Tacuapi Church Roof Renovation

Tacuapi Methodist Church

Roof Renovation

Sponsored by Ed & Doris Davis

Cannon UMC, Snellville, Georgia

We attend a little country church in the community of Tacuapi, located about a 20 minute drive from our house in Santani. This little church was built by members of the local community (several of whom are now or have been Methodist pastors) in 1991. The church was originally an independent community church, but in 2003 the congregation decided to join the Methodist denomination, locally known as the Methodist Community of Paraguay. The congregation is a wonderful group of believers who have a lot of love for their church building, and give it a lot of TLC. However, 15 years had taken its toll on the roof, which was leaking in numerous locations, and the roof trusses themselves were sagging and were in dire need of repair.

Church members in front of the "old" church

Inside view of "old" church - note the columns supporting the roof truss

The members of the church had a work day to take off the old roof in a weekend

We employed the Pastor and some church members to put on the new roof

In December of 2006, Ed & Doris Davis of the Cannon United Methodist Church donated some funds to our "Church Building Account", and they agreed for these funds to be used to restore the roof and do other repairs and additions at the Tacuapi Church. This project got underway in 2007 and on May 26, 2007 we dedicated the new roof!

In addition to the new roof, the project included putting ceramic tile on the cement floor, adding a porch on the front of the building and adding two Sunday School rooms on the back of the church building.

New ceramic tile on the church floor

Two new Sunday School classes and new roof

The roof restoration included pouring a steel reinforced concrete "bond beam" around the entire perimeter of the building and raising the level of the new roof a total of 18 inches. Almost a third of the original Spanish tiles were cracked, so new tiles were purchased. All of the old tiles were cleaned and the old and new tiles were treated with silicon water sealant. Although the Spanish tile roof is a beautiful example of traditional Paraguayan architecture, it is very heavy. The new wooden trusses used most of the existing lumber, but new beams were added as angle bracing to strengthen the trusses. All of the wood was treated with oil and insecticide.

Congregation celebrating during the inauguration

Restored church - what a difference!!

With the new roof being higher and the interior painted a light yellow, the restored church is BEAUTIFUL, both inside and out. Folks came from miles around to celebrate the inauguration of what many say is the prettiest church in the North District, maybe of all the Paraguayan Methodist Churches. Many thanks to all the many church members who volunteered their time on this project and to the Davis family for making it all possible. To God be the Glory!