New England is full of historic church buildings, but 103 Main Street has a quirky, unexpected grace and grandeur, which seems a perfect reflection of Falls Village itself. Last winter, the Falls Village Children's Theater (FVCT) rallied residents to raise $150,000 to purchase the one-time Methodist Episcopal Church (later Emerson's Booksellers), because they wanted to save this architectural gem. 
Alas, the elegant shingled structure is showing its age, and the 106-year-old building will require extensive renovations before it can reopen as the Falls Village Community and Cultural Center (FVCCC), which will become a venue for art exhibitions, lectures, dances, concerts, classes, meetings and parties. The first priority is a new roof to preserve the historic interior, which includes original woodwork, chandeliers and stunning stained glass windows. (The roof is 
estimated to cost $50,000.) The FVCT has been awarded a $20,000 matching grant from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, which means it must raise $20,000 from the community before it receives the grant. If you have never been inside 103 Main Street, it may be difficult to imagine just how awesome the building is. If you would like a tour, please email me or call me at 860.824.5582 and I'll show you the haunting interior. You'll see that this magical building has unlimited potential not only as a community and cultural center but also as a catalyst for a Main Street revival. (The interior pictures here were taken by Lakeville's John Gruen.) If you would like to help the FVCCC gets its matching grant as soon as possible, you can send tax deductible donations to the "FVCT Fund" at 25 Deer Road, Falls Village, CT 06031. FVCT is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit corporation. For more information, call 860.824.4303
Sunday, September 9, 2007
A New Life for a Landmark
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2 comments:
I am happy that the old Methodist Church will be saved, but also sad that it will never be used as a church again. In it's day as a church it was a real beauty, not only physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. It was an anchor for many people in Falls Village, myself included. It was the center of our lives. It once pulsed with the sound of organ music and the singing of two choirs and a congregation. It was the scene of Christmas pagents and pot luck suppers. We would gather there before going Christmas caroling in the village. We would meet there afterwards for hot cocoa. Breakfast would be served in the social hall after the Easter Sunrise Service. Halloween parties and New Year's parties were held in the basement for the youth. Homemade root beer was made and stored in the basement. The home made root beer also exploded in the basement. It was a happy and vibrant place full of laughter and love. It has been silent for too long. It will be good to see it come to life again.
Good News!
Denise Cohn, the driving force behind the Falls Village Community and Cultural Center, reports: "Total donations are now up to $17, 250 toward the matching grant. $2750 more and we have met it. Getting a new roof this year? ITS POSSIBLE!"
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