project , we thought it was time to work on cosmetic and insulation needs . [ But ] we found out there was major damage to the foundation of the building . Without the support and encouragement of Partners and the Central Appalachian project , we might have lost the building forever . From our participation in the cohort , we learned of an architectural firm that understood our needs and that did an excellent assessment and worked with the local government to help us make the best choices for our restoration .”
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Logan Memorial United Methodist Church ( far left and right ) was dedicated in 1892 as Henry Logan Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church , and founded to serve a Black congregation in Parkersburg , West Virginia . Ted Olson ooking forward , Partners ’ Central Appalachia project will include a focus on folk arts in sacred places . After three years of engaging with Appalachian communities in the preservation of the region ’ s historic churches that serve the spiritual needs of those communities , Partners plans to expand its reach across the region . While remaining committed to its original goals , “ Preserving and Strengthening the Cultural Heritage of Sacred Places in Central Appalachia ” over the next three years will embark on a two-pronged approach : serving a second cohort of sacred places in Central Appalachia , and working with participants in the first cohort to commission new , authentic folk art for installation in those sacred places .
Two church leaders in the current cohort addressed the value of the folk arts components in their sacred places . “ For generations the industry in Graham County was timber . The lumber for the church was local , and the floor joists were long , untreated logs . The pulpit and pews were handmade and unique . No two pews look the same , which led me to believe they were made by different hands ,” Reece said . “ The pews are made with large , solid slabs of old-growth timber . The Sunday School rooms were added in the late 1940s , and the paneling is wormy chestnut , which does not exist anymore . The county land is now almost 70 % national park , including the Joyce Kilmer National Forest . Never again will local timber be used to
build a sacred place [ here ].” Unique construction is just one example of craftsmanship on display in this region , and the folk art in many Central Appalachian churches is not just of the past but of a tradition that is very much alive and cultivated in these sacred places . Campbell said , “ We want to continue [ the tradition ] by having new folk art created for our sanctuary , including
Harshaw Chapel ( above and top left ) is the “ mother church ” of Methodism in Cherokee County , North Carolina . Joshua Castaño
a communion table and baptismal font designed and created by a local craftsperson , quilted paraments designed and created by the quilters in our congregation , and pottery communion ware designed and created by a local artist .”
Each sacred place participating in the Central Appalachia churches project has a different takeaway from the experience so far . Hobby believes the program helped participants gain credibility among their church family and community in pursuing the needed repair and restoration work . That buy-in then turned into action . Posey found the relationships he built through the program to be invaluable . “ We ’ ve been resourced and connected to other agencies and persons in our region who have made valuable contributions and insights along the way ,” he said . “ It no longer feels like we ’ ve got to do it ourselves . It ’ s more like we realize there are others who are interested and in various ways invested in the chapel ’ s restoration . That is a good feeling .”
By honoring Appalachia ’ s religious heritage while working with present-day congregations , this project will continue to celebrate the essence of Appalachia and nurture its bright future .
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