The Pine Orchard Union Chapel is more than 120 years young! To keep this beautiful historic asset looking its best, we are planning a once-in-a-lifetime restoration. The restoration will take place in three phases:
1. Critical Safety Improvements - we'll lift the building 5 feet off the ground and add a beam and piers, repair and sister joists, shore up the skirts, move the electrical service, winterize pipes, and then put it back down. Once it's down, we'll rebuild the back entrance and do repairs to the cupola. 2. Restoration & Preservation - this will include complete restoration of all windows, doors, woodwork, floors, ceiling, attic, bell and roof. 3. Beautification - including painting the exterior of the building and planting and landscaping the surrounding areas. |
Check out our great press in the Shoreline Times!
More great press in ZIP06!
VolunteersWe are fortunate to have many volunteers helping to steer the Restoration Project.
Our Board, Building Committee and Fundraising Committee are all helping to 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 raise $750,000 to ensure that we can preserve our community gathering place. Many individuals have made personal pledges of support (thank you!) One generous donor is matching all gifts of $3,000 or more up to $100,000 (update: this challenge has been met!).
Gifts may be pledged over a period of 3 years and there are naming opportunities for leadership gifts. Named gifts will be acknowledged on plaques in the restored Chapel. We have also received a Historic Restoration Fund Grant of $100,000 and approval to receive Historic Tax Credits from the State of Connecticut Historic Preservation Office. |
Schedule
We are beginning Phase 1 in October 2020. This will include lifting the building and doing significant work underneath,
repairing the cupola, moving electrical and interior lighting. Phases 2 and 3 will most likely take place in the spring and summer of 2021, when full funding for the project has been achieved. Kickoff! We hosted our kickoff on Saturday, 10/17/20 Check out our gallery to see the picnic! Groundbreaking! Our groundbreaking was held 10/19/20 Check out the photos in the gallery! |