Religion and Hollywood normally don’t sound like mix well — but a Baptist church in Shreveport hopes it will be a good fit.
And Summer Grove Baptist — which built its sanctuary out of an old shopping mall — doesn’t always go by the book.
The church is thinking about selling part of its property to a new film institute and studio. They would exist side-by-side — with the film studio making “family friendly” films with a Christian message.
The congregation votes on the idea next Sunday.
Summer Grove, which moved into the old South Park Mall three years ago, is considering a proposal by the Louisiana Film Institute and Fountain Bridge Studios to buy part of the mall. It’s talking about paying the church approximately $2 million a year over 30 years.
Interesting – this is the church to which my wife’s parents belong. They’ve managed to make a pretty good use of this previously non-ecclesiastical space, but there was a lot of the large building unused. I hope this prospers both the church and the film institute.