The Richlands Ruritan club meets monthly at the Calvary Methodist Church in the Richlands community. Many club members are also church members. At the July 9 club meeting the Ruritans were entertained with a story about the church building. Sam Tuckwiller, a club member and a long-time church member, explained how the church built its community hall.
The church, which is 136 years old, started as the Agnes Chapel. Up until after World War II the church had a chapel space for services but did not have a community center for meetings. It was decided to build a basement meeting space under the church. The church members formed a construction crew to build this center. The ground under the church was bedrock and it was loosened with small charges of dynamite. Then the loose rock was removed by hand and wheelbarrow. When the space was cleared out, concrete side walls were formed up under the church structure’s foundation footings. A furnace was added to provide heat for the new community center and for the church. Electrical lines were added to provide light and power for the new community center. The project started in October and was finished by the following February in time for calving season.
The club business meeting included preparation for the annual club raffle of a Sig Sauer 9 mm pistol. The raffle will be held on Nov. 11. See any Richlands Ruritan members for a raffle ticket. The club voted to donate $200 to Camp Big Foot.
The Richlands Ruritans club meets on the second Wednesday of each month for a dinner meeting at the Calvary Methodist Church on Midland Trail East in Richlands. The Ruritan Civic organization is a national network of clubs working together for a stronger America. The Ruritans’ focus is to support community services in small towns and rural communities across America. The Ruritans, founded in 1928 in Holland, VA, are celebrating their 97th year of service to local communities. The Richlands Ruritans Club provides scholarships to local college students and 4-H campers.
