NEWFANE — For the members of the Newfane Congregational Church, the addition to their historic sanctuary was not just about more space, although the wing provides 1,000 square feet for offices, a meeting room, and storage.
It wasn't just about safety, although it has added a second exit to the church.
With the addition of a ramp that takes visitors right to the doors of an elevator that can accommodate two people and two wheelchairs, the project is, first and foremost, about putting the church's offerings within reach of anyone who wants to come in for worship, church activities, or the myriad community groups who use the space.
“At least two people used it today,” said Neil “Bucky” Pelsue, who chaired first the church's building needs assessment committee and then the capital campaign executive committee. Pelsue's wife, Carleen, also served on both committees.
Committee member Maggie Bills pointed out that a family member was able to attend a baptism that took place the previous week.
The congregation, which numbers about 60 members, opened the church's doors on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the work, which took place under the supervision of Athens contractor Michael Bates, who attended Sunday's event.
“It wasn't much of a challenge,” the contractor said modestly, describing the work as “pretty cut and dried.”
Both Pelsues were more effusive.
“In my book, he's a craftsman,” Bucky said, pointing out a new, nondescript doorway in the second-floor sanctuary, designed to match or complement the existing wainscoting, trim, and corner-block florettes.
“When you see it, you wouldn't know that it hadn't always been there,” Carleen said, describing the coexistence of old and new with one word: “seamless.”
A walk-through
Bucky Pelsue takes visitors from the foyer of the original church building, which was dedicated in 1839. The congregation, originally located on Fane Hill, where the first families settled in town, dates back to 1774.
A double staircase leads to the sanctuary, largely frozen in time and bathed in natural light. On the right-hand side sits a stairlift, previously the last-ditch means to get mobility-challenged visitors upstairs.
But there was a catch: “You have to be partially mobile to get in there,” Pelsue said wryly, nodding to the device.
Up the stairs and through the sanctuary is the new door, a portal from past to present and future.
Bills proudly welcomes visitors into the Wilson Room, a simple, bright room with a simple architectural touch: an elevated roof designed to evoke the shape and form of a church steeple.
The Rick Wilson Room is dedicated to church member Rick Wilson, who “kept us on the edge and moving,” Pelsue said. On the wall of the room hangs a small quilt, made by Betty Horton, with a note that describes the design as inspired by Wilson's vision and “enthusiasm that became contagious.” Wilson also served on the building needs and capital campaign committees and as the clerk of the works for the project.
The room is designed as a flexible space that can be used for children's and adult activities, Christian education, and meetings.
Wilson, whom Carleen Pelsue described as “really the driving force” behind the initiative, began advocating a building program “as much as eight or 10 years ago,” she said. Wilson pushed the project, building a scale model of the addition to help his fellow parishioners visualize how it could be essential to the life of the congregation.
One flight below is new office space for Pastor Rob Hamm - as of June 20, the church's permanent pastor - and church secretary Kristi Morrow. The addition also offers storage space for the handbell choir and for other church activities.
With the additional space, the administration of the church can move out of its social space, and the minister can have essential accommodations. The church sold its parsonage in 2004, and ministers since then have lived in town. But with a subsequent minister, and now Hamm, commuting from New Hampshire, onsite office space is essential, Pelsue said.
Church and community
As of Sunday, the church had raised $238,501 of the project's $250,000 goal, from 175 people, companies, and organizations, as well as proceeds from the church's annual Columbus Day weekend craft fair on the village green.
Much of that money was raised from sources beyond the immediate church community, Pelsue said.
“For a church of this size, we wouldn't be a darn without the community,” he said.
The church opens its doors for community activities, including Al-Anon, Christmas potluck dinners, Early Education Services Playgroup, family game nights, a Halloween potluck party, concerts, the Newfane Garden Club, a senior luncheon for Newfane and neighboring communities, and the Newfane Business Association's Winterfest soup supper, to name just a few.
The church has also provided assistance for victims of Tropical Storm Irene and other disasters and financial support to a cornucopia of regional charities.
That $238,501 was displayed prominently on the wall of the Fellowship Hall, where church members, visitors, and some of the project contractors came to toast the new space with punch, watermelon, and other goodies.
Actually, make that $239,001, Pelsue said in his brief remarks, acknowledging the $500 gift earmarked for the outdoor light fixture next to the new ramp.
For projects at larger churches, raising $250,000 would be “a drop in the bucket,” he said.
For a tiny church off Route 30, though, raising so much money for such a cause was a feat to be celebrated. By any yardstick, it was a formidable challenge, but “being a church, we do a lot on faith,” Pelsue said.
“Thank yourselves and thank each other,” he concluded.
Dave Roberts raised his hand.
“Bucky, you forgot to thank two people,” he said to applause. “Thank yourself and Carleen.”
Both Pelsues acknowledged the heft of work they took on.
“It was a pleasure – mostly,” Carleen Pelsue said with a laugh.