In the 1960's services were discontinued and the building ceased to be maintained.  In 1998, Smartsville residents decided it was time to come to the rescue of the badly deteriorated building.  The Sacramento Diocese  donated the church building and grounds to a new non-profit corporation that would own the building and commence restoration.    This was the beginning of the Smartsville Church Restoration Fund, Inc., lovingly known as SCRFI, or “SCRUFFY.”  

Our mission is to save and restore the former Catholic church for use as a community/visitors’ center and museum. 

 We believe an additional effect of  our restoration efforts at SCRFI is the impact we see on the town of Smartsville.  The united effort to save the historic church and public attention given to Smartsville,  and community events, have given Smartsville renewed dignity.  At SCRFI we do not spend any of our restoration money on events not related to our work, but we give freely of our time and energy to events that are important to the community.