Sprott Youth Center

Sprott Youth Center, affectionately known locally as the Big Red Barn, has been renovated under the leadership of its Board of Directors and with the financial support of Chatham County and the local community. Now that renovations are nealy complete, young people and families in Southeast Chatham have a place to gather for sports, social, educational, and community activities. The Center was built in 1936 as the gym for Moncure High School. It was purchased and deeded to the Moncure United Methodist Church in 1975 by the D.J. Sprott family to be a center to “promote the spiritual development and understanding of youth and others, including but not limited to instruction in Christian education, athletics, and fellowship activities.” The Center was heavily used in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, after which the need for repairs closed the center. Beginning in 2005, a new board was set up to open the Center again. Many fund-raising events, including plate sales, were held over the years. The local Ministerial Alliance, Moncure’s churches, and many community members have continued to support it.