Atlanta Church Faces Foreclosure: The Property Tax Crisis Unveiled (video)

Discovery of Debt

A landscaper working at the Solid Rock Christian Ministries church in Northwest Atlanta found a notice from the <a href="sheriff under a rug by the church door. The notice indicated that the church was set to be auctioned off due to unpaid property taxes.

Historical Context

Solid Rock Christian Ministries has occupied its small church building on Huff Road for over 45 years. The church’s property, donated by Pastor Jamal Williams’ grandmother, has traditionally been exempt from property taxes due to its 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and its function as a church.

Tax Exemption Revoked

In 2017, Fulton County started charging property taxes to the church, a change that went unnoticed by the church members for years. The tax bills had been sent to the previous pastor, who passed away in 1996. As a result, the church accrued $67,000 in tax debt, interest, and fees.

Foreclosure Threat

The county sold the tax debt to a company called Investa Services, which is now pushing to foreclose on the property unless the congregation pays the debt by the first Tuesday in August.

Title Discrepancy

State Senator Donzella James has been advocating for the church, seeking answers from Fulton County. The county explained that the exemption was revoked because the church’s property title included a person’s name, specifically the church’s first pastor, Carrie Johnson, who died in 1989.

Legal and Community Efforts

The church has hired an attorney to address the title issues. Despite being recognized as a nonprofit by both state and federal governments, the church faces foreclosure due to the title discrepancy with Fulton County.

Previous Issues with Investa Services

Channel 2 Action News has reported on similar issues involving Investa Services, highlighting a case where a homeowner almost lost his property due to a $1,600 tax bill. Investigations revealed that over five years, Fulton County transferred more than $133 million worth of tax bills to private companies.