The House that Faith Built

In 1954, Lloyd and I decided we would like to own our home so we would not have to pay rent. Since Lloyd was a master carpenter, he wanted to build it himself.That we had not a dime to our name did not deter us.

We took advantage of the faith our fellow church members had in us. On the promise of payment when the house was built, one member offered a lot, another lumber, a third heating and plumbing.

So Lloyd wrote to a magazine for a house plan he liked. He put in forms for the concrete foundation. We spent several hours leveling the cement as, he kept reminding me, the tile was to be laid on it. Then he did all the construction. The plumbing and electrical wiring our trusting church members provided.

When we went to the federal agency to get the loan, the agent said we needed to pay 10% down. So Lloyd went to the people we owed money to and asked them to reduce their price by that amount.

When we went back to the agent and told him what we had done, he threw up his hands and said “That’s not the way it’s supposed to work!” and walked out of the office. We sat properly scolded and waited and waited.

Finally, he came back and two naive young people were very, very relieved.

House in Newton, Kansas

Photo: Lloyd Gundy