Unitarian Universalists Donate Auction Proceeds to Thomas Chapel Church Restoration Fund
Leaders of the Thomas Chapel Restoration Fund received a check from the UU Congregation for $4,600.
Leaders of the Thomas Chapel Restoration Fund received a check from the UU Congregation for $4,600.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley (UUCSV), at 500 Montreat Road in Black Mountain, held its third annual auction Nov 7-13, 2021. While the inaugural auction in 2019 was live, it became a virtual, online event in the pandemic year of 2020, but this year combined both worlds: an online “silent auction” began Sunday, Nov. 7, and concluded with a live event including food and entertainment on Saturday, Nov. 13. The church will retain 60% percent of the total funds raised this year, or approximately $7,000, to cover church activities and projects.
Thomas Chapel to Benefit
Some $4,600, or 40% of the proceeds, will benefit the Original Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Restoration Corporation. Established in 1892 by descendants of freed slaves, the historic church was Black Mountain’s first Black congregation. The restoration project is designed to maintain the current gothic-revival building, erected at 300 Cragmont Road in 1922. Thomas Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. A check was presented by UU representatives to the board of the Restoration Fund on Dec. 5, 2021, at the historic building.
Community-wide Support
In addition to items and services donated by churchgoers, the Black Mountain business community also stepped up for the third year in a row with generous donations, bringing the total number of auction items to more than 250. Starbucks and Ingles both offered gift baskets for the special raffle, and a number of other donors—Asheville Salt Cave, Black Mountain Brewing, C.W. Moose Trading Company, Grace Jewelers, Tyson Furniture, Visions of Creations, White Horse Tavern, the Yarn Shop, and many area restaurants and other businesses—donated watches, craft items, show tickets, gift certificates, and even a full-service oil change at Cove Auto Repair.
Though a relatively small congregation of approximately 130 members, the UUCSV has been thriving for more than 15 years. A welcoming congregation open to all who share or support its non-credal beliefs, UUCSV maintains an active religious education program (partly online during the pandemic), a full choir, and numerous community activities.
