CHOCOWINITY – The congregation of St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is looking toward the future and making plans for the construction of its first fellowship hall, which members call a much-needed addition.

“We’ve outgrown our facilities, and we’ve never had a hall,” said Patricia Shelton, who joined the church two years ago. “We’ve always had to borrow another church or rent a building to have a function, Vacation Bible School and dinners. After some services, when we want to have a dinner, we’ve had to set up tables in the sanctuary.”

The congregation, led by the Rev. Venessa Cannady and associate pastor Alice Mills-Henderson, decided it was time to rectify that situation. They’re hoping the community will pitch in and help them achieve their goal of building a two-story fellowship hall that also will house Sunday-school classrooms.

St. James, located╩at 486 Gray Road in Chocowinity,╩has had a rich history since its founding in 1868. Since that time, the church has been a leader in the Chocowinity community, contributing time, energy and╩funds to those in need.

Each year, the church hosts Octoberfest, an alternative to Halloween to which local residents of all ages are invited. The church supports local food banks and homeless shelters, as well as holding a “blessing of the book bags” ceremony for back-to-school youngsters. The church also helped raise money for a local child injured in an accident.

Another service project, a second step in the book bag blessing,╩replenishes school supplies “so that no child has to go without,” said Cannady.

“These programs are open to any and every child that wants to attend, whether they are a member of our church or not,” Cannady said. “For each of these outreach programs, we are required to find facilities that can house us and the children that we serve.”

If a facility cannot be found, some programs have to be put on hold, Cannady added. So now, the church that has made it a practice to lend a helping hand is itself asking the community for assistance.

St. James is collecting donations from individuals, and a Rainbow Tea fundraiser has been scheduled for March 12. The tea will include a full menu and be served buffet-style, with attendees asked to donate whatever amounts they can afford.

Longtime church member Thelma Murrell is among those who are hoping the fund drive will bear fruit, making it easier and more convenient for St. James to continue its community service.

“I joined this church when I was 10 years old and now I’m 72,” Murrell said. “I’ve attended church here all my life. Our church has always been a church founded on the solid rock, that is Jesus, the Christ. We’ve always enjoyed fellowship with other churches in the community, so this building╩will bring more closeness, more unity and more fellowship.”

The fellowship hall will have a positive influence on Chocowinity youth, Murrell predicted.

“It will encourage us to have more tutorial classes and will probably bring youth back to where they should be,” she said. “This will help us reach youth and help let them reach their destination. It’s basically going to be something to help the youth and bring them back here to fellowship with each other.”

While all donations are welcome and appreciated, anyone giving $500 will have his or her name engraved on a plaque that will hang in the fellowship hall. Those donating $1,000 or more will have Sunday-school classrooms named in their honor, according to Shelton.

Donations, payable to St. James CME Church, may be mailed to P.O. Box 1057, Chocowinity, NC 27817.