From staff reports

More than $30,000 in goods and services, including an original painting of Christ Episcopal Church, will be up for grabs Thursday night when church members and friends gather to raise money for the continued preservation of the oldest surviving building for public assembly in Vicksburg.

The auction will be from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center at Crawford and Adams streets.

Artist H.C. Porter of Vicksburg is working this week to complete a mixed-media, silk-screen, acrylic and colored-penciled likeness of the church, whose cornerstone at Main and Locust streets was laid on April 19, 1839, by Bishop Lionidas K. Polk of Louisiana.

The painting is among hundreds of items and services that will be auctioned, said Charlene “Miss Ike” Eichelberger, gift chairman and former longtime teacher at All Saints’ Episcopal School.

She said pleas to area businesses, professionals and individuals for items to be auctioned have been successful.

“This community loves this church, and the people of the community are showing it,” she said.

In addition to participation in the silent auction, the cost of which is $20 and includes food, drink and tickets to the event will be used for a drawing for a $1,000 drawdown.

To buy tickets for the auction, call Virginia Monsour at 601-638-3938.