Changing Church in Hillcrest

Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Hillcrest may be adapted for commercial use. (© Google Maps)

Have you heard a church in Little Rock’s Hillcrest neighborhood might be looking to make a change with its church building?

That’s the word about Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, at the corner of Kavanaugh Boulevard and North Cedar Street. It seems the church is working with a developer and is considering doing something, although we’re not sure exactly what.

A tipster told us there’s talk of setting up a nonprofit entity and creating a market and artist colony at the church’s location, less than a half-mile east of the Hillcrest business district. A real estate developer told us the plans are in the “early exploratory phase, and no final decisions have been made. A range of ideas are under discussion, but nothing is confirmed at this time.”

The church has been home to the Hillcrest Farmers Market, a popular streetside weekend spot, since 2010. The church has also rented space to Hope Church since last year. The property has several buildings, including a colonial revival-style building with four large fluted columns facing Kavanaugh that was built in 1951.

It’s not clear if the church would continue to operate as a church in that location or look for a new spot, or if the site is zoned properly for the proposed new uses. More reporting will be required on this one. Stay tuned.