Schilling Farms’ First Church Starts Construction in Fall

By Daisy Fontaine
– The Collierville Herald –

Schilling Farms’ first house of worship is coming to a 44-acre site on Winchester Road. The church, known to many as Immanuel Baptist at Hacks Cross Road, will become the Life Church, but will remain associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, despite the decision made by the 650 members of the church that their focus will be "God before denomination," said Associate Pastor Duke Wheeler.

The Rev. Wheeler, speaking for Senior Pastor Dr. Scott Payne who was out of the country on a mission tour, said that emphasis will be placed heavily upon the family. "We chose this acreage so we would have ample space for all the activities we are planning in the future," he said. Mission work is also an important part of the church’s outreach, he said.

The Immanuel congregation sold the Hacks Crossing property to Union University, but will continue to use the property for Sunday and Wednesday services, Pastor Wheeler said.

However, Life Church area residents were invited to attend the 10 a.m. program at Schilling Farms Middle School, with the Shelby County School Board approving the one-time use.

With the large amount of property, the church will include sports activity areas and a children’s day school is also being considered, said Pastor Wheeler.

The church building will be located near Nonconnah Parkway and Winchester Road, making the property easy to reach and comfortable for use for the many aspects of ministry anticipated and the large expansion expected.

Fleming Associates Architects of Memphis has drawn Life Church’s plans, with construction to begin in the early fall.

Pastors Payne and Wheeler are expecting residential expansion in Schilling Farms to bring new people to the new church.