It’s been over 20 years in the making, but Uvilla United Methodist Church finally has a new fellowship hall for gatherings and community events.

Doreen Hale, and other church members have been working on this project for a long time.

“We’re a small church, but very friendly. We’re just like a big family,” said Hale. “We’ve worked so hard over the years at the Jefferson County Fair, doing arts and crafts, doing little lunches and stuff like that to raise money. We also had a very generous giver, so that helped too.”

The church plans to use the 2400 square-foot building for their own events, but want to open it to the community as well. They plan to offer use of the facility for free to groups like Boy Scouts and 4H, but will charge a nominal fee for facility rental for parties, receptions and the like.

Even with a small congregation of around 35 members, they had a big vision to keep the project going.

One of biggest supports was Eleanor Ann Shirley, member of the church since the early 1940s as well the church organist and Chairman of the Administrative Board.

Hale said that Shirley made a substantial amount of financial donations to the building project and was the first one to dig a shovelful of dirt at the groundbreaking. However, Shirley passed away in July of 2016 and didn’t get to see the project come to fruition.

“She always dreamed of that building,” said Hale. “We had a special shovel made and it’s going to be on the wall in the fellowship hall in memory of her.”

The facility comes equipped with a kitchen and has everything anyone might need, according to Hale.

The community is welcome to attend the building dedication on Sunday, Jan 15 at 3 p.m. The church is located at 4179 Shepherdstown Pike (Route 230), Shenandoah Junction, WV. A reception will follow.

Call 304-725-6140.