Princess Chapel adding new stage to its ‘community park’

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

June 11, 2006

By ALLEN BLAIR — The Independent The Daily Independent Sun Jun 11, 2006, 10:51 PM EDT

Princess — A church with a stage? Sure. At the very least for Christmas plays.

But, an outside stage? With raftered roof and everything?

Why not, says Clell Lucas, pastor at Princess Chapel, standing next to a 1,500-square-foot hardwood platform.

“We’d been pulling in trucks in the past, and the singers had to get up on a greasy flatbed,” he said, listing just one reason.

The church, known far and wide as the one that flies a giant American flag, hosts an annual Fourth of July gathering.

Besides, the church unveiled its community park last year, a trail- and swingset-laden area spread out across part of 26 acres Princess Chapel is devoting to area residents and church members.

And the stage, nestled beneath the trees here, is the centerpiece of the park’s second phase. It will become a full amphitheater by month’s end, Lucas said.

All of it, from the stage to swings, the red, white and blue picnic tables, a granite memorial, a softball field and planned soccer fields and tennis courts, are for the community, said his brother, Clay Lucas.

“You haven’t seen half of it,” he said, watching Friday as carpenters hoisted trusses in place, free of charge.

“We’ve got trails around here, where you can walk a mile and a half without getting on the blacktop,” he said.

As part all the development, the church needed restrooms in the park, as well as a covered shelter — the stage — in case of rain, Clell Lucas said.

“If you’re having a picnic, there’ll be a place to be in the dry,” he said. “We wanted to do this for everybody, open to other churches. What we wanted to do was involve all of them.”

Rose Hill Christian could use a planned field for their soccer team, for example, he added.

And really, it’s just so needed, in this location that will serve both rural Boyd and Carter counties’ families, Lucas said.

“We don’t have anything on this end of the county, do we?” he said. “It just made sense.”

It’s giving back.

“This is what it is ... everybody working together, just everybody working together.”

And coming together, like at the Fourth of July celebration again this year.

It’s the weekend before, July 1, starting at noon. A 4 p.m. veteran’s salute is planned, as well as singing by The Galloways, the Waugh Family, Shirley King, Front Page, John Stevens, His Own and The Gospel Harmony Boys — all from the new stage.

A new stage that will soon get its new roof. Red sheet metal to match Princess Chapel’s.

Why red?

“We love the Lord, that’s why we keep working on this,” Lucas said. “The blood (of Christ) covers us all ...”

ALLEN BLAIR can be reached at ablair@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2657.

Text Only

Local News

Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.

May 26, 2012
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.

May 26, 2012
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.

May 26, 2012
5K run main attraction for Final Friday in Greenup
Greenup’s Final Friday included the usual live entertainment and car show, but a 5K run also attracted many to town Friday evening.

May 26, 2012
Fla.-to-Boyd drug ring defendants plead guilty
One of the eight people charged in an alleged Florida-to-Boyd County pill-trafficking ring pleaded guilty Thursday and a second is expected to do the same next week.
A third defendant in the case pleaded guilty May 18.

May 25, 2012
Carter school layoffs possible
Carter County schools are looking at deep budget cuts and layoffs.
About 20 may lose their jobs this year, treasurer Andy Lyons said. Lyons spoke to a reporter Thursday after presenting a tentative budget to the school board last week.

May 25, 2012
Day of music at Greenbo Saturday
Live music will be playing non-stop during Saturday afternoon’s Greenup County Music Festival at the Greenbo Lake State Park Amphitheatre, starting with “The Greenup County ‘IT’ Factor” top-10 finalists at 1 p.m.

May 25, 2012
U.S. 23 yard sale going strong in fifth year
The annual U.S. 23 yard sale began Thursday, starting along the highway in Michigan and ending in Virginia.

May 25, 2012
Couple donates land to Habitat
It is said home is where the heart is. One Greenup County couple’s heart-felt gift will help two families live the phrase by receiving homes.

May 25, 2012
Vet appreciation picnic set at park
Tri-State veterans are invited to a free outing on June 2.

May 25, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Princess Chapel adding new stage to its ‘community park’

Site Map

Contact Us