Last Day Gospel Fellowship Church was given two months to get rid of significant safety issues, and, with some help from the community, was able to do just that.

With the City Council receiving good news Tuesday about the abatement of a safety concern on the church property — in the form of the demolition of an addition onto the original church sanctuary —members voted unanimously to grant another 60-day period for the church to make other cosmetic improvements to the property at 304 Barden St.

The dilapidated condition, and possible condemnation, of the structure was discussed at length at meetings in October and November. In November, Last Day was given an ultimatum by the Council: The church had 60 days to remedy a safety hazard caused by a sagging, structurally unsound addition off the church’s main building. If the safety issue still existed at that point, which was the date of Tuesday’s meeting, the city would step in — no exceptions.

Structural engineer Myers A. Colvin of M.A. Colvin Engineering & Consulting Inc. in Fayetteville previously deemed the portion “structurally inadequate and a risk to public safety.”

On Tuesday, Colvin said the safety concerns were no longer present.

Colvin showed “before” and “after” slides, first of the building with its sagging structure in the deteriorated condition, then of the building with the second-floor addition removed and plywood placed where the first floor had been reinforced and repaired.

Rosa Fryar, who oversees the church, and her daughter, Elizabeth Tita, were given notice of the unsafe building in August, stating it would be recommended for condemnation. City planning officials said the actual church building, which includes the sanctuary and fellowship hall, was in good shape. However, the second-floor unit, an apartment-style building attached in the early 80s, was a point of concern in that there are significant structural issues.

“As you can see,” Colvin said pointing to slides, “substantial work has been done. Most importantly, the unsafe portion of the structure has been alleviated. I’m quite pleased with where we are, but know we need to go further.”

That includes “wrapping” the building’s exposed portions and putting up vinyl siding, he said.

Colvin and the Fryars thanked the community for their help, and specifically noted Henry Faircloth, who they said donated time and equipment to a cause that hinged on that volunteer help.

In November, Colvin spoke to cosmetic issues at the church property that needed to be rectified, but Clinton mayor Lew Starling said it was less the appearance and more the safety issues that were of concern. Starling called the matter “urgent.” Councilwoman Maxine Harris said the Council had to “draw a line in the sand” as it pertained to granting extensions and urged Fryar and Tita to pull their resources together the best they could.

Colvin said volunteers stepped forward, with major safety hazards removed and a lot of the other issues — excess debris on the property, overall aesthetics — also receiving attention.

Starling asked Colvin to give a realistic estimate of how much more time was needed at the property. Colvin said 30 days would easily be enough time, however, with limited money to put in to the volunteer-dependent project, it would be more like 60 days.

“There is no question that a lot of work has been done and that the safety issue has been abated,” said Starling. “I would ask that the Council grant 60 days knowing, hopefully, that this will be complete and we can celebrate.”

Fryar did a little celebrating of her own, dancing outside City Hall following the meeting. She offered words of thanks, praising “Jehovah God and Jesus Christ,” and expressing gratitude toward City manager John Connet and the Council.

“Thank you for your patience,” Fryar told them.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.