WALHALLA — The moving of historic St. John's Church (formerly St. John's Episcopal) was held back by weather for the third time last week, as the best-laid plans of organizers succumbed to much-needed rain.

"Once again we are delaying the moving until after the new year," said the Rev. Frank Strickland, pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church. Strickland has been acting as the coordinator of several businesses involved in the move.

"It turns out that a building can't be moved, even if it wasn't raining, on a weekend or close to a holiday season," he said. "Everything has come together except the weather, and no one is going to complain about the rain coming."

Maxie Duke, chair of the Old St. John's Committee, stated that fund-raising is continuing

"Moving the building is a big item, but more and more funds will be needed to get the building back into a useable, functioning facility," Duke said. "We have Hilda Wilson's peanut brittle to sell, $7 for a big bag of her very best, and in January, the Walhalla Lions Club has offered to share a pancake breakfast with us. It will be at the Depot on January 24 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tickets will be on sale after Christmas.”

The Lions Club is the second civic organization that has offered to help with St. John's. The Walhalla Women’s Club gave $500 recently to help pay for the move.

The Questers, a group of ladies who help worthwhile organizations with funding, have also planned a fund-raiser in March to benefit the project.