The rebuilding of Flag Spring Baptist began in earnest this week with a crew of about 75 volunteers from several areas.
The concrete slab for the new church was poured earlier, and at 50 feet by 100 feet, the new facility will be larger than the 1879 facility which was destroyed by fire on Nov. 30, 2012.
Terry Cable, coordinator for Hermitage First Baptist Church Volunteer Builders, explained that this is the ninth year for the Hermitage group to volunteer to help build a church. This year, they have been joined by volunteers of all ages from several other churches. Some of the volunteers are from congregations which have been helped in past years. The group includes volunteers from Marceline, Elm Springs, Lee's Summit and Salsbury. Locally, Ted Bolinger is on the scene.
According to Cable, the Hermitage church was founded about 1885 and has a congregation of about 375. The Volunteer Builders group has spearheaded construction work at Clarksburg, Salsbury, Bethany, Pomona, Elm Springs and Marceline, among others.
"We like to start with a new structure from the ground up," Cable said.
He said that new construction helps eliminate a lot of problems in dealing with old structures, which may not be square, may have unusual stud center distances or older lumber which does not have the same diminsions as new lumber. Cable estimates the volunteer labor saves about 40 percent in construction costs.
Charles Rackers is assisting with putting the trusses in place. The workers should be inside by Friday, unless storms interfere.
According to Cable, the volunteers ranged from an age of two years to 78. Although the two year old did not appear to be taking an active part in the work, there were several from youth groups who were hard at work. The volunteers are camping at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds in 16 RVs.