Pendleton Community Center acquires T-Mobile grant to help restore the building

Pendleton Community Center is in an area once known as the hub of the African-American community more than 100 years ago

The building has suffered wear and tear over time, but a grant of $50,000 from T-Mobile will help make repairs for the center, located at 305 W. Queen St. Repairs include updates to walls, electrical and flooring.

The project began on May 29 and includes stormwater and streetscape improvements, including 3,825 linear feet of reconstructed sidewalks.

The plan is to preserve its history and continue to use it as an educational resource and space for the community.

Jill Gemmill, a member of the board of directors for the Pendleton Community Center, said the center was built in the early 19th century.

In 1922, it was a Rosenwald school for black students, but it closed in 1954 after the state initiated an equalization program to keep schools segregated.

The state also passed a law establishing that abandoned schools could be used for community organizations.

Gemmill said several parcels of land and buildings around the school and library were deeded to the community. Pendleton Community Center, Inc. manages the properties.

The building burned in the 1960s. Gemmill said the idea to restore the building came from the town of Pendleton officials who wanted to remodel the landscaping and install more lighting on the block of West Queen Street.

The building is owned and managed by the non-profit Pendleton Community Center, Inc. Jill Gemmill, a member of the board of directors for the Pendleton Community Center, said. Two things have consistently been central to the Community Center -- a focus on youth, inclusivity, and being open to all.

"The town of Pendleton brought the T-Mobile Grant opportunity to our attention," Gemmill said. "However, the grant had to be submitted by the community since they own the property."

Gillman has experience writing grant applications and volunteered to prepare the forms for the application.

She worked with Pendleton officials to submit the grant. Gillman said the grant for the $50,000 was approved.

In April 2021, T-Mobile announced its 25 Hometown Grant recipients for their five-year, $25 million initiative to support small towns across America through funding community projects. Pendleton was among the communities.

So far, the company has revitalized parks, small business incubators, sustainability programs, building renovations, community art efforts and play structures that are ADA accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the company.

“Hometown grants are truly making a difference in small towns," said Jon Freier president of the Consumer Group at T-Mobile. "Beyond the $6.8 million we’ve provided in funding to our 150 grant recipients so far, we’ve also seen $2 million in matching funds from other local resources, which is huge."

Freier said it has been humbling to see T-Mobile creating a positive and lasting impact in communities through its grant funding and giving back to small businesses.

Foothills Foundation's work at Pendleton Community Center

Pendleton Foothills Campus Pastor Joseph Bennett said his group has done several repairs at the community center.

He said the work ranges from trimming tree limbs with a bucket truck and chainsaws to cutting grass and cleaning up ballfield areas with a backhoe. Bennett said the group also installed and repaired the swing sets, along with repairing and replacing some dilapidated railings.

He said the group also installed a smaller basketball goal for the children.

"We encourage our small groups to get out into our communities and serve," Bennett said.

Future of Pendleton Community Center

Gillman said the community center plans to serve as a hub for educational resources and support, providing young people with the tools to succeed. It will also provide a space for people to connect, collaborate, and build relationships.

Glenn Construction is renovating the community center, which was expected to be completed last year.

However, Gillman said there was more damage inside the walls than anticipated — both water and fire damage.

"Since the damage was greater than we originally thought, we could use some help with these renovations," Gemmill said.

For information on how to make donations or how to help, go to www.pendletoncommunitycenter.org/donate.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: T-Mobile grant to help remodel community center.in Pendleton