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The Vandalia Community
Preservation Association,
Inc., was organized in 1995 by a small all-volunteer group of concerned community
members, who recognized the important historic significance of the former
Vandalia United Methodist Church building and undertook its purchase,
preservation, and restoration. Built in 1895, the then 100-year-old building was
acquired by the VCPA from the Methodist Conference after attendance dwindled and
the few remaining active members had voted to discontinue services and close the
church. The dedicated small community group proceeded to restore the bell tower,
replace the front steps, and repaint the entire building, and in 1996 earned the
Owen County Preservation of the Year Award for the historic Vandalia Chapel.
Today the VCPA continues to exist for the
purpose of maintaining and preserving the Chapel and historic one-room
Vandalia School House, which is located nearby and was supported for a number of
years through fundraising activities of the former Vandalia Methodist
Women/Vandalia Women's Circle. The latter building was erected in 1855 and
functioned as a school until 1951. Without continued membership participation,
financial donations, and support for restoration, preservation, and upkeep,
these two important 19th-century Owen County, Indiana, landmarks would quietly
fall into disrepair and cease to exist for the enjoyment and education of future
generations.
Please read "About
Us" for some additional history of the buildings, community, and VCPA
organization.
If you, too, recognize
their importance and want to help us continue to preserve these historic
landmarks or simply learn more about them and the VCPA, please contact
an officer and come to our next volunteer work day, fundraising event, or
annual meeting!
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