Old church building given new life

Many passersby may have noticed the old Monroe Baptist Church is receiving a facelift, but that's not all that's happening.

Inside, many renovations are also taking place. All of this is occurring to prepare the church for a reopening. With a new name already picked out, the Living Hope Church is being renovated from the outside in.

Pastor Rondie Taylor said the over the next few months the church will have been visited by six groups of volunteer groups. The volunteer group's purpose is to get the Southern Baptist church ready to reopen.

The first volunteer chew to arrive in Green River were from Oregon and they completely redid the exterior of the building. Giving it a more up-to-date facade.

Rondie said Monroe Baptist Church stop having services in August of 2015. After that, they congregation decided to give the church building back to Wyoming Southern Baptist Church Convention. Melody, Rondie's wife, said the congregation could have sold the building, but chose to give it back and now it will be a new church for the community.

"They gave over the building so something new could happen," Melody said. "That's been a real blessing to us."

It's the convention's job to start new churches across Wyoming or find someone to use an old church and give it a new life.

Melody said what's unique about Living Hope Church and Southern Baptist churches is they are autonomous and they can change the ministry style to fit the type the community they would like to serve.

When the Taylors found out about the building and the possibility of remodeling an old church to give it a new life they didn't know what to think so they did the thing that came naturally to them -- they prayed about it. They then visited Green River and the building a couple of times before making the decision to move to Green River and remodel the building. The couple is originally from Oregon, but were living in Montana prior to moving to Green River.

"We were used to the winter," Melody said. "We don't mind the cold or the snow."

As for the church building itself, it was given to the Taylors.

With work on the outside of the building finished, the group is focusing on making the bathrooms ADA accessible, reconfiguring classrooms and painting. What amazes the couple is the fact that everything from the building supplies to the volunteers using those supplies is all provided for. The Taylors aren't paying for the renovations.

Melody said they want to have classrooms for Sunday school classes for preschool aged kids on up. With two young children of their own, the Taylors have a real passion when working with young families.

"We want a safe place for kids to learn about God and for them to be encouraged," Melody said.

Melody would like to encourage young families to come to the church. She is even thinking about starting a moms group. They also want a place to host Bible studies and youth-group activities, which is why it's so important for them to get the renovations done.

"Our goal is to get the top functional as soon as possible," Melody said.

"Our hope it to have occupancy upstairs in October," Rondie said.

Even though they are hoping to occupy the church in October, Rondie said he doesn't think they'll be hosting the church services in the sanctuary by then because it probably won't be finished.

Currently, the church is hosting preview services at the Golden Hour Senior Center at 10 a.m. on July 23, Aug. 20, Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. They hope to start weekly services in October.

"We really want to be a church to serve the community," Rondie said.

"We want to be here for the people," Melody said.