EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
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| NEW LIFT CEREMONY | |
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On Sunday, June 13, 2010, ECC held a dedication ceremony for our new wheelchair lift and newly paved parking lot after worship services. The projects, which began several years ago, encompassed the design and construction of a small addition to the exterior of the historic building to accommodate the lift and repaving the gravel parking lot with asphalt. Both pieces of the project improved accessibility for church and community members to attend services and Apple Tree Arts recitals and other community events held in the church’s sanctuary. “The ECC has been my church family for over 30 years. To unexpectedly become physically unable to attend worship has created a major hardship in my life,” said Gail Poole. “With the new lift, I am so happy to be able to attend church again. I will be eternally grateful to Janet Rivard for her dedication to this project, which has made our church handicap accessible and has literally opened the doors so that all may attend.” Ms. Poole joined some 50 other church members in a short dedication ceremony following Sunday service, led by Rev. Brown who was accompanied by Tim Gruntman on guitar. Sunday School students played a special role in the ceremony, as the event coincided with the Church’s annual Children’s Service. (View photos and video on the ECC Facebook® page.) Built in 1833, the Church is among the oldest in Grafton, and plans to renovate the building required the approval of both the Grafton Historic District Commission and the Massachusetts Historic Commission. Paving the parking lot also required the approval of the Grafton Zoning Board of Appeals due to the slope of the parking area. Church project managers, lead architect Dan Wezniak from Silver Street Architects of Northborough, and Norm Hill from Land Planning in Grafton, who drafted the plan for the parking lot reconfiguration, worked closely with the Town Planner and members of the historic commissions. “It was a long project with a lot of input from a lot of people. I think the end result well reflects the time and effort everyone involved put into this project, from the members who worked to see it happen through the professionals who lent their expertise along the way,” said Janet Rivard, chairman of the Stewardship Committee and project leader. “It was all truly worthwhile to see long-time members participate in Sunday service again.” Efforts for the project began in 2005 through generous gifts from member leadership donors, Dr. Roger Robinson and Dottie Christiansen. Though some funding came through contributions from the Grafton Thrift Shop, Operation Friendship, and bake sales in conjunction with the Grafton Antique Fair, most of the funds came from member donations over the past five years, with special thanks to Sassou Anani and Freda Branowicki, Patricia Betz, Al and Donna Blanchard, Rev. Duane and Amy Brown, Barbara Bryant, Dottie Christiansen, Sheldon and Sandy Cooper, Jean and Nancy Deschenes, John and Toni Duffy, Al Ellison, Mike and Liz Gallagher, David and Barbara Gow, Ray and Carmen Guilmette, Connie Hopkins, Phyllis Keith, Betty Mack, Frances Ogg, Tom and Judy Overdorf, Curt and Lee Paine, Art and Debbie Parlin, Craig and Carrie Peacock, Frank and Yvonne Perry, Henry and Gail Poler, Paul and Janet Rivard, Dr. Roger Robinson, Florence Smith, Pam Spinizolla, John and Susan Stager, John Stephens, and Ken Wadland, as well as the contractor for the renovation MAMCO, LLC, and Massad & Sons paving.
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A small addition to the exterior accommodates the new lift, while preserving the original 1833 style.
Dana Rivard and Gail Poole ride the lift to the sanctuary where they're greeted by Janet Rivard.. |
