The Pine Orchard Union Chapel is more than 125 years young! To keep this beautiful historic asset looking its best, we undertook a once-in-a-lifetime restoration from 2020 - 2022. The restoration occurred over three phases:
 
1. Critical Safety Improvements - we lifted the building 5 feet off the ground and added a beam and piers, repaired and sistered joists, shored up the skirts, moved the electrical service, winterized pipes, and then put it back down. We rebuilt the back entrance and repaired the cupola.

2. Restoration & Preservation - this included complete restoration of all windows, doors, woodwork, floors, ceiling, attic, bell, and replacement of the roof. It also included a full painting of the building exterior.

3. Beautification - included interior woodwork restoration, new chandeliers, electrical wiring, bathroom upgrades, exterior lighting, site work, sod, and landscaping.
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Thank you to our AWESOME donors!

Volunteers

We were fortunate to have many volunteers helping to steer the Restoration Project.

Our Board, Building Committee and Fundraising Committee all helped lead this community effort!

If you'd like to volunteer your time or services, we'd love to welcome you to the team. Whether it's to run a fundraiser, volunteer a service, or get more involved in our programming.

Supporters

We hope to raised close to $1,000,000 to ensure the preservation of our community gathering place. Many individuals made personal pledges of support (thank you!) One generous donor is matched all gifts of $3,000 or more up to $100,000. This challenges was met and exceeded!

Gifts were pledged over a period of 3 year, with naming opportunities for leadership gifts. Named gifts are acknowledged on plaques in the Chapel.

We have also received a Historic Restoration Fund Grants and Historic Restoration Tax Credits from the State of Connecticut Historic Preservation Office.

Schedule

Phase 1 began October 2020, including lifting the building, foundational repairs, repairing the cupola, and restoring windows. Phase 2 took place in 2021 and included  scraping and painting the exterior, replacing the roof, and restoring additional windows. Phase 3 occurred in the fall of 2021 through the spring of 2022, and included interior restoration and site work.

Kickoff!
We hosted our kickoff on 10/17/20

Groundbreaking!
Our groundbreaking was held 10/19/20

Gala!
Our 125th Anniversary Gala and Sneak Peek was held 6/24/22

Rededication!
We hosted our rededication July 4, 2022, exactly 125 years after the original chapel dedication July 4, 1897