Egg Hunt to save a Church
Egg Hunt to save a Church Save Email Print
Harrisonburg
Posted: 7:36 PM Apr 7, 2007
Last Updated: 7:36 PM Apr 7, 2007
Reporter: Lorilee Victorino
Email Address: lvictorino@whsv.com

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Members of one of the only historical churches in the area are looking for an Easter miracle to keep the church where they worship from being torn down.

The Mabel Memorial Chapel is at risk Saturday night, but members of the church are trying to save it with the help of the brothers of JMU'S Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

They are trying to raise enough money through an Easter egg hunt, to stop a bulldozer from destroying a piece of history.

It's an Easter egg hunt to help keep the Mabel Memorial Chapel from closing down. Ryan Link is the ATO fraternity alumni chairman. He says he's glad to be here to support the church. "This church really brings a lot of people together, young and old, and it's really just kind of a big part of the community, it's just one of those things that I really think should stick around."

The Mabel Memorial Chapel has been in existence and served the local community for over a century. Now they are trying to raise enough money to keep the structure from being torn down.

Wilma Foley has been a long time member of the chapel. "It's just a nice lovable church and anybody who is willing to come, we treat everybody like their family and it's going to be hard if we don't get to keep it, it really is."

Harrisonburg resident Vickie Earman brought her children to the Easter egg hunt to support the church. She is not a member but says the structure is very important to her. "I know I would really love for the church to continue to stand because my grandmother has been going to church there for years and it would just break her heart if it was to be shutdown and she is fighting really hard to continue to keep the church open so it's kind of important."

Another egg hunt will be held Sunday from noon until dark. Sunday may be the last day for services so the congregation is asking the community to come out to both the service and the egg hunt to support the Mabel Memorial Chapel.

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Posted by: l on Apr 27, 2007 at 02:13 PM
love all!

Posted by: bob Location: va on Apr 27, 2007 at 02:13 PM
i am very disapointed in a gentleman who spoke to me as a representative. i think that his name was march. he was extremely rude and was throwing papers at me. what kind of a christian would to that to another? especially when we are tought to love all?

Posted by: angel cummings Location: mineral va on Apr 16, 2007 at 01:24 AM
i don't understand how a church can decide the fate of a church that has been independant in the past. my family has lived down below the church since the 1950's. that church is one of the few things in harisonburg that has not changed yet. for some thing that has been there longer than the city. you would think it would be saved. how can you tear down something that means so much for money that dose not even belong to the presbytery church. mabel church belongs to the people that make that church a family.

Posted by: Robin Location: Harrisonburg on Apr 9, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Just wanted to let you know we appreciate the story you did on Mabel Memorial Chapel. However First Presbytery Church changed the locks on the doors this morning.

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