Work saves crumbling Norwich church

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) - Safety goggles and stacks of scaffolding may not be the most sacred items ever to occupy space in the sanctuary of his Norwich church, but the Rev. John Lancz is happy to have them.

"We are really looking ahead with excitement at putting in possibilities that were only dreams before. We are really pleased," said Lancz, pastor of United Congregational Church at 87 Broadway.

Work recently began on a $290,000 structural upgrade that caretakers say is among the most significant construction projects ever at the 155-year-old building.

Crews will dismantle what's left of two internal chimneys and remove rubble they've left behind that has been pressing against the church, threatening its organ apse and buckling the walls.

They'll also shore up a failing truss, which has caused the ceiling to separate from its supports. The venture is being paid for in part by a $125,000 state Commission on Culture & Tourism grant. The church's long relationships with other local faith organizations have also helped bring in dollars.

Lancz said officials remain about $90,000 short but are confident they'll find a way to pay for the renovations — simply because the alternative is too steep a price to bear, he said.

"If this work were not done, the building would collapse," Lancz said.

The church is planning a May celebration to mark the project's completion.

Pleasant Valley-based Gesco Construction was awarded the contract and has been on site for the past month preparing the sanctuary for its facelift. It's a delicate process, with many original parts of the church still intact and in need of protection.

That includes more than a dozen stained-glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany that feature his characteristic use of opalescent glass and color patterns — a feature that helped get the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tiffany, who was married at the church in 1872, redesigned it in 1891 with an elaborate stencil pattern on the walls next to the top of the organ and on its crowning. The artwork was rediscovered last week by Dave Gavrillen, one of the project's general managers.

The happy surprise leaves church leaders with a decision about whether to restore the images. They're expected to solicit bids for the work shortly.

Despite the major undertaking, Sunday services remain uninterrupted as the congregation meets in the church's Fellowship Hall on the lower level. The church is structurally sound and used daily by groups like the Norwich chapter of the NAACP and Bully Busters, which have offices there.

"All church activities are rolling," Lancz said. "And those who use this building are excited the work is being done and look forward to expanding what we already do here."

Gail DeCoteau, of Groton, has been a member of the church for nearly a year and is thrilled that construction has started.

"I'm very happy. This building is just too valuable a resource for the community to let disintegrate," she said. "Once the upstairs is done and the organ is rocking, they're going to know this building is alive."