Scott's Chapel United Methodist Church is the 2022 South Georgia recipient of the Renfro Trust Grant.
The Renfro Trust awards grants for the purpose of establishing and supporting United Methodist churches in rural areas of the United States within the Southeastern Jurisdiction. Grant applications are considered for projects involving new or existing church buildings.
Located in Blackshear, Ga., Scott's Chapel UMC recently held their 160th celebration of ministry in November of 2022. The church was organized in 1862, and the church’s historic building has been standing for over 100 years.
Their challenge, according to their pastor, Rev. Michelle Dailey, is to restore the church for preservation as a Georgia or national facility, but more importantly to worship in the facility safely. The church received $2,500 in grant money.
“We sought the grant to identify proper restoration techniques for the brick and mortar restoration and to begin the process of maintaining the structural integrity and soundness of Scott's Chapel,” said Rev. Dailey.
In addition to maintaining the soundness of the building, the church will also be looking to renovate the existing structure and add a restroom in the sanctuary. Persons with disabilities cannot enter the sanctuary safely without fear of injury or use the restrooms without first exiting the sanctuary and entering into the fellowship hall.
“While our current average attendance is 14, we believe more could attend if they were able to negotiate the steep ramp into the sanctuary or be able to use the restroom without having to leave the sanctuary, go outside and around the building to enter the fellowship hall to use the facilities there,” said Rev. Dailey.
As part of his role as the Conference Secretary for Global Ministries, Rev. Garth Duke-Barton is part of the group that helps make determinations about who receives grant money.
While Rev. Duke-Barton was excited Scott's Chapel UMC was chosen for the grant he does think more can be done to help them and acknowledges that the church will need additional assistance beyond the grant money to accomplish their goals.
Rev. Duke-Barton says that volunteers to help with renovations would be greatly appreciated.
“If you or a work team from your church have the skill set to install a new restroom, update a sound system, repair their sanctuary floor, make a sanctuary ADA compliant in terms, you can help,” said Rev. Duke-Barton. “I love the ways our connectional system helps support one another.”