Albany community members stormed out of Wednesday night's commission meeting in outrage after a liquor license was approved in a location many felt was disrespectful to a historic religious monument.

Wednesday night, at the Albany City Commission meeting, commissioners approved an alcohol license at a food mart located at 2609 Sylvester Rd. in Albany.

Many community members are upset about the approval due to the fact the Food Mart is located right beside one of the oldest churches in Albany, St Paul's Missionary Baptist Church. FOX 31 News Spoke with a Pastor at the church where he expressed to us his frustration.

“I don't think that it is good for the community or that it is good for the city to show that you can allow alcoholic beverages to be sold next door to a religious establishment,” says Timothy Coley.

Several church members were at tonight's meeting-- and after the decision was made-- most-- if not all of them walked out in anger including Decon Alba James.

“It should have been denied. Them getting the liquor license and with the church being there for over 190 years the church should have taken precedent over that,” says Deacon Alba James.

With the church standing for almost 2 centuries, other members of the church are calling the approval simply disrespectful.

“I just think that it was a slap in the face to the church that has been here for over 190 years to not get the benefit of the doubt with the voters,” says Coley.

Deacon James tells me prior to this meeting, the church members pleaded with commissioners to respect the church's history but tonight proved otherwise. They are concerned that the motive is more than what meets the eye.

“It has to be a financial situation. Because it really doesn't make sense to grant licenses when the east side has suffered so much neglect already, Says Deacon James.

Many community members say they are going to continue to fight for fewer liquor stores in their communities.