RCCG Faith Chapel Given Three Year Deadline To Find New Home

May 30, 2018 | 2:04 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A local church is having trouble finding a permanent place to call home, and almost lost their temporary space as city council received the recommendation not to grant an extension for the zoning of the church’s current lot. 

In many ways The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Faith Chapel is a very standard church, with prayers, a pastor, and a full choir…  the location, however, is anything but typical.

An industrial building, just off 15th avenue and Ogilvie St, has served as a temporary home for the congregation for the last three years. Victor Folorunso came to Prince George from Nigeria eight years ago to start the church, but it has been difficult to find the right space. 

Their current location is zoned to allow for light industrial use such as manufacturing products, not for religious assemblies. 

At city council Monday night the church asked for a renewal of their temporary use permit to allow it to remain in its current location. Before the council voted, administration advised it to deny the church’s request because of the land use being inconsistent with its original purpose as an industrial site. 

 “I couldn’t just imagine any other verdict, other than them you know, them granting us an extension to stay here. Because then you begin to think of where do you move 140 people? What kind facility will be suitable enough to accommodate them?” says Victor Folorunso, Parish Pastor.

Council approved the extension unanimously and the chapel now has three years to find a new home. To help them do just that is real estate agent Harry Backlin, but he says it will be no easy feat to find a location with the correct zoning for a church. 

Pastor Folorunso says he has faith it will work out, knowing what the church means to his community.