Our church kitchen burned down on Halloween night! It is totaled. The fire started in the dish washer which hadn’t been used for months. Miraculously, the flames moving south were stopped by the swinging doors leading out to the rest of the complex. So there is only smoke damage and soot throughout the Wardwell Room, DeWolf Chapel, and Sunday School wing. The heavy stone walls of the original church built in 1856, just behind the dish washer, stopped the fire from moving into the historic sanctuary, though smoke-tinged air and soot got into that majestic space too. So, while the fire affected the entire building, we truly feel blessed that no one was hurt and that the damage can be repaired.
The professional “disaster cleaners” are working to open up the Sunday School wing, the sanctuary, and hopefully the DeWolf Chapel by Christmas. The kitchen, which must be totally replaced, will take a bit longer.
While our insurance will cover the bulk of the costs, the church is responsible for a a good chunk of change. We are responsible for at least $10,000 toward the repair of this damage. And none of that was in our budget.
If you have ever worshiped at First Congregational Church in Bristol, or attended the candlelight Christmas Eve service, or if you have enjoyed our award-winning “Stone Church Coffee House” monthly folk music concerts, or come to our Harvest Moon Bazaar – an event that is now in its 96th year!, or our Christmas Cookie Walk, or any of the other community events or services sponsored by First Congregational Church, or if you are a history buff or in love with historic architecture, we invite you to contribute to our newly established Fire Restoration Fund.
First Congregational Church in Bristol has been serving the East Bay community in Rhode Island since its founding in 1680. During those 345 years, our church family has faced many challenges and grown stronger and more resilient as we have worked together to rebuild, repair, and refine our faith and commitment to God’s work.
Fire does not just destroy. It can transform, it can illuminate, it can inspire. While we share the decades of memories of our church family’s fellowship in that now smokey and darkened kitchen, we look forward to the brightly restored kitchen that will surely arise from the ashes. We thank you for any gift you feel able to make toward the restoration of our church building.
Click on Page “2” below to print the Fire Restoration Fund Pledge Form.
Click on Page “1” to return here.
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