- Friends of Historic Woolsey Inc

Projects & Stewardship

Restoration Team at Historic Woolsey Church

Historic Woolsey Church has been at the heart of this community since 1889. Today, Friends of Historic Woolsey is restoring this landmark to preserve its history while creating a vibrant center for education, culture, and community life for generations to come. We are dedicated to preserving Woolsey’s historic landmarks and community character through a long-term preservation initiative guided by the 2022 Woolsey Comprehensive Plan and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Our restoration initiative includes four interconnected projects, each with multiple phases that protect Woolsey's historic resources while preparing them for renewed community use. Once restored, the church campus will serve as a Community Cultural Arts Center, providing a welcoming gathering place for meetings, educational programs, arts and cultural events, celebrations, and other activities that support learning, connection, and community engagement across Fayette County and surrounding communities.

Historic Woolsey Church Restoration and Rehabilitation

Restoration of Historic Woolsey Church interior with original window openings. — Photo by Ryan Arvay © 2026

Historic Woolsey Church, completed in 1889, is being stabilized and restored to ensure it remains a safe, functional, and historically significant landmark. Current efforts include structural stabilization, exterior carpentry restoration, window reconstruction, and the installation of an authentic cedar shingle roof that honors the building’s original character. This work is guided by our Historic Structure Report and expert preservation guidance from Landmark Preservation LLC.

Explore the Cedar Shingle Roof Restoration
Discover Historic Woolsey Church’s Story
View Before Restoration Photos
View Restoration Progress Photos
Restoration Timeline

Classroom Addition Rehabilitation

The planned rehabilitation of the 1952 classroom addition will improve accessibility and functionality while preserving its historic role and architectural character within the church complex. Once completed, the space will support educational programs, meetings, cultural activities, and community gatherings for generations to come.

View Classroom Before Rehabilitation Photos

View Classroom Rehabilitation Progress Photos

Annex Rehabilitation

The planned rehabilitation of the 1963 annex will address necessary repairs and improvements while enhancing the building’s functionality and long-term sustainability. The restored space will support expanded community use, educational programs, cultural activities, and gatherings as part of the Historic Woolsey Church campus.

View Annex Before Rehabilitation Photos

Historic Cemetery and Landscape Stewardship

Post Oak tree on Historic Woolsey Church grounds. — Photo by Allen Moscon © 2026

Our stewardship of Historic Woolsey Cemetery (formerly the Thomas Bolling Gay Burial Ground) and its surrounding landscape includes research and identification of unmarked graves, care for historic monuments, preservation of historic oak trees, ongoing grounds maintenance, and community archiving. Current efforts include developing a memorial garden outside the cemetery fence to honor those interred here and preserve this important historic landscape.

Explore Our Cemetery Preservation & History
Explore Our Grounds & Garden Initiatives