Alcohol Codes Could Stop Church From Coming To Downtown Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A local businessman wants to bring a church to downtown Macon, but city and state laws could stand in his way.

“It’s one of the oldest churches of the time of Christ,” Michael Rizkalla said.

Rizkalla wants to bring the Arch Angel Michael Coptic Church to a building off Second Street in downtown Macon, but the spirits are standing in his way.

“There is nothing wrong with a church in of by itself but because state codes and local codes regarding the sales of alcohol when you place a church, it blocks out 300 feet in all directions the sale of alcohol,” Jim Thomas with the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission said.

That could pose a problem. Alcohol sales at restaurants, bars and night clubs are a big boost to the downtown economy. The planning and zoning commission already approved a liquor store to open at 458 Second Street, which is only 85 feet away from the proposed church. Down the block, the commission approved a restaurant to open that would serve liquor.

“We have to be careful with a land use decision because we don’t want to block out those uses that have been a viable land use for downtown.”

But Rizkalla argues that this will just be a place for members to meet once a month to receive communion and pray.

“We’re not calling it a church, it’s a place of gathering. we want to gather together to be able to continue to hold the faith of Christianity as we have in all the years before,” Rizkalla said.

The Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission says it will spend the next 30 days researching local and state liquor codes. Thomas hopes the commission will come to a decision by the October 22nd meeting.