GREENVILLE, S.C. — A church in South Carolina painted pink with the word “Trap” written on it by a real estate developer on it is listed for sale for $2.5 million, and some local residents say they are betrayed and angry.
The former Bibleway Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church property on Woodside Avenue in Greenvillewas sold to Rallis Wood LLC for $425,000 in April, according to a property deed.
LoopNet now lists it as available for redevelopment “in booming West Greenville.”
The listing came after developer Ron Rallis heard concerns from residents about gentrification in the neighborhood.
Now neighbors of the property fear that’s exactly what would be spurred by the sale the developer seeks.
Hystroric church now ‘an eyesore’
The church’s last service was held on the site June 19. It’s since relocated to another area about seven miles east of its former building.
Bibleway had been on Woodside Avenue since 1995. The property was owned by Church of God Trs. before Bibleway purchased it, according to county property records.
Rallis did not respond to phone calls or text messages from The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network, last week.
On July 30, he held an impromptu “community forum” where he addressed his painting of the closed church as well as concerns he posted on social media and other outlets claiming he was falsely arrested for two felonies.
Community members at the forum expressed fears of gentrification, where longtime residents would be forced out by…
