Celebration opens Old St. John’s

A celebration Saturday morning made official Walhalla’s latest destination attraction. An open house and dedication allowed for the opening of Old St. John’s Meeting House on the grounds at Kaufman Square. Once an Episcopalian church, Old St. John’s has been transformed into a meeting venue and, as the dedication speaker noted, it’s to be a place for weddings. In his remarks, Circuit Judge Alex Macaulay paid tribute Maxie Duke, one of two people most recognized for saving an old church, moving it across town, and restoring it to use. Macaulay called Duke “the grand dame of preservation, restoration, and utilization.” Duke and others gave credit to the Rev. Frank Strickland, who recited the history of the structure and who, like Duke, has been most identifiable with the project. The event filled the restored pews and finished with Strickland presenting the keys to Mayor Danny Edwards. The city has agreed to maintain and operate Old St. John’s in much the same way it operates the nearby Depot building.