It took 42 months to complete the entire renovation of Colby Memorial Temple in Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp. The just over 6,000 square foot building came about in 1923.  
Rev. Jerry Moore, president of SCSCMA, said the repairing of the exterior cracks, mostly in front, power washing and painting were recently completed. He said the cost of the latest renovation was about $14,000 bringing the grand total to about $74,000.

 “We are celebrating this day and are pleased that the final touches were ready for our Annual Candlelight (Christmas) Service,” which was Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. “It’s been a long time coming. Now, on to the next (historic building).”

Colby Memorial Temple is used for Sunday Service, which begins at 10:30 a.m. and has three parts – hands-on healing, spiritual lecture and spirit greetings with the latter proving the continuity of life. The attendance range is 75-100. Wednesday Night Message Service starts at 7 p.m. with hands-on healing and messages to follow. The attendance range is 20-50.

“It’s beautiful to see our Colby Memorial Temple polished,” said Pastor Rev. Suzanne Dewees, Ph.D. “It brings a fresh energy, a new beginning to our services and our organization.” Colby Memorial Temple was closed previously for renovations and repairs for 26 months and reopened Aug. 22, 2021, for a soft opening.

Building age, permits, contractors and Covid-19 all affected the construction process. The biggest part of the repair was one of the wood trusses, which is now eight feet. The repair was tied into the ceiling and roof.
Other repairs included electrical – switches, receptacles, electric boxes, breakers, lights, fans – push bars on the doors, exit lighting and smoke detectors. He said he did plenty of work, including restoring an entryway and framing a window. Thirty-five precent of the interior walls were replaced with special plaster mixtures were used to preserve the historic masonry. It is believed horsehair was used when Colby Memorial Temple was built; today, Hemp fiber was used for the crack repairs.

The cost for repairs came in around $60,000, which doesn’t tell the whole picture – materials, in-kind services, 125th fundraising monies and direct donations – were a big help.
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association, which has been existence since 1894, is 57 acres and has 55 homes, according to its website. The association, which has about 160 members, has seven buildings.
​
With historic buildings, repairs are ongoing. Major repairs on Brigham Hall, which was built in 1897, were completed in 2018, and one year later repairs were completed on the Slater House, built in the early 1900s.
To donate, visit the website or send a check or money order to P.O. Box 319, Cassadaga, FL 32706. Note Colby Memorial Temple Fund. Or go Cassadaga.org to donate.
“We thank you in advance for your donation and appreciate your support,” Moore said. “We hope to see you soon.”