Twenty years. That is how long Perfecting Church has been under construction at Woodward and 7 Mile. The story of Perfecting Church is one of ambition. It is also a story of setbacks and resilience.
In 2004, Detroit City Council approved a zoning ordinance. This ordinance allowed construction of a large church building. The proposed building was planned to be 35,000-square-feet. It would seat 4,200 people.
Construction on the new Perfecting Church building began in 2005. The church started building at Woodward and 7 Mile. However, the project soon faced unforeseen challenges. The Great Recession hit. COVID-19 then added to the difficulties. Progress on Perfecting Church stalled.
Despite these halts, Perfecting Church tried to maintain the property. But in 2016 and 2017, city inspections found maintenance wasn’t up to code. Another inspection in 2022 also resulted in a failure.
In January 2023, the city issued a list of demands. They threatened a lawsuit. The city followed through with the suit. They claimed the unfinished Perfecting Church was a public nuisance.
Perfecting Church pushed back against the city’s claims. Their attorney argued the property didn’t meet the legal standard for a public nuisance. He stated the church had been working to restart construction. The church even met with city departments.
Perfecting Church filed a counterclaim. They alleged a violation of the freedom of information act. The church sought documents and video tapes of meetings with the city. They believed these would show the city was aligned with the church. They wanted to reinvigorate the project. The city has not complied with these requests.
The counterclaim also mentioned unforeseen circumstances. These included the Great Recession and COVID-19. These events caused construction to stall. Money has been an issue. Perfecting Church was close to securing financial backing. However, banks pulled out of agreements.
The lawsuit has halted construction. If the city wins, Perfecting Church could lose the property. The building might be demolished.
Despite the challenges, Perfecting Church remains determined. The church wants to complete the project. The plans include a 4,200-seat sanctuary. There would also be a nursery, a wedding chapel, and banquet space. Twenty million dollars has already been spent.
The City of Detroit wants a reasonable plan. This plan would complete the church. If Perfecting Church cannot finish, the city could sell it. The proceeds would go back to the church.
The future of Perfecting Church is uncertain. The legal battle continues. The church hopes to secure financing and complete its vision.