Rebuild
Questions about the building or site? Reach out to Bob Vincent, Mike Jenkins, or Christian Wolfe.
Questions about finances or insurance? Reach out to Bruce Barlow, Lisa Kellermann, or Deb Torcellini.
Questions about fundraising? Reach out to Sue Leavitt or Deb Torcellini.
The $300k official fundraising campaign began April 1, 2025.
If you wish to donate to the rebuild on Sundays, place cash/check in an envelope with your name and “rebuild” written on the outside and place it in the offering box. If you wish to give online, >click here< and choose “Rebuild” fund.
October 2025: Ongoing framing. Trusses installed. Roof sheathing and underlayment installed. Shingles installed.
Sharpie Sunday – October 5: Congregants wrote Bible verses and prayers on the slab of our new foundation! Our intention is to have the Word of God provide encouragement and touch the hearts of the workers who will labor at the site in the coming months. In other church building projects, workers have come to the Lord and even been baptized at work sites.
September 2025: Foundation slab was poured. Framing began.
August 2025: Footings installed. Lumber package arrived by late August. A company from Maryland will be doing the framing, roofing, sheetrock, etc. Their bid was 30% lower than those of local contractors. It is a ministry – they only build churches now. As of August 31, 2025, the total amount given toward the $300k fundraising need is $55,332.67.
The Congregational Church of Eastford held a Stone Placing Ceremony on August 10, 2025.
July 2025: Preparation of the area for the building slab to be completed. The fill has been tested and is suitable for reuse. When the volume of available topsoil is determined, some will be transported to the former church site. Phase 2 of the 3 phases of site work is in process (Phase 1 was drainage. Phase 2 is cut and fill.). As of July 31, 2025, the total amount given toward the $300k fundraising need is $50,079.90.
June 2025: The building permit was officially received and a driveway is constructed. Nearly all the trees slated to be cut down are gone. As of June 30, 2025, the total amount given toward the $300k fundraising need is $39,405.87.
The Congregational Church of Eastford held a Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 1, 2025.
June 1, 2025: The Congregational Church of Eastford’s Groundbreaking Ceremony at 54 John Perry Road, Eastford was held after our worship service. A “Prayer Wagon” and golf carts were used as transportation to the site and many walked from the school to the site. The Groundbreaking Ceremony began around noon. Pastor Mike reminded the congregation of a verse the Lord impressed on him for the new year in 2016 (Isaiah 54:2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.“) and offered that this new site offers plenty of room for current and future generations. Prayers were offered from 6 generations (Silent Generation through Alpha Generation) and all joined in songs of praise. Eric Payer, project manager from Church Development Services, led the groundbreaking portion of the ceremony. Associate Pastor Evan Burgess closed the service in prayer.
May 2025: We offered the following program overview in small group settings to allow for conversation.
May 2025 Program Overview Update
May 2025: Stones to be placed in the footings of the new church
“Our hope is built on nothing less!” Our project manager explains the significance of having our congregation participate in a stone placing celebration in the video below from May 11, 2025 which is when we received our stones. We placed stones in the footings of the new church building on August 10, 2025.
Preview of our new church building from Church Development Services!
Steering vision for the building
- Space for worship, fellowship, teaching, discipleship, and administration.
- Space for hosting the community, kids, young families, adults, and seniors.
- Space freely offered as our gift to the community, given with consideration of what blesses them richly.
- Multi-generational space, with special emphasis on young families and children/youth.
- A building that widens the welcome for those being drawn to the narrow door.
- Every space serves a Gospel/Kingdom purpose.
- Every space used well, and every space well used.
- Provision for growth both in size of the congregation and for future new ministries.
- Modest and simple architecture
- Traditional exterior (fits the town), with useful, modern interior (fits the present and into the future).
- Flexible space, adaptable to changing ministry needs and approaches, versatile for the future.
- Ample storage to minimize clutter.
- Ample outdoor space for parking, children’s play, and outdoor fellowship.
- Incur no debt.
The Congregational Church of Eastford will be relocating.
May 22, 2024: The Congregational Church of Eastford’s membership voted overwhelmingly to relocate to a new site as they rebuild following the loss of their building last year to fire. The new site is on John Perry Road. The decision was driven both by our vision to bless our community and by our expectation of future growth. The new location provides abundant space both indoors and out for a new building for worship, programs for children and adults, space to host community events, and future growth potential. The beautiful old building served the church and Eastford for nearly 200 years, and we will all miss it. While the old hilltop location on Church Road was beautiful, the space was too small. On a new site and in a new building we intend to provide for another century or two of blessings. It is hoped that the new building will be ready by late 2026.
Rebuilding Committees and Teams
Steering Committee appointed by Church Council on June 14, 2023.
- Bruce Barlow, Pastor Mike Moran, Deb Torcellini, Sarah Wolfe
Building Executive Leader appointed by Church Council on July 12, 2023.
- Bob Vincent
Rebuild Team Leaders approved at Special Congregational Meeting on August 13, 2023.
- Prayer Team: Lory Kneeland
- Objectives Committee (Assignment completed): Allison Gormley
- Building Planning Committee: Mike Jenkins (John Buell stepped down Jan 2024)
- Building Construction Committee: Mike Jenkins
- Insurance/Demo: Bruce Barlow
Rebuild Team Leader approved at Special Congregational Meeting on November 26, 2023.
- Fundraising: Sue Leavitt
Some Rebuild Teams have been populated (see current members below). Rebuild Team Leaders populate their teams based on where they are in their process, so members may change as they finish some work and add new tasks. Church Council is informed of Team member appointments.
- Building Planning Team: Mike Jenkins (Leader beginning 1/30/24), Christian Wolfe
- Fundraising Team: Sue Leavitt (Leader), Jen Barlow, Jonathan Budd, John Buell, Dot Cote, Nancy Ethier, Casey Jolin, John Leavitt, Mallory Selfridge, Bonnie Souvigney
- Insurance/Demo: Bruce Barlow (Leader), Lisa Kellermann – Fire Fund Administrator
We thank past participants in our rebuilding process:
- Building Planning Team: John Buell (Leader), Kathy Jean Barlow, Brian Kellermann, Randy Berriault, Richard Warren
- Objectives Team: Allison Gormley (Leader), Keri Buell, Sarah Wolfe