HEADLINE: Public, Private Donations Bring Historic Church
Building Back to Life as Museum, Meeting Place
SUBHEAD: Burns-Belfry Completes Third Phase of
Construction, Expects to Open September 21 to Public
CONTACT: Jim Pryor
662-801-4087
jamestpryor@gmail.com
For generations, Burns-Belfry served Oxford’s African-American
community as a place of worship. Now, the historic building is on
the verge of beginning its second century as a museum and
gathering place for all of Oxford.
Thanks to generous public and private support, the third phase of
construction is concluding at the church, the first house of worship
built in Oxford by freed African Americans. The first phases
saved the structure, renovated the exterior, and roughed out the
basic interior. Now, with the interior and landscaping being
finished and the initial phase of the museum being installed, the
project is on track to open to the public on September 21.
The project was undertaken by the Oxford-Lafayette County
Heritage Foundation, with assistance from the Oxford
Development Association.
The Heritage Foundation is seeking funds to complete the museum
and to finish a storage building on the rear of the lot that mimics
the church’s former parsonage.
“To date, structural integrity of the church has been restored and
the exterior and interior are now being completed,” said Jim Pryor,
a retired corporate executive who is managing the renovation for
the Heritage Foundation. “Phase Three tackles the finer details of
the exterior and interior. Now our focus is on landscaping,
museum exhibits, and opening the meeting center.”
Part of the museum will feature the sights and sounds of a church
service. The renovated building’s restored colored glass windows
will bring light to rows of church pews in the rear of the facility.
On cue, the low, melodic rumble of the preacher’s voice, recorded
and piped in through a sound system, will rise behind the sounds of
a choir and organ. The church’s traditional history will introduce
visitors to other historic presentations on touch screens and
displays along the church’s walls.
While the building will be washed with bright light from the
colored glass windows, it will be able to be darkened for meetings
and other presentations. A modern and fully functional conference
space is planned, with a drop-down video screen and full audiovisual capabilities.
And no church – certainly no belfry – would be complete without a
bell. The original church bell, believed lost for years, was recently
determined to be the same one on display outside of Oxford
Elementary School. The Oxford School Board recently approved
the return of the bell and it has been installed to its original place in
the bell tower.
“Grants from local, state and federal governments have been
generous and instrumental in getting within sight of completing the
Burns-Belfry project,” Pryor said. “With continuing support from
the Oxford-Lafayette County community by way of donations
from individuals, small businesses and corporations, we can
complete the restoration, fund the exhibit, and establish an
endowment.”
One of those individual donors happened by Burns-Belfry on a
bicycle. Ray Neilsen, former Chairman of the Board of Ameristar
Casinos and current chairman of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation,
fell in love with Oxford when his two oldest sons attended the
University of Mississippi. While both have graduated, he still
maintains a residence and spends time in Oxford.
While riding Oxford’s recreation paths on his mountain bike,
Neilsen noticed the boarded-up façade of Burns-Belfry, then in its
first phase of restoration. “I had ridden by the site,” Neilsen said,
“and noticed the building was there – and what a spectacular
building it was.”
After talking with Pryor and others involved in the restoration,
Neilsen committed to supporting the project. To date, he has
donated $220,000 - $90,000 for the building and site work and
$130,000 for the museum.
“As a student of history, I believe Burns-Belfry is a unique piece
of Oxford’s history that deserves to be preserved,” Neilsen said.
Neilsen also plans to put time and energy into the project including
personally helping with the landscaping. “My passion is
landscaping. It’s something that I really enjoy doing,” he said.
Pryor said that the latest phase would not be under way without
Neilsen’s support. “We are deeply grateful for his contributions to
the project,” Pryor said.
Built in 1910 to replace the original 1870 wooden structure, the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Oxford was Oxford’s first church
built by freed African Americans. The brick structure on Jackson
Avenue has since served both the religious and secular
communities. The project started in 2002 with the donation of the
building and land to the Heritage Foundation by the author John
Grisham, who had used the building as an office. A decade of
planning, fund-raising and construction followed. Funding for the
project has come from a U.S. Department of the Interior “Save
America’s Treasures” grant; Mississippi Community Heritage
Preservation grants; a U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant;
matching funds from the City of Oxford and Lafayette County; and
individual donations.
Funds raised to date total $1.27 million. An additional $150,000 is
needed to complete the project.
HOW TO DONATE
To donate, call the Burns-Belfry fund-raising team:
Jim Pryor: 662-801-4087
Darlene Copp: 662-513-9957
Dr. Donald Cole: 662-236-5529
Sandra Cox-McCarty: 662-236-7158
MORE INFORMATION
Additional information, images, and background material can be
found at the project website: www.burns-belfry.com