Date: Fri 05-Jan-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Heritage-Preservation-Meeting

Full Text:

with cut: Many Are Becoming A Part Of Local History By Supporting Preservation

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Is it possible to buy character or fine heritage?

Those who love and value Newtown have been doing just that since when the

Heritage Preservation Trust began "selling" pews and pillars in the Newtown

Meeting House.

"It's a way to raise money for renovations - that's an ongoing process," said

Don Studley, who has been president of the trust since its inception in 1988.

Initially the group raised $120,000 to pay for exterior renovations and some

minor interior work. Most of the $30,000 subsequently raised has been put

toward making a handicapped-accessible kitchen and bathroom in the basement,

recarpeting downstairs, and installing a handicapped walkway and entrance

outside.

Funds are also needed for daily maintenance. "As we raise the money, we pursue

another project," said Mr Studley.

Formerly the Newtown Congregational Church, the building was donated to the

town in 1988 when the congregation moved to its new facility on Castle Hill

Road. The building had been in continuous use since 1810, but the possibility

of continued public use was threatened because it did not conform to new state

building codes. Town officials were unable to commit the funds needed to

upgrade and maintain the meeting house, so the Rotary Club of Newtown agreed

to set up the trust and its fundraising aspect.

"The town actually owns the building, but the Heritage Preservation Trust

signed a 50-year lease and agreed to maintain it," said Mr Studley, who was

one of the first to buy a pew for his family. "We envisioned [the purchase of

pews and pillars] as a memorial that people might be interested in."

The tasteful brass plaques at the end of each pew identify ownership and offer

a glimpse of living history - what and who current residents care for most.

The plate on the Newtown Savings Bank pillar reads, "Dedicated to the

preservation of the charm of a New England Village."

Charlotte Hamilton, a longtime resident in this "town full of a million

different kindnesses," said she wanted to help preserve the building so it

would continue to be here for other citizens.

"My husband and I met at Fairfield Hills Hospital during the war, and decided

there was no better place to live than Newtown," said Mrs Hamilton. "We lived

here for 50 years. The town's changed, but we've all changed...When [Francis]

died I wanted to make sure there was a little remembrance of him in Newtown,

so I bought a pew...[As] Quakers we don't have cemeteries."

The Meeting House is now a public building used by the Garden Club, SCAN, and

other community and governmental groups at no cost unless they charge

admission for an event. The facility is rented out for weddings and funerals;

and the Community Presbyterian Church congregation rents the building for

Sunday worship and weekly Bible study.

"How could we let this go when the symbol of Newtown - [the rooster

weathervane] - rests on top of the building," said Mrs Hamilton. "People

should get down on bended knees with anyone who's trying to save it for them."

When Dr Philip and Margareta Kotch first came to Newtown, they drove up Main

Street and were immediately taken with the Meeting House. "That's why we

wanted to help preserve it," said Mrs Kotch. The couple bought a pew for

themselves and children Ingrid and Eric. "We wanted them to be part of it

because this is where they grew up and went to schools - this is their

community."

Dorothy Strasburger purchased a pew for her parents, Mr and Mrs Walter

Schneider. "It's a nice idea because it's permanent and I think it's a fitting

memorial to anyone you want to honor," she said. "I went to church there for a

lot of years, particularly under Paul Cullens... I think it's wonderful. It's

charming, New England inside and outside... But you can only get 175 people in

there because the balconies aren't open."

That is the next project the trust would like to address. "We'd like to open

up the balconies, which we can't use at the present time because of the fire

safety issues - we need additional stairwells," said Mr Studley. "And we would

like to make the upstairs handicapped accessible."

Preservation of the historic building is a good investment for the future of

the town, according to William Meyer who purchased a pew for his family.

Newtown has been home to him for 28 years and now his grown children and young

grandchildren live here. "I think it's important that we keep the character of

the center of town as it is - that we keep it's flavor," he said. "Everybody

likes the center of town and wants to preserve it. That's where the value is,

whether you live in the Borough, or Botsford, or Dodgingtown, or anyplace else

in town."

The names that grace other pews and pillars are Mr and Mrs Al Nichols, Andrew

Sedor, Smith-Scudder Family, Nelson and Sylvea Curtis, Mary Davenport Easton

Kellogg, Josephine Holcomb, Harvey and Calla Sellner, Reverend Paul A.

Cullens, The James M. Osborne Family, The Weatherup Family, Borough of

Newtown, Newtown Junior Women's Club, The Newtown Bee, Taunton Press, Newtown

Lion's Club, Connecticut Coal Inc, Jules and Doris Stein Foundation, James F.

White Memorial, Newtown Women's Club, and other individuals and organizations.

"To me, it's a wonderful gift to honor somebody like that... particularly if

they have lived in town for many years and really feel a bond for it," said

Mrs Kotch. "It's a wonderful thing to have."

The cost of a pew is $1,000; a pillar is $5,000.

Anyone interested in buying a pew or pillar, or making a contribution to the

Heritage Preservation Trust may contact Don Studley at 426-3651, or write PO

Box 3082, Newtown 06470.