Historic Gilboa Foundation seeks community input on preservation

The stated mission of the Historic Gilboa Foundation is a simple one: “To protect, historically preserve, and exhibit the unique physical and cultural history which reflects the story of the Gilboa Methodist Church and Cemetery.”

On the morning of Friday, April 4, the Foundation shared that mission onsite with a host of community leaders, many of whom had never visited the church and grounds before.

A few miles south of Interstate 40 off U.S. 64, Gilboa was established in 1793 and is considered the “Mother Church of Methodism” not only in Burke County but in all of western North Carolina.

The current church building, which was built in 1879, is the oldest frame church in the county and is virtually unaltered from that time. It was built from native wood from the surrounding forests by members of the church.

By 1940, however, the membership of the small church, which had no electricity, had dwindled. For a time, reunions and picnics were held at the church, but over time that activity ceased also.

The Foundation is now exploring ways to make the historic church both more accessible and more useful, while at the same time preserving the historic integrity which in 1984 led to the campus being placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“Coming here always brings me a sense of calm and a sense of peace,” said Foundation board member Dudley Weaver in welcoming the visitors to the church. “We want your opinions as to what can best be done here.”

“We know that this is a treasured place,” Dudley continued. “We know that it is a sacred place. And it is a place that we believe should be shared with this community.

“Obviously, there are a lot of needs to address and a lot of resources will be needed,” he added. “But let us remember that this church reflects the strength and the character of the people who lived here and worshipped here.”

Some of the obstacles facing make the church and grounds more usable are:

• Only a tiny sign marks Gilboa’s location on U.S. 64 — a sign very easy to miss on a busy highway where the speed limit is 55 mph.
• The road leading to the church and grounds is gravel and a bit rough in spots.
• Formal parking at the church is virtually nonexistent, as evidenced by the free form parking of the visitors on April 4.
• The church has no running water, no electricity, and no restroom facilities except for an outdoor portable toilet.

And yet, as the visiting leaders kept exclaiming to each other, the church and grounds are indeed beautiful and seem to exude a spirit of holiness and of history.

Burke County School Superintendent Mike Swann said he can envision the site becoming a destination for local school students.

“It would fit in perfectly with their study of North Carolina history,” he said.

County Commissioner Mike Stroud marveled at how peaceful the site is and said, “This is a wonderful place that we have got to make sure is preserved.”

Burke County Tourism CEO Ed Phillips said the site has “extraordinary historical value” and looked forward to the day when he could direct visitors to it.

Burke County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tonia Stephenson said the church and grounds are an “extraordinary resource” for the county.

And Morganton City Councilman Butch McSwain said he is impressed by the work the Foundation has already done on preserving the building and looks forward to continued progress in the future.

Also attending the gathering at the church on April 4 were Emily Sajdak and Ted Olsen, two representatives of the Partners for Sacred Places, a national organization dedicated to supporting the sound stewardship and active community use of America’s older religious properties through grant funding.

“This site is so very peaceful and is steeped in history,” said Sajdak. “Thanks to its location, it has enormous potential.”

Olsen explained that in looking to offer grant funding to preservation projects, the organization looks at both the structure of the building and the level of community involvement which supports it. As far as Gilboa is concerned, he is impressed with both.

Weaver and other Foundation board members pledged to continue their efforts in preserving the site and to seek out partnerships with other local organizations which join them.