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Springville Community Presbyterian Church, seen Wednesday, April 24, 2024, is raising funds for needed repairs in advance of its 150th anniversary in 2027.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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Damage to wood on the north side of Springville Community Presbyterian Church is visible Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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Stained-glass windows inside the chapel of Springville Community Presbyterian Church are seen Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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A marquee advertises services at Springville Community Presbyterian Church, seen Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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The west side of Springville Community Presbyterian Church is pictured Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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As the Springville Community Presbyterian Church approaches its 150th anniversary, leaders of the congregation are undertaking renovations of the more than century-old building.

The congregation was first established in Springville in 1877 and included a community school. The current chapel, which is tucked away in a neighborhood east of the city’s main street, was built around 1890. The church is also listed as a historical site by the Utah Historical Society.

Kathleen Bowen, elder for finance and buildings for the church, said renovations for the building are extremely needed, especially on its exterior, which has experienced leaking windows and degenerating wood.

“The church is falling apart, its exterior literally, bless its heart,” she said.

The official 150th anniversary isn’t until 2027, but Bowen said they are trying to get a head start on getting ready to “show off” to the public.

Overall, the church needs about $100,000 to complete the renovations, which Bowen hopes will keep the building going for “another 150 years.”

“We’re looking to raise about $100,000, initially, which isn’t a whole lot in this day and age, but for us, it’s a big amount,” she said. All donations will go directly to paying for workers and supplies.

The Presbyterian congregation received help from the community in the past to fund the restoration of the church’s original stained-glass windows, which line the chapel.

“In the past when we’ve needed to restore the stained-glass windows, which are original, the whole world came together and helped us with that,” Bowen said. She added they received assistance from the city, Brigham Young University and the Hindu community in Spanish Fork.

Renovations have already begun, with some repainting being completed on a building connected to the chapel.

Some of the chapel’s white paint is peeling, especially on the east and south sides of the building that get more sunlight, and some of the window frames appear to be deteriorating. Bowen pointed out that some of the window seals have completely decayed, causing leaks into the building’s interior.

Additionally, she said they also will need to hire an electrician to come and check the wiring in the building, as they have concerns with the electric system due to the church’s age.

Bowen said they have not solidified exact plans for what the 150th anniversary celebration will look like, but they hope to get the community involved and welcome them into the church.

In addition to Sunday worship services, which Bowen said are open to everyone, the church also allows the community to use the building, such as for theater practices or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The building also has been used as a venue for the Springville Art Festival.

Currently, the congregation only has about 20 people, Bowen said, but they are constantly welcoming visitors.

Bowen said she’s been a part of the congregation for nearly 40 years and has seen how the church contributes to Springville through charity work, such as helping with Tabitha’s Way or the United Way of Utah County.

“We try to be very much a part of Springville,” she said.

While they are still working on raising the money for renovations, Bowen is hopeful that they’ll accomplish the needed work.

“Divine intervention is always wonderful,” she said. “It’s just amazing how, somehow, things come through.”

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