Eight retired handymen from St. Mark Parish in Huntersville traveled 75 miles to help with projects around the church. They painted walls, installed woodwork, stained the crucifix and are marking things off their checklist. The transformation took four years, more than $150,000, and a lot of love, labor and friendship. (Photos provided) WINSTON-SALEM — Father Melchesideck Yumo smiled as he read a postcard from a recent visitor describing St. Benedict the Moor as “quaint and beautiful,” well aware of the years of work that went into making that favorable first impression.
One of only four historically Black churches in the diocese, the 84-year-old structure has been transformed with fresh paint, speckled blue carpet and stark-white altar linens that now make its wooden crucifix pop. New lights in the sanctuary glow and refinished pews still carry the slight smell of shellac.
The four-year, $150,000 “glow-up” is the result of people and parishes coming together from across the diocese to care for one another. Parishioners and clergy of St. Benedict have worked elbow-to-elbow with volunteers from Holy Family and St. Leo the Great parishes, both in the Triad, and St. Mark in Huntersville to restore the building serving some 400 members.
“The Church is the Body of Christ. Even if we are living in different towns, we remain one,” said Father Yumo, administrator of St. Benedict. “This church stands as a testament to what we can do together.”
The project brought together people of different races, languages, income levels and cultural backgrounds. Yet, through service and working together, they have nurtured a sense of unity and collegiality.
“Because of this collaboration and our focus on unity, there has been a lot of harmony these past few years,” Father Yumo said.
Supporting the front line
St. Benedict the Moor, established to serve Black Catholics in 1940, was placed under the direction of the Franciscans, who ministered at the parish until 1966.
Since then, the parish has been staffed by Jesuit priests, diocesan clergy and, most recently, priests from Cameroon – including Father Yumo.
Generational and demographic changes have blessed the church with new Hispanic families, who now make up most of the congregation. And while the faith has continued to flourish, change has also brought challenges – especially in keeping up with the property.
In 2021, St. Benedict the Moor partnered with parishes across town, Holy Family and St. Leo the Great, who recognized the needs – and historic significance – of their sister parish.
Holy Family Deacon John Harrison remembers visiting the church in during the pandemic: “It was 25 degrees outside, in the middle of January … and the parishioners were bundled up in their jackets,” he said. “The boiler in the basement broke, and the offices, the rectory and the church had no heat.”
People rallied, Deacon Harrison says, with all the parishes combining to raise over $150,000. “We need to help people in our Church, and when I say our Church, I mean our universal Church, the Church that goes beyond our four walls and helps other people.”
“I don’t care if you’re building a new church or just painting the back porch,” he said. “If you give people a good enough reason, they are going to come forward with the support.”
Deacon Harrison, who has an engineering background, took on the role of project manager. Soon, the boiler was replaced with three modern HVAC units. From 2021 to 2023, the collaboration resulted in a new hot water heater, a new roof on the education center and carport, lighting and electrical upgrades, a ramp to improve accessibility and remodeled bathrooms.
St. Benedict parishioners were on the front lines – tiling, hanging drywall and painting.
Good Shepherd Mission and later St. Mark also joined in work to restore St. Benedict.
“It is wonderful to see the Catholic churches in our diocese with their various segments coming together for a common cause to support such an important church,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director, who helped facilitate the partnership. “This model is something we should seek to replicate in our other churches to build relationships and deepen our communion in the Church.”
Handymen and the Holy Spirit
Father Yumo had connections at St. Mark, since he’d served as parochial vicar there for three years. So when he moved to St. Benedict, his friends came to visit. Some members of Mary’s Women of Joy, a group of ladies at St. Mark, came along to clean the rectory, the church and the office area. Among the men who visited were St. Mark’s handyman crew of eight retirees, who quickly spotted ways they could help restore St. Benedict.
“We love to do odd projects that improve people’s homes and improve the Church,” says crew member Bob Langbo. “Stewardship – time, talent and treasure. That’s what this is about.”
Over the next two years, the men drove the 75-mile distance to help paint, assemble furniture, remove old radiators and put in ceiling fans. They installed new lights, purchased rugs, refinished the pantry and replaced kitchen fixtures.
“Whenever they come here,” Father Yumo says, “they provide the materials. …Sometimes they come to work for days.”
Ellen Goheen, an interior designer and St. Mark parishioner, began receiving FaceTime calls from the handymen seeking advice. She advised the crew to use cool shades of blue and warned against painting the sanctuary paneling – instead encouraging them to replicate the intricate crisscross trim design from the church’s wood-framed choir loft.
“The sweat equity in this place is pretty amazing,” Goheen says. “To be included in the St. Benedict the Moor community is pretty cool.”
The church today beckons with its freshly stained wooden crucifix highlighted by white painted trim, the new white altar linens and a white and aqua accent wall that makes the Mary and Joseph alcoves stand out.
The beauty inspires visitors “in a simple, quaint way,” she says.
The friendships built during the work also inspire. Some of the St. Mark crew now drive to Winston-Salem to attend Sunday Mass.
“We love coming up here. The parishioners come feed us, and we got to know them,” says Joe Smith from St. Mark. “They really embrace us, and they appreciate everything – and that motivates us even more.”
Father Yumo can’t wait for the parish’s 85th anniversary on Oct. 25. The celebration will bring together new friends and old in the beautified space.
“Their spirit of sacrifice” he said, “is a sign of the love that they not just have for me but for all of our brothers and sisters.”
— Lisa Geraci
