Making progress

Construction on our new church is coming along nicely! Conrad Liebenow, our chairperson, has put together a graphic schedule of when each phase of the project will be completed, and has also included a number of photos from the construction process thus far. All of this is at the Parish House, for your viewing pleasure.

We'll be posting Conrad's photos on our blog soon, so that you can see how far along the building has come. The sitework and drainage channels are complete. The foundation has been poured, insulated, and dressed with stone. The floor system, trusses, and walls will go up in the next couple of weeks, so very soon, you'll be able to see the progress from Route 9. Now that the foundation is set and backfilled, Kent Hicks and his crew will be able to continue their work into the winter, getting the structure closed in so that work on the inside of the building can continue.

Stay tuned for more frequent construction updates in the new year!

Breaking ground

We held our official groundbreaking ceremony on July 16th, on the site of the new church, and in the company of at least a hundred friends. There was ice cream, lime-aid, singing, speech-making, and digging! Many thanks to Tracey Eller (http://www.ellerimages.com/) for her gorgeous photos of the event.

Photos from our groundbreaking ceremony

Boston Globe Article on Church Groundbreaking

Click on the link below to read the article:

Rebirth for church destroyed by fire

Congregation breaks ground in W. Cummington

By Matt Byrne Globe Correspondent / July 17, 2011

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/17/rebirth_for_church_destroyed_by_fire/

Our Vision Statement

"We are all pilgrims, we all want to go home again. WCCC is home to a diverse and growing community of seekers who find safety, share deeply, dare often, embrace love and celebrate life together. You are welcome here. Welcome home."

Rebuilding Our Church

Our Story

For 170 years, the Church stood on a hill in West Cummington. A small, beautiful, white, clapboard building, it married, baptized, comforted, challenged and celebrated the living, and tolled the bell for the many who died. In January of 2010 our building burned to the ground.

But our church still lives.

Since the 1840’s, the West Cummington Church has been the center of this tiny hilltown community. With an up and down history, from the days of no heat at all to pot-bellied stoves which sent heat through pipes held up by a scaffolding of wires ascending the ceiling, it was sometimes a struggle to keep it alive at all. For many years, the church shared a pastor with the Village Church in Cummington and held services in its own building only in the summer. At one point, volunteers who earned $50 per sermon conducted services. Older parishioners tell of the hat that went round and round among the few attendees until the $50 was collected.

In the 1990’s everything began to change. One volunteer preacher, Stephen Philbrick, caught the spirit and the imagination of his listeners. He is still with us. Now licensed by the United Church of Christ but not ordained, Stephen has been our spiritual guide, leader and friend for 15 years. He comes to his calling as a poet and a storyteller as well as a former shepherd and consummate woodsman. Under Steve’s guidance, the church has grown. Sunday services are always well attended and all newcomers are welcome. Regulars, or “irregulars,” as Steve calls some of us, and new people come from far and wide. Over these last years, the church has become a beacon of light and a community gathering place for many events, -- musical, literary, and spiritual.

Who We Are

The people of our church are all ages, run the gamut of religious convictions and preferences. We have no creed but come together to seek, to explore spiritual questions and to give assistance to those in need. We are an open and affirming church; we welcome seekers without regard to income, creed, race, gender, age, physical or mental ability or sexual orientation. The sacraments, including marriage, are open to everyone. We support each other in our respective journeys.

We also provide an opportunity for anyone in the congregation to stand behind the pulpit, conduct services and present the sermon on Lay Sunday, the third Sunday of each month. On these Sundays, Steve gets to ‘go to church’ as a member of the congregation.

Children are cherished and welcome in our parish. We have a “children’s time” during the service and then the children adjourn for a program designed especially for them.

The church also seeks to help those in need beyond our doors. We have a monthly “Broader Mission” special offering that is designated for local or faraway causes or crises. We also help individuals in our community through the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.

As a congregation, led by Penny Schultz, we love to sing! Our old church was well known for its wonderful acoustics. Over the years, many musicians performed there – from up-and-coming children in our congregation, to members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, from local to world-renown groups and singers. All these musicians appreciated the quality of sound in our building, one of our priorities for the new church.

What We Need

For the past year and a half, the West Cummington Church community has been planning for rebuilding. We have a wonderful pro bono architect in Bruce Wood and we have approved a design. We have hired a builder/contractor. We have dealt with endless issues of site, engineering, regulations and variances, with the assistance of many officials and experts outside the church. We have committed to a budget of $800,000 to finance this reconstruction. We have received what we can from the insurance companies and have raised more than $250,000 in gifts and pledges, but $80,000 is still needed. Our goal is to raise this total by January 31, 2012. Now we are launching the public phase of our fundraising campaign and asking those who support our vision and community to give generously.

The money we raise will build a church that in most visible ways resembles the building we loved: a simple white clapboard structure with beautiful Gothic touches and large windows to let in light. The interior will also be similar to the old building with the addition of accessibility, bathrooms and a rear vestibule that will allow entrance and exit without disturbing the congregation. We plan a building that is “green” in all possible ways and that will use local materials and local labor, including volunteers, whenever we can.

What You Can Do

Rebuilding our church is a huge undertaking for all of us and on July 16^th we are breaking ground. We hope to be in our church by next spring. To complete the rebuilding of our church we need to raise the $80,000 that remains.

We need your help and your generosity now. Can you help?

If 100 people/families pledge $266 per year for three years (that’s 73 cents a day), we will have the $80,000 needed to complete this beautiful place of worship. What can you give to support the rebuilding of the West Cummington Congregational Church?

Any and all gifts are deeply appreciated. We offer our heartfelt thanks for helping us continue our work so that we may welcome everyone back to a new home in West Cummington.

Finally, please join us on Sundays at 9:30, now at our temporary home, 27 West Main Street in West Cummington, and soon in the church on the hill.

A time to build, but also a time to tear down

Here are a few shots from this weekend's nail-pulling party! Thanks to all who helped! And thanks to Deb Drumm for the fabulous photos.

Forgoing the Timber Frame

Thank you to all who attended our church-wide meeting on May 1st. The Building Committee is grateful to have had continuous input from the congregation throughout the process of designing the new building, and it was especially heartwarming to have the unanimous support of the congregation for the continuation of the building process.

At the May 1st meeting, the congregation approved the design of the new church, as well as a budget of $800, 000. Doug McNally’s presentation touched on the fact that although Bruce Wood’s original plans called for a timber frame, the Building Committee could not guarantee that a timber frame would indeed be affordable within that budget. He also indicated that cost reduction efforts would continue, and that the ultimate framing decision would rest with the Building Committee.

After careful consideration, the Building Committee has come to the conclusion that the cost of a timber frame cannot be accommodated within the approved budget of $800,000.

Timber frame background

An early decision of the committee was to replicate the exterior appearance of the historic building. Although the project cannot be considered a “restoration,” the Building Committee unanimously agreed to pursue the timber frame option because we felt it would be appropriate to the style of the building.

We also understood and valued the intangible benefits of congregation and community involvement in the process of raising a timber frame. In addition, the results of the survey conducted by the Design Committee indicated that the congregation expressed a preference for timber frame construction.

We realized early in the process that the timber frame option would be more expensive, but expected the savings from donated timber and volunteer labor to substantially offset the cost. At that time, we were working with a $75,000 estimate for a complete timber frame, including all materials and labor.

We selected Kent Hicks to serve as a construction manager, in part because he was willing to work with a timber frame. Bruce Wood endorsed the timber frame concept and made drawings to coordinate the timber frame with other construction details. Subsequently, Jack Sobon was hired to design the frame.

Budget process

During the budget process we were challenged by the Finance Committee to build for $750,000, and furthermore, identify options that could bring the total down to $650,000. Our best attempt resulted in a plan that would cost $800,000, using the less-expensive estimate we’d received for a conventional frame rather than a timber frame. Based upon the completed timber frame design, proposals from two local timber framers ranged from $105,000 to 175,000. Using the lower figure, and assuming that all the timber would be donated still resulted in a $50,000 premium for the timber frame compared with conventional framing.

Subsequent decision

At our May 11 meeting, the committee unanimously concluded that, given the budget constraints (including a relatively small contingency of 4%), the $50,000 premium for the timber frame could not be justified. The committee feels that potential reductions in other budget items, through refined quotes, or in-kind donations should be used to lower the overall project cost or to install a higher-quality roof, rather than to subsidize a timber frame that will not be visible when the construction is complete.

An additional concern of the committee was that the schedule for the construction of the new church could be seriously compromised by uncertainty in the time needed for logging, transporting, and sawing donated timbers.

Conclusion

Every member of the Building Committee was personally in favor of the timber frame option from the beginning of the process. It’s difficult for us to accept that we won’t have the community-building experience of raising the frame together. But because of the cost premium, we felt that it was our fiscal responsibility to eliminate the timber frame option.

Opportunities to participate

The Committee would like to remind the congregation that there will be many other opportunities for people to participate in the building of our new church. There will be site clearing to be done, flooring and wainscoting to install, and clapboards to paint, just to name a few.

If you’re interested in donating your time to the project, please call or email Carleen Madigan: carleen_madigan@hotmail.com or 634-5588.

If you’re interested in serving on the fundraising committee, please contact Wil Hastings: Wil.Hastings@gmail.com or 584-4957.

Thank you for your continued forbearance as we enter this next phase of the construction process!

A New Church

Posted below, you will find a narrative from Bruce Wood, followed by a set of plans for the new church. A set of plans is also on display at the Parish House.

Please take some time to review the plans before May 1st, when the entire congregation will be meeting to vote on them. If you have questions, please post a comment here, or send an email to carleen_madigan@hotmail.com. We strongly encourage you to ask as many questions as possible, so that Bruce can be prepared to address them on May 1st.

Thank you!
The Building Committee

Design Narrative from Bruce Wood

As was noted at the beginning of the process, the reconstruction of the West Cummington Church began with a study of the building which had been lost, placing it in the historical context of the time and the evolution of architectural styles. It also involved a study of the report made by the options committee, and several public meetings at the Parish house, at which alternative were debated and new options defined for study.

The message that came through in these meetings was that the essential qualities of simplicity, light, sound and a sense of remove from daily activities were as important as the physical nature of the building. There was, concurrently, a concern for the nature of the building as part of the village community of buildings.

The essential strategy that was the result was to effectively reproduce the exterior volume of the church as it was, modified to accommodate current requirements, and to reconsider the interior of the building, acknowledging the qualities noted above.

The process of design has tested the importance of many elements in the building, by suggesting alternatives and by removing or changing elements in design studies. This testing has lead to a redefinition of the interior plan to provide a center aisle with side aisles along the windows, while retaining the ‘backward plan’, and the sloped floor.

The defining notion of the organization was to create a greater sense of connection between the congregation and the minister, and to accommodate the forming of a circle as occurs at the end of each service. A defined place for children’s time and accommodation for wedding parties was also made, reflective of changes that have been made in other churches, where front pews have been removed.

The building plan has been altered to incorporate two unisex, handicapped equipped toilets, a rear vestibule, and an interior access to the small basement and the bell tower. Front and rear vestibules will provide for coats on simple pegs.

The ceiling form has been evolved from the original coved form to an oval. An attempt has been made to simplify the sanctuary and the height has been raised based on advice from acoustical consultants.

The design of the dais will thus allow for greater access by continuous steps around its perimeter, and it will be removable to allow for alternative uses, such as music, performance and the accommodation of handicapped persons at the pulpit.

The design of the pews is being studied and will provide a shelf under the seat in front and on the low wall at the front of each row.

The intention of the interior is to create a simple, elegant space, free of excessive detail and representation, with divided lite, operable windows, painted surfaces, minimal mechanical systems, and variable lighting, allowing the building to operate as simply as it appears.

The proposal is to utilize a heavy timber frame, designed and made locally, and to be raised as a celebration of the rebuilding of the church. The enclosure of the building will incorporate significant insulation and will have divided insulated glass windows, thus utilizing minimal energy to maintain and occupy.

A number of steps are being taken to accommodate the constraints of the site, such that the orientation of the building, sitting on the rise of Church road, can remain as it was. These include alteration of the terrain behind the building and the application for a number of variances from applicable codes and bylaws.

The intention is to begin construction of the building in the summer of this year with completion in early 2012. The engagement of local builders, craftsmen and volunteers is anticipated and is being organized by the church, as is an effort to create jobs for individuals in the community.

The process of building began with the basic question of what type of building to build and its relationship to the church lost to fire. It progressed through open ended studies of alternatives and an extensive and open discussion process that extended through the winter of 2010. The drawings illustrate the sum of that process, which involved the input of many members of the congregation who attended building committee meetings to express their ideas.

Current efforts involve the preparation of construction documents for the beginning of work this summer. The site clearing and foundation will begin in early summer, followed by the timber frame in late summer to early fall, followed by enclosure and building systems and finally by interior finishes, fixtures, pews and miscellaneous details.

Information about the construction will be available from building committee members and soon, by direct observation of the building site. The raising of the frame will be the most emphatic manifestation of the raising of the new church.

Plans for a New Church

Nothing to report, really

This post is just to let everyone know that the building committee is continuing to work with Kent Hicks and Bruce Wood, to put together a final building plan and cost estimate to present to the congregation. We hope to have a plan to present very soon!

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 30th at 7pm in the Parish House.

Update from meeting on 2/16

In preparation for presenting the proposal for the new church building, the committee spent much of the meeting on 2/16 finalizing details that will help Kent Hicks, our contractor, prepare his estimate for what it will cost to construct the new building.

Part of this discussion included whether or not the two bathrooms (which will be required for the new building) should incorporate composting toilets. The committee's decision in favor of a tight tank septic system instead of composting toilets was based on the advice we received from Berkshire Engineering, whose report can be read here: http://buildingcommittee.blogspot.com/p/septic-alternatives-for-new-church.html

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 2 at 7pm at the Parish House.

Building Committee meeting on Wednesday

That's this coming Wednesday at 7pm, at the Parish House.
All are welcome.

The view from Berkshire Snow Basin

Thanks to Marc Hoechstedder for this view from the top of the mountain, looking down to West Cummington, showing where our church used to be!

More Pew Configurations

Here are the pew configurations the congregation discussed last Sunday, for those of you who weren't able to attend.

Highlights from the meeting on 1/19

The Building Committee met on January 19th and discussed the feedback we received from the January 9th meeting with the congregation. Much of our meeting was devoted to reviewing our notes from that discussion, gathering impressions from the committee members about different points of view that were brought forward, and determining a path for moving forward with the design. Bruce had spent some time developing new models that incorporate suggestions from the congregation, and after reviewing them, we decided that we should continue the discussion with the congregation on January 23 after church to gather more input before beginning to finalize the design.

We also discussed the front and back boundary issues. Steve is meeting with a land lawyer to begin resolving these issues.

Conrad and Bruce met with the candidates for the general contractor; that selection will be made soon.

Wil Hastings attended the meeting and reported that, after much wrangling, Merrimac (our insurance company) has agreed to pay the church the full value of our policy. Good news! Thanks to everyone who was involved in that process!

Our next meeting will be held on February 2nd at 7pm, location to be determined.

Meeting tonight

Sorry for the late notice! There will be a building committee meeting tonight at the Remington Lodge, at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

Progress update

In preparation for our meeting after church on Sunday, we thought it would be helpful for the congregation to have an update from the building committee on decisions that have been made thus far in the process. These decisions form the base from which Bruce has begun his process of designing our new church, and were made with the feedback from the congregation's survey in mind.

The new church will:
~ be built on the existing site
~ have an exterior appearance that is similar to the old church
~ be timber-framed
~ have a sloped floor and an entrance that faces the congregation
~ have three windows on the east and west sides
~ have a metal roof
~ have radiant floor heat
~ have two bathrooms

Also according to the desires of the congregation, the committee is considering alternative technologies for the new building. At present, we are invesitgating the financial and practical feasibility of geothermal heating systems and composting toilets.

Lisa Westervelt has agreed to manage the paperwork needed for the new church to be LEED certified (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Thank you, Lisa!

Meeting on Sunday after Church

Bruce Wood and the building committee will be holding an open discussion about pew configurations after church this Sunday (the 9th). We hope you'll be able to come, give your input about the direction we're heading, and hear different points of view from your fellow church members. Please scroll down and see the photos below.

Thanks!

Two Pews

Next meeting

The next building committee meeting will be on Wednesday, January 5 at 7pm, at the Parish House. You're welcome to attend!