Rebuild Schoharie Reformed Church

Help the Helpers Finish in Five!

August 28, 2011 Hurricane Irene decimated our village, causing significant damage to 90% of all village structures, including basement and first floor damage to all of our church buildings. The Schoharie Reformed Church, although our own buildings were severely damaged, became a hub for recovery activities.  We helped form and house a local recovery group and a regional recovery group, bringing tens of thousands of volunteers to the area to assist in recovery throughout the valley.  In the meantime, our own building repairs have been very slow as a process of uncovering more and more major structural issues.  Nearly five years later, we continue to make our own building repairs. We estimate we will have spent $1.25 million when we complete the project. While this is considerably less than the multi-millions spent on other buildings in the area, it is in addition to our regular expense budget in the midst of great personal and family membership trauma and financial devastation.  All of this has also come without the assistance of insurance, state or federal entities and is a significant challenge for our congregation.  We have risen to meet that challenge boldly, already having raised over $1 million!  Now we need your help to finish the remaining gap, just under $200k.  As we pass the five year anniversary, we are more than ready to be done with the building projects and fundraising, help us FINISH IN FIVE to raise the funds we need!  The funds will help us finish our entire campaign, including sanctuary repairs (nearly complete); community room, main kitchen, and main restroom area (not started); rebuild our playground for community use (completed September 2016); make other necessary repairs to our buildings & grounds (Annex building, substantial parking lot damage, etc.); and continue to participate in God's mission in the world! 

Ministry at the Schoharie Reformed Church has been ongoing, ever growing, and blessed by God's grace and the support of so many!  We are incredibly thankful for all who have helped us get this far!  While we continue to learn and grow in the midst of all that happens, we need you to help us finish this part of our story!  We've gone through mass trauma individually and corporately and at times it has taken its toll including PTSD, congregational fragmentation, and exhaustion.  We've also experienced miracles, embraced new vision, received new members, and have continued to serve our community.  Thank you for your prayers and your funds:  we need them both!


South side of the valley from Vrooman's Nose (photo credit Amy Frogely).  This photo was taken around 4p.m.  The creek crested in the dark at 10 p.m. with a five foot surge in the last half hour.
Note the "normal" path and level for the creek in the upper left.


The front steps were removed (they were pushing against the foundation) and the foundation was sealed.  The steps were refitted, with a more even rise and unsuring they will not push against the foundation for the next 100 years.

The bell was removed, refurbished, the bellfry was repaired and nearly replaced (rotted wood and leaking), and the the bell was put back up.
This will be the new main entrance at the rear, with a lift for accessibility to the community room in the basement and the sanctuary.
The floors were pulled up, scrubbed down, the subflooring was repaired and replaced as needed, the floors were relaid using the old with some new, and now have been refinished.  Pews are being repaired, the sound system is going in soon, and the community room has yet to be started...  lots more to do, but we have come so far!  Help us finish it!!