Fieldcrest Superintendent Josh Olsen says the school district plans to upgrade the old Presbyterian Church building located next to the Fieldcrest high school. The school purchased the church building for around $40,000 and plans to convert the basement into office space and class rooms. The main floor will be used for both school and community events such as class plays, musicals, and other events requiring the use of a stage. Superintendent Olsen said the church’s pipe organ will probably be sold in order to add room to the stage in the auditorium area.
Before any changes can be made, however, the building must be brought up to code for handicap access and other safety requirements for public use. Olsen said the initial cost for the upgrades was $50,000 but may be closer to $100,000 by the time all required improvements are made.
The rumor that the building may be torn down is false. Olsen said the school can definitely use the additional space afforded by the church building. He added the church is one of the most beautiful buildings in Minonk and is definitely worth saving.
The Presbyterian church was built in 1916 for $30,000 and has many architectural features that cannot be duplicated. The church last held services in 2008 at which time the church building was turned over to the Presbyterian synod which eventually sold the building to Fieldcrest. High school classes were held in the basement of the church from 1936 to 1938 while the present high school building was constructed to replace the old high school which was destroyed by fire in 1936.