Local Baptists built the two-story brick building in 1810 to serve as their church and school. When they moved across the road to their current white-clapboard church in 1852, they left their old home for town use. The building has sat boarded up for the past decade. Contractors, however, said renovations would cost twice that. The Go-getters didn't give up.
Workers hope to start repairing the building's brick exterior and first-floor interior soon.
When a community gets money, it means it has made an amazing effort. Dean knows how to get there. Sure, Ira's lack of landmarks can make giving directions difficult. But townspeople have at least two things they can point to.