Mercer University Transforming Church into Community Arts Center

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A historic church in the College Hill Corridor is about to get a little “TLC”.

President of Mercer University Bill Underwood, unveiled plans Monday, to transform Tattnall Square Presbyterian Church into the Tattnall Square Center for the Arts.

It’s going to be a community performing arts venue, as well as home, to the Mercer University’s Theatre Department.

“As Macon goes, so does Mercer, so it’s important for us to make Macon an even better place to live work and play,” said Underwood.

The $425,000 dollar grant from Knight foundation program, ArtPlace America, is helping to bring the project to life.

The church was donated to Mercer in 2010. Mercer’s Director of Theatre, Scot Mann, says it’s the perfect space for a new type of congregation.

“It’s already already made as a meeting space, uh, it’s wide, it’s open, it’s very tall, it’s perfect for performance space,” said Mann.

College Hill Alliance Executive Director, Heather Holder, believes it fits perfectly along the bridge between Mercer and downtown.

“It’s going to provide traffic, and entertainment, and excitement and provide that great ambiant sound and feeling. It’s all part of that vibrancy we are looking for that part of the plan is built off of,” said Holder.

When the doors open, students and community members will add to that vibrancy through their talent.

“You need to attend things that feed your imagination and fire up your motivation to create your own art, and that’s what the advantage is of bringing other people’s art into your own space,” said Mann.

The project is going to cost about $2 million. The plan is to open the center in a year.