Take a little imagination, a dash of dedication, and a heaping helping of hard work – put ’em all together and you’ve got a sure-fire recipe for success; and that, is just what the McCord’s Homemakers Club did when it came to providing the area with a new community center.

We recently met with Odessa Rogers, Judy Hopper and Edna Jennings in preparation for the 100th anniversary celebration of the building coming up this weekend.  Ms. Jennings briefly explains how the project first came to life:

Now what could’ve been a major problem, that being the location of the building which was literally right on the edge of the roadway was whittled down in a hurry as a series of events coincided to move the project forward at a steady pace.

A huge supporter of the Homemakers Club, Keith Baldwin of American Auctioneers entered the picture, helping arrange a meeting with the landowner and eventually a deal was struck with the club owning the building and approximately ten acres of land.

The means of purchasing the land came in the form of a development grant, sought out, and obtained by Ms. Rogers; she filed for a $40,000 grant September 18th of 2013, and received a check less than three weeks later on October 7th.

Before the building could be converted to a new community center it had to be moved from its then-current location and following a June 21st 2014 meeting with the mover, he loaded it up July 1st and moved it to the picturesque hilltop behind the original location and at that point, the final phase began; namely, all the renovation work – plumbing, electrical, painting and so on.

This Saturday will mark the end of that phase – meaning the project from start to finish, took two years, four months and eleven days. 

The Community Center will be available for all types of special occasions – weddings, family reunions, birthday parties and more.

The McCord’s Crossroads Homemakers Club wishes to thank those taking part in bringing the new Hopewell Community Center to life including Representative Richard Lindsey, Senator Gerald Dial, Congressman Mike Rogers, Probate Judge Kirk Day, and Keith Baldwin, just to name a few.

Hopewell celebrates 100 years this Saturday (November 12th) starting at 10:00am.

That event will take place at the Community Center, located at 7290 County Road 16 Centre (McCord’s Crossroads) – with a special Homecoming Service, Special Music and the Building Dedication. 

This special Open House event will include “Dinner on the Ground”.

For more information phone (256) 927-2296.

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/861388633898518

Congressman Mike Rogers paid a visit to the Center last Friday (November 4th), presenting the Congressional Record Statement for The Hopewell Church 100 Year Anniversary.

This is of course, the “short version” of how the Homemakers Club, and so many others, worked together to provide the community with a facility that everyone can be very proud of; one which will be enjoyed for generations to come.  If you have the opportunity to attend this Saturday’s Open House, be sure to ask for the details on what is certainly a fascinating story.