Browns Creek Primitive Baptist Church to be Moved to Casey Jones Village; Historic Preservation Fund Announced
(Jackson, TN) Clark and Juanita Shaw and the Old Country Store are pleased to announce the establishment of the new Community Fund through a partnership with the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation entitled the "Village Church Historic Preservation Fund".
In search of a church to move to Casey Jones Village, about two years ago Clark and Juanita Shaw discovered a small church building that belonged to the Browns Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Haywood County off Highway 70. It had been abandoned nearly forty years ago but was still in excellent condition. It was built 105 years ago and seats approximately sixty people. The Shaws approached the remaining membership of the church who graciously agreed to the church being relocated to Casey Jones Village.
Relocation is scheduled to take place this week weather permitting. Bill McMillen, who will be moving the church, also donated 125-year-old brick for the church's foundation.
The church will be used for a number of purposes. Primarily it will be used as a prayer chapel open daily and made available to visitors to Casey Jones Village. The church will be utilized for special occasions and other uses that will include everything from gospel sings and community meetings, to weddings, receptions and dinner on the grounds type events.
The new historic preservation fund allows businesses and individuals to make tax deductible donations to the fund as well as in-kind donations. The West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation is West Tennessee's leading public foundation. While the majority of the funds raised provide for the health and well-being of West Tennesseans, there are a growing number a funds for arts and education.
The Mission Statement of the Village Church Historic Preservation Fund is as follows: "Goal: To preserve and educate future generations about the rich history of worship in West Tennessee and the American South.
Donors would be able to contribute to Christian missions, community outreach and ministry opportunities as well as the educational, cultural and sustainable heritage tourism initiatives of the Fund. These contributions would go toward the historic preservation of the church buildings themselves as well as the documentation of Southern rural church history, the presentation of traveling and permanent exhibits, as a venue for music and performing arts, the hosting of church and tour groups and school field trips and other educational and teaching opportunities. Casey Jones Village welcomes over 700,000 visitors annually including local guests and travelers from across the nation and around the world."
If the public would like to be a part of this project, tax-deductible contributions can be made online and also as honorariums and memorials. It is listed under "Community Funds" and designated as the "Village Church Historic Preservation Fund" on the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation website at
http://www.wthfoundation.org/ .
or by mailing a check to the:
West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation
ATTN: Village Church Historic Preservation Fund
620 Skyline Drive
Jackson, TN 38301.
--
No comments:
Post a Comment