Atlanta black churches face foreclosures, evictions

Atlanta black churches face foreclosures, evictions

ATLANTA (AP) - A predominantly black Atlanta church is facing foreclosure and says banks aren't doing enough to keep churches like it open. "Higher Ground Empowerment Center":http://www.hgec.org pastor Dexter Johnson says the bank has given the church until Aug. 31 to pay up or move out. He says they're trying to work with the lender to modify the loan, but suffered membership loss and damage during the 2008 Atlanta tornado and don't have a lot of resources. Johnson and a coalition of clergy leaders of other predominantly black churches believe banks are putting unfair pressure on them. Two weeks ago, a bank evicted Darryl Winston's southeast Atlanta Church. Marshals dumped the church belongings in the parking lot. Winston believes as many as 40 other Atlanta churches like his could be facing the same thing soon. Johnson says the churches want banks to realize they're more than just brick and mortar buildings. _Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed._