Recovering from Loss

by Jonathan Colegrove, Area Representative for Connecticut and Rhode Island

In Frank Capra’s 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” George Bailey discovers what Bedford Falls would have been like if he had never lived. Churches rarely get the chance to test this “what if?” in reality. But the afternoon of December 7, 2013 proved to be the beginning of just such an opportunity for First Congregational Church of Pomfret, Connecticut.

Often described in Pomfret as “the little church with the big heart,” First Congregational was in the midst of making needed repairs to the front entry of their 1828 Greek Revival building. That afternoon, pastor Thomas Crumb got a call from a parishioner that the building was on fire. Rev. Crumb’s father had been a volunteer firefighter. So when he arrived, he could readily see, and “knew in my heart it was going to be a total loss, being an older building with a lot of empty space for fire to travel.” All he and the many members who soon began arriving could do was watch the building slowly collapse and fall down.

At this writing, it has been three months since the fire, and the church is fully engaged in preparing to rebuild. Much is going on behind the scenes, but nothing is yet visible to the public. The demolition of what remains of the building will begin in mid-April, with seven different committees needed to accomplish the rebuilding. This spring the building committee will finalize its choice of an architect. After that, the actual design and building work will begin.

in winter before the fire

It is impossible to replace a historic building filled with over 175 years of charm and memories. The people of First Congregational hope to be able to blend some of the former building’s classic beauty into a new building offering more functionality and a more flexible space. Rev. Crumb relates that though there was a natural sadness and grieving over the loss of their building, the congregation is excited about meeting the challenges and opportunities which it has been presented. “We have recognized and stated both publicly and privately our firmly held belief that the church is the people, not the building! We are looking to design a new building that will meet the needs of those who will follow us in faith in this place.”

First Congregational has been having their own “It’s a Wonderful Life” moment, as heartfelt support has come from the town, and especially from a private secondary school located directly across the street from where First Congregational once sat. Sunday services are being held in a beautiful Gothic-style chapel on the school’s campus. Sunday school classes are being held in some of the school’s classrooms. “Even as the church was burning, school officials told us we could use the chapel for as long as we need it. If something like this had to happen we couldn’t have been better cared for.” The Pomfret Senior Center has become temporary home to several monthly and Saturday church meetings. The church has been blessed with many expressions of support and encouragement and giving.

Rev. Crumb notes, “Our needs our great, but our God is greater.” Though the church was appropriately insured, insurance policies do have caps, and it is likely First Congregational will need to raise upwards of $500,000 to supplement the insurance settlement.

Those wishing to make a donation to the rebuilding effort are encouraged to visit the First Congregational webpage at fccpomfret.org and either use the PayPal option there or send a donation to its mailing address. First Congregational will celebrate its 300th anniversary next year. The church was officially chartered and recognized on October 26, 1715, when Ebenezer Williams, the first pastor, passed his ordination council. Rev. Crumb optimistically notes, “We have a hope, but not a guarantee, that October 26, 2015, will not only be the official 300th anniversary of the church but may be also the dedication of a new building.”