By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
July 5, 2001
SCOOBA The East Mississippi Community College Development Foundation has earned $150,000 toward its goal of $500,000 for its Chapel in the Pines project.
The idea of the chapel began nearly 40 years ago with the donation of land adjacent to EMCC for the school's Wesley Foundation by the late Brown Briggs of Scooba.
Funding for a chapel fell through and the property was idle for many years. In 1999 the college's Wesley Foundation turned the land over to the EMCC Foundation so that an interdenominational chapel and fellowship hall could be built.
The fellowship hall will become a meeting place for EMCC's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Student Christian Fellowship according to Mary M. Davis, who works with special populations and the Student Christian Fellowship on campus.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May of last year but there has been no construction. The design of the project was donated by Pryor and Morrow architectural firm of Columbus.
A display on the chapel site, across from the college's bookstore, reads, "Learning apart from God is like chasing the wind."
The plans include a chapel with a walkway adjoining the fellowship hall. Both buildings will be about 3,000 square feet.
Pews to seat 84, a bride's room, groom's room and restrooms are included in the chapel plans. The fellowship hall will include restrooms, a kitchen and a large multi-purpose area.
The layout also features a courtyard, patio and parking area.
The cost of the chapel, including parking and landscaping is estimated at $303,000. The fellowship hall completely equipped is expected to cost about $195,000.
Cash gifts and pledges are still being accepted for the project. Special item gifts such as memory bricks may be purchased for $200, pews are $1,500 each. For more information on donations or to purchase items call Mary M. Davis at (662) 476-5089.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.