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Corrales historical society praises village support after extensive church restoration
Summary
The Corrales Historical Society detailed a summer restoration of the old church, saying initial state funding plus a unanimous council allocation and community fundraising allowed full interior plaster, new HVAC and electrical, Wi‑Fi and sound upgrades.
The Corrales Historical Society told the Corrales Village Council that an interior renovation of the old church — originally estimated at about $130,000 — required far more work than anticipated and was completed this year with a mix of state funding, village support and community fundraising.
A presenter from the Historical Society outlined the project timeline: a 2023 state funding request secured $275,000; contractors Wiser Electric and Crocker Limited began work in June 2025, only to discover substantial hidden interior damage. The society requested additional support; the council and administration unanimously approved $200,000 to complete the project. The society also said it raised more than $120,000 through local fundraising efforts.
"We were lucky — when they opened the walls, the electrical system was completely toast," the presenter said. The scope of the completed work includes full replastering of the interior walls, repair of gaps and holes, new heating and cooling that will permit year‑round use, complete rewiring, floor repairs, Wi‑Fi installation and updated sound cabling.
The Historical Society thanked village staff and nonprofit partners and singled out Deputy Fire Chief Tanya Latin for helping to coordinate fundraising and project logistics. "Tanya made what was very difficult look easy," the society said in remarks read into the record.
Councilors praised the partnership and the contractors for historical‑restoration expertise. The society also acknowledged neighbors for patience during construction, and said a wedding held in early September marked an important milestone in the project’s completion.
The renovation preserved a local historic resource and expanded year‑round programming possibilities for the village. The society said remaining items are minor finishing details and that the restored building will be available for community use.
