An Atlanta church congregation has voted to accept a $19.5 million offer to relocate so the Atlanta Falcons can build a new stadium downtown.

Friendship Baptist Church members voted Sunday to accept the offer for their land south of the Georgia Dome.

Chairman of the church's board of trustees, Lloyd Hank, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the deal will help the church provide a greater level of service and stay within its community.

Earlier this week, the congregation at nearby Mt. Vernon Baptist Church voted to accept the city's offer of $14.5 million.

The churches were each in the path of the franchise's planned $1 billion, retractable roof stadium. The team hopes to open the new facility in time for the 2017 season and demolish the roughly 21-year-old Georgia Dome.

Tags: Atlanta, Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Atlanta Stadium, Falcons Stadium, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta Falcons stadium