A prayer will be said when the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ begins the first phase of their Community Cornerstone Restoration Project in Provo on Thursday. (Laura Seitz, Desert News)
Estimated reading time: 5-6 minutes
PROVO – The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ initiated the first phase of their restoration project on Thursday with a “broken roof” ceremony. It’s the first step in a project aimed at keeping the interior of the building waterproof and warm by replacing the roof and attaching the heating systems.
Church members and community volunteers launched the Keeping the Faith campaign in Downtown Provo in February to raise funds for the repair, restoration, renovation, and expansion of the church, located on University Avenue near Center Street in Provo.
Provo deputy mayor Isaac Paxman said the Provo ward was founded in 1891. The church was built in the 1920s and 1950s and is in dire need of renovation, he said.
“We have set ourselves the goal of leaving this church standing for the next few decades. There was a point where if we didn’t do anything, this would likely be sold in more retail stores or more homes. Nothing against retail or housing, but when you have a church that has been here since 1891 there’s this urge to keep it, and that’s what we set out to do, “Paxman said.
When the roof collapsed on Thursday (in contrast to the first groundbreaking), the roof tiles of the building were ceremoniously hammered in to initiate the first phase of the reconstruction. Paxman said the event provided an opportunity to take a short break and celebrate an opportunity to get a new roof on the building. He said the community has raised about $ 600,000 so far and plans to raise an additional $ 1.4 million to replace windows and address other needs on the building.
Tiles are ceremoniously smashed as the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ launches the first phase of its Community Cornerstone Restoration Project in Provo on Thursday. (Photo: Laura Seitz, desert news)
Rev. Keith Cupples said that a direct message from the Lord led him to work in rebuilding the Church; and although it seemed impossible, he sees help and miracles in the project as they have asked for prayers and support from the church.
“We couldn’t be happier or more excited,” said Rev. Cupples.
The congregation is small and the church renovation is ridiculous, Cupples said. He asked the people he was speaking to understand that he believed the project was inspired and encouraged them to seek revelation from God on what they should do to help. You still need a lot more cash to replace windows and stucco, remove asbestos, fix wiring, and bring the building up to date.
“I have no idea how to do this. But I know to be faithful and obedient,” said Rev. Cupples.
He said that a “darkness” is coming and a different morality and he wants the church to help the light stay in Provo and be a physical presence of mercy, grace, compassion and forgiveness.
Paxman, the vice mayor, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but has an affiliation with the Church. His grandparents started a Christmas tradition called “Carols by Candlelight” 43 years ago, which they initially kept in their home. When the crowd got too big, they looked for a larger venue and eventually found the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ. The event still takes place in the church around Christmas each year, and the chapel was filled for the program two nights in a row this year.
It is to a large extent a community good, that is how we imagine it. It’s not just a belief doing its thing with its head down. No, they open their doors. … We want it to stay that way.
–Provo Vice Mayor Isaac Paxman
Paxman said part of what helped people get behind this project is what happened to the Provo Tabernacle. A massive fire destroyed the building in 2010 and was later rebuilt by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Provo City Center Temple. The tabernacle used to host large community events such as concerts and even some Catholic masses, but it no longer fulfills that role. The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ building just two blocks north of the temple has the potential to occupy that space in downtown Provo, Paxman said.
These fundraisers aren’t just about saving a building, Paxman said, they’re also about empowering the community.
“It’s very much a community good, that’s how we imagine it. It’s not just a belief doing its thing with its head down. No, they open their doors. … We want it to stay that way. We are grateful that we have raised enough money so far to at least destroy the roof and get a new roof going, “said Paxman.
The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Provo is pictured on Thursday. The church is hoping to raise $ 2 million for a restoration project to upgrade and repair its buildings. (Photo: Laura Seitz, desert news)
Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said when she became mayor she turned to each of the Provo-based religions and asked them how they could help. The Community Congregational United Church of Christ asked for help with the construction. The Mayoress was involved in raising funds and raising awareness, and Paxman represents her office on the fundraising team.
Kaufusi said the building is for the community, that parishioners can use the building for free, and the church welcomes everyone in the building. She remembers visiting the building as a child when her mother was helping to get kindergarten vaccinations there.
“It’s old, it’s tired, it’s worn out and it’s just time to take care of it because we want it to stay in Provo,” said Kaufusi. “We’d hate to lose that, so we’re doing everything we can to keep it here. And with the new roof that’s a step in the right direction.”
She said it was fantastic to see donations come in and pointed out that “every dollar helps”.
The final goal, which would require $ 8 million to be raised, would also include expanding the chapel and adding a pipe organ to make the chapel more useful for concerts and operas already taking place in this room. The chapel also hosts events for Utah Valley University, Boy Scout groups, and Alcoholics Anonymous groups.
Anyone can contribute to church repairs at keepthefaithprovo.org.
×
Comments are closed.