A volunteer effort is underway in Grand Junction to preserve history. One of the area's oldest churches is getting a much needed face lift.

The Handy Chapel in downtown Grand Junction has been around since before 1900. For a church that has given so much to the community, they are happy to get a little back.

"We love to have it preserved, we're so thankful that it's being preserved and beautified. It's a place to do the things the Lord wants us to do," church member Josephine Dickey said.

Dickey has been a part of Handy Chapel her entire life. She says her family, along with the congregation, always worked to help people.

"One day you know maybe you were hungry, so you don't want someone else to be hungry. Or you didn't want someone else to sleep in the cold, so you shared what you had," Dickey said.

Josephine's place of worship has seen better days. It's been around since 1882. That's why a Colorado organization is getting involved.

A group called HistoriCorps is taking this restoration project seriously.

"There's huge community support for saving these structures," programs manager Jonas Landes said. "It's worth saving."

The church and the adjacent building are getting a significant boost.

"We are stripping the deteriorated cedar shingle roof. And re-roofing it with new cedar shingles. If time permits, we will also re-paint the building, and re-construct the front porch," Landes said.

The building next door to the main chapel is where people could come for help or shelter.

"It's always been like a beacon for people who are stranded, sick," Dickey said.

For HistoriCorps, this is the first project they've completed in Grand Junction. The volunteers are working on this project for four days. It's hard work, but the project's manager says it's worth it.

"It feels great. The satisfaction is not necessarily in the building, but in the volunteers. At the end of the day they're energized even thought they're worn out, and their excited for what they were able to give back to the community," Landes said.

If you're curious about this project, HistoriCorps says you're welcome to visit the site at 2nd Street and White Avenue, and get a tour.

If you would like to get involved in future projects click here.