One of the oldest churches in charlotte is no longer protected by a historic designation. Charlotte city council has dropped the historical designation at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church near Charlotte Douglas Airport to allow a manufacturing company to build on parts of the land. “We’re seeing so much of our history being destroyed being bulldozed over for the sake of development and that’s a real concern for us,” Diana Jaynes, Steeleberry Acres community leader said. Jaynes lives in the Steeleberry Acres neighborhood adjacent to Steele Creek Presbyterian Church and cemetery. The church and cemetery sits on 37 acres of land that has been protected under a historic designation since 1991. Charlotte City Council voted to remove the designation from a portion of the property to allow Foundry Commercial Acquisition to develop the area. “Once that gets out of the way they can start putting up their warehouses, their manufacturing, their logistics and change the landscape of the Steele Creek community altogether,” Jaynes said. The city dropped the designation which paves the way the way for the developer to build in the area where officials say there have been several studies that prove it is safe for development. “The property in question, which is Steele Creek Presbyterian Church tonight, is located approximately one mile from the area where it is believed that the cemetery exists. We have been very familiar with this since the 70s,” Haley Gentry, CEO of Charlotte Douglas International Airport said. Airport officials say the developers plan to use the church sanctuary as a home to ‘She Built This City’, a non-profit who will be responsible for maintaining the historic property and cemetery. “There is no plan by the airport to in any way tear that church down,” CEO Gentry said. “We have worked very hard and spent a lot of money to preserve it.” Without the historic designation community members are concerned history will fade. “There are no guarantees, there are no assurances and I don’t want to be having a different conversation five years from now saying oop there goes the sanctuary that was built in 1889,” Jaynes said. City officials believe taking away the historic designation and putting the property in the hands of developers will allow for the long term preservation of the property. Neighbors say they will be watching closely to make sure promises are kept and history is maintained.