Church on track to demolish building thought to be historic schoolhouse

LAKE WYLIE --

A Lake Wylie group trying to save an early 20th century schoolhouse from demolition may be out of time.

The Good Samaritan United Methodist Church is moving forward with plans to demolish the schoolhouse and another building located on its property, something Pastor Jason Everson says has been in the churchs plans for a while.

Theyre basically eyesores, and theyre blocking the view of our property, he said. Its a curb-appeal kind of thing. We dont need them anymore.

After a meeting with York County officials Friday, the church will apply for a demolition permit. Everson hopes the church can begin demolition Monday or Tuesday, he said.

That doesnt leave much time for Don Long and other River Hills and Lake Wylie residents eager to save the schoolhouse, which they believe to be the historic Laney School built in 1914.

The schoolhouse sits between the church and S.C. 274/S.C. 49, just south of S.C. 557, and overlooks the highway.

The group, called the Laney School Preservation Project, wants to move the building to property owned by the River Hills Community Association.

There, they hope to renovate it into a community center for public meetings, events and a small museum telling the history of the Lake Wylie area, something it hasnt had since Duke Energy closed its visitors center, Long said.

Long said moving and renovating the schoolhouse will cost less than building a new structure, and it will save a piece of Lake Wylies history.

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Church on track to demolish building thought to be historic schoolhouse