SPENCER, Mass. —Three years after lightning struck the steeple of the First Congregational Church of Spencer, Massachusetts, and burned the building to the ground, the congregation has completed its new church.The halls of the new building still smell of fresh paint and carpeting, and furniture has yet to be added, but members say it already feels like home.The previous church had stood for 160 years before the fire.After the fire, some members wanted to rebuild a traditional New England mee...
SPENCER, Mass. —
Three years after lightning struck the steeple of the First Congregational Church of Spencer, Massachusetts, and burned the building to the ground, the congregation has completed its new church.
The halls of the new building still smell of fresh paint and carpeting, and furniture has yet to be added, but members say it already feels like home.
The previous church had stood for 160 years before the fire.
After the fire, some members wanted to rebuild a traditional New England meeting house, complete with neo-classic columns and a tall steeple visible for miles.
"The old church was very ornate. And now, with building costs much more expensive, it really wasn't possible with the budget that they had," said Amanda Normandin, the architect for the project.
Eventually, church members decided to rebuild a smaller, more functional building that could serve not only as a place for religious services but also as a venue for community gatherings.
Fire destroys First Congregational United Church in Spencer, Massachusetts
"I would say that it was first of all a period of grief. People were asking why aren't we building. And we were still grieving. But once we got going, we had to God," said Sandy Buxton, a member of the church.
The new church features a steeple filled with windows that allow natural light to flood the main entrance hall. Above the sanctuary doors hangs a weather vane salvaged from the ashes of the previous church.
"But we also didn't want to clean it shiny, bright perfect because that's not what it was. And we wanted to have it look a little weathered, so to speak," said Jenny Anderson, another church member.
Church members do not yet know exactly when they will officially move into the new building.
For the past three years, the congregation has been holding services at another church in nearby Leicester. The two congregations got along so well, they've decided to merge. The new church will be home to both.
Share