Beautification Project: Mission Accomplished
Mik Cole, 9th Episcopal District
There’s a new slope in town and it is showing off because of a grant received from Wiregrass RC&D and St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Before and after pictures tell the story of an eroded and weather beaten property, sorely in need of a make-over. Repairs were made, but as the work progressed, more weather and more damage uncovered “deeper” issues from Mother Nature.
St. John AME Church has invested in the Fort Mitchell, Russell County area since the early 1900s. The property is recognizable from US HWY 165 and before the drainage issues began, the slope leading to US HWY 165 was immaculately kept and slotted for further landscaping beautifications. Russell County values the Church properties and St. John AME Church properties have always added value to Russell County.
District 5 Russell County Commissioner Cattie Epps, who is also a church member, spearheaded the search for grants and contributions to correct the scars left from a couple of harsh seasons and the conditions created by the construction of the new church in 2011.
“Wiregrass RC&D came through for us,” she said, “with a check for $3,300. They truly have answered our call on a number of projects. Fort Mitchell continues to see their support. St. John is able to continue to add value and beautification to the community.”
Currently the church building, cemetery and property carries a “real estate” appraised value of $1.4 million. St. John AME Church beautification, reconstruction, repair and building projects improve the neighborhood and benefit the surrounding residences and businesses.
The Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council was created in 1965 through an application to the Soil Conservation Service. Today WRC&D covers 10 counties in Alabama and focuses “… on land conservation and management, water management, community development and innovation,” according to the website: wiregrassrcd.com. Grants are offered for application in the spring of each year. Decisions are made with representatives from the area applying for the grant. The WRC&D mission states that they are: “Helping local communities meet local needs through building relationships, cultivating partnerships, and designating resources.”
St. John AME in Fort Mitchell, Ala., is a “Mission Accomplished.”
Photo Credit: Mik Cole
Cutline:
St. John AME Church in Fort Mitchell received a grant from Wiregrass RC&D for the beautification project to correct and enhance the front slope of the church property.
Left to right: St John AME Trustees Mary Dixon, Frank Kennedy, Eleanor Black, Russell County Commissioner Cattie Epps, John Ford, Pastor Rodney Smith, Arthur Epps, Nathaniel Wyatt, Cornelius Coppins, Linda Miller, David Hoskins(behind Linda) Demorris Ford.
