Saving a Part of Lyndon

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Created on Friday, 14 September 2012 12:50

Written by Michael Howard

LYNDON - A part of Lyndon has come back down after some much needed work.

The Lyndon Congregational Church has been in Lyndon for over 180 years, making it a part of Lyndon's past. Norm Messier was in charge of fixing the church after a leaky roof and holes in the floorboards started to show.

"I've been doing this for 40 years" Messier said, "I've never missed a deadline."

Workers had to lift the church over 9 feet in the air to lay out a new basement and attach steel beams under the church to keep it from falling apart. Also on the agenda for this year is to install plumbing, heating and replace the electrical system.

After members of the church saw what was happening to the building in 2009, they sent flyers to the community, asking if anything could be done to save the church. Jim Gallager stepped up to the plate and created the Upright Steeple Society. Gallager said the amount of people who wanted to help was tremendous "we've had a lot of help from individual people and a lot of help from business and non-profit foundations." The group was able to raise over 290,000 dollars.

Lynn Wikle used to go to the church when she was a child and says looking at the church brings back so many memories. "I remember having to go to Easter services wearing my coat on Easter Sunday over my pretty little dress."

Once the church is back in place and plumbing and heating are installed, the group plans to rename the church to the York Street Community House and hold community gatherings year round.