Government targets small black church

A small church in Oklahoma has come up against the large hand of the state as it faces possible seizure to make room for a tax-generating shopping center.

Centennial Baptist Church has been ministering to the black community of Sand Springs for years, led by its pastor, Roosevelt "Rosey" Gildon. But the city says the church building, which sees about 50 congregants gather on Sunday mornings, is in the way of progress – Sand Springs' controversial "Vision 2025" project. The project reportedly is to be anchored by a Home Depot.

Ousting a church from its building has become possible for city officials thanks to last summer's Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London, in which the justices cleared the way for a government to seize private land to be turned over to private developers.

Though the practice of eminent domain is provided for in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, the Kelo case is significant because the seizure is for private development and not for "public use," such as a highway or bridge.

"The Lord didn't send me here to build a mini-mall," Gildon told the New York Times.

Sand Springs wants to redevelop the area west of Tulsa where some of the buildings, though not the church, are rundown. New businesses will pull in more tax money to the city.

"I'm open to anyone telling me how we're going to pay for city services," Mayor Bob Walker is quoted as saying. Walker says he hopes to negotiate a fair price will all affected property owners so eminent domain proceedings are not necessary.

But Gildon says his church can't afford to move, even if it were to accept the city's offer of $142,000 for the church and two adjoining lots.

"After I heard the news, we started looking to see if we could move," Gildon told Heather Wilhelm for a column in National Review. "I just don't think we can afford it. It's too expensive. And if we can't move, and they take our building, what happens to the church? If we leave, who is going to minister to the black community in Sand Springs?"

Added the pastor: "I guess saving souls isn't as important as raking in money for politicians to spend."

Gildon has led the church for 14 years. The building, only 7 years old, was built for $90,000.

The minister, 48, works full time for a machine tool manufacturer and says he's paid $520 a month to also pastor his church.

The church is receiving the help of Americans for Limited Government, an organizing pushing ballot initiatives in several states to limit eminent domain powers.

While Gildon has received national media attention, he warned congregants recently not to get caught up in the issue.

"I've had to say, 'Don't let it go to your head,' " he told the Times. "We're not celebrities. We're here for God."

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