The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
Vineyard Church to close but will be repurposed as Pine Haven senior center
With the retirement of Pastor Bob Rudichar and the subsequent dissolution of the Vineyard Church, the building was recently offered to the town of Pine Haven for purchase at the price of $30,000 with all equipment included and the council agreed to the offer at last Tuesday’s meeting. Funding is available to the town for the specific purpose of attaining a senior center through an account created by a previous council; that $17,000 will be used to help pay for the building.
Councilwoman Karla Brandenburg advocated the decision: “It’s a good deal for the community and we’re going to use it for community activities and a senior center.”
Church secretary Sherry Paddon and a couple of friends worked diligently Monday morning cleaning the building before papers are signed at the end of the month. “Going through all the things people haven’t been into for years… Oh my goodness.”
The church started in 2003 and bought the building in 2005. Membership has dwindled, though, in ensuing years.
“We’re down to about ten or 12 people on a good day,” Paddon said. “We just decided with the pastor retiring, it just wasn’t financially a wise move to hire another pastor.”
Paddon smiled, “There was already talk of a senior center the town was interested in starting so I think it’s the Lord’s timing that things worked out really well.”
Both entities hope to see the purchase made official by the end of April. “Hopefully,” Paddon confided, “the building will bless the town and be a place where people can gather in fellowship. We’re just excited that it’s going to a good home.”
As the four friends cleaned, Paddon later mentioned, “We brought up the scripture in Hebrews 10:24, 25…Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together…We want to try to get together, maybe once a month in someone’s home, have a meal and share a Bible study or something.”
The food pantry that has been housed in the building for the last several years will, according to Pat Heinz, who helps manage the service, continue in situ. Heinz assures people in need that said assistance is and will remain available to those in need: “Anyone who would be uplifted by the pantry or knows neighbors who could benefit from the pantry are welcome.”