[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

We're living in 400 North Church right now.  Your church is definitely one of the strong points of that neighborhood! While we don't attend church, just seeing a touch of depth of soul in a pretty sterile area is very nice. My two year old keeps wanting to use your playground, but we understand liability issues, etc. :-)

 

We just wish the city of Charlotte weren't so strict on the food trucks. Some of the trucks have outstanding food, and when you go to a place like Portland, Oregon and see them lined up, along with buyers of their food, then you just cringe thinking it might not happen here with all of our regulations. Apparently, The South End location of Food Truck Friday is going away since there's a developer's sign on the lot now. Would be great for us (not sure for the rest of the city :-) if they could have a Food Truck Alley in one of those empty lots between the future light rail extension and North Tryon.... (Levine area)

The guys from the Tin Kitchen are in front of our church on Thursdays...and it completely rocks! I agree, though, that some more could be done there. Maybe we need to throw a party and invite the TK guys to come help us out. Anyways, they hang out at Triple C Brewery and NoDa Brewery, too, at different times during the week. As to kids playing in our playground, when we get ready to have an event where we open it up, I'll let you know (or maybe your two-year old is an excuse to have an event like that).

J

[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

Thanks for responding. Honestly I think we all agree that First United is a beautiful, irreplaceable building that should stand as is for generations to come. Thanks so much for your contribution!

Well, we are a part of a wonderful neighborhood and it's exciting how the neighborhood is evolving. I'd love to hear from folks what you think are the strengths and needs of our part of town.

[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

Heard a big rumor today.  First Methodist Church is looking at the possibility of selling its education wing (four story building on Church St behind FMC) to a developer for a high-rise apartment or condo building.  The structure is in poor condition and the church is in need of money.  My source told me that the church would get some of the space on the lower two floors of the new tower to replace what will be demolished.  

 

So hey, folks. As the senior pastor of FIrst United Methodist Church, I have to say that I am intrigued at the idea you guys were kicking around. The problem is that it's merely a rumor. Our church does some pretty cool ministry in town and we have pretty neat ideas about how we'd like to fit in with the redevelopment of North Tryon. However, as of now, we do not have any plans to sell any part of our property (except maybe a Fender Stratocaster I'd like to swap out), nor do we have any plans to demolish or reconfigure any part of our structure. Just to quell the rumor, I thought I should check in to clarify. Feel free to ask me any questions that you want, since we are very proud of our historic presence Uptown and our role in our neighborhood.  Thanks!  

 

Jonathan Coppedge-Henley, senior pastor, FIrst UMC of Charlotte