First Baptist continues Downtown renovations

Permits are in review for exterior renovations of the Lindsay Memorial Auditorium.


The First Baptist Church campus in Downtown Jacksonville. (Google)
The First Baptist Church campus in Downtown Jacksonville. (Google)
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Work continues on renovations for First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. 

The city is reviewing a permit application for the exterior renovation of the Lindsay Memorial Auditorium at 125 W. Ashley St. at a construction cost of $1.75 million.

The work includes replacing the cladding and windows.

On Feb. 5, the city issued a permit to Williams & Rowe Co. Inc. for interior demolition and renovations of the Lindsay Memorial Auditorium at a cost of $1.78 million.

Plans say the scope of that work includes renovation of the sanctuary and the back-of-house choir rehearsal area.

The work includes the reconfiguration of the platform, replacing pews, finishes and modifications to the sound booth area and the overhead main sanctuary canopy. The project includes a new choir loft, LCD screens and AV upgrades.

First Baptist considered selling much of its Downtown property and then redevelop part of it in a $30 million project.

 Instead, it decided to base its ministry and operations in the Lindsay Memorial Auditorium.

First Baptist Senior Pastor Heath Lambert said in August that a small group of members has pledged “millions of dollars” to fix water infiltration, HVAC and other infrastructure problems in the auditorium. 

 

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