First Baptist Church of South Londonderry would like to share with great excitement that they have begun holding worship services in their new building at 62 Crescent Street in South Londonderry. They have been rebuilding after their previous building was destroyed by a fire in August of 2010. Their first worship service was on January 21st, 2018.
With the help of a matching gift donation, they were able to complete the main floor of the building, including the sanctuary, church office, and a meeting room. They continue work on the lower and upper floors and hope to complete them within the next year. They are grateful for all of the support they have received over the years as they have worked towards rebuilding. First Baptist Church will be holding a celebration on May 19th. Details on the event will be shared as the date gets closer. Worship services at First Baptist Church of South Londonderry are at 10:00am on Sunday mornings at 62 Crescent Street in South Londonderry. For more information, take a look at their website: firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or call 802-856-7266.
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First Baptist Church of South Londonderry has been rebuilding after their previous building was destroyed by a fire in August of 2010. With the help of a matching gift donation, they are making the final push to finish the building project and start using the building. When the members of the church prepared to rebuild, they wanted to have a building that they could share with the community. What they did not realize was that it would take a community to rebuild the church building. Over the last seven years, many people, organizations, and companies have volunteered time and materials to make the building a reality.
The first two years were mostly spent in determining how to move forward, dealing with their insurance company, cleaning up the site, finding a place to meet, and making plans for a new building. They want to thank the Town of Londonderry for providing a space to meet, as well as Daniel Pratt of Robert Carl Williams Associates for getting involved early on in helping with their insurance claim and going on to design the whole church building. The next two years were spent on purchasing the adjoining property. This land was needed for a new driveway, to meet setback requirements, for added parking spaces, for drainage, and to get their final permits approved by the Town and State. They acquired the land in the summer of 2013. That fall the land was cleared, the house was taken down, and the hill (over 6,500 yards of fill) was removed. At this time they want to give credit to a few people and companies that not only made this possible, but have continued helping with untold amounts of donated work and materials to make building our church a reality. First and foremost, Raymond Smith Excavating tore down the house, put in the driveway, built the retaining walls, dug the foundation, dug the drainage, donated materials, and trucked materials out. Scott Howe of Big Rock Gravel removed the fill, as well as donated stone and surpac. Cobb Lumber cleared trees, did site work, as well as donated large stones, gravel, and top soil. And finally Jeremy Brodney of Brodney Enterprises did all of the engineering and surveying for the church building as well as the layout for the water storage tanks, drainage, and handicap access to the building. First Baptist Church is thankful for everyone who helped in the beginning stages of building. Bids for construction of the building went out in the spring of 2014. First Baptist Church awarded the contract to Russell Construction Services of Rutland on June 15th, with work starting immediately. They want to thank John Russell for saving them tens of thousands of dollars in value engineering, for their guidance, and for their quality of construction. First Baptist Church knew that they didn’t have all of the money needed to complete the project, but they decided to move forward completing what they could afford. Russell Construction completed the whole exterior of the building and framing of the interior. Their work was completed by October of 2015, though Russell Construction has continued to make themselves available for advice. During the construction of the exterior, Doug Friant of Vermont Timber Works provided the timber frame entrance and interior timbers way below cost. Doug even delivered the timbers, supervised, and assisted us in putting them up. The First Baptist Church then took on the task of completing the building without a general contractor, using as much volunteer labor and materials as possible and fundraising for the rest of the money needed. By finishing the building on their own, their goal was to be the best stewards of the funds they had left and the funds they were to raise. The church took breaks over the winter months of 2015 and 2016, since the building was not heated. In the spring of 2016, Dustin Washburn of Southern Vermont Sprinkler Services was hired to put in the required sprinkler system. Frost Well Drilling put in the pump, expansion tank, and water softener. At this time, they hired Gary Barton and Taylor Barton of Barton Electric to do the electrical work, and they too have saved the church thousands of dollars and is working with Efficiency Vermont to get rebates. A lot of volunteer labor was used in the summer of 2016 including organizations and churches outside of the local community. SERVE, a group of youth and adults who come every summer from Hope Community Church in King of Prussia, PA, has done lots of projects over the years including painting, installing a deck, doing cleanup, and working on landscaping. Another group of men from Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, KY came and closed in their porch ceilings, built a deck and stairs, and installed interior timber frame. First Baptist Church is thankful for all of their hard work. By the fall of 2016 fundraising efforts and grants came together, and they had the funds to move forward. They awarded the plumbing and heating contract to M&M Plumbing & Heating. They also came in and saved the church thousands of dollars in value engineering. They got the boilers in and working in December, and they had radiant heat in the basement floor for the winter. Jeff Duda of Blue Flame Gas donated his labor in hooking up propane lines in the building. Jerrid Smith and Dale Griswald installed the propane tank and lines at no cost. They hired Builders Installed Products to insulate the building, Green Mountain Drywall to do the sheet rocking, Bennington House of Tile and Carpet to help out with some of the flooring, Tile Slate Marble to tile the flooring in the entryways, and First Line Security to install their fire alarm system. They also hired Forbes Construction to do the window trim on their stained glass windows and chair rails. Many of these companies have given discounts, and the church is grateful. Mark Wright, of Rugg Valley Landscaping, installed the plantings outside of their building. He donated 15 evergreen plants and 15 lilac shrubs, as well as all the work and supplies including compost, grass, and mulch. Barry Pearson Jr. of Shine Hill Painting helped out by painting the sanctuary at no cost. Payne Junker repaired their weathervane at a reduced cost. Others who have helped include David Stevens, Michel La Liberté, Wayne Blackey, Bruce Thomas, and Mark Miller. They would also like to give a special thanks to Larry Prouty who has been working at a reduced cost by using his carpenter skills to get the building finished. They also want to thank church members and friends of the church for all of the work that they have done this past summer and fall. Every Saturday morning, as well as other times throughout the week, many people have been working on projects. While there is not enough space and time to mention the names of all who have helped us out with advise, labor and materials, First Baptist Church appreciates all the time and effort that they have put into the building. First Baptist Church is hoping to start using the building for services in the very near future. They would like to thank everyone who has put the time and effort into making this building possible. First Baptist Church could not have rebuilt without the donations from those in the community and beyond, and they will print at a later date a list of those who have donated money. First Baptist Church is nearing the end of raising funds for their building for the added expense of meeting current commercial building codes. Donations towards the rebuilding project can be made online at their website below or mailed to First Baptist Church (PO Box 278 South Londonderry, VT 05155) with “building fund” in the memo. For more information about the building including a video tour, take a look at their website: firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or call 802-856-7266. As we have been continuing to rebuild after our previous building was destroyed by fire in 2010, we are excited to announce that First Baptist Church has been given a matching gift donation of $100,000 for our rebuilding project. The donor will match the first $50,000 with 2 for 1 matching, which means for every dollar the church raises we will receive another two dollars. The donor will match the second $50,000 with 1 for 1 matching, which means for every dollar the church raises we will receive another dollar. First Baptist Church has already received an anonymous $10,000 donation to kick it off. If we raise the entire amount, we will be able to move in and use the whole building!
In order to be cost effective, First Baptist Church is now working directly with volunteers and construction workers to complete the rebuilding project. We are continuing to raise funds for the added expense of meeting current commercial building codes. Donations towards the rebuilding project can be made online at gofundme.com/vt-church-rebuilds-after-fire or mailed to First Baptist Church (PO Box 278 South Londonderry, VT 05155) with “building fund” in the memo. For more information about the building, volunteering opportunities, and fundraising efforts take a look at their website firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or call 802-856-7266. First Baptist Church of South Londonderry will be holding a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on December 24th at 6:00pm. The church currently meets at the Londonderry Town Hall, which is located at 139 Middletown Road in South Londonderry. This family friendly service will include singing Christmas carols, reading about Jesus’ birth, and listening to a meditation. At the end of the service, they have the tradition of sharing the light of Christ by giving candles out and sharing the flame with one another. All are welcome to join in on this most special service. Call 802-856-7266 for more information.
Nordic Harmony will be singing at a benefit concert for First Baptist Church of South Londonderry’s new building on November 13th at 4pm. The concert will be at the Londonderry Town Hall (139 Middletown Road in South Londonderry), and they will be taking donations for the church’s rebuilding efforts. Nordic Harmoni is the only Swedish singing group in Vermont, and they belong to AUSS American Union of Swedish Singers, which has groups all around the USA. Their local group is headed by Carl Eric Westberg, who is also their president, and their director is Ken Olsson. They sing a mix of Swedish and American songs. First Baptist Church of South Londonderry is currently rebuilding after their previous building was destroyed by a fire in 2010. They have completed the exterior and now are working on the heating and plumbing systems. For more information about the building, volunteering opportunities, and fundraising efforts take a look at their website firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or call 802-856-7266.
A private family foundation awarded First Baptist Church of South Londonderry a matching grant for their sprinkler system in February. The church is continuing to rebuild after their previous building was destroyed by fire in 2010. For every $1 the church raised, the foundation would give the church $2 until the cost of the sprinkler system, which is approximately $80,000, was raised. While First Baptist Church had already raised $10,000 when they found out that they would be receiving the grant, it took less than one month to cover 1/3 of the cost that they needed in order to receive the grant. First Baptist Church has already started talking with the company who will be installing the system, and the company will most likely begin their work in the next few weeks!
First Baptist Church would like to thank the community for all their help in getting this matching grant funded so quickly. Any of the donations that exceed what is needed for the sprinkler system will be used for their heating and plumbing, which is their next step in rebuilding. It’s been a long journey, but funding this part of the building is a major step forward in reaching their goal of being able to worship in the new building. In order to be cost effective, First Baptist Church is now working directly with volunteers and construction workers to complete the the building project. They are continuing to raise funds for the added expense of meeting current commercial building codes including the sprinkler system. Donations towards the sprinkler system can be made online at firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or mailed to First Baptist Church (PO Box 278 South Londonderry, VT 05155). For more information about the building, volunteering opportunities, and fundraising efforts take a look at their website firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or call 802-856-7266. As First Baptist Church of South Londonderry has been continuing to rebuild after their previous building was destroyed by fire in 2010, they are excited to announce that they have been awarded with a matching grant for their new sprinkler system. For every dollar they raise a private family foundation will give them two dollars up to the cost of the sprinkler system, which will be approximately $80,000. This grant will allow the church to be able to get closer to their goal of moving into the building.
In order to be cost effective, First Baptist Church is now working directly with volunteers and construction workers to complete the the building project. They are continuing to raise funds for the added expense of meeting current commercial building codes including the sprinkler system. Donations towards the sprinkler system can be made online at gofundme.com/helprebuildfbc or mailed to First Baptist Church (PO Box 278 South Londonderry, VT 05155). For more information about the building, volunteering opportunities, and fundraising efforts take a look at their website firstbaptistlondonderryvt.org or call 802-856-7266. The community is invited to attend the sixth annual Haunted Firehouse at the South Londonderry Fire Station (60 Main Street) on Saturday, October 31st. This year will also include trunk-or-treating next to the fire station sponsored by the First Baptist Church of South Londonderry. The firehouse will be open starting at 5:00pm on Halloween night for kids and adults alike. There will be free food and drinks, while they last, as well as opportunities to tour the fire station and gather around the campfire. Kids of all ages are welcomed to walk through the haunted portion of the firehouse.
For adults who like to have trick-or-treaters but live on one of the many rural roads that is not frequented by trick-or-treaters this is an opportunity to treat lots of kids, only from car trunks instead of from front doors. Members of the community are invited to park their cars next to the firehouse and set up at 4:45pm, open their trunks, and hand out treats to children, starting at 5:00pm. Dressing up and decorating trunks or around the car is fun but not mandatory. Kids will be able to trunk-or-treat, walking from vehicle to vehicle (instead of house to house) to gather candy. Main Street will be closed during the event, but people can park either at the Library and Town Office Building or at First Baptist Church’s parking lot. For questions, contact Chris Blackey at 802-856-7266. Everyone is invited to come join the fun evening! First Baptist Church of South Londonderry is hosting a Work Bee on October 24th starting at 8:00am at their building site, which is on 62 Crescent Street in South Londonderry. Everyone in the community is invited to help them with site work on that day. It would be helpful for those coming to bring shovels, wheelbarrows, and garden rakes. This event is weather permitting. The church is currently rebuilding after their previous building was destroyed by a fire in 2010.
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