ROCKY BOY, Mont. (NMB) – Efforts are ongoing to rebuild the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rocky Boy that was destroyed two years ago in a fire.
Father Joseph Tran says they have raised over $2 million for the project thanks to donations and grants and are now just about $280,000 short.
“(We’ve received) collections from all the churches in eastern Montana, from Great Falls and Billings diocese after the fire. And then we have some money that was given from all the donors…And we have some grants from different foundations. And then we have insurance money as well. We also have giving Tuesday on Facebook and have a Capital Campaign that we did last year, raffling off an ATV. This year we’re doing another Capital Campaign which we are selling raffle tickets right now.”
The grand prize for the raffle is $8,000 cash. First prize is $1,500, second prize is $500.
Ground was broken on the new church in June, and Tran says significant progress has been made.
“We’re probably about 60-65 percent done so far. Everything is roofed in right now. They finished insulation inside already.”
Tran says once the building is good to go, the benefit to the community will be huge.
“They all long for this church to be done so that we can all have space to not only worship, but also gather as a community. And another thing is we have classroom for the children as well.”
Tran says that weather permitting, the hope is for construction to be completed by the end of February or March. An official grand opening will likely take place in the summer.
Tickets for the raffle are $20, or $100 for six tickets. They can be bought at several area locations, including Red’s Auto Parts and St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Havre and First Montana Bank in Big Sandy. You can also buy tickets by contacting Tran by phone at 395-4380 or mailing PO Box 3009 Box Elder, Montana 59521.
