NATCHEZ — The ladies of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church are transforming the place of worship into a strip mall all in the name of the Lord.

The one-day transformation organized by the United Methodist Women’s group and set for Saturday aims not only to raise funds for the church’s mission work but to bolster profits for local vendors, in turn propping up the local economy.

“We wanted to have one spot where everybody could come and bring their goods to sell, and people could come buy without having to drive around to shop,” organizer Millicent Mayo said.

Mayo also hopes the church sale will mean shoppers keep their money at home, at least for the day.

“We’re giving people a place where they can come buy from local vendors in one place,” she said.

Local vendor Joan Heard said she believes the church community sale will benefit the local economy.

“It keeps the money flowing through the community,” she said.

Heard has been embroidering since she was a teenager and said she is happy to have a place to sell her goods.

“I kind of always thought I might like to do something like this,” Heard said. “I used to make my own clothes, and I have two granddaughters, and I made clothes for them. But they’re grown now, so I haven’t been sewing that much. I am excited to be doing it again.”

Heard will be selling her handmade aprons, baby burp pads and children’s lounge pants.

Other vendors will be selling glass goods, wooden bowls, art, furniture, china, plants, dolls, books and clothing. Booths will also include Silpada jewelry, Melissa Vaughan jewelry, Rodan + Fields skin care products and Scentsy candles.

Vendors will have booths set up inside the church’s family life center and also outside the church.

Spots are still available for the sale, Mayo said. Inside spaces are $35, and outside spaces $30. In the event of rain, outside vendors will be refunded their money.

Hotdogs, chips and other concessions will also be sold.

The sale will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday. Anyone wishing to purchase a spot for a booth can contact Carol Smith at 601-446-7365 or smithcs@cableone.net.

Mayo said the United Methodist Women hope to make the community sale an annual event.

“If people come, they’ll be helping out people in their own town,” Mayo said. “Anything you could possibly want, you can get there. We’re really excited about and hoping to make it an every year thing.”