Summer Grove Baptist Church Faces Financial Challenges

Shreveport, LA, August 19, 2025

News Summary

The Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport is gearing up for a congregational meeting to address significant financial and operational challenges. With attendance dropping dramatically and high maintenance costs for its mall property, church leaders are weighing options for the future, including potential renovations or relocation. The upcoming meeting aims to forge a sustainable path forward for the church’s mission and community impact.

Shreveport, Louisiana – The Summer Grove Baptist Church, situated in the former JC Penney space at Southpark Mall, is set to hold a vital congregational meeting on August 24, 2025. This meeting will focus on the future direction of the church as it faces significant financial and operational challenges that could impact its long-term sustainability.

Since acquiring the property in 2005 for $12 million, the church has played a pivotal role in the local community, especially in response to the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. However, maintaining the sizable 851,200 square feet mall property has proven to be financially burdensome, with annual expenses estimated at $500,000 for utilities and maintenance alone.

The church’s situation has become increasingly precarious due to the need for substantial repairs, including a new roof and a parking lot renovation. Attendance has notably dropped from a high of 1,600 parishioners to approximately 500-600 on any given Sunday, resulting in a decrease in tithes and financial support for the church’s operations.

To address these challenges, church leaders have put forward three potential options to the congregation:

• Remain at the mall without changes.
• Stay at the mall but undertake significant renovations to downsize.
• Sell the mall and seek a new location, potentially merging with another church.

Dr. David Dies, chairman of the finance committee, has raised concerns regarding the church’s financial health, especially with rising insurance and maintenance costs. The prospect of renovation could lead the church into considerable debt, while selling the property would alleviate immediate financial pressures but necessitate the search for a new home.

Despite owning the property outright, having paid off the mortgage, the church faces ongoing financial pressures. The annual maintenance needs are estimated at $5.1 million, highlighting the urgency for action. Currently, the church has eight tenants leasing space within the mall, contributing to its community-oriented mission, but revitalization efforts remain constrained due to limited budgets and staffing resources.

In anticipation of the congregational meeting, church leaders are encouraging all members to engage in prayer and discussion regarding their future direction. Pastor Tim Purvis has emphasized the necessity of making a well-considered decision that reflects the congregation’s core values and mission moving forward into the next 175 years.

Background Context

Summer Grove Baptist Church has been a staple of the Shreveport community, leveraging its mall space for various community services. The facility was once bustling with activities but has struggled in recent years as attendance waned and maintenance needs grew. The congregation’s discussions about the future of their property reflect broader issues faced by many faith-based organizations in the era of fluctuating attendance and financial resources.

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Additional Resources

• Shreveport Bossier Advocate
• Wikipedia: Summer Grove Baptist Church
• KTBS News
• Google Search: Summer Grove Baptist Church
• Baptist Message
• Google Scholar: Summer Grove Baptist Church
• KTAL News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Summer Grove Baptist Church
• KTBS News
• Google News: Summer Grove Baptist Church

Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.