Black Church Moving Out Of Lincoln Park, Walgreens Moving In
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Lincoln Park residents are upset that a predominately African American church is leaving the neighborhood in two weeks, and a Walgreens is moving in.
For 38 years, the Greater Little Rock the Lord's Church has been a fixture at Armitage Avenue and Dayton Street.
"When we came here, we were welcomed by the community, and we became a part of the community," said Rev. Clarence Taylor, Bryant -- the co-pastor who practically grew up in the church.
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The congregation has dwindled to 100, and Bryant said it's hard for the aging church members to get up the two flights of stairs to the sanctuary. So the church is moving to a one-floor space on the West Side, and has sold the old space for more than $2.6 million.
The plan calls for demolition of the old site, and then construction of a Walgreens store.
"Personally, I have some concerns that my other neighbors share," said Kristi Nuelle, who lives across the alley from the church. "One, about the demolition of the church. It's no secret there's rats in Chicago. I don't know if there's asbestos in the church."
Nuelle said she loves the church and hates to see them go. She wondered, among other things, whether liquor will be sold at the Walgreens coming next door.
