Damea Bourne Benton grew up in a home her parents had restored and renovated in Columbia. Her parents have completed a number of home restorations since, as have Damea and her husband, Louis. The desire to revive old buildings and give them new life, coupled with generations of roots in Columbia make Chapel Lane both natural and unique.

The Bournes and Bentons did not set out to open an event space. The most recent home that the Bournes have renovated is the Lampton-Bourne house on Church Street. While driving down the road, Damea’s mom, Betty Bourne, noticed the church building was falling further into decay. She called her daughter and son-in-law and asked them to come look at the building. After seeing the potential inside, Damea asked, “How can we not do something?”

The idea for Chapel Lane began to take shape. Columbia needed a new meeting and event space, and the church building needed a new purpose. The family began planning, but knew they would need more space to make Chapel Lane a viable and flexible venue. When they discovered that the house next door to the church was for sale, the pieces began falling into place.

It was important to the family that the project be done the right way, which meant focusing not only on the aesthetics of the buildings but also the integrity of the renovations. To them, it was just as important to ensure that the buildings were structurally sound and safe for the future while maintaining their history. Anything original to the structures that could be salvaged or restored was used, including light fixtures, flooring, and hardware. While this made the restoration project more challenging, it is also one of Chapel Lane’s greatest strengths. “We don’t have to work to be vintage,” Damea explains. “We are vintage.”

Even in the construction phase of the project, Chapel Lane has already been fulfilling its new mission of bringing people together. The excitement of the community at the restoration of this landmark has been evident from the start. Many members of the community have stopped by to share their stories and memories that took place in the church. Damea Benton wants to ensure that the venue remains accessible so that future generations are able to share the same types of memories of time spent at Chapel Lane.

While Chapel Lane is poised to become one of the most beautiful and intimate wedding venues in South Mississippi, it is the family’s hope that it will be used for many diverse events and gatherings. “We want it used. We don’t want it to sit vacant.” There has been enough vacancy in the church building’s history. It is ready to once again house the life and memories of the community.

Damea Bourne Benton grew up in a home her parents had restored and renovated in Columbia. Her parents have completed a number of home restorations since, as have Damea and her husband, Louis. The desire to revive old buildings and give them new life, coupled with generations of roots in Columbia make Chapel Lane both natural and unique.

The Bournes and Bentons did not set out to open an event space. The most recent home that the Bournes have renovated is the Lampton-Bourne house on Church Street. While driving down the road, Damea’s mom, Betty Bourne, noticed the church building was falling further into decay. She called her daughter and son-in-law and asked them to come look at the building. After seeing the potential inside, Damea asked, “How can we not do something?”

The idea for Chapel Lane began to take shape. Columbia needed a new meeting and event space, and the church building needed a new purpose. The family began planning, but knew they would need more space to make Chapel Lane a viable and flexible venue. When they discovered that the house next door to the church was for sale, the pieces began falling into place.

It was important to the family that the project be done the right way, which meant focusing not only on the aesthetics of the buildings but also the integrity of the renovations. To them, it was just as important to ensure that the buildings were structurally sound and safe for the future while maintaining their history. Anything original to the structures that could be salvaged or restored was used, including light fixtures, flooring, and hardware. While this made the restoration project more challenging, it is also one of Chapel Lane’s greatest strengths. “We don’t have to work to be vintage,” Damea explains. “We are vintage.”

Even in the construction phase of the project, Chapel Lane has already been fulfilling its new mission of bringing people together. The excitement of the community at the restoration of this landmark has been evident from the start. Many members of the community have stopped by to share their stories and memories that took place in the church. Damea Benton wants to ensure that the venue remains accessible so that future generations are able to share the same types of memories of time spent at Chapel Lane.

While Chapel Lane is poised to become one of the most beautiful and intimate wedding venues in South Mississippi, it is the family’s hope that it will be used for many diverse events and gatherings. “We want it used. We don’t want it to sit vacant.” There has been enough vacancy in the church building’s history. It is ready to once again house the life and memories of the community.