ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996                 TAG: 9605300093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: RAPIDAN
SOURCE: Associated Press 

MOVING TO A HIGHER GROUND

THE FLOOD-DAMAGED Emmanuel Episcopal Church is being relocated, thanks, in part, to the fund-raising efforts of the tiny congregation.

Historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church is being moved to higher ground after surviving five major floods, including one last year that caused heavy damage and swept away a century-old book of records.

The 122-year-old church will be moved 25 yards farther from the bank of the Rapidan River, placing it 6 feet above the newly defined 100-year flood plain, architect Anthony Barnes said.

Crews began preparing the Culpeper County landmark for restoration two weeks ago. The building will be relocated next spring.

The tiny congregation has launched a drive to raise $200,000 to finance the move and other work that insurance won't cover.

On June 7, 1995, heavy rains turned the Rapidan into a violent torrent. More than 5 feet of water rushed through the church.

The organ and the church walls were destroyed. Stained glass windows, antique pews, heirloom altar linens, the office, parish hall and kitchen were badly damaged. The grounds were pocked with sinkholes, and the antique wrought iron fence was twisted.

Afterward, 8 inches of mud and trash-loads of debris were removed. But restoration was delayed.

The church spent months working to prove that its building needed more work than originally projected. Lengthy negotiations with the insurance company led to a recent $350,000 settlement.

``After the flood, we all wanted to get back,'' said Rachel Nicolls, junior warden at the church. ``We wanted to start the work, but we were wise to be cautious.''

The settlement allowed a contractor this month to begin finishing demolition work needed to start the sanctuary's restoration, slated for completion by year's end. Finishing touches will wait until after the church and its parish hall are moved to an adjoining property.

The building will go atop a concrete foundation, then dirt will be banked around the base to divert flood waters.

``We don't want to fix something that would be destroyed in five years,'' parishioner Gail Marshall said.

Other phases call for reconstruction of the parish hall and repair of the church's exterior. Thousands of dollars worth of furnishings and equipment must be replaced.

This month, the church and its 33 active members launched a fund drive to pay for what the insurance company won't. So far, $35,600 has been raised.

``It's ambitious, especially for a small community and a small congregation,'' said Marshall, who is heading the drive, ``but it's a treasure worth the effort.''

LENGTH: Medium:   62 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  AP. Megan Marlatt, a University of Virginia art 
          professor (right), and students Penley Chiang (center) and Chesney 
          Ford remove plaster from a wall at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 
          Rapidan.