Historic Church Renovation

The historic Perry Methodist Church was built in 1884 and dedicated on February 7, 1885. The cypress and pine building materials were hauled from Houston to Perry by ox drawn wagons. The church bell was imported from Germany and is placed 42 feet above the floor in the vestibule. The raised floor for stadium seating was added in 1947. The church pews were newly acquired in 1947. Some of the older pews are found in the choir loft. The class rooms (side wings) were originally separated from the main sanctuary by solid wood doors that are currently stored on the church campus. In the center of the building a diamond shaped board can be seen. This was the location of the stove pipe from the original wood burning stove which was used for heating. Electricity was installed in the building in 1925 and behind the church building is the "light house" which was used to house the electric carbide generator. When the electrical line was run from Waco to Marlin along the path of the railroad track and modern day Highway 6, Perry Methodist Church paid to run a service line to the church. This is why the houses along that 2-mile stretch of FM 1240 to the church are serviced by Oncor and all other residences and businesses in the area are part of the Navasota Valley Electrical Coop. The original electrical wiring was used in the building until the 2021 electrical system renovation. In some photos ceramic insulators are still visible.

The historic cemetery is located on the campus with family members and loved ones dating back to 1885 and contains many markers and stones of intricate detail and beauty. A surveyed expansion and engineered access road was constructed in 2016 and new border fencing was competed in 2024 along with the historic entry archway renovation.

Planned Tree Layout

the red dots are Red Oaks, green dots are Live Oaks, and blue dots are already there. The big red dot is a planned group similar to how the campus has historically been before the trees started dying about 20 years ago.

the new trees are 45 gallon which is the 10-12 foot range. All will be irrigated.

11/27/2024

We are three months into the renovation. The new doors and transoms are being custom made and will have the same look as the current ones with the addition of raised crosses are included on each door. The construction will take about three months but it is well worth the wait for custom built of mahogany hardwood. New cedar wood exterior shudders have been ordered and will be arrive for painting and installation after the new year. The construction of the access ladders and flooring inside of the steeple has been completed and the installation of new electrical service and safety lighting in the steeple will help with the repairs to the upper half. We have also begun the construction of a new side walk connecting the church to the new fellowship hall and a new handicap ramp and patio access to the southern door. Progress is definitely being made but with the structural issues and water damage that have been found, we will have to vacate the church and hold services in the fellowship hall after the new year in order to make our goal of celebrating Easter in a completely renovated church building.

10/24/2024

Today we finished the foundation work on the church. It is strong, solid, and sound. And it is level.

9/30/2024

The photographs show the stabilizing repairs that are being made where the bracing was previously damaged and broken. I took some of the photos which means the stairways are solid enough for me to overcome my extreme fear of heights (It was still very nerving) Two photos show some of the wood damage and how far the steeple has pulled away from the church.

9/14/2024

Renovation Plan

1) Prep scuttle hole for moving lumber in and out of crawl space.

2) Replace ladders and platforms that lead to Bell Tower.

3) Repair and shore-up Bell

4) Cut, splice, fasten and raise rafters and braces.

5) Shore up, repair, replace, rafter supports in tower.

6) Repair rope on bell for both ringers.

7) Repair and replace vinyl siding and shingles and metal flashing on exterior of building.

8) Power wash entire exterior of Church building.

9) Repair or replace wooden window shutters

10) Widen rear entrance door and plate glass windows above the door.

11) Repair or replace exterior doors and jambs.

12) Repair wagon wheel window in front.

13) Repair rotted panels inside Church.

14) Paint entire exterior trim work and caulk.

15) Caulk and paint interior of Church.

16) Remove old carpeting for new carpeting installation.

* The Church will be leveled to the extent that conditions permit during the appropriate periods of the project.

** Some work will be performed by subcontractors that are supervised by the Project Manager and Master Craftsman Nelson Krumnow.