NC Homes Associates plans to build 110 upscale age-restricted living units on property purchased from a church blessed with abundant land in Cornelius. The development company paid roughly $1 million for 8.45 acres of land owned by Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

Groundbreaking is planned for late this year.

There are 100 condo units up to 1,700 square feet each, as well as 10 patio units in the Cornelius Woods project, according to veteran Cornelius developer Curt Needham who has partnered with Wyatt Clark Sr., founder of WAC Contracting.

CORNELIUS WOOD RENDERING

The project, valued at $20 million, reflects mega-trends under way in both demographics—an aging population in North Mecklenburg—and old-line churches shedding excess land.

The property sits between Autumn Care just to the south and the Mt. Zion Cemetery just to the north.

“Churches often sell excess assets that don’t fit into their future plans, but could help fund a building expansion at its current location,” said Robert Lowrance, founder of Lowrance Properties, a commercial brokerage based in Cornelius.

Mainline churches have historically controlled both the area for their buildings and excess land surrounding them for uses such as cemeteries, recreation buildings, and occasionally ballfields.

Mt. Zion, which sits on more than 14 acres including a cemetery, dates back to 1827.

At Cornelius Woods, prices will range from $195,000 to about $350,000 for the patio homes. Residents will have access to a 5,000- to 6,000-square-foot, church-owned ministry center on-site, complete with gathering rooms and a warming kitchen.