City officials had agreed that the county's 200-bed, $4 million facility would be built on Blount Road only if St. Laurence Chapel moved to an annex there from its current location in residential Northeast First Street .

The independent, nonprofit chapel founded by the Episcopal Church, serves as many as 170 homeless men and women per day. It's a day shelter that provides them with food, showers, clothing and medical help, but not a place to sleep.At the county shelter, which is expected to open by the end of 2001, the church is being offered free rent, access to county services and a chance to refer clients to shelter beds.But last week, when the church asked the city for a $25,000 grant to hire a part-time nurse, and city commissioners asked about the move, the church officials wouldn't commit to moving.

And while county officials said months ago that the church had agreed to move, and even signed an agreement that is not legally binding, some church officials now say it's not definite that will happen.

City officials decided to wait until next month to discuss whether to give the church the grant. But they are wondering whether instead of one homeless facility, they'll soon be faced with both a day shelter and an overnight shelter in two different locations.

They're also worrying about the wrath of residents who have been complaining about St. Laurence for years.

Homeowners and area business owners say vagrants sleep in their yards, doorways and trash bins and urinate on their lawns. Residents also complain that homeless people often litter with empty beer, wine and liquor bottles.

  Although the county and St. Laurence are still negotiating about the move, there are several sticking points. One area of concern is whether the shelter will have to follow county rules, such as requiring the homeless to pass through metal detectors.

"We don't operate that way," the Rev. Samuel Thomas told commissioners, referring to the metal detectors. He said homeless people need to feel free to come and go.

   Nancy Logue, a member of the board of directors, said the church wants an extended lease commitment to guarantee it won't be forced out after five years, when the lease expires.

Bloneva Bullard, one of the chapel's board members, said she opposes the church move.

"I think it would lose the individuality, the common touch," she said, adding she worries many homeless won't go to the new site if there are more stringent rules under a county system. "Any time you get extremely large, you give your personality away. "

Asked whether St. Laurence will move, Thomas would say only: "There's various opinions on that. My opinion is to try to discern the will of God."