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  • Walnut City Christian Church board members, spouses and family stand in front of the 150-year-old church they have started to restore — both inside and out — back to its original splendor. Photo by Michael Schaffer

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October 7, 2009

Effort underway to save historic Walnut City church

By Michael Schaffer - Managing editor

An effort is underway to restore one of the oldest churches in Appanoose County.

"We've all got roots here in this church and just hate to see it fall in," said Randy Walker, a Walnut City Christian Church board member. "Another one going by the wayside."

The process to restore the Walnut City Christian Church north of Mystic near the intersection of Highways T14 and J5T began in September and could take up to two years, according to board members behind the restoration effort. A group of interested parties and others who had attended the church convened in January of this year with each giving money to pay the back taxes and to organize the Walnut City Christian Church again.

Later this week they intend to move the building in order to start the process to replace the foundation and then place a new roof. The goal is to restore the church to its original appearance and functionality.

"If we don't preserve it here in a hurry, it's going to start collapsing in on itself," said one board member.

The consensus among the board was it would cost approximately $50,000 to replace the basement and roof and total cost of restoration will be approximately $100,000.

Spearheading the restoration program are members of the Walnut City Christian Church board, Byron Tait, president, James Zaputil, vice president, Bill Burch, secretary and treasurer and Walker and Tom Zaputil. Donations will be accepted and can be sent to attention to Walnut City Christian Church, 307 N. 13th St., Centerville, IA 52544.

According to church minutes recorded in the Black Minute Book No. 2, on Feb, 11, 1948 a new roof at a cost of $284.46 and painting of the church steeple by Ray Fenton at a cost of $100.50 was approved. The last entry in the Black Minute Book No. 2 is dated Sept. 15, 1985.

One thing Walnut City Christian Church board members are looking for is more information on what the church looked like when it was functioning. If anyone has photos, pictures or other items, contact Walker at 856-3856.

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This week the Iowegian wants readers to think about the recent decision by the Centerville Municipal Waterworks Board of Directors to increase the fee for late payment of water bills. In a story published in Wednesday's Ad Express, board members announced a 10 percent late fee after two days late, a $50 red tag fee for accounts unpaid after seven days late and a $25 shut off fee, water service terminated after two weeks late. The board said the decision to increase the fees associated with late payment is to encourage customers to pay their bills on time. So, the question this week is, "Are these fees too much to ask for?"

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