The community group has made great strides in reviving the churches over the last few years to save them from crumbling to the ground, and while they are looking better than ever, the goal was never to restore the churches. Their plan is to make sure they last so another generation can enjoy the solitary sentinels on the east end of the valley.
This summer they are looking at painting the churches. They will start painting the interior of the United Church as soon as next week. They are also looking at painting the exteriors this season.
The churches have come a long way to be at this point in just a few short seasons. The churches have been completely cleaned out, structural repairs have taken place and the roofs have been re-shingled to keep the weather out. Doors and custom made windows that match the originals have also been installed. Last summer the interior of the United Church was stuccoed, and Ray Faubion and his grandson were putting the casings in place this week for it to receive a fresh coat of paint.
Since the renovations, Betty has seen an increase in traffic from locals and visitors coming to see the historic churches.
“There are lots of people there. There is hardly a time that I look out the window and don’t see people there,” said Betty who lives beside the church site. “More and more, people are discovering what a beautiful drive it is out here. Especially this year because it is still green, which is really a miracle, especially for this country.”
The project is not complete yet. She said that inmates at the Drumheller Institution used the original alter from the Catholic Church as a template to construct a new alter.
“It’s sitting in the hall waiting to go in its home in the front of the church, and it’s beautiful, they do wonderful work,” she said.
They also have the materials in place, thanks to a grant from Special Areas, to redo the ceilings and floor of the Catholic Church.
