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The McClure River Valley Community Development Center (MRVCDC) is the parent organization for the Binns-Counts Communitly Center. It grew out of the revival of ministry at the St. Stephen Mission at nearby Nora, Virginia. The mission, founded by Episcopal Deaconess Margaret Binns, came under the leadership of the Rev. Don Prange. The renewed ministry under the title of the Church of the People committed itsefl to address community needs and local community control . Its first staff person was Trammel resident, Clady Johnson . The church ministry sponsored outside youth groups to do housing work in the area and clothing sales to finance the programs. services
In 1977, a disastrous flood washed away the St. Stephen church house and the members found a temporary place at the unused Stratton post office. The community outreach continued and with the help of outside churches, a small house was purchased in 1980 at Stratton, next to the present building which at that time was a food co-op.
In 1984, the Community Service Ministry of the Church of the People was incorporated as the McClure River Valley Community Development Center. Two years later, a housing rehabilitation program began and became a regular part of the center. The same year the S.H.A.R.E cooperative food-buying program began at the center.
Through no-interest loans provided by church groups, MRVCDC purchased and renovated the next-door food co-op and renamed it the Binns-Counts Community Center. The name honors Deaconess Binns and Kathleen Counts , one of the original members of the Church of the People, and who was killed in a coal mine explosion in 1983.