- Friends of Historic Woolsey Inc

Projects & Stewardship

Restoration Team at Historic Woolsey Church

“Old places foster community by giving people a sense of shared
identity through landmarks,history, memory, and stories, by having
the attributes that foster community, such as distinctive character and walkability,
and by serving as shared places where people meet and gather.”
– Thompson M. Mayes, Why Old Places Matter

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 space 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 provide a welcoming gathering place for meetings, educational programs, arts and cultural events, celebrations, religious activities, 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 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.

View Before Restoration
View Restoration Progress and Timeline

Classroom Addition Rehabilitation

The planned rehabilitation of the 1952 classroom addition will improve accessibility and functionality while preserving its historic role 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
View Classroom Rehabilitation Progress

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.

View Annex Before Rehabilitation

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 Historic Woolsey Cemetery
Explore the Grounds & Garden

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