"This is probably one of the younger churches in Fincastle actually. It was completed in 1895, it was a former Baptist church. It's one of the only churches in Fincastle with stained glass windows," explains the church's owner Wendy Jones.
This church no longer hosts a congregation, but the work inside still feeds the soul.
"It just gives you a good feeling knowing that you've done something wonderful for kids," says Jones.
The pews hold presents, not bottoms.
It's for Operation Christmas Cheer.
"We take some of the kids that would go on the angel tree and we make sure that they get Christmas, Christmas dinner and a party with Santa," says Operation Christmas Cheer Organizer Wendy Jones.
Like a lot of charitable organizations at this time of the year, Wendy Jones is putting the finishing touches on packages of presents, baskets of foods and cubbies that will become stockings.
But, she's also trying to live up to this building's legacy.
Says Jones, "This organization is based on the history of the building that we live in which used to be the building that had the community Christmas tree."
It's here that Santa used to pick presents off the tree, and give them to kids with a box of hard candy and an orange.
"We follow that tradition, but we also make sure the kids are warm and they get blankets and coats. They get clothes and we make sure they're fed- they get a basket of food staples and they get fun stuff," says Jones.
The work doesn't come cheap.
Jones estimates she spends nearly 300-dollars on every child with the help of donations and volunteers.
But, she says it's a small price to pay once you see the happy smile of a child.
Botetourt County Social Services recommends kids for the Operation Christmas Cheer program.
This year, the organization is helping 19-different families and 35 different children.
To learn more about Operation Christmas Cheer, click here.
