McDONOUGH – A lot of people promised to help turn the old Calvary Episcopal Church into a community center and library, says Eleanor Troicke, president of the McDonough Improvement Committee.
“Hopefully, some of them will come through,” she said.
Volunteers are needed Saturday to paint the inside of the building, located on county Rte. 7 in the hamlet. Work is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Those interested can contact Troicke for more information.
The committee is converting the 123-year-old structure into a 2,000 book library and performing arts facility. It was decommissioned as a church by the Episcopal Diocese of Syracuse nearly two years ago.
“One, we’re trying to retain the building for the community,” said Troicke, who said the former church is on the National Historic Registry. “Two, we’re trying to provide a service to our community.”
The center is planned to be an official branch of the Oxford Memorial Library and a member of the Four County Library System.
“By having a branch in McDonough, this will really expand our outreach,” said Nancy Wilcox, director of the Oxford Memorial Library, adding that it will benefit residents in more remote areas who may not have access to services in Oxford. “It’s going to be a great deal handier for there to be a McDonough library.”
Wilcox said the Oxford library is in the midst of cataloging boxes of donations for the new library. If people wish to make donations, Wilcox asks that the books be current or published within the last few years.
For the performing arts, the alter and organ area at the west end of the church will be transformed into a stage for local musical acts, small plays or poetry reads, Troicke said. The center will also be used to show movies and hold wedding ceremonies. It’s hoped to be opened by March at the earliest.
A permanent schedule has yet to be set, but committee members expect the center to be open a few days and one evening per week at the onset. McDonough residents are encouraged to offer scheduling suggestions, Troicke said.
The future community center is still owned by the Episcopal Diocese, which is renting the building to committee in exchange for their improvement efforts. It’s expected that the group will take ownership of the old church, for a token amount, in the near future.
The Town of McDonough is currently not officially involved in the renovation of the church. Newly-elected Supervisor Arrington J. Canor said he’s being updated on the center’s progress, but that no money has yet been budgeted by the town to fund the project or provide services. The town currently budget’s $1,400 annually for use of a monthly book-mobile.
The town, committee, and Oxford library still have to solidify plans as to how the center will be funded annually.
To get more information or to offer help, call Eleanor Troicke at 647-5243. Troicke said interested volunteers can also contact Judy Lucier at 647-5590 and Donna Robb at 647-5659.