JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Since 2009, New Horizon Church International has been located on Ellis Avenue in Jackson. Now, they’re starting the relocation process.

Bishop Ronnie Crudup said the decision to put the shopping center on the market took careful consideration. The church plans to purchase Wingfield High School once Jackson Public Schools (JPS) completes the consolidation process and a price is named.

Crudup said even though they are selling the center, they’re discussing selling to a commercial retailer to give the community an economic lift. New Horizon has offered church services and various other programs to serve Jackson and surrounding areas.

“Last year, we made a decision from a word from the Lord to sell the building. So, we’ve been here 15 years. It’s been a wonderful time, but we feel like that season is up. We’re not just selling it, we are going to sell it, but we’re also expect to sell to a commercial group, and so that this place in its next iteration will be something we feel this community needs, which is a commercial retail space that will help the area. I mean, one of the best communities in this entire Jackson area to be once again solidified and covered because we’re going to do a great job with it. We’ve proven we’ve got the capacity to be able to to not only just buy it, but take really good care of it, improve it so that people, property values will go up and have something that the whole entire community will be pleased with,” Crudup explained.

JPS officials said, “While Jackson Public Schools is excited that there is interest in Wingfield High School, specific proposals related to any properties have yet to be introduced, evaluated, or approved. We remain dedicated to the fair, equitable, and transparent repurposing of all our closed facilities.”