The Body of Christ Worship Center will have a new place to call home after being granted a Special Use Permit by the city of Ames. The permit allows the church to build in a commercial zoning district at the Downtown Campustown Service Center, 114 5th St. The permit was approved by the zoning board at its Aug. 2 meeting. The congregation is currently using space in the Memorial Union as its worship space. The news of the new building was announced to the congregation on Sunday. Lucretia Carter, public relations chair for the congregation, said she’s excited about the move. A possible move has been discussed for a several years, she said. “It’s definitely a huge, phenomenal step,” she said. “God definitely has a major treat for the students who attend.” The report said the religious group was seeking permanent quarters to meet the needs of their interracial and multicultural congregation at a central location. The report has been routed to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Zoning Board Adjustment is positive about the church’s move. “A place of worship would add to the diversity of uses in Downtown,” the report stated. “This place of worship would be consistent with the goals, objectives and future plans for Downtown.” The report also said the church would be consistent with the general and specific commercial standards required for granting the permit, provided the church has the structure inspected by a licensed architect, and that all applicable building codes are met before church-goers begin using the building. Toran Smith, pastor at Body of Christ Worship Center, said the congregation currently has no plans to alter the general appearance or design of the building. A few minor improvements such as painting and carpeting will be made. A major concern of the project was parking. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Eden Schmitt said the previous zoning ordinances would permit only off-street parking, thus allowing the worship center 14 off-street parking places. The church wanted a variance that will permit those 14 spaces plus on-street parking to accommodate 100 members plus growth, according to the report. “We had a requirement of one parking space per four seats,” Schmitt said. “We are in the process of changing that,” she said. The new parking ordinance will allow the entire downtown area to be on-street parking, Smith said. The report said the property to be used by the church was previously used as a martial arts school, beauty school and a Masonic Lodge. The structure had been vacant for eight months. “People embraced the information,” Smith said. He said he was pleased with the reaction from the congregation. “There was enthusiasm and encouragement from the members,” he said.