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Fairview Primitive Baptist Church, also known as Ai Church, has been at Alcorn Road and N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge for at least a century.

Preservation Oak Ridge Foundation, a nonprofit organization launched last November, is working to make sure the historical structure can remain in tact for many years to come.

The foundation met Oct. 22 to discuss what needed to be done to preserve Ai Church.

"We found that structurally, the church is very sound, but the shingles on the roof really need work," said George McClellan, acting president of Oak Ridge Preservation Foundation.

McClellan said to keep water from leaking into the church, a tarp has been placed over the roof for now.

Ai Church, next to Ai Methodist Cemetery, was acquired by Fairview Primitive Baptist Church in the 1950s, McClellan said.

McClellan said they are working with Fairview Primitive Baptist to discuss future uses for the structure.

"They (Fairview) definitely want to see the church restored. We'd like to possibly use the church as a wedding chapel or funeral chapel in the future," McClellan said. "The optimum idea is to have some limited function for the facility," he said.

McClellan said the foundation depends on membership dues and contributions to help fund any restoration projects they take on.

To make a tax-deductible donation to Preservation Oak Ridge, send checks to: Preservation Oak Ridge Foundation P.O. Box 447 Oak Ridge, NC 27310.

For information about Preservation Oak Ridge Foundation, contact McClellan at 856-1897 or george@mcclellanfinancial.com.

Contact Adria Hairston at 883-4422, Ext. 244 or adria.hairston@news-record.com