For some years, I know we’ve all been watching with interest and concern the semi-ghost town of Rodney and its most prominent landmark, Rodney Presbyterian Church, built in 1829. Frequent floods and constant neglect placed it on one of the Mississippi Heritage Trust’s first 10 Most Endangered lists in 2003. The church’s owners, the United Daughters of Confederacy, haven’t been able to dedicate any attention to it for a few decades, and finally, about a year ago, they offered it for sale. In response, a group of dedicated preservationists formed the Rodney History & Preservation Society and obtained non-profit status.
Hopefully things may be looking up because yesterday, the RHPS made an exciting announcement. If you love Rodney, consider being part of the solution and pitching in to save this iconic Mississippi building.
More about Rodney . . .
Categories: Abandoned Mississippi, Antebellum, Churches, Preservation People/Events, Renovation Projects, Rodney, Urban/Rural Issues
Preservation in Mississippi 
Awesome news!
LikeLike
a special ms bldg—good luck to all involved in its preservation.
LikeLike
Can they raise it? It seems to flood every few months.
LikeLike
In the early 1980s, the Beta Club of Jackson Preparatory looked at working on the church as a service project. The officers (including me) drove down to look over the building and the graveyard. Both were in such bad shape at the time – pews were all broken and piled in a corner; we saw no pulpit; and we had trouble even finding most of the grave stones up the hill behind. We concluded that clean up and restoration was far beyond the means of callow high school boys (at least for the boys WE could muster).
There have been MANY incremental improvements since – thankfully. Now, we may see even more.
LikeLike
I do’t know if my former comment was transmitted so I will send it again. I have much family history in mississippi, mostly in Natchez and in Louisiana along the Mississippi River, bury I had never heard of Rodney. Last year I followed the face book blog about the preservation team meeting in Feb. in Rodney. I was fascinated and felt a real tug to participate, but was unable to do so. Last week while going through some of my grandmother’s letters and photos I came across some pictures of the old cable bridge at Rodney and the White church with the unusual steeple, Baptist? There were also some pictures of the town. A great Aunt passing through had taken them and sent them to my Grandmother in Natchez. I believe they were taken in early 1920’s. I think you would enjoy seeing them even if you have others from that era. I have forgotten how to send them by email as my printer has been out of service for some time. I have just bought a new one so will try to figure it out or maybe I can come to the cleanup this year if you are having it again in Feb. Please let me know. I don’t know why this seems to be drawing me so. I don’t think I ever had any relatives there, but when this happens I usually find some connection somewhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person