CHARLOTTE — Our Lady of Consolation Church, Charlotte’s only historically African American parish, has launched a $2 million capital campaign to convert its former school building into a learning center to serve the surrounding community as well as parishioners.
The surrounding neighborhood north of uptown Charlotte has markedly changed since the church was built in 1955 – most notably with the multimillion-dollar urban redevelopment of Camp North End. Parish leaders are excited about the possibilities the old school could offer the growing number of young people, the elderly and newcomers moving in nearby.
Forced to close in 1988 due to dwindling enrollment, the 12,000-square-foot building has fallen into 
disrepair over the years. The capital campaign’s first phase aims to transform the building with a new roof, windows and handicapped-accessible entrance, as well as enable much-needed foundation repairs; major updates to the building’s HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems; renovated bathrooms; and new flooring, paint and furniture throughout.
“OLC is in the center of change and we want to be a part of that change,” said Bartina Edwards, who heads up the parish’s stewardship committee called Renewing Our Commitment, or ROC. “We want to make sure that those in the community who are challenged by access issues are not left behind. That is critical.”
A community learning center would be a resource and “beacon of hope and strength” in the community, Edwards said, echoing the parish’s mission statement. It would house programs geared to the underserved: the elderly, children and people with healthcare disparities, she said.
Keith Anderson, chairperson of the parish’s capital campaign committee, believes the timing is right for the campaign – entitled “The Time is Now” – despite the economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now is the time. It’s a difficult time, but we’ve been through other difficulties, and we’ve always come through it,” Anderson said. “We have to continue to push forward. We are always trying to spread the Gospel at all times. We are anxious to do it, not just for us but for future generations, too.”
It has been a challenge to concentrate all of the parish’s extensive social, educational and pastoral activities inside the adjacent parish life center, they said. This project to make improvements to the church’s other facilities could not wait.
Added Edwards, “Getting back into our church, to strengthen that sense of spirituality and the connection to God and just the essence of being Catholic, is of utmost importance. Without the much-needed upgrades to our facilities, our mission of being a beacon of hope is not fully actualized.”
May 9 is Pledge Day, when organizers hope to have 100 percent participation from parishioners in pledges to the campaign. Nearly $500,000 towards the $2 million goal has been raised so far.
If the fundraising campaign goes well, the parish hopes to start the renovation project before the end of this year and complete the work in 2022.
“We are excited about the opportunity to grow with the surrounding community,” said Father Basile Sede, pastor. “OLC has been a staple and system of support for residents of the Statesville Avenue corridor since the 1950s… Improvement of the facilities will allow OLC to expand the spiritual and community work of the Church.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Help the campaign
At www.ourladyofconsolation.org/capital-campaign : Learn more about Our Lady of Consolation Church’s campaign to renovate its old school and contribute securely online.
Donations can also be mailed to 2301 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28226.
Questions? Contact Keith Anderson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call the parish office at 704-375-4339.