Church dome in Corning

Forget about loaves and fishes. Members of the Corning United Methodist Church prepared steaming vats of chicken and noodles and hundreds of pie to raise money for the dome that crown’s the church sanctuary, which was built in 1871. It’s a double layered dome – exterior metal, interior stained glass – and the congregation hopes to repair it before it starts leaking.

The job may cost up to $10,000, but sales today were a big step toward that goal.

Marney Beemer, a church member and a 67-year resident of the town, invited riders to take a look at the dome and the sanctuary’s Carnegie Pipe Organ, which was installed in 1913. She said she baked some rhubarb pies but – and she leaned in to whisper – she donated them to another fundraiser in town.

— Michael Morain

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