Gilford Community Church celebrates use of new, expanded sanctuary

Sunday, July 19 was the date for the Gilford Community Church to meet for the first time in its newly constructed sanctuary. The day was also marked by a tour of the facility including the new Gilford Youth Center. The entire project is near conclusion as can be witnessed by anyone who drives down Potter Hill Road. This, along with the new Gilford Library, has made a dramatic contribution to the Historical District.

Groundbreaking for the project was held on June 8, 2008, but actual construction did not begin until the Weeks Building was removed and the parsonage was moved to its site. The first work on the site began in the summer of 2008. The project is a result of a study group formed to investigate the possibility of expansion and the gift of money presented by church members Robert and Barbara Daniell.

Recently, Michael Graham, the pastor; Walter Flinn, the Expansion Committee chair; Don Roper and Chuck Moretti, partners in NCM and Peter Stewart of Stewart Associates Architects recounted their experience. Graham reflected on the comfort of these choices, “Stewart is a member of the church; NCM, having done an earlier remodeling project, is familiar with the history of the church and Flinn’s presence has been critical; he has been on-site every day.”

The expansion committee worked with Stewart to come up with a plan that would meet the needs and also “respect the history and vocabulary of the church in its simplicity”, according to Stewart; he also describes it as a “once in a life-time” project. He, Roper and Moretti have worked together for over 20 years.

Roper comments, “We enjoy it because it’s mixing old with new; perhaps that way, it’s more important knowing its history”. Moretti adds that it is “…….a campus, an historical campus….which involved saving the old structure, having a new addition that was architecturally sensitive to that…the parsonage had to be saved….the interconnector, gym and playground, it all comes together as a community campus.”

Both Moretti and Roper commented positively on the church and its organization specifically noting the quick turn-around in funding which helped attain good subcontractors. Thirty-seven contractors, with a total of six working at any one time, worked as a team. Each has a billable address in the state with one exception; there were as many as 55 workmen on site at any one time, many from the Lakes Region.

“The package of money was spent in-state,” says Roper.

Moretti says the greatest design and construction challenge was taking down the outside wall; the original timber frame structure was carried out in the sanctuary addition first, then the outside wall was removed. “The wall had to go and the steel member up there is holding it all”. He also notes the “vertical management” of the church led by Flinn, “Buildings are not built with bricks and mortar; they’re built with process and communication. Everyone took ownership of the project…..the church members down to the person sweeping the floor.”

Rev. Graham complimented not only the performance of the team, but the congregation as well. “First we were at the elementary school then we had to move to the high school. I expected people not to show up; I was impressed by how the church has responded. I am amazed at the group that showed up at the school to set up and then to tear it down. It says a lot about the church.”

Flinn felt the support of the town should also be noted. “It has been extremely cooperative; I don’t know how to give the community enough credit.” He noted the vote some years ago to give the church the town hall for $1 and Sandy McGonagle helped figure out where we might meet. “How do you give them credit?”

Graham added thanks to the United Methodist Church. “On occasion we’ve had to use their facilities and they have been very good to us.”

Flinn summed up the interview by saying, “It’s a wonderful project for us because it’s done by people who care about the church; it’s been a win-win situation for us. When someone comes along who has a sense of community and makes a large contribution with no strings attached, it is simply amazing. We are warmed by fires we didn’t light.”

— Faith Ruppert