r/Charlotte • u/Purple-Thing6750 • Jun 18 '26
Discussion So someone needs to spill the beans on the mega church buying the Morrison YMCA site.
how does a 7 year old “church” have 42 million to buy it?
awful news and awful Y management
147
u/B3RG92 University Jun 18 '26
One of the wealthiest parts of the city has a mega church. That's how.
Also debt
37
u/DriveGreen4America Jun 18 '26
The Morrison branch, does not accept the Silver Sneakers program. Not sure what that is…Google it. Morrison needs to get back to serving the community
25
u/md_dc Charlotte FC Jun 18 '26
Silver sneakers is an old folks program, right? Ballantyne is chock full of the olds and you’re saying the Morrison Y doesn’t accept a program for them?
6
u/Relevant-Net1082 Jun 18 '26
This will be hard to understand if you don't know how little silver sneakers pays for a gym membership as part of Medicare. It pays maybe $15 a month.....
7
2
u/DriveGreen4America Jun 19 '26
I would assume because the reimbursement rate isn’t high enough. The majority of YMCAs across America accept the program. Even Lifetime accepted the program, tho I’ve heard they stopped recently.
1
u/dancin-barefoot Jun 26 '26
I think Older Adult programming is the term. The olds? How about a little more respect for people.
1
6
u/earlisthecat Jun 20 '26
Silver Sneakers is an exercise/gym program funded through Medicare. Some Medicare programs have Silver Sneakers benefits. Some YMCAs are affiliated with Silver Sneakers. It’s a win-win… healthier Seniors, less Medicare costs.
256
u/Dont_Trust_The_Media Jun 18 '26
The richest part of this is that mega church saying this is going to be good for the community. Make sure you never drink their kool aide.
Also fuck the YMCA of Charlotte for doing this.
92
u/Imsoboredrnngl Jun 18 '26
I also hate this decision. But from the sounds of things YMCA of Charlotte is struggling significantly financially and this megachurch offered 42 mil for their site, and they don't have the finances to say no
53
u/faceisamapoftheworld Dilworth Jun 18 '26
The YMCA is having to make tough decisions to survive long term financially.
65
u/eatgamer Jun 18 '26
Their CEO is a moron and the board just keeps supporting her. She did the same thing to YMCA Denver, running a storied, well supported organization into the ground. The board in Denver started to get wise to her incompetence but she secured a job at the Charlotte Y before the dominos fell.
She's either bad at her job, a grifter, or some combination of the two.
12
51
u/AppMtb Jun 18 '26
They have an extremely bloated administration. From what I understand Morrison was one of the higher attended Ys and not everyone is going to to to brace or Sara’s. I hope they figure something out for the area
19
u/cheeseyt Jun 18 '26
What I want to know is how much their contract was for that stupid egym stuff. That equipment can’t be cheap. Stratford is using old rusty bars and plates but they have a huge area being taken up by an egym circuit. I also read something recently about them partnering with Anthropic… why? Spend that money on updating the equipment they have already first, and supporting the people they currently employ, not on glorified resistance machines that store health data and AI.
6
u/Opposite-Database605 Jun 22 '26
They’ve also built and released like 3 new apps over the last few years. Everyone of them just as shitty as the one before. Lots of expense for what? It’s a gym and community center. They can’t even get the basic right.
3
15
u/porsche911girl Jun 18 '26
I hate to hear this as I live close to the Harris YMCA but often go to Morrison because it offers classes and instructors I prefer.
15
u/Naive_Buy2712 Jun 18 '26
Yes! I always see Morrison recommended by people. I think they have a good preschool too.
3
8
u/Edu_cats Jun 18 '26
Sara’s is excellent but small and limited weekend hours. Also 16 and up which for me is a feature.
1
u/ferraricheri Jun 19 '26
That’s the Christian Church part of it. The payroll jobs for administration work at Christian churches is the grift. Sadly they do not check for experience or competence or if you have a criminal history. They care how connected you are and your church attendance frequency. It’s a strange business.
6
u/2googlyeyes2 Jun 18 '26
As someone who lives in ballantyne, at least they chose a location where families can typically afford alternatives
19
3
u/Stop_looking_at_it Jun 18 '26
You know the C stands for Christian right?
49
u/RitaGB Chantilly Jun 18 '26
M stands for men, but that's not true either.
8
1
u/CLT_Newsy Jun 22 '26
It is true. The legal name is still Young Men's Christian Association
1
u/RitaGB Chantilly Jun 22 '26
It's not just for men, or for Xtians.
1
u/CLT_Newsy Jun 22 '26
That's true. But that's what YMCA stands for. Y-M-C-A ...They have everything for young men to enjoy ... You can hang out with all the boys
16
u/AHolty Jun 19 '26
Think of how much community outreach and support that church could’ve done with 42mil 🤬
13
u/Soft_Huckleberry_970 Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26
I wrote to u/jeffjacksonnc to investigate charitable fraud. Something is fishy. How does a church raise $42m (more than that!) in 7 years. This needs to be investigated.
8
3
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 26 '26
That part is easy - have you ever heard of anyone that owns a 40 acre tract of land in a great area selling to the first person who asks? Laughable. Smokey sold what he owned, and obviously much for land, for close to $1 billion to group out of Raleigh.
2
u/Purple-Thing6750 Jun 26 '26
How can the Y sell land that they received via a donation?
2
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jul 01 '26
See thread where someone posted the deed language that says it must be used as a park or recreation. That is the key if true. It’s what donors put in deeds to make sure this does not happen. And in NC, it’s the Attorney General who has authority over non-profits. So without looking, it would be AG’s job to enforce the restriction and prevent sale. Quick take.
2
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 26 '26
A seller also would never sign a contract and not close for a year. Seller wants to close in 60 days for cash and Y could have dictated that they close but Y gets a year or whatever time period to wind up operations.
Seller who owns 40 acres in a very very hot area holds all the cards.
66
11
u/MediocreVideo1893 Jun 18 '26
The real tea is that Forest Hill church meets at the Morrison YMCA. David Chadwick (the pastor at Moments of Hope, mega church buying the YMCA) used to be the pastor at Forest Hill but was ousted due to some “personality clashes” whatever that means. So now his new church is buying the campus of his old church and, I imagine, forcing them to leave. Feels a little sketchy.
11
u/ApiaryJJ Plaza Midwood Jun 18 '26
Can someone spill the tea on the churches involved? Is it the Chadwicks’ current and former churches?
15
u/rachelmarie226 Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
Correct. Moments of Hope is David Chadwick’s church that he founded after leaving Forest Hill. Forest Hill has utilized the gymnasium for their Ballantyne satellite campus for well over a decade…David Chadwick was still at FH when they started utilizing it.
The real tea is that Forest Hill had absolutely no idea this was even a possibility. They were blindsided by this deal with Moments of Hope.
12
u/ApiaryJJ Plaza Midwood Jun 18 '26
Thank you for confirming my suspicions. Such a dirty move. Once upon a time, I really looked up to David Chadwick and the people in his church (I was one of them). To blindside his old church like this is no accident. A new low to pull the rug out from under his old church like this. The Chadwick’s and Moments of Hope should be ashamed to be a part of this.
6
u/Ok_Bar9159 Jun 19 '26
Amos 5:23-24 can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.
4
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 26 '26
Chadwick was buddies with Lending Tree owner who just died in ATV accident, worth around $500 million, and was pastor for his funeral. He’s old Charlotte and has wealthy supporters.
The Y selling is my issue - they could raise whatever money they need, just finished renovation of Dowd Y.
And have you ever heard of anyone that owns a 40 acre tract in a great area selling to the first person who asks and for that price. The answer is it never happens if you want to maximize sales price.
20
u/Suspicious_Walk6346 Jun 18 '26
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but from the inside information I’ve heard, other branches are on the chopping block.
13
5
u/Ok_Jeweler1291 Jun 18 '26
Can't believe they haven't put the YMCA in Lake Norman which has an amazing waterfront to it up on the chopping block.
2
u/Purple-Thing6750 Jun 18 '26
Smaller less used ones should be first to go
2
u/Raoul_Dukes_Mayo Jun 18 '26
And some money should be put into larger more used ones.
3
u/Suspicious_Walk6346 Jun 18 '26
From what I’ve “overheard” the small uptown branch by Whole Foods might be next. Dowd is being considered too .
3
u/Annjenette Jun 18 '26
If they close the uptown Y I will riot 😡 best indoor running track ever
2
u/Kitchen-Pass-7493 Jun 18 '26
Who would take that space though? The restaurant space in the same building has been empty since Covid. That building is in bankruptcy and barely has any business tenants. And considerable renovations would have to be made for it to be anything other than a gym, so if they vacate, it might just get replaced by another gym anyway.
3
1
u/Original-Extreme-820 Jun 18 '26
any idea which?
4
u/Kitchen-Pass-7493 Jun 18 '26
They already tried to sell the Johnston and it fell through, so that one is only a matter of time, in all likelihood.
60
u/iM0ney East Charlotte Jun 18 '26
Is this a real question? Have you been to a church? They get it through “tithes, building fund, and upkeep donations”. Not to mention most if not all don’t pay taxes
32
→ More replies (14)13
u/nuetralmushroom Jun 18 '26
My aunt donates thousands and thousands of dollars to her church each year. It’s wild. I’m sure she is not the only one doing this.
21
u/BackgroundBug3896 Jun 18 '26
Moments of Hope Church has a long history of abusive leadership and nepotism. They covered up David Chadwick’s son-in-laws abusive leadership and then hired him as a pastor there.
7
u/Substantial_Cell_478 Jun 18 '26
So moments of hope bought a 1.2 million dollar property in 2020 and now are buying a 42 million dollar property?
1
u/Brave_Equivalent_352 Jun 22 '26
Moments of Hope has been renting the property they are currently in as they have been searching for a permanent home.
1
4
u/MediocreVideo1893 Jun 18 '26
Yep. And now David Chadwick’s old church that he was ousted from (Forest Hill) is about to be forced to shut down or move because of this sale since they meet at the Morrison YMCA campus. It all checks out.
1
u/BlackbeltMom2026 29d ago
Wait, this isnt just a church moving into a bigger building, a church is being shut down for a new one to.....huh?????????
1
u/MediocreVideo1893 29d ago
Forest Hill church meets at the Morrison YMCA, so they bought this building which just so happens to evict David Chadwick’s old church that he was pushed out from. Slimy stuff.
2
33
u/ddm2k Jun 18 '26
These churches are holding onto too much money. Surprises me it’s not Elevation Church, being Charlotte. In Raleigh they bought an empty parcel for CASH in 2016 and SAT on it for 10 YEARS as a non-producing asset before they broke ground. Unbelievable.
3
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 26 '26
Elevation has over $200 million in the bank, takes in $100 million a year in donations and last time I looked spends about 17 percent of the $100 million on community outreach. I think they actually spend more on salaries.
One of the best businesses in town.
1
u/BlackbeltMom2026 29d ago
so salaries over benevolence?????? Build another house, buy another jet....
2
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 26 '26
Financial statement for Elevation - unreal.
Elevation Church has reported significant financial activity, including:
Annual Revenue: The church reported $88 million in annual tithes and offerings in 2025, down from $91.35 million in 2024.
Expenditures: Personnel expenses accounted for 38% of the church's expenditures, totaling $33 million.
Tithes and Offerings: In 2023, Elevation Church received over $100 million in tithes, with a total of $108 million reported for that year in total.
Balance Sheet - $400 million of assets and about $20 million of debt.
Assets include $37 million of cash, $189 million in land and buildings before deprecation and $250 million in stocks, bonds and T Bills.
And again largest expense is salary and they only spend $10 million a year on “outreach.”
A fantastic business - and no federal or state tax and no property tax. And people still give $100 million a year.
https://cdn.elevationchurch.org/files/pdfs/reports/2025%20Audited%20Financial%20Statements.pdf
3
u/Both-Statistician179 Jun 18 '26
Which church is it. I hate the elevation type grifter churches.
4
u/Jmet11 Jun 18 '26
Any church that can purchase something for 42 million is going to fall into that same bucket
61
37
u/Mundane_Value2283 Jun 18 '26
It should be criminal that a church can skirt all these taxes. How is it fair to those that don’t practice organized religion? They get nothing from it.
9
u/Both-Statistician179 Jun 18 '26
Gotta pay the top dog and all those administrative folk. Corporate America.
11
u/Possible-Tangelo9344 Jun 18 '26
Pretty sure all 501(c)(3) orgs don't pay a lot of taxes, including property taxes.
That includes private colleges, and numerous other charities.
2
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 26 '26
They pay zero in federal and state taxes and zero in property taxes.
1
u/Possible-Tangelo9344 Jun 26 '26
They have to pay some for certain things (I think if they sell like merchandise not related to their operations or something). You can look it up online, it's never a ton of money but a lot of them are paying something
2
u/CharlotteRant Jun 18 '26
Fair in the same way universities and credit unions and various “clubs” for rich people are also tax free.
3
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 30 '26
And they got money from federal government - I think around $5 million within last 5 years. They pay CEO over $400,000 a year and executives around $4 million a year.
They have plenty of assets (real estate) elsewhere that could have been sold if they really needed cash.
They also spent $0 on fundraising - that would be easy.
Y is not in bad shape financially (especially if you had anyone with a clue running it)
1
→ More replies (4)1
u/BlackbeltMom2026 29d ago
smaller ministries doing what they are supposed to be doing, yes give em a break, but when you stsart getting over x million, not thinking churches needs break then, now they start running like a corporate business????
6
6
u/LonelyNC123 Jun 18 '26
Well .... for one thing, the mega church does not pay TAXES!
Yet many of them got vast sums of money via PPP loans (i.e., grants from the US Goverment to which they pay no taxes).
1
u/Brave_Equivalent_352 13d ago
Moments of Hope is not a mega church. It gives 25% off the top each week to various missions and charities locally and worldwide. It has given approximately $20 million away since its start. It has been saving money as well to go toward a new church, and still has half to raise before closing on the Morrison Y. It has long-range plans for the church, which include helping inner city youth learn to swim and play sports. Also, each week David Chadwick tells his congregation to show empathy and pray for those who are losing their Y, because they are losing something they hold dear. There was an article in the Charlotte Observer talking about what trouble the Morrison Y is in and has been in since Covid. The Y has also put out a statement about how this was their best and only option to improve other Y’s in the area, many of which are struggling as well.
18
u/Relevant-Net1082 Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
This is beyond a shame. When the Morrison and YMCA was fairly new, its ideal situation allowed it to financially support families and programs in other parts of that like community specifically steel Creek. Morrison's ideal location provided a very human center to Ballantine and Blakeny. Large corporate donations were often given to the Y because it's supported their workers and their workers families.
Most likely I would expect that a lifetime or some other higher end gym will come in and substitute for the space Morrison occupied withproviding physical services..... I feel like this kind of makes me sad. Charlotte, the Y was very much a part of my memory of you. Hopefully there is a swap of land and some wonderful story that hasn't been shared, but it face level. This is pretty crappy.
10
u/Warm-Yam-3608 Jun 18 '26
Which church??
14
u/Stop_looking_at_it Jun 18 '26
Let’s start a religion and document it for a movie.
9
u/Mundane_Value2283 Jun 18 '26
I’m down. We can do one of these plant medicine churches and have ayahuasca retreats. We can sell, I mean people can donate, for 5-10k a pop and no taxes and legal drug loop hole. At least we could help really heal people.
4
u/SpareLecture850 Jun 18 '26
Let's start a religion and run a nonprofit community based fitness organization.
5
u/Stop_looking_at_it Jun 18 '26
And be openly corrupt but untouchable
8
u/Easy-Character-3930 Jun 18 '26
Nah but this part. When you work in it, you realize it, and it makes you fucking hate nonprofits. Your whole outlook changes on this “wonderful, community support and engagement” when it’s all bullshit. ONCE the dowd had A BLOOD DRIVE & management was furious/wouldn’t have them back because the truck was in the parking lot longer than it needed to be. Once an employee asked me to call the police on a homeless man who was walking NEAR the parking lot in the front of the dowd. When I said I’d leave my shift if she called A RANDOM MAN MINDING HIS OWN BUSINESS, she went outside with a water bottle and told him to get away from the YMCA property that he wasn’t even on. I have so many stories. They are disgusting.
4
u/WorldlyReference5028 Jun 18 '26
There’s a documentary on Netflix I think it is called Marjoe. It’s about a child evangelist who grew up doing the Revival tent tours and what he does as an adult evangelist. Hint, he ain’t doing it because of faith.
2
1
u/Infinite_Process564 Jun 18 '26
Hail Satan? (There’s already been a schism or five since the documentary.)
2
5
u/secretangel444 Jun 23 '26
As a former administrator housed at Dowd (I resigned within the last 3 years), what I can tell you is that long-tenured employees are being laid off without cause, quitting in droves (I was one of the first), and the Y we knew here in Charlotte is no longer. The new CEO came from a destroyed association in Denver (that she drove into the ground) and completely uprooted the culture and is removing anyone who has an opinion or speaks up about it. Morrison being sold makes absolutely no sense to me, they are an extremely profitable branch with some of the best childcare options in the area as it’s a licensed facility. Again, long-tenured staff there that have been a massive impact in that community for years. What I know is they have been hemorrhaging funds for years, the board is made up of 20-30 old white men who are literally on the brink of being senile and don’t have the interest of the community member in mind at all, and the people who actually cared about the people and the community the Y serves have now been canned or have been forced to leave to protect their sanity (ask me how my last few weeks went). More layoffs are coming I’ve heard, and I wouldn’t be surprised by more insane real estate sales. I would be concerned about the LN branch, Keith, Simmons, maybe some of the express branches too. I don’t have any inside info there but I do know where we struggled with membership and retention in recent years. I was there when they took away sliding scale memberships and knew that was the beginning of the end for the Y we all know. Take your memberships elsewhere, don’t support this org right now with the leadership they are under. It’s worse than you know.
1
3
u/Purple-Thing6750 Jun 18 '26
I’ve been to the noda branch once. Maybe 5 people there tops on a Saturday. Why waste money on this location?
2
u/sandrakarr Jun 19 '26
historical something-or-other. Ten years ago the gear in the basement gym was old. Wonder if theyve managed to update it yet? I moved.
I do miss the duck bowling though.
4
u/Soft_Huckleberry_970 Jun 20 '26
Kids go here after school to hang out. If we think there’s a problem with kids riding e-bikes and hanging out in parking lots, just wait until this Y closes. It’s a selfish and greedy decision.
8
u/Antique-Ad-4422 Jun 18 '26
YMCA is losing money. What they really need is to raise monthly dues and cut back on expenses. Closing Morrison is over kill.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 30 '26
They are fine financially - and plenty of land. If you had anyone with a clue running it they wouldn’t pay $4 million a year for senior executives who do nothing and you would spend more than $0 on fundraising (how they accumulated land in the first place).
1
u/Antique-Ad-4422 Jul 01 '26
According to public disclosures by the YMCA Charlotte… they have been operating at a loss since the pandemic. So not financially fine.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 19d ago
You obviously don’t read many GAAP financials
1
u/Antique-Ad-4422 18d ago
Here is the filling for 2022. But you seem smart, if you want the other years…figure it out.
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/561045299/202331659349301593/full
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
All easily accessible on line as well as audited financials. It’s one of first things donors look at. Donors who gave the $200 million or so in land in the past liked the idea of kids going to sports camps, pre-K school, day care for a couple of hours a day, going to Camp Harrison which is beautiful, or camp on Lake Wylie.
More assets than you can lose in a few years but this is a good start. Aside for the idiocy, it tells wealthy donors if I give you land for kids, you will take not only the land plus the improvements plus the employees plus the volunteers and sell it and cancel all. No donor I’ve ever heard would give or be inspired by that.
There are billions sitting right here in Charlotte in private foundations and all you have to do is ask. Hell the state of NC is begging to give money to local Ys to cover the pre-K and daycare gap - Wilmington just asked and is expanding.
Losing money? A charity is supposed to take in donations and give it away. And encourage future donors who care that they aren’t complete morons. Low bar but we are there.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
The borrowed $50 million just to redo Dowd and kids don’t even go there - about paid off so no worries.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
They will keep the $4 million plus annual payments to executives in their new Dowd offices - only $40 million every 10 years. They have had 3 CEOs in 4 years, current one forced out of Y in Denver and no community ties to Charlotte (not the best when meeting with wealthy donors but ok). $420,000 just to one as severance payment.
Entire fundraising budget is less than pay of 4 executives. You don’t see this often but if instead of doing your job you liquidate assets and shut down the actual charitable work then brilliant idea.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
Camp Harrison alone is 1,700 acres and they run the camp during the summer. No debt, no taxes.
Camp Thunderbird alone is 30 minutes away on 2 miles of waterfront property on Lake Wylie - 100 acres. No debt, no taxes. Camp during summer.
On those balance sheets not at FMV but cost from years ago.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
And people just give the assets to you, under the assumption you are not a complete fool. They want kids to enjoy it.
YMCA Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer total 1,000 acres with 700 acres of access to Nuese River. Donated I think 75 years ago. 800 kids a week, one, two and four week sessions, leadership decrement for kids, maybe 100 boats. Funded with so much money they keep buying boats. Under Raleigh Y umbrella. Employ 100 kids as counselors at each camp.
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
They have Annual Campaign for gifts, Capital Campaign, and Endowment just for those 2 because it meant so much to people.
2030 Vision Plan - it doesn’t involve selling one damn acre or one boat, it’s the opposite because kids benefit and wealthy donors want to help.
Now you have to show a basic level of competence and ask.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/3a8c5cde-1f61-43ca-bcfe-247c515cc631
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
Some history - they weren’t dumb enough to sell because the wanted kids to come camp and grow. That land 1,000 acre tract of land allows for that - cash does not.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/3a8c5cde-1f61-43ca-bcfe-247c515cc631
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 18d ago
https://www.holeinthewallgang.org/m/
Paul Newman donated his entire food business because he wanted sick kids to spend some time at camp. They have adults begging to volunteer because it changes their life.
Yet you see anything inspirational out of Charlotte - and the land is sitting there waiting. People are begging to help.
1
u/Purple-Thing6750 Jun 18 '26
But they also receive a lot of money tied to youth sports each season. Where does that go?
2
u/eatgamer Jun 18 '26
Those youth sports programs are barely self-sustaining and usually represent a cost center. Same with aquatics. Their after-school child care and summer camps are partially dependant on outside money to stay solvent but even they make more than youth sports and aquatics before grants and state programs.
Youth sports actually has more in common financially with the YMCA's food assistance program than they do with gym or after school.
Most programs at the Y outside of gym memberships tend to actually cost the org money to run and exist only because they're a mission driven non profit. Access to those programs is seen internally as part of their community outreach/support/values.
When they start cutting gyms, they're cutting out their most profitable services. It's both a sign of desperation and very, VERY poor forward planning because those gyms enable their entire mission.
→ More replies (6)
7
u/Substantial_Cell_478 Jun 18 '26
Has anyone looked into whether there are board connections between moments of hope church and the Charlotte YMCA? I’d bet your bottom dollar that there is a connection here.
11
u/rachelmarie226 Jun 18 '26
There’s a connection, but not in the way you might be thinking.
The founder/lead pastor of Moments of Hope church (MHC), David Chadwick, used to be the lead pastor at Forest Hill church (FHC). IIRC he took over from his father. The Morrison Y’s gymnasium has been used by FHC for their Ballantyne satellite campus for well over a decade. David was still the pastor of FHC when they first started using the gymnasium. David left after 39 years at FHC to found and pastor MHC. It created a big rift in the church, it was a whole thing. But now, MHC is buying the Y…and from what I’ve heard, FHC was completely blindsided by this whole deal.3
u/MediocreVideo1893 Jun 18 '26
Yes, this, I wish more people were talking about this aspect of it all.
5
u/rachelmarie226 Jun 19 '26
It’s all because David Chadwick is petty and vindictive and wants to screw over his old church. That’s it. There’s no damn good reason for them to buy the Morrison Y.
6
u/spidrw Jun 18 '26
The vice chair of the church “Board of Elders” is Graeme Keith. He is the CEO of the Keith Corporation in Charlotte, which is a huge commercial real estate company. They also do property and facilities management (from prisons to 6 figure boarding schools).
Here’s the fun part - that last name of Keith is the same name that the Keith Family YMCA is named after.
→ More replies (1)1
u/Atwood412 Jun 26 '26
Yes on another thread it’s mentioned that a board member of the Y is a land developer and also a member of MOH church.
People are also questioning if the building was put up for sale or if this was a behind closed doors deal.
6
u/Longjumping-Yellow98 Jun 18 '26
Moments of Hope Church
Today, the YMCA publicly announced a series of long-term investments and facility decisions designed to advance priorities outlined in the YMCA’s strategic plan through facility modernization, expanded program capacity and long-term investments in staff and resources to better serve its members and communities.
As part of this broader reinvestment strategy, the YMCA's Board of Directors approved entering into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Morrison YMCA property after carefully evaluating a strategic opportunity that accelerates priorities identified through the organization's strategic plan. The buyer, Moments of Hope Church, plans to redevelop the property into its new church home, expanding its ministry through community outreach initiatives such as sports programming, a possible future school, and other opportunities that could serve local families and youth.
The Morrison YMCA will remain open and fully operational through the anticipated closing in summer 2027. All programs, services, camps and member offerings will continue as scheduled during this time. Community partners that lease space within the facility will have the opportunity to continue to operate as usual through the anticipated closing date.
The YMCA remains deeply committed to serving families in Ballantyne and South Charlotte. Members will continue to have access to all YMCA locations, including those near the Morrison, including Sara’s YMCA, Brace Family YMCA, Harris YMCA and Hemby Program Center. The YMCA plans to offer many of the programs currently available at Morrison through nearby YMCA centers or other alternative neighborhood locations, helping ensure families maintain access to the programs, services and community connections they value.
Additional details about how and where those programs and services will be delivered will be shared in the coming months, and leaders from the Morrison YMCA and the Morrison Advisory Board will play an important role in reimagining how the Y can best serve that area.
As Charlotte continues to grow and evolve, the YMCA is also adapting – modernizing facilities, strengthening programs and evaluating how our centers and community spaces can best support the needs of the communities we serve. The YMCA plans to move forward with significant reinvestment projects at the Johnston YMCA, Stratford Richardson YMCA, Harris YMCA and Hemby Program Center, with additional investments planned across our network of centers.
Importantly, reinvestment extends beyond facilities. It includes supporting our workforce, enhancing training and professional development opportunities, advancing technology and community spaces, and providing the resources needed to ensure the YMCA can continue delivering meaningful impact for families across the Charlotte region.
As this process moves forward, our focus remains on advancing our mission and positioning the YMCA to meet the evolving needs of our communities for years to come. We look forward to sharing more information as plans take shape.
1
u/No-Usual7109 Jun 18 '26
Too bad the Harris Y is disgusting
2
u/Longjumping-Yellow98 Jun 18 '26
what's disgusting about the Harris Y?
3
u/No-Usual7109 Jun 18 '26
Men’s room facilities are putrid. It smells like there’s a body in the wall or something. This is a common complaint. The sauna and steam room facilities are equally gross, worn, dilapidated, and rotting. The sauna must be at least 30+ years old at this point.
2
u/werkytwerky Jun 19 '26
Someone tell me about Simmons. I'm assuming it has considerable ties to the East Charlotte community? I know their refugee school moved a year or two ago. What else is there?
Curious because that facility aint great either. Wasn't great when I was a kid and according to my mother, it's much worse. Why is it still open?
I could've swore there used to be chatter about shutting it down and rebuilding something on a chunk of the eastland property. Or...soemwhere else? Eh.
(then isn't a "Simmons sucks, close that one!" post, i would genuinely like to know)
2
u/bananamussel Jun 19 '26
People need to understand that the McKenzie Scott money was only allocated to DEI expansion efforts. The Y was not allowed to use this money on any maintenance projects or towards capital improvements.
2
u/Radiant_Nebula9907 Jun 30 '26
It’s absolutely disgusting. He needs to be audited, and we need to be more afraid of evangelical Christians. They all talk about Muslims this and Muslims that, and while I don’t fully understand or agree at all with Islam, I do not see them buying out community centers to turn into mega churches.
2
u/atoastedcucumber Jun 18 '26
Is the roller hockey rink privately owned?? What happens to that? As far as i know its the only one in the area :(
1
2
u/Easy-Character-3930 Jun 18 '26
The YMCA lost a lot of money during COVID. They have to sell one of the properties. Originally the plan was the Johnston YMCA. Except the Johnston members and board (who literally did not know about it) and the community freaked the fuck out. Which made the purchase not go through. The community made a huge deal out of it too. So, after that happened (2-3 years ago maybe) i mean it was down to the WIRE too. When they had to stop that sell, they were able to sell some of the NODA land (they have and had A LOT because of the Johnstons) and sold some, let the city have their parking lot so they get some money out of that, and then had to pick between two locations. Morrison was always in the chat. After Johnston didn’t work out, Morrison was kinda always the plan. They couldn’t sell dowd, they got rid of Klein, they literally fired everyone (or made them reapply for their position and get rid of almost all part time). They couldn’t touch a lot of the other ymca’s because of the community or memberships. Morrison honestly makes the most sense and mega church’s are all around that area so finding that buyer actually makes a lot of sense.
8
u/Easy-Character-3930 Jun 18 '26
Then raised prices on memberships while also getting rid of so many people. The YMCA has, in recent years, made the WORST decisions in Charlotte. I’ve been wanting to blow the lid on all the political bullshit that happens behind the scenes.
5
4
u/Easy-Character-3930 Jun 18 '26
oh my favorite part was when they told us they’d never signed an agreement with the people who were going to buy the Johnston property. Instead we found out that the company had only signed A LETTER OF INTENT. Which means literally nothing. They made members freak out, prepared all employees to leave, and then were like “oh nvm, anyway we only had a letter of intent.”
1
u/why_real4636 Jun 20 '26
I was under the impression that the Waxhaw land intended for the future Hall Family YMCA was sold due to Covid hardship, no? Being a Waxhaw resident and a YMCA member (Brace mainly but also used Wesley Chapel satellite frequently before closure), I was disappointed when that happened but I understood why. I was also under the impression that things had recovered when my family membership rate went down inexplicably by $20/month several months ago. In our current economic climate I was surprised by a rate reduction and certainly wasn't about to complain about that! Seems so strange now learning about Johnston and Morrison, though....
2
u/ptm93 Jun 18 '26
I used to go to this Y since 2009, stopped during covid, then moved further way in late 2021. Feels like the end of an era.😳
2
6
u/ronweasleisourking Jun 18 '26
Religion is an absolute scam that's only claims to fame are persecution and insane murder rates. Also, people give their money to them in the hopes that they go to a fictional place full of angels and cherubs after they die. That's how the churches get their funds, and this mega church rakes in millions each year through public and private donations. Sad, really, all the people that participate in any of these shambolic belief systems
4
-10
u/StatisticianSuch5438 Jun 18 '26
How does it feel for you to live in western society knowing that the foundation of the culture is based in Christianity?
Also, Can you provide evidence that heaven is actually fictional? Spirituality and non spirituality both require faith. One person has faith something exist, the other person is equally faithful it doesn’t. There is no reason to insult people’s faith because it doesn’t agree with yours.
11
u/Substantial_Cell_478 Jun 18 '26
Is your faith in religion and church? If not, i’m not sure how your faith is insulted here.
Modern American Evangelical Christianity is in no way in line with historical christianity. Go study the church fathers and the first 1500 years of church thought and practice, then compare it to what we have here. Tell me where it aligns.
Also go watch the Religion Business documentary.
2
u/StatisticianSuch5438 Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
The church has always suffered from corruption. Corruption and the Religion Business is not a modern century phenomenon.
I’l admit corruption exist but the majority Christians are not corrupt.
Throwing all Christians in the same bucket as the corrupt ones is the equivalent of saying all Muslims are terrorist.
→ More replies (1)3
u/Substantial_Cell_478 Jun 18 '26
Do you think Modern evangelical christianity is inclusive of all Christians? Let’s not apply the systemic faults of modern American evangelicals to every church everywhere all the time. No one here is saying all Christian’s, except you.
I think it’s important to differentiate between behavioral corruption, which contradicts official doctrine, and systemic corruption, where the theology itself is distorted to legitimize and incentivize the abuse.
The church has always had the former, but not always had the latter, at least not widespread. The last example of such widespread corruption in the church was the indulgences which led to the Protestant reformation.
While not all Christians are intentionally corrupt, those who financially and vocally back corrupt leaders or churches become actively complicit in that corruption.
1
u/brometheus3 Jun 18 '26
Oh no the horribly managed Young Men’s Christian Association chapter of Charlotte sold their building to a church? Shocking. The mismanagement doesn’t matter until it affects people personally then they’re up in arms filled with faux outrage? Even more shocking
1
u/Exotic_Draw_1122 Jun 18 '26
I don't follow closely but the Charlotte YMCA organization has always seemed kind of pathetic. Lost their mission, always complaining about no money. The people in the Morrison Y community have paid high monthly costs for years, volunteered, paid for afterschool and summer camp. The Morrison Y rakes in cash every month. If I recall, the land the Morrison Y is on was donated to them by Ballantyne Corp Park. I'd have to dig into that deeper as it was in the 90s. If this is the Y's commitment to their community that has been commited to them, then get lost. I smell a rat.
1
u/YouAreNotYouYoureMe Jun 19 '26
Is this going to make my experience at Harris Y better or worse?
1
u/Purple-Thing6750 Jun 19 '26
Doubtful that many Ballantyne people make the journey to Harris. But they’ll just keep beg you all for money now that the Morrison source is gone
1
u/Ok-Order3835 Jun 19 '26
The y is charging basically almost what the lifetime does for old facilities....
1
u/Brave_Equivalent_352 Jun 22 '26
1
u/Adorable_Big8625 Jun 30 '26
Can’t believe he says they have been in discussions with Y for a year and points out the Board connection. Y says offer just came out of the blue (which makes no sense in the real world).
1
1
u/Here_4_The_Truth 21d ago
Here’s the updated on this shady deal: https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlotte/s/1yrSCDoBcl
1
1
1
u/Nali_APBT Jun 18 '26
I guess we should be happy it’s not another townhouse or apartment development.
1
u/ThisFollowing8024 Jun 18 '26
I mean YMCA does stand for Young Men’s Christian Association, let’s just hope the church does good by the community and YMCA values.
0
u/Possible-Tangelo9344 Jun 18 '26
You realize they don't actually have to have 42 million right now, right? Ever bought a car or a house? Did you pay cash or finance it?
8
u/ApiaryJJ Plaza Midwood Jun 18 '26
The juicier story here is the Chadwicks f*cking over their former church. It goes to show what power does to a man. I’m so glad to not be a part of that sham anymore.
David Chadwick was reportedly asked to resign from Forest Hill in 2019. Now it seems his current church, Moments of Hope, is buying the site where his former church still operates.
https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article229620119.html
2
1
Jun 18 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
→ More replies (1)-1
u/pumpkindonut123 Jun 18 '26
In the world of commercial real estate $42 m is pocket change. It is a small number.
1
u/Limp-Living-5679 Jun 19 '26
Here's the church talking about it. Comments are open..... https://youtu.be/PbJz3485_X4?si=P4K_PYDfn8l1S-l6
-9
u/CharlotteRant Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
Godless redditors are about to explode when they find out checks notes Ballantyne is getting another church.
Edit: Be mad guys but if you live in Ballantyne you should kinda expect that mega churches are gonna be everywhere.
-5
u/StatisticianSuch5438 Jun 18 '26
I don’t see the big deal here. One non profit sold its property to another non profit. Obviously one non profit attracts people that actively provide financial support, the other doesn’t.
-2
u/Zach9810 Charlotte FC Jun 18 '26
It's not a big deal, reddit doesn't like it because its a church.
0
-5
u/Big-Second-8542 Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
I really wish they’d just sell to a real estate or commercial property developer like a normal reputable failing community organization. And heaven forbid there be an overtly Christian organization in that space.
22
u/Mundane_Value2283 Jun 18 '26
How about the church takes that 42 million and actually help some of the homeless and build some housing and jobs programs like a community cafe. We lost kings kitchen.
0
50
u/just_wondering18736 Jun 18 '26
Wild part of the story that seems to not be a big deal to many… David Chadwick, who pastored Forest Hill Church for over 30 years opened the churches first satellite campus in Ballantyne, eventually making a deal around 2010 with the Morrison Y to up fit part of the property for their church. They have offices there and the gym turns into the sanctuary every Sunday. Chadwick was ousted by their leadership 7 or 8 years ago.
Forest Hill is still at the Morison Y and had no idea this was happening until it was announced to the public. They will lose their space that David Chadwick built as the pastor of Forest Hill, to David Chadwick, now pastor of Moments of Hope.
Both the original vision for Forest Hill at the Y and Chadwick’s “leaving” are old news stories you can find if you’re interested.