Memphis Church Transforms Former Golf Clubhouse

Abandoned clubhouse to be renovated into new sanctuary space for growing congregation.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:22am

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A brightly colored, abstract silkscreen print featuring a repeated church steeple or cross symbol in a grid pattern, capturing the vibrant energy of a religious community repurposing a commercial space.A former golf clubhouse in Memphis will be transformed into a new church sanctuary, breathing new life into an abandoned commercial property.Memphis Today

A former golf clubhouse in Memphis, Tennessee will be converted into a new church sanctuary for a growing congregation. The building, which had been vacant for several years, will undergo renovations to transform the space into a modern worship center for the community.

Why it matters

This project represents the adaptive reuse of an abandoned commercial property, breathing new life into a neglected space and providing an opportunity for a local church to expand its footprint and better serve its parishioners. It also highlights the ongoing trend of churches finding creative ways to acquire and repurpose existing buildings rather than constructing new facilities from the ground up.

The details

The 10,000-square-foot former clubhouse, located adjacent to a now-closed golf course, will be extensively renovated to include a main sanctuary, classrooms, offices, and other support spaces for the growing congregation. The church plans to preserve the building's existing architectural features while modernizing the interior to meet their needs. Construction is expected to take 12-14 months and cost an estimated $3.5 million.

  • The former golf clubhouse has been vacant for 3 years since the course closed in 2023.
  • The church purchased the property in January 2026.
  • Renovation work is scheduled to begin in May 2026.

The players

Bellevue Baptist Church

A large evangelical Christian church located in the Memphis suburb of Cordova, with a congregation of over 8,000 members.

City of Memphis

The local government entity that approved the church's building permit and zoning changes to allow the adaptive reuse project.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to breathe new life into this abandoned property and create a modern space for our growing church community.”

— Dr. Steve Gaines, Senior Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church

“Projects like this help revitalize underutilized commercial areas and provide valuable community resources.”

— Jim Strickland, Mayor, City of Memphis

What’s next

Bellevue Baptist Church expects to complete the renovation and open the new sanctuary by early 2027.

The takeaway

This adaptive reuse project demonstrates how churches can find creative solutions to expand their footprint and better serve their communities, while also contributing to the revitalization of underutilized commercial spaces.