About Restoration Church Revival
Who We Are
- We founded Restoration Church Revival Corp. as a non-profit corporation to purchase and renovate historic, abandoned or neglected churches for the purpose of honoring and maintaining their history and to allow continued usage by the community. We are non-denominational and respectfully requesting that you donate (tax deductible!) for the purchase and renovation of our first church, The Little Chapel on the Hill, built in 1899, in the downtown area of McAlester, Oklahoma.
Our Goal
- The Little Chapel on the Hill is going up for sale shortly, and we are on a very tight schedule to gather donations. We hope that you will see the historical and community significance in restoring the building and for it to remain as a church for weddings, services and other uses.
- Restoration Revival is attempting to raise $150,000 for the purchase and renovation of this beautiful church which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After this church, we plan on many more church restorations!
What Your Tax-Deductable Donations Will Do!
We plan to restore churches by using local craftsmen and workers whenever possible, for exterior and interior painting, flooring, brick repair, reconstruction, landscaping, and more. Our goal is to bring these historic structures back to life for future generations to use. Projects such this can be a motivation for local communities to come together and restore their treasured buildings!
PHASE 1 (deadline of June 15, 2024)
- Raise tax-deductible donations totaling at least $150,000 to purchase and renovate The Little Chapel on the Hill.
- The interior of The Little Chapel on the Hill had extensive renovation efforts in 2003, so additional renovations will be for new restrooms, exterior and landscaping needs.
PHASE 2
- Any donations raised over and above Phase 1 will go towards our second church and other churches that we can save and renovate!
History of the Little Chapel on the Hill
Twenty-one charter members of the church established the First Presbyterian Church in 1894 and held their first official service in the chapel in 1899.
The National Register of Historic Places entered the chapel into its historic database on Dec, 11, 1979. The following are excerpts from the National Register nomination form:
"This shy, graceful structure is the only original church in the city of McAlester, in fact it is one of the few original buildings in the city altogether," the nomination form states. "It is the best example of shingle style architecture in the area."
"The lower windows have a gothic arch top as do the front doors, using one of the symbols that is so much associated with religious structures. The building rests on a foundation of sandstone blocks. This foundation is of varying height because of the building's location."
"The church has its original wooden floors and door facings. In the chapel are wooden pews arranged in parallel rows facing east. Hanging from the ceiling are four lights and two double fans. All appear to date before the 1920's."
MAJOR RESTORATION EFFORTS TO DATE –
The building was sold to the First National Bank Development Corp. in 1999. Wanda L. Bass, wife of the owner of the bank, took an interest in preserving the chapel and was involved in major renovations. She led the way to help restore the stained glass windows, pews, floors, ceilings, paint, carpeting and more over the course of about four years. Even the historic pipe organ was restored!
The church became available for community use in 2003 and is still in use today for weddings and other religious purposes, but needs further restoration.
Founders, Chuck & Jean Ann Lundeen
