Small church has a simple dream

When a pastor from a neighboring county came to Stony Knoll CME Church in Mill Spring to preach one winter Sunday, he was shocked that the small, one room church built in 1945 had no bathrooms. How could this be, Rev. Johnny Searight wondered in disbelief. Churches often go lacking for a variety of material things, but usually not something so commonplace as a restroom.

With experience in construction, his mind began thinking of ways to rectify the situation. As often happens with construction projects, what may seem a simple wish list, turns into a more complex undertaking, especially for a small congregation with limited resources.

It has taken a while to get started, but construction on an addition and renovations to the historic church began this summer. The foundation for the approximately 900 square foot addition, which will contain a vestibule, two bathrooms and a pastor’s study, was poured, and walls have been formed. There is also a ramp planned for handicapped access.

Rev. Searight, seated left, helped to spearhead the project in the early spring of 2015, but raising the necessary funds has taken longer than anticipated, he said. Searight and Rev. Arbutus Hines, pastor of Stony Knoll CME Church, right, together have started a GoFundMe page (gf.me/u/cdfagf) to complete the project, which will also include roof, windows, siding, and HVAC upgrades to the original church.

Donations of money, time and talent from the community are welcomed and appreciated, he said.
For more information call 704-472-7962 or email johnnysearight@yahoo.com. For details on the building fund or for more information about Stony Knoll CME Church, contact Rev. Hines at 828-458-2108 or arbutushines@windstream.net. •