Middle Creek Zion Baptist Church in Rose Elms, OH has been the heart of our family for 156 years. Since 1870, it has hosted our annual Homecoming, a tradition that brings us together every first Sunday in June to celebrate our roots, faith, and connection. The church was founded by Lloyd Woods and Lucy Woods (Phillips), who envisioned a place where generations could gather, worship, and remember who they are.

This year, for the first time in living memory, we cannot safely congregate in the church. The building is in urgent need of repair—its foundation, floor, walls, windows, chimney, and roof all require replacement and restoration. We are planning a complete gut rehab, carefully preserving legacy features like the wood/coal burning stove, pulpit, and pews, so the spirit and history of our church remain intact for future generations.

There are moments in every family’s history when we are called to stand together, not just in words, but in action. Today, we face a moment that will determine whether this legacy continues as it always has. Without these repairs, the building may not be safe to use, and our cherished Homecoming tradition may be lost. We cannot let the place our ancestors built fall because we were unwilling to stand up when it was our turn. We invite family members and friends to step forward and support the restoration of Middle Creek Zion Baptist Church. Your gift will help ensure that our children and grandchildren will always have a place to come home to, keeping our family covenant alive for generations to come.