Big plans for Montville's oldest church

Montville, Conn. (WTNH) - Montville town leaders are trying to figure out the future of the 288-year-old Montville Center Congregational Church.

One option they’re considering is converting the building into a museum or community center.
Montville's mayor says he has big plans for the town’s old house of worship.

“I really, really foresee this as being something nice,” said Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz (D). “For, like I said, the kids from the library could come over read here.”

Built in 1722 the Montville Center Congregational Church was first a meeting house and then a house of worship for generations in the north parish section of town, until a few years ago.

“The number of parishioners has dwindled, so it just got to the point they closed up the church,” the Mayor continued.

The town now has the opportunity to take over the property on the corner of Meetinghouse Lane and Raymond Hill Road. The building itself wouldn't cost Montville much money, but it will need to be updated.

“It's been such a long, long time since I’ve been in there,” Mayor Jaskiewicz commented. “I'm gonna be just as thrilled as anybody when they open the door and get to walk in there because I don't even know what's in there…”

“It's about time someone started doing stuff with this church,” commented William Phillips.

The town is hoping to fill the building with old photos and other historic memorabilia making it a good companion to the Raymond Library, which is next door.

“Building's like this are worth saving for the generation next,” Phillips added. “We got some pictures we can put in here; turn it into like a museum for the history of the town.”

If approved the town could take possession of this church in January 2011 and thus begin the process of restoring it to the meeting house it once was.