Chesterfield • A Rock Hill church built by slaves in the 19th century could hit the real estate market in coming weeks.

On Saturday afternoon, members of the regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), voted to sell the Rock Hill Presbyterian Church, saying that maintenance costs on the building were becoming too burdensome.

The church, at the northeast corner of Manchester and McKnight roads, has been occupied for the last four years by a 100-member congregation called the United African Presbyterian Church, made up mostly of immigrants from African countries. The congregation now will be "nested," or share facilities, with another Presbyterian church.

"They fully supported the decision," said Judy Pickett, a member of the presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, the regional governing body, acting as the presbytery's official spokesperson Saturday. "This issue was not about them."

The members voted at a regular business meeting at the Bonhomme Presbyterian Church.

Pickett explained that Giddings-Lovejoy had forged an arrangement with the congregation about four years ago, with both parties agreeing that the church would support the congregation for three years, until it was able to stand on its own financially. The presbytery has continued supporting the congregation past that period, but the congregation was not able to reach financial self sufficiency, Pickett said.

In 2006, the Rev. Terry Epling, chief administrator with Giddings-Lovejoy, told the Post-Dispatch that the building "will become their property" if the congregation gained momentum. He could not be reached for comment Saturday.

The historic Fairfax House, just east of the church, is owned by the city of Rock Hill, but is on land owned by Giddings-Lovejoy.

The motion passed Saturday said that Giddings-Lovejoy's property committee "will proceed with Rock Hill on the faithful disposition of the property."

Preservationists have said they're concerned the church, built with slave labor and a rarity in St. Louis, will be demolished by a new owner. Pickett said its unlikely that the church would be able to sell the land with any stipulations that barred demolition.

In 1996, the church set a goal to increase diversity among its members, and in 2005, Giddings-Lovejoy officials helped launch the African congregation. Its pastor, the Rev. Jemimah Ngatia, a native of Kenya, is the first African immigrant woman ordained by the church.

She could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Pickett said the church and land were not yet on the market, but church officials plan to talk to Rock Hill officials soon. The bulk of the sale's proceeds will go to the church's development fund.