Preserve this Historic Church

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$2,655 raised of $100K

Preserve this Historic Church

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The First Congregational Church of Plainfield

519 Norwich Road

Plainfield CT 06374

The First Congregational Church of Plainfield is a beautiful 200-year-old example of a Federal-style stone church. It was built in 1816 to the design of  Ithiel Town, a major American architect of the early 19th century. The building’s columns, portico, and Classical cornice are characteristic features of New England meeting houses of this period. The stone was locally quarried gneiss.

While churches are normally excluded from the National Register of Historic Places, The First Congregational Church of Plainfield was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 because of its "exceptional architectural distinction" and is listed on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places.


The Church has historical significance to the Town of Plainfield since it served as the town’s first Meeting House and Place of Worship. In the 1700’s, the State of Connecticut required that a town have an established church before it could be recognized as a town. The First Congregational Church of Plainfield was created in 1705 to satisfy that requirement.

 The building's architectural significance, community role, and prominent location in the Historic District of Plainfield, make this building a remarkable and enduring landmark for not only Church members but equally as well for the Town and greater New England region.

Given the age of the structure, the building is in need of restoration and corrective work to address on-going maintenance. To plan for careful restoration, the Church received a grant in 2012 from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation to help pay for a Conditions Assessment Study. The most urgent of the identified work include:

 ·       Construction of an engineered drainage system along and adjacent to the north and south foundation walls.

·       Repairing the roof framing, exterior wood eaves, portico and steeple

·       Rebuilding a portion of the chimney and selective repointing of the stone facades

·       Upgrading the electrical system and refinishing the basement with classrooms

·       Repairing the Clock and Pipe Organ

·       Painting the Sanctuary and repairing the Sanctuary windows

We need your help to restore this significant landmark and community institution. Please consider a contribution to the Go Fund Me drive we have launched so we may preserve the building for future generations and we welcome your visit.

Special thanks to Shoot the Moon Films for creating our video.

Thank you for your contribution to our Go Fund Me Restoration Drive!

 


 

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