Cal-Nev UMVIM Team Continues at Round Valley

By J.P. McGuire, Coordinator
California-Nevada AC UMVIM

Covelo -- August 15, 2005

A team of volunteers from our own Conference descended upon the Round Valley UMC last week to pick up where the visiting South Carolina team left off in July on church renovations. The group began their time with an evening cook-out on the back porch on Monday night. Tuesday saw work on plumbing and carpentry. Wednesday brought continued plumbing work and carpentry along with drywall installation and finishing, window installation and the changing out of an exterior door.

The group of 12 includes Cheri Pierre, pastor, and Eric Dale, Mark Jenkins, Pat Collins, Sam Campagna, Deloris and Fred Braden, and Nancy Hoon from Willits UMC; Tina Ballagh, pastor, and Sharon Raasch and Kathy Titus from St Paul's UMC-Point Arena; and J.P. McGuire, UMVIM Coordinator.

Round Valley is one of the oldest churches in our Conference, dating back to the 1860s when President Grant appointed a Methodist minister to the Indian Reservation. A historic structure, it has matured to need considerable restoration and renovations. The work being done incorporates the upgrading of three toilet and shower rooms to be handicap accessible,
the updating of the back hall area, the replacement of several doors, and the installation of modern electrical lines. The South Carolina team from Rock Hill had begun the renovations, including the installation of new porches with ramps, and the demolition of the old bathroom facilities.

The team has been entertained by the screech owls flying out of the belfry each night, and
has enjoyed the opportunity to pick the wild blackberries from around the property. The group has been camping out on site, and enjoying the camaraderie, including the great hospitality by Ernie and Mary Francis Merrifield of the Round Valley Church. None of the work being done is in violation of the historic requirements.