Work left to restore Reaves Chapel in Navassa

NAVASSA, NC (WWAY) — In honor of Black History Month coming to an end, we are checking in on a project in Brunswick County that is getting closer to nearing the finish line. 

“This really is a project that connects people to place,” North Carolina Coastal Land Trust Associate Director and Director of Stewardship in Community Conservation, Jesica Blake, said. 

Reaves Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church dates back to the late 1800’s. In the 1920’s, Reaves Chapel was relocated to its present location on Cedar Hill Rd. in Navassa. 

In an effort to save its failing foundation, a restoration project to save the building and its history began in 2019. 

“A lot of people try to either rewrite history or ignore history. But I think history is a factual thing and that is what we are trying to do,” Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation Treasurer, Henry Robbins, said. “We are trying to portray what exactly occurred in past years.” 

Several community members are jumping in to help speed up the process to complete the restoration. 

“We hope that as the story gets more well known, more people get involved in, not only helping preserve this story, but helping preserve this beautiful facility,” Bridge Presbyterian Church Pastor, Doug Cushing, said. 

Interior work, electricity, and working water are still needed. There’s also some exterior work like landscaping, adding a parking lot, and bringing in outdoor restrooms. 

“We have big plans. Of course, we have to come up with the funding but I think we have big ideas,” Robbins said. 

With these plans come a price. It’s a price that’s calling on community for help. 

“There’s $400,000 worth of work left. But someone, an anonymous donor, has pledged the last $200,000 if we can raise the other,” Blake said. “So, we are hoping that that is inspiring people to give in any amount to help get us across the finish line.” 

You can help out bv visiting https://coastallandtrust.org/reaves/.