Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 16, 1992 TAG: 9201170261
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
ROANOKE CHURCH MOVING TO HOLLINS AREA
Calvary Tabernacle, a non-denominational conservative Christian group, will relocate its house of worship from Northwest Roanoke to the Hollins area.The Rev. Ben Peyton, pastor since 1988 and son of the founder, said the move is expected to be completed in the next 18 months.
The new church will be on 10 acres near the Ingersoll-Rand industrial plant not far from the old Hollins Station. Peyton said it will be convenient to several growing neighborhoods near the Botetourt County line.
The church at 18th Street and Orange Avenue Northwest is for sale for about $160,000. The building, erected 35 years ago, seats 475. The pastor said those interested can call Michael Waldvogel at 982-2444. A nearby house, which the church used for fellowship events, is being offered separately for $35,000.
Calvary Tabernacle was one of several churches in Southwest Virginia and West Virginia organized by the late Rev. Harry Peyton, an evangelical radio preacher active for more than 35 years. He died in 1988. His son not only was named pastor of the church but also, along with Lacy Raines Jr., is principal owner of radio WWWR.
Ben Peyton said the move to the suburbs is being made because the church has been steadily losing membership over the past 25 years as the neighborhood has changed racially from white to black, and traffic density on Orange Avenue has made it less desirable for church expansion.
The speed with which the move is made will depend, said Peyton, on sale of the Orange Avenue buildings. An architect soon will draw plans for a multipurpose structure to be used for worship, fellowship and education. A second building will be erected later for services.