The Wesley Campus Ministry has called its 214 Pittsboro St. location home since 1965, but due to substantial member growth, officials say the ministry is now looking for a new home closer to campus.
Wesley, a nonprofit campus ministry founded in the 1940s, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and provides worship services and fellowship opportunities for University students.
Its building also houses Wesley House, a residential community where 10 undergraduate students live each year.
Brett Piper, board of directors co-chairman, said Wesley leaders discussed rezoning and expanding their current location with the Chapel Hill Town Council, but the council decided that the area could not be rezoned — prompting Wesley to look for another location.
Piper said the ministry has tripled its membership and is looking for a spot that better serves its student ministry.
He said the group is still working to sell its current building, proceeds from which will fund a new building. A new location hasn’t yet been chosen.
According to Orange County’s Geographic Information System, the current location was valued at nearly $2 million in 2009.
In the meantime, Jim Kocher, who is also board of directors co-chairman, said Wesley will likely have to hold events in temporary locations around campus, such as University United Methodist Church at 150 E. Franklin St.
But despite the temporary inconvenience, he said the move out of the old building will be a positive one.