Editor’s note: Jeff and Linda Cathcart recently bought the old Pee Dee Presbyterian Church outside Mt. Gilead and are converting it into their home. They’re updating us on their progress; below is the second part of the series. For part 1, click here.

In the beginning … we knew that we had to select a general contractor who would serve as the right fit for converting a grand old church into a grand old home. Someone who would come alongside us to lovingly preserve both the structural and spiritual integrity of the property. We found that person in Donald Howell (Quality Contractors, Inc.). Donald’s reputation for superior work at a fair price combined with his love for God preceded him. We knew we’d found the right fit in him – and once again, the warmth of another friend in our new hometown.

Donald immediately assembled his team of experts and then we gathered together and prayed for God’s guidance – committing to God that His purpose and glory would be the desire of our labor. With hands ready to work and God’s blessing upon us, it was time to get busy. After shoring up the underside of the church structure with some new timbers and blocks, removing the overgrown shrubbery from the foundation and repairing some siding, we were ready to start transforming the inside.

The first order of business would be to identify everything that would be either discarded, donated or repurposed. Some critters and cobwebs had taken up residency where folks once worshipped, but when we applied a little elbow grease the wonder and dignity of historical loveliness began to shine through, especially in the beautiful hardwood floors under the carpet.

In the back room we found dozens of old Bibles, hymnals and other books from the 1800s. One book was dated 1812; our 16^th president, Abraham Lincoln, was just 3 years old and Ludwig Van Beethoven had just composed his Eighth Symphony when that book was printed. We even found a book presented to one of the first Pee Dee Church pastors by his congregation in 1868. Those interested may view some of these precious writings by visiting the Mt. Gilead Museum and a few will be preserved on site to be enjoyed by family and friends who visit our Pee Dee Church home.

When we first encountered Pastor Robert Williams, he was cheerfully humming a hymn while performing his duties as manager of the Mt. Gilead Food King!, so we gifted a box of hymnals to him for his church; he didn’t know we were listening, but God did. Finally, we set aside the items that would be repurposed. The antique pastoral library cabinet – where we found the old books – would be mounted on a kitchen wall to be used as a food cupboard. All pews that are not donated will be used to build household furnishings – our bed frame, the kitchen island bar, kitchen shelves, etc. A bronze plaque placed many years ago in honor of long-time Sunday school teacher Nan Little will remain on the wall, and the three small pews where her young students once sat will stay just as Miss Nan left them. Likewise, on the same wall a few feet away will be the church attendance and offering register – the numbers from the last services affixed in perpetuity just above the old piano.

We’re just getting started. Please stay tuned – and thank you for coming along on our blessed journey from church to home.