Driving by First Presbyterian Church in Mexico, one can't help but notice that its steeple is a bit shinier of late. That shine, compliments of newly installed copper, is the result of an unplanned repairs made necessary due to an April hail storm. The storm wreaked havoc on the roof, steeple and building in general. Built in 1967, the church is the third since its beginnings in 1851. 

Ron Ray, a church elder and member of the property committee since 2005, notes the church construction was "very esoteric" in the '60s. Part of the plan was copper - and plenty of it - by the architect. Its construction spared little expense, with a commercial-quality construction, with not only copper, but plenty of plaster, concrete and steel as building blocks. Many offered resources, including, but not limited to, the A.P. Green family.

"They spared no expense in building the building," Ray said.

After its initial installation, the copper was painted white and in time, it looked like any other steeple. With repairs underway and new copper replacing the old, its true composition has become evident. Workers have moved briskly on repairs, which are being done by Cardinal Roofing, a St. Louis-based company.

Damage also extended to include the roof, which has already been replaced. The project should be done some time in July.The spire will remain exposed copper and is  in the early phases of earning its green patina, but that will take months.

"It will be shiny for a while," Ray said.

Ray says he's received a lot of questions about what's going on. And more important than the renovation, he points to the church's mission and place in the community. With a congregation that numbers just under 500 members, the church is active through missions, features a strong youth program, with the Wednesday after school Kids for Christ program.

"It's always very full," Ray said. "And there's always room for more."

The youth appeal has no doubt received a bump with the church's new playground, added earlier this year.

"That's getting well-used," Ray said. 

Likewise, the junior high, high school and adult programs are thriving.

Earlier church buildings were located on Promenade and the original earned its share of Civil War stories.

"The church was hiding arms during the Civil War," Ray said. "And the other side found out. They came in and ripped all the pews out and used it as a horse stable." 

Time passed and when the 1960s move was deemed necessary, some felt it was too far out of town. That hasn't been the case and years later, the church is still a cornerstone of the community.

“Church is at 9 a.m. Sunday,” Ray said, extending an invitation.

The church is located at 400 Lakeview Rd., Mexico and can be found online at mexicofpc.com.