Just more than 140 years ago, shortly after Nevada was granted statehood and the Civil War concluded, Austin and its mining district were at the center of state activities, and various construction projects of historical significance were being concluded. Among these was St. Augustine's Catholic Church.

All these years later, the church still stands, and projects are under way to shore it up and assure its continued use as a cultural center.

But that is getting ahead of the story.

According to a Web site titled, "Sightseeing in Austin, Nevada," there is much historical significance in the erection of the edifice.

It was built in 1866 under the direction of the Rev. Edward Kelly. Of course, the local mining community was instrumental in various aspects of the project. The bricks used to build the 20-inch-thick walls were fired in the Austin Brickyard.

A source on Nevada historical markers posted by the Nevada Division of Water Planning says the first service, on Christmas Eve 1866, included a $1 admission charge "to limit the number of people attending." Various other sources, however, indicate the admission fee was charged to secure funding to pay for the church's roof. All sources seem to agree the fee was not a deterrent to attendance and that a full house was on hand for the opening.

According to the Austin travel site, "For years afterward the church served as the mother church of numerous communities in the area. This is the last remaining structure of the first four Catholic churches built in Nevada, giving it the honor of the oldest Catholic church in Nevada."

A "nine rank" Henry Kilgen pipe organ was completed for the church the following January in St. Louis. It was shipped down the Mississippi River, around the Horn and up the coast to San Francisco. Train and freight wagon were employed for the rest of the journey and installation was finished in the spring of 1868.

"One of the last of its kind, it is still in place in the building and could be restored to original playing condition," according to the Austin site, which indicates that other historical items, such as statues and altar appointments, have been stored in Reno.

While the building has been sold to a private developer for restoration as a community center, Catholic services continue at Austin's Methodist Church.

The National Register of Historic Places added the church in 2003 as building No. 03000758. Its architectural style is listed as Gothic Revival and Italiante, and its areas of significance are noted as art and religion.

As this brings us up to the present, it also takes us back to its past and the fundraising to complete its roof.

According to information from the St. Augustine's Cultural Center (P.O. Box 503, Austin, NV 89310, 775-964-1100), which also notes the original admission fee was charged to pay for the roof, "140 years later, we are planning a new roof and a new dedication!"

The center received a 2006 grant from the state Commission on Cultural Affairs that was used for a study of the property by architectural historical/preservation specialists. "Their work led to the discovery of its original painted blackboard in the church's lower level, identification of historically significant wallpapers (more than 20 applications), graining and painting of the floors and pews, further identification of the historical aspects of the church and proper archival methods."

Back to the roof: Its support timbers are failing, and scaffolding is being used to support "the barrel-vaulted ceiling and roof structure."

A second grant is being used to construct a new retaining wall in front of the 140-year old original wall at the church's front. Its completion is expected this summer.

Other grants are being sought. As with the church founders, those behind the St. Augustine's Cultural Center are doing their own fundraising.

They have announced a "big event" for this summer, probably the last weekend in July. They plan the "capping off" of the retaining wall and "hopefully, the beginning of reconstruction of the new church roof and spire." A raffle and auction are planned with "140 fabulous items."

But you need not wait until the summer to throw a few bucks in the pot. Noting that the center is a nonprofit, tickets are being sold for a St. Patrick's Day raffle. Prizes include a cut-and-packaged steer and getaways to the Sands Regency and Peppermill hotels in Reno, as well as Death Valley's Furnace Creek Inn.

Want to see where your donations may be going? Drive 200 miles to Tonopah and turn north along state roads 112 miles to Austin. You can find the church at 113 Virginia St.

But trust me, once you are in Austin, it will be easy to find.

Bill Roberts is a veteran journalist in Tonopah. His column appears Wednesday. Contact him at broberts@reviewjournal.com.