Delano church to move after six decades, clearing way for riverfront development

UPDATED — Metropolitan Baptist Church is leaving Delano for Maize after much consideration, including a lot of prayer, said senior pastor Mason Lampkin.

He said a lot of the 165-parishioner church’s new members are coming from northwest Wichita.

“We took that as an answer to prayer,” he said.

The church, which started in temporary space in 1962, first opened at 525 W. Douglas in 1965 with more than 1,000 members.

“They always said the best day was their first day,” Lampkin said of the church’s size.

Several years ago, the church started having conversations about downsizing from its 7.1-acre site where its 90,000-square-foot building sits.

The idea was “to get a building that . . . fits our church better for the future,” Lampkin said.

Also, he said the church doesn’t have many members from Delano.

Following years of discussions, which were slowed by the pandemic, Lampkin said in 2022 the church formalized a deal to sell its property to George Laham and Birds Eye Holdings.

Previously, developers announced their intention to create a multiuse site with a hotel, shops, restaurants, apartments, office and public spaces.

“At first, we were looking to see if it was a possibility that we would stay,” Lampkin said.

That included remaining in the current space but in a smaller part of it to be more efficient.

Instead, the church is moving to 9701 W. 53rd St. North, which is just off of K-96. Lampkin said the site makes sense both due to the growing membership from northwest Wichita and the proximity to the highway, which makes it easy for members throughout the city and beyond.

“We’re easily accessible from anywhere in Wichita.”

The church purchased 39 acres in Maize.

“Part of it’s going to stay natural,” Lampkin said. “Ten of those acres is what we’ll look to build on.”

There will be two phases of construction.

The first is for a 19,500-square-foot multipurpose gym with what Lampkin called “really flexible multiple uses,” including recreation and Sunday worship.

There also will be areas for education, a lobby and a coffee bar.

The first phase will be ready in March.

Lampkin won’t discuss how much the church received for its Delano property or what the new expenses are. He said part of the reason for two phases is “we’re going to do phase one debt free.”

The second phase will be for a dedicated worship space, classrooms and administrative area.

Lampkin said when and how big that second phase will be depends on whether the church grows.

“We’re hoping, and we really think we will,” Lampkin said.

He said there’s been growth in the church’s student ministry, where 60% to 70% of the participants “are kids from Maize, believe it or not.”

There have been friends inviting friends to join, he said.

“We’ve seen our numbers pick up even down here, so we think it bodes well for our future, too,” Lampkin said. “We are excited to join the Maize community.”

The developers who purchased the site the church is leaving have not made any announcements for immediate plans there.

This story was originally published June 5, 2024 at 4:04 AM.