February 1, 2021

Hello Family and Friends of the Benton Red Church and Cemetery!

After many months of waiting, on October 20, 2020 the Friends and Family of the Benton PM Church received the deed from the Primitive Methodist Denomination and became the owner of the church building. We were so excited! The building has the damage associated with long term neglect and we wanted to get in there and start the work. However, two huge issues restricted what we could do: Covid and winter. As with everyone, we are frustrated with effects of the Covid Virus. Many community members have offered to help us with the physical labor of cleaning up the interior damage and other projects, however, this work must wait until it is safe to gather together. In addition, winter is not the best time to work in an unheated building! So, we are forced to work on what we can until these situations change.

Nonetheless, in November, we had a new roof put on the church addition, which stopped the damage to the interior. We also fixed the broken doors and closed the building for winter. We have updated our Facebook account and started a Web Page to help communicate information. We have also set up a GoFundMe account to help raise funds. You can find the website at thebentonredchurch.com or go to GoFundMe and search for the benton red church on that page. Thanks go to Committee Chair Marcy Wright Brenum for all this technology work! 

We are working on the process of submitting the mountain of information to the State Register and National Register of Historic places in Wisconsin to have the Benton Red Church accepted. We are researching state and federal grant writing opportunities that we hope will lead to restoration funds for the cemetery. We are asking area contractors for estimates for replacing the roof on the main church building and the bell tower. We are still raising funds for this but we want to be prepared when the time comes. We have spent many thoughtful days determining the appropriate actions and plans for our non-for-profit organization as we take on the colossal effort of saving this church and cemetery. As always, we are open for suggestions for ideas for fund raising and other planning ideas.

We have two ideas that you might want to help with. We want to gather photos of any occasion or activity that happened in the Benton Red Church such as: weddings, baptismal, or meetings. We plan to display all photos in the church when we get the interior work done. If you have photos, please send them with who and when information included. We also want to gather pictures, information, and stories of those who are buried in the cemetery. Please send any information to Friends and Family of Benton Red Church, PO Box 232 Benton, WI 53803.

Please consider joining the Raise the Roof Campaign! Thank you so much for those who have helped already! We believe there is a higher purpose in all of this effort and that it is a mighty thing to help save an old church. Send donations to the Save the Red Church Fund at the Benton State Bank,42 West Main St. PO Box27 Benton WI 53803. Please note that the donations designated for the cemetery upkeep are kept separate. We are a non-for-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. We have hope for a better situation for all in the coming spring!