A children’s game, as they intertwine their fingers, goes:  “Here is the church.  Here is the steeple.  Open the doors and here’s all the people.”

That’s kind of like what’s going on at Mt. Grace for Women on Deer Pen Road in Winnfield.  A chapel is under construction, moving along as quickly as donated funding will allow.  Currently the ladies meet in the dining hall for their worship activities but their hope is for a separate chapel.

And on top of that hope (literally) is a steeple.  The ladies have expressed hope that there would be a steeple atop the new chapel once it is complete, explains Bro. Dick DeBusk, the prime mover in this particular construction project.

When the Journal arrived on the scene one recent rainy day, the concrete slab, I-bean structure and roof were in place and the framing-up with 2x4s seemed to be nearing completion.  The heavy metal front doors had been hung and were standing open, showing the volunteer crew at work.

“I call them servants of the Most High God,” says DeBusk.  “It’s like in Ezra when they determined to rebuild the temple.  I want to say this:  I’m here because of the Lord.”

He said the framing is up and the team is ready to start hinging sheetrock.  “It will take about 35 of 4×12 half-inch sheets.  They cost about $30 apiece, for anyone wishing to donate to make this dream possible.  But if donating towards sheetrock doesn’t excite them, there will be plenty of other needs before this chapel is complete.  We’ll need bales of hay, musical instruments, sound equipment, flooring, siding, insulation, electrical supplies, lights, chairs, air conditioning.  You name it.”

But he pointed out that one of the “higher points” of his project is the desired steeple.  The team is working on ideas for construction of one for the new campus addition.  But donation of one no longer in use would be perfectly fine.

For steeple ideas or donation, call Mt. Grace for Woman at 318-648-1100 or send donations to Mt. Grace for Woman at 560 Deer Pen Road, Winnfield LA 71483.