JAY — The North Jay Grange Hall is getting a new coat of paint for the first time in 30 years, paid for with proceeds from suppers and sales the last few years.

The job of covering the 2½-story building is expected to be finished Tuesday, Grange Lecturer Marilyn Morse said.

A crew from J.D.’s Home Improvements of Jay started the work last week and had to extend it to this week because of rain, company owner Jesse Dingus said. It’s expected to take 30 gallons of paint to cover the nearly 2,800 square feet.

“It’s good paint,” he said of the one-coat coverage.

Dingus rented a lift to reach the approximate 30-foot sides and the peak on the front, which he estimated to reach 50 feet.

The North Jay Grange No. 10 started in 1874 with a one-story building, Morse said. After a fire in March 1894, the present building was constructed that year. A stable was included in the back for houses and wagons of people who shopped at the Grange store, she said.

The store, which offered a little bit of everything, closed in 1974 due to the larger “box” stores moving to the area, she said. Originally, the store was on the first floor, the Grange hall on the second and a kitchen/dining room above.

The Grange thanks its members, volunteers and others who have helped in with the building repairs. Other work will continue as funding allows.

The annual North Jay Day originally planned for July 7 has been canceled, but the Grange will hold a public supper from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, she said.

[email protected]