130-year-old community church in Provo asking for help fixing its buildings

Provo Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ just celebrated its 130th anniversary, and its buildings at 175 North University Avenue are showing their age. The familiar A-frame worship space was added to the church in 1956, but like the older building next door, the roof needs repairs and there are many other issues that need attention.

Minister Keith Cupples says their goal is to raise anywhere from $150,000 to two million dollars with this campaign. How much, he says, depends on how many people catch the vision. 

“I’m not too big on naming those numbers,” Cupples says, “Because as God has given us this vision, God has said, ‘I want you to take care of the building so that we can take care of the community.'”

Cupples says the broader community has already responded with offers of help. “Now there are a number of wonderful people, all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who have offered their expertise in order to push this vision forward.”

The history of the Community Congregational Church includes sponsoring the first Boy Scout Troop in the Provo area as well as being the birthplace of the Food and Care Coalition, which provides services to those experiencing homelessness and provides other services to low-income families and individuals.

They’re beginning a building restoration campaign with a worship service this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Like their other recent services, it will be streamed live on the church’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/provocommunityucc.