NATCHEZ &045;&045; Improvements to two area churches were approved Wednesday by the Natchez Historic Preservation Commission.

The commission approved First Presbyterian Church’s petition for exterior changes that will include painting and installation of a copper roof canopy at the kitchen entrance. They will also include replacement of gutters on the building and improvements to the State Street entrance. A certificate of appropriateness was granted for the project, provided the church uses latex paint instead of a &uot;moisture-resistant&uot; paint that, said Mimi Miller of the Historic Natchez Foundation, actually holds in some moisture.

The National Park Service and the state Department of Archives and History have actually advised against the use of such moisture-resistant paint, Miller pointed out.

That said, City Planner Robert Jackson said he believes the project &uot;will be a great improvement to the block.&uot;

The commission also approved an addition to the rear of the Beulah Baptist Church building on B Street.