How to Purchase Land to Build a Church

The need for a new worship facility is a positive problem. It is likely you oversee a thriving parish with steadily growing attendance and growing community programs. Naturally, you need a space with room to grow, and if your current space cannot fulfill that need, it is time to consider building a new facility.
Before building that new place of worship, you need a good piece of land that is correctly zoned and ready for construction. With the help of a realtor, or on your own, you can find a suitable parcel that will support your vision for your new church.

Things You'll Need

• Lawyer
• Survey for parishioners
• Down payment
• Realtor

Instructions

1. Survey parishoners (or potential parishoners) to confirm their interest in building a new church, then begin taking up collections to secure a down payment of anywhere between 20 and 40 percent of the total purchase if you plan to borrow money to buy the land.

2. Scout out land by using the help of a realtor or through your own land search. Choose land to survey by checking the zoning designation of the land you are interested in to be sure a place of worship would be considered an acceptable use for the land based on the guidelines set forth by the municipality where the land is located.

3. Enlist the help of an engineering firm to estimate the logistical impacts of the new construction on the land and surrounding area. Determine if the new building will cause a negative environmental impact on the land or surrounding area. Find out if the land you wish to purchase is home to any protected species or waterways.

4. Ask your engineering firm to perform a traffic and parking study for your new church to determine how much parking space you will need and whether required lighting will disturb any nearby businesses or residential areas. This information, along with the environmental impact study mentioned in Step 3, are all required when presenting your plans to the planning board of the town where your land is located.

5. Personally visit any residential areas near the land you wish to purchase and ask neighbors close to your desired new location about their thoughts on living near a church. Usually, neighbors will appreciate your willingness to be forthright as long as you are up front and honest about the church's role in the neighborhood.

6. Purchase the land for an acceptable price and close on the land purchase with the help of a lawyer. Then get started on the construction plans for your new church.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay close attention to the zones where your land is located. Be sure a place of worship is an acceptable use under the zoning code designated for the land.