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Journey Church recently purchased this property in the Cloverdale area to build a church.

Journey Church has responded to Botetourt County's School Board and the passing of the no long term rental policy at the April meeting.

Dr. Michael DuVal, pastor of Journey Church which had sought a long term rental of Lord Botetourt High School on Sundays had this to say about the recent School Board decision not to allow long term rentals of more than a year of school buildings. "Given the time limits that the Board decided on, we're not sure right now what all this will mean for Journey Church. It's been an interesting experience to learn how the school system has not viewed as strategic the development of on-going, consistent revenue stream through facility rentals, particularly with the economic downturn," said DuVal.

Journey Church has purchased land in the Cloverdale area and must raise funds to build the church and they plan to relocate from the Valley View Cinemas to there. Until the policy change, they had requested to rent Lord Botetourt until the church building was completed. It is anticipated to take more than a year and perhaps two or so to build the church.

No matter the policy change, Journey Church does hope to be a school partner with Lord Botetourt High School by providing supplies for economically disadvantaged students no matter the out come stated DuVal. He recently sent the LBHS administration a letter to that effect asking how and whom might handle the supplies and distribute them to students who need them. He is awaiting a response from school officials.

DuVal's children are both graduates of Lord Botetourt and he has been most complimentary of the education they received.