can purchase, the Anglican Church of the Advent will celebrate their grand opening in the Southern Pines Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 26. McKinnon said, "All are welcome to join us as we worship God in Word and Sacrament." He added, "Ever wonder what the earliest Christian Church was like? If so, then please, 'Come and See.' We offer the same Holy Scriptures, Worship life, Faith, and Ministry as the earliest Christian Church without addition or deletion. We are committed to Christian Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship, Outreach, and local and global Mission. Together, we can make a difference." Visit our website for more information.

Church of the Advent Building Fund

Securing Southern Pines Chapel for the Gospel

Team Members