Church to close doors for winter
Services to move to senior center
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By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff - Published: December 30, 2008
The high price of heating fuel and tough economy will close the doors at the United Baptist Church in East Poultney for the winter, but when one door closes — another always opens.
From the first Sunday in January through the end of March, Sunday church services will be held at the Young at Heart Senior Center on Furnace Street to save the church the costs of heating the 203-year-old Meeting House on the Green.
Because of the church's old structure and the difficult economy, congregant Marlene Isherwood said the church membership voted in September to relocate church services starting Jan. 4.
"Unfortunately the congregation has dwindled recently … and we just can't afford to heat it this winter," Isherwood said.
Moving into the newer downtown senior center for a very small cost over three months will allow them to shut down the Meeting House with the heat off for three months, saving money. Isherwood said antifreeze will be put in the pipes so they don't burst.
Isherwood said the date services would be moved back to East Poultney isn't set yet, although Easter service, on the second Sunday in April, will definitely be held at the church.
Generally from 20 to 30 people attend Sunday service at the church, and Isherwood said there is plenty of room in the senior center for the church membership.
"It's very cozy and it's handicap accessible and there's lots of parking," Isherwood said, although it will take some getting used to, she added.
"This is an experiment of faith, it's a challenge and it's going to take some open minds and open hearts," she said. "Church can be anywhere, from out in the woods to a shopping center to the senior center in Poultney — we're still a family."
If the transition is smooth and the congregation finds the alternative location works well, Isherwood said, it could become a traditional move, although she said it's too early to make any long-term decisions.
The move has caused some confusion about the church's future around town, Isherwood said.
"I wanted to clear up the fact that they aren't closing, just temporarily changing locations," she said.
The first Sunday of each month (Jan. 4, Feb. 1 and March 1), services will begin at 11 a.m. at the Young at Heart Senior Center. The remaining 10 Sunday services will begin on the usual 10 a.m. schedule.
And although Isherwood said the congregation is welcoming the move, it's also waiting for spring to arrive.
"We are looking forward to going back to our building in the spring, but in the meantime this is a cozy option," she said.
Contact Dawson Raspuzzi at dawson.raspuzzi@rutlandherald.com.
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