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.
Local News
Effort underway to save historic Walnut City church
- Local News
-
-
Mystic couple’s premature baby comes home after extended hospital stay
Nolan Wendland was supposed to be born Jan. 9. Instead, he came home Jan. 8 — after 11 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.
-
Daily Iowegian publisher’s photo wins third place in INA contest
Daily Iowegian publisher, Becky Maxwell, took third place in the Best Breaking News Photo category at the 2012 Iowa Newspaper Association’s annual convention in Des Moines Feb. 2-3.
-
100 Day Wellness Challenge update
The first update for the 100 Day Wellness Challenge as of Feb. 5 (Day 13) has been released.
-
Pathfinders RC&D secures grant for map training along byway
Pathfinders RC&D is happy to announce receipt of a grant from Central Iowa Tourism Region to plan and host a map training seminar for businesses along the Historic Hills Scenic Byway as well as surrounding communities.
-
COOKIES FOR SALE
Troop No. 665 Girl Scouts Saturday afternoon were at the Centerville Hy-Vee selling cookies.
-
CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Centerville City Council looking to appoint six and accept three resignations
The agenda for tonight's Centerville City Council meeting is loaded with resignations and appointments. The council will vote on three resignations and six appointments.
-
Masonic Lodge open house Feb. 20
An open house is going to be held at the Masonic Jackson Lodge No. 42 in Centerville on Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in honor of George Washington’s birthday. It is open to the public.
-
Friends of the Drake Public Library fifth annual raffle prize list
All proceeds will be used to support the library including a subscription for FREE e-books.
-
Appanoose County's rank jumps from 83rd to 2nd in one year
Appanoose County has a chance to be number one in the state. According to Joyce Bieber, executive director of the Centerville-Rathbun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Appanoose County is ranked second in the state for participation in the Live Healthy Iowa 100 Day Challenge as of Friday, Feb. 3.
-
Large turnout protests proposed closing of Centerville FSA office
Tuesday afternoon local producers and the public made comments concerning the proposed closing and consolidation of the Appanoose County Farm Service Agency office located in Centerville. Several questioned if the decision hasn't already been made.
-
Girl Scouts selling cookies at Hy-Vee Saturday
The Girl Scouts of local Troop 665 will be selling Girl Scout cookies at a cookie booth sale at Hy-Vee on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost per box is just $3.50.
-
Tractors, tractors and more tractors coming to Appanoose County
The 2012 WHO Great Annual Tractor Ride is coming to Centerville and the Rathbun Lake Watershed.
-
SEI Orchestra presents winter concert series
Admission is by season ticket or at the door. Adult tickets are $15 and student tickets are $10. Children under 12 are free. There is no reserved seating. For information contact the symphony office at (319) 385-6352; send email to seiso@iwc.edu or on the Internet at www.seiso.us.
-
Benefit for Fred Jones March 2
A benefit for Fred Jones will be held on Friday, March 2 at Eagles Hall in Centerville.
-
31-year Iowa State Patrol veteran passes away
The Centerville community lost a long-time resident and law enforcement officer on Friday, Jan. 27.
- More Local News Headlines
-





