Church moving to former Mansour’s, Zoo City site

The former Mansour’s on Airport Thruway, which then became Zoo City, will become the new temporary home for CrossPointe Church.

A $590,000 permit was filed in mid-February in Muscogee County for the renovation to the 52,000-square foot facility.

The Rev. Brad Evangelista, the pastor, said the church signed a lease about a month ago. CrossPointe’s first and only home in its five-year history is the Old Mountain Hill Schoolhouse in Fortson. The building is off Ga. 315.

“It’s a lovely building and very charming. But a vast majority of the church live in Columbus so we felt a pull back in,” Evangelista said.

Between 300 and 350 people attend regularly. In addition to more space, the new building will allow for church offices and worship space to be under one roof.

Renovations to the new building should be completed by June or July. Church leaders will continue to search for property for a permanent home. Evangelista anticipates renting for about five years.

John Teeples Construction is doing the renovations. The owner of the property is the Vance Smith family. He is the former state representative whose son, Kip, was last year elected to his old seat.

CrossPointe Church officially launched on April 17, 2005, at the schoolhouse. Evangelista had been on the pastoral staff at Evangel Temple (Assemblies of God) in Columbus. A small launch team was formed out of Evangel Temple’s young adult ministry. Evangel Temple’s financial support sustained CrossPointe for the first few months, and eventually, once a large enough core congregation had assembled, CrossPointe became self-sustaining within its first year.

Evangelista is married to Dr. Jennifer Evangelista, a Columbus pediatrician. They have four children.

Allison Kennedy, 706-576-6237