
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 20, 1995                   TAG: 9509200055
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHURCH MOVE AWAITED

Explore Park officials said Tuesday that donations totaling $75,000 will cover the initial costs of moving historic Mountain Union Church from Botetourt County to the park.

Regular Sunday services and weddings can take place in the church by next summer, said Rupert Cutler, executive director.

The church at Catawba and Blacksburg roads in the Haymaker area was donated by the board of trustees of Fincastle Presbyterian Church, Cutler said.

Gifts of $25,000 were received from the Warren W. Hobbie Trust of Roanoke and William and Barbara Lemon of Roanoke. About 80 members of Roanoke-area Presbyterian churches gave $20 to $1,000.

Fund-raising continues, because moving and restoring the church will cost up to $150,000, depending on volunteer labor, Cutler said.

Bedford-based Brown's Construction of Virginia Inc. will begin dismantling the church next month. The white wooden church with four columns will sit near Kemp's Ford School and represent the most significant addition in two years to the Blue Ridge Settlement area of the park, Cutler said.

by CNB