Construction Nearing

This information was published in the  restoration news center on March 27, 2012:

As of this past weekend the demolition of the Meeting House has been completed.  All the wood was disposed of, the foundation was knocked in and the site has been graded.  A crew came to “cap” the end of the remaining facility to keep it safe from the elements and neighborhood critters.  The paper towel dispenser that had been hanging outside on the second floor was removed.  Once the slab has been removed, the site will be ready for preparation for the beginning of construction early this summer.  It is hard to believe that it has been less than three months since the fire destroyed our church building.

As a way to both mark significant progress and to move ahead, we will be holding a brief Prayer Service on the site following worship on April 1st.  The service, which will begin at noon, will include a hymn, litany and the distribution of nails from the Meeting House.  Our church Historian, Ailene Henry, has found documents that show when the contracts were set for the building of the Meeting House, the architect, Daniel Colton of Longmeadow, agreed to have the facility ready for the church to use on January 1, 1843, exactly 169 years to the day of the fire.

In the course of the demolition the crew was able to salvage some wood furniture from Pilgrim Hall, including three side chairs, one arm chair, one rocker, one 4 drawer cherry chest, the clock and the cherry tilt top table.  We are hoping to get all of these pieces refinished for use in the new building when it is complete.  Other items were lost.

Even as demolition was ongoing in the front of the property restoration was continuing in the Bugbee Center portion.  Painting on both floors should be finished by the end of next week.  The upstairs hardwood hallway floor is being refinished this week.  Because of the floor work being done, no one should be in the building until the end of next week – April 6.  This will ensure a good finish on the floor.  Tile and carpet will be installed on all the floors on the first level and as necessary on the second.  This work should be completed by Wednesday, April 4. Carpets not being replaced on the second floor will be cleaned.

There are a few things that need to be taken care of before we can begin to use the Bugbee Center. Smoke detectors must be installed in each room and in the hallways.  Fire and smoke detection will eventually be part for the system that will cover the entire facility, but there will be detectors on a temporary basis to maintain safety.  There are several light fixtures that needed to be replaced in the hallways as well as the installation of several up-to-date Exit signs.  Doors that were damaged by water must also be replaced before we can use the building.

We still plan on hosting the April 15 Community Supper in the Bugbee Center, but watch this space for further updates.  Please sign-up for the supper at church on Sunday or by calling or emailing the church office.