The congregation of Salem Baptist Church, which worships at 103 N. Broad Street, voted earlier this month to sell for $113,000 a piece of its property at 108 Academy St.  near the Salem City Market.

According to the  Rev. Everett Kier, senior pastor for the past 18 years, the sale offer from a party that had rented the property will enable the church to pay off a building debt it had carried for the entire time of his pastorate. He explained that the property is no longer needed  and clearing the debt will enable the congregation to start some programs to benefit residents of apartments and other structures in the downtown area.

With money remaining, Kier suggested, the church can retire an aging 26-passenger bus and purchase two smaller and safer vehicles. The church has long had a close relationship with Hope Tree, the Virginia Baptist institution in Salem that cares for mentally handicapped adults and children who need foster care or other help.

-Compiled by correspondent Frances Stebbins