QUINCY VALLEY POST-REGISTER |
PARTNERS |
AFFILIATED SITES |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Copyright 2008 World Publishing Company. All rights reserved. |
|||||
Church receives facelift
Rachal Mattson/writer@qvpr.com
The renovation of Quincy’s Pioneer Church includes new pews.
It has stood there, the little Pioneer Church, for the past three years. It was obvious when the outside had been restored, but what about the inside? It has been hard for the average passerby to see any progress being made.
The time has come for the community to see the newly restored Pioneer Church, located at the Reiman-Simmons House, across from Subway. There will be a dedication ceremony Sunday, July 25 at 3 p.m. The ceremony will include instrumental and vocal groups from various Quincy churches. Several local pastors will also be participating.
“We hope to do the Lord’s Prayer in German,” said Kaye Baumgartner, historical society member. “The dedication prayer will be bilingual, in English and Spanish.”
Howard Shelton is also going to be sharing the history of and stories about the Pioneer Church.
The Pioneer Church was built in 1904 on the corner of 2nd Avenue and B Street SW as a community church. In 1907, it was incorporated as a German Lutheran church. When a new, larger building was needed for the Lutheran congregation, the church was sold. It was used by several different churches before it was sold into private ownership.
In 2007, the Pioneer Church was repurchased by St. Paul Lutheran Church and given back to the people of Quincy. The Lutheran church had it moved to its new location at the Reiman-Simmons historical site.
Since then, restoration has been in full operation. New siding has replaced damaged or broken siding. Electricity and heating have been installed. New windows have been put in place. Inside, the tin ceiling has been repaired. Tin panels that once covered the walls of the church have been installed in the front. The floor has been redone. The walls have been painted. And new pews, replicas of the originals, have been made and installed.
“Many individuals, groups and foundations have contributed financially and have volunteered their efforts to restore it,” Baumgartner said.
Now that the restoration is complete, the church will be available for weddings, funerals, baptisms, renewal of vows, prayer meetings, unity services and other faith-based uses. It seats approximately 85 people.
“The church has wonderful acoustics,” Baumgartner said. “You can rent either the church or the church and house together.”
For more information on the dedication of the Pioneer Church or for rental information, call 787-4685.
