A community building project that began with a “leap of faith” will soon be completed in early fall as the Keyser Presbyterian Church shares their goals and hopes for their new facility which will offer  an abundance of possibilities for the local area.
From banquets to weddings receptions, basketball and volleyball games to conferences, bands, dances, concerts and skate boarding, Pastor Ernie Poland of the church said he is open to suggestions for the use of the  630 square foot steel community building.
“What kinds of things would you like to see it used for,” said Poland, a question he would like to ask community members.
The building, which began construction this year by Mineral Fabrication, will be completed by early fall and open for public use.
The project came about as a result of a session meeting amongst the congregation of the presbyterian church, said chairman of the multi-purpose building committee and member of the church Tom Harman.
“During a meeting we were asked to bring back on a piece  of paper our vision for Keyser Presbyterian Church in the next five years,” said Harman. “Only two people brought in the paper, me and Flo Boggs. Not talking to each other, our vision was identical.”
“It was definitely a God siting,” said Poland. “That's where it started.”
The session soon backed the vision of Harman and Boggs with a donation of $70,000.
The congregation since that time has worked through various fundraising projects, a fund drive, selling strawberries at the Mineral County Strawberry Festival, and selling name blocks,  to match this donation.
They have not only matched, but exceeded the donation by $15 thousand.
“We are also holding a golf tournament that is coming up,” said Poland.
In addition, the church is raising money by raffling off a two night stay at Lakeview which includes six tickets to the West Virginia vs. Villa Nova game.
“One of our congregation members donated that,” said Harman.
An ongoing fundraising project is the collection of aluminum cans which are turned in for recycling.
The church did receive one grant – a $2,500 from the Shenandoah Presbytery – the church's immediate governing body.
The presbytery, located 100 miles away in Harrisonburg, Va., will be visiting the church on Nov 11 as the Keyser Presbyterian Church hosts a visit from the organization.
Initially, Poland said the multi-purpose building committee was shooting for this date to be able to showcase the building – the only building of its kind out of 117 presbyterian churches that are members of the presbytery
“It will clearly be finished well before then,” said Poland. “Now we are hoping to be finished by Rally Day – September 7.”
One use of the building will definitely be for church league basketball, said Poland.
Currently, there is a problem with many teams not having the facility to practice prior to their games.
The only other available basketball court in town is at the Keyser Primary Middle School, which is often crowded, said Poland.
“It will be a full-size basketball court,” said Poland. “The children will be able to play cross court and for the younger kids there are adjustable hoops that adjust from 7-10 feet.”
Another possibility is offering Potomac State College a facility to host classes such as volleyball or basketball, for example.
“Even PSC could find a use,” said Poland, a former professor of religious studies at the school. “They could schedule classes down here. The college has tight gym times.”
The pastor and clerk offices, now located on the second floor of the church, will also be moved in the multi-purpose room to give easier access to the elderly members of the congregation.
Poland hopes other churches won't hesitate to call him with ideas for the building.
“We don't want to limit it to the Presbyterian church,” said Poland. “It is for the community. We don't know all the needs of the community, so you have to let us know.”
The upcoming golf tournament to raise funds for the completion of the $391,000 multi-purpose building is scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at Mill Creek Golf Club with registration beginning at 8 a.m and shot gun start at 9 a.m.