NATCHEZ — Most say hard work and sweat are what it takes to create a home.

For St. Mary Basilica members and several Natchez residents, that fact remains certain.

“That’s where the most work is necessary — through volunteering,” said St. Mary Basilica community services chairperson Charlene Rushing. “The more people who volunteer, the more work we can get done.”

St. Mary Basilica hosted a workday Saturday to give their time and efforts to a nearly completed Habitat for Humanity Home on 824 Martin Luther King Jr. St.

The home, which was constructed for a married couple and their four teenage children, marks No. 19 for the Natchez branch of the non-profit organization that builds houses for families who meet certain requirements through an application process.

In addition to meeting application requirements, each adult must put in 250 hours of work to the home, which Habitat for Humanity Natchez chapter secretary Duncan McFarlane calls “sweat equity.”

The family getting this house has put in more than 500 hours of volunteer work on their new home, but more work is still needed.

Volunteers painted the front and back porch of the house and prepared the home for installation.

Michael Blain of St. Mary Basilica, who worked on the home with his wife and son Saturday, said helping others provided him with a good feeling.

Nick Blaine, Michael’s son, helped out, too. He primed the front porch of the house.

But Nick is no stranger to hard word.

“This is our first Habitat home, but when I bought a house, we painted it,” Nick said. “I’ve done stuff like this, and I prefer staying active instead of just sitting around.”

Habitat for Humanity Natchez Chapter President Andrew Calvit encourages the public to volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity house to get experience.

“We have the patience and time to help people learn,” Calvit said. “Most of us with Habitat came here with little to no experience. But everybody has come to develop a particular set of skills — whether it’s painting or using sheetrock.”

Not far from the Martin Luther King Jr. Street home, Habitat for Humanity volunteers worked to refurbish an existing home at 740 Smith St.

Among the several volunteers was Harold Hall, who has spent several months working on the Martin Luther King Jr. Street home.

Hall attends Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and is a retired mechanic of 45 years in McComb.

He moved to Natchez last year.

“God was good to me, so I’m going to try and give some of my time back,” Hall said.

McFarlane said a new floor has been placed in the house.

The inside of the house has also received a fresh coat of paint and a new toilet and refrigerator.

“We are trying to bring it up to brand new status,” McFarlane said.

The refurbished home should be completed by the beginning of July, while the Martin Luther King Jr. Street home should be completed by the end of July.

Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 100, Natchez, MS. 39120.

For more information on volunteering or making a donation, call 601-807-4956 or 601-445-8639.