Last Day Gospel Fellowship Church in Clinton, on the verge of condemnation just a few short months ago, has undergone a transformation and opened the book to a new chapter in its existence — with willpower and help from a gracious few.

The dilapidated condition, and possible condemnation proceedings, at the church property were discussed at length at City Council meetings in October and November. The sanctuary of the church, located at 304 Barden St., was in fine shape, but a heavily-dilapidated and sagging addition tacked on to the main building in the early 1980s was threatening the integrity of the structure to which it was attached.

In November, Last Day was given an ultimatum by the Council. The church had 60 days to get rid of the safety hazard caused by the sagging, structurally-unsound addition or the city would step in.

By the Council’s Jan. 5 meeting, the structure had been removed. Nearly a month later, reinforced structural support and new vinyl siding has been added and the church property has been transformed from its previously run-down state.

With Last Day’s limited resources, that transformation has come in large part due to those who have donated their time, money and resources toward the cause.

“I think a lot of progress has been made, and we’re just very appreciative of Henry Faircloth and Generation Construction,” said Elizabeth Tita, whose mother Rosa Fryar oversees the church. “It’s all been a real blessing. It’s just breathed life into the ongoing redevelopment of our church. We’re just really happy.”

Last month, seeing significant progress that included the demolition of the structurally-unsound portion, the Council granted another 60-day period for the church to make other cosmetic improvements to the property. The Council will discuss the matter again in March.

Tita is confident the Council will see the changes that have been made and be satisfied.

“The city has its job to make sure the grounds within the city are maintained and in good shape,” said Tita. “The goals of the city and our goals are one and the same. It was just the timeline that was different.”

Tita had told the Council at its November meeting that it would take 11 months to complete the work the church wanted to do at the property. At that meeting, structural engineer Myers A. Colvin said the portion was “structurally inadequate and a risk to public safety.” Clinton mayor Lew Starling said cosmetic and related issues could be dealt with later, but safety was an “urgent” concern.

That is when Faircloth stepped in.

Faircloth had been hired last summer to remove the adjacent parsonage where Fryar lived with her husband, the place she called home for 30 years. He saw how it affected Fryar.

“I really felt for her, but she accepted reality, that the house had served its purpose and it was time,” said Faircloth. “But I could tell the house had sentimental value.”

Months later, Faircloth felt compelled to help when Last Day Gospel faced a similar circumstance.

“I think this will complete being in compliance with what the city had mandated. Today, we’re now more in compliance than what the city asked them to do,” said Faircloth. “I just saw the need and I felt led to do this. They don’t have money, but they have will and it’s very strong. We’re just trying to get them over the hump.”

Tita said she is grateful for those who stepped in and assisted during the church’s plight.

“We’re just thankful that Mr. Faircloth was able to step in and help toward that effort and meet the city mandate,” she said. “The Mercy Foundation in Goldsboro also donated building materials and there have been others in the community who have donated.”

While Tita took time at January’s Council meeting to personally thank Faircloth and others, Faircloth just wants to help someone who needs it.

On Wednesday, Faircloth and his son, Heath, were out at the Barden Street location ensuring the last of the new vinyl siding was in place. The Faircloths have been working at the church off and on since Dec. 1.

“You cannot outgive our Heavenly Father, because he has given everything,” Faircloth said. “I’m not doing this for publicity; I feel like there was a need and we had the opportunity to help.”

“They didn’t have the means, no resources and we were able to help so ‘why not?’ said Heath Faircloth.

His father said he admired Fryar and her daughters, who have full-time jobs. “They really rolled their sleeves up and helped.”

“She’s been very nice, very supportive and very thankful,” said Henry Faircloth of Fryar. “She’s a nice lady.”

Heath Faircloth said the property around the exterior of the church was to be cleaned up “to make it more appealing” and there were plans to make further improvements to the church itself, with the help of church contributions.

With its revamp, the church hopes to enjoy a new beginning.

“Last Day Gospel Fellowship Church has weathered many storms, both in membership and those that affected the church’s structure,” Tita said, “but my mother, especially in the last 10 years, has been at the heart of keeping things going.”

There are a lot of ideas and programs that the church wants to see materialize as it goes forward, and a first major step on that journey has been taken.

“We would really like to move forward from here and focus on the programs and missions of the church,” Tita said, “beginning with the new and improved structure we have there now.”

At the Council’s January meeting, Starling said there was no question that a lot of work has been done and that the safety issue has been abated. He asked the Council to grant 60 days with the hope the project “will be complete and we can celebrate,” Starling said.

Tita said she and the mayor share the same hope.

“We want to work with the city to do what they need us to do to move on with the life of the church,” she remarked. “I hope we can bring closure to this at that meeting and, as the mayor said, celebrate a complete project.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.