In 2020, Rev. Keith Cupples said he received a divine vision directing him to renovate the 130-year-old Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ building.
A year later, people of different faiths work together, donating time and expertise to raise more than $ 2 million to restore the historic church and establish it as a meeting place for the congregation, promoting unity in the process.
“We have some wonderful people who have been urged by God to join us who are members of other denominations,” said Rev. Cupples, pastor for pulpit supplies for the Provo Church. “If we help each other, this will be more than just a building.”
The Keep the Faith in Downtown Provo fundraiser to restore the Church at 175 N. University Avenue in Provo began in February and will continue through February 2022. So far, the campaign has raised about $ 80,000, according to Rev. Cupples.
The organizers emphasized that all donations are for the restoration of the building and not for general church use.
Depending on how much money is raised, the organizers hope to replace the 100-year-old tile roof, repair the building’s exterior and add a new pipe organ, among other things.
Before it burned down in 2010, the Provo Tabernacle served as a major center for community activity. When it was converted into the 150th temple of Latter-day Saints Church of Jesus Christ, the need for a new meeting place for the congregation arose. The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ, about three blocks from the temple, has been identified as a place where people of all faiths are welcome but which is in dire need of improvement, Rev. Cupples said.
“This building needs to be renovated. It’s in a terrible state of decay, ”he said. “But this is more than a renovation project, this is a God project, a spiritual project in coordination with others. Let us continue to erase the lines that say we are competitors of various Christian denominations. “
Interreligious services for Easter and Holy Week and the singing of the Messiah have been held in the church for decades.
In addition to religious services, the Church has hosted various community events over the years such as Boy Scout Troop Meetings, plays, concerts, concerts, addiction support groups, and more.
Isaac Paxman, Vice Mayor of Provo, is one of several Latter-day Saints who are volunteering for the relief project. More than 40 years ago, his grandparents started the longstanding candlelit tradition of Carols. In fact, Paxman’s first visit to church was when he was taking his future wife to Carols on a candlelit date.
Grid view
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Cracks can be seen on the outside of the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ as viewed from the courtyard on Monday, November 23, 2020. A fundraiser was launched to renovate the church.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
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On Monday, November 23rd, 2020, the old shrine of the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ will be filled with Christmas decorations. A fundraiser was launched to renovate the church.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
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Liaison man and church organist Dave Lewis is decorating the Shrine of the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ for the Christmas season on Monday, November 23, 2020.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
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The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ booths are located at 175 N. University Ave. in downtown Provo. A fundraiser was launched to renovate the church.
Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
“For me this is a kind of modern parallel to a barn rearing where we have someone who has to do more with his roof than he can do himself, and that will take a large part of the community to come and help,” said Paxman.
Paxman agrees with Rev. Cupples that God is involved in this project and believes it can help bring people of different beliefs and backgrounds together.
“Everyone I’ve seen has a vision that this is such a clean opportunity to connect and help one another. There is no bohemian atmosphere of differences in teaching that could be navigated or anything like that, ”he said. “As badly as we need the money, we also enjoy the process of connecting and learning more from each other. The ability to work side by side is almost nicer than the new roof. “
David Lewis, the ward’s facility manager and organist, said the organizers are collecting personal stories about the church for submission to an application to the National Register of Historic Places and a grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places. It’s one more thing on a long list that keeps everyone busy.
“It’s like an extra full-time job for all of us,” said Lewis, “but we’re looking forward to it.”
To learn more about the Keep the Faith in Downtown Provo project, visit keepingthefaithprovo.org.
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