[This article originally appeared in Grace Presbyterian Church’s annual report for 2023.]
On August 15, 2023, a fire broke out in the basement of Grace Presbyterian Church. It quickly spread, first to the offices, then to the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Along the way it destroyed the offices, the chancel, and the pipe organ. The structural supports and the roof in parts of the sanctuary and fellowship hall were heavily damaged, and the parts of the roof collapsed. Thanks be to God, no one was in the building at the time. Several firefighters received non-life-threatening injuries from which they have since recovered.
That very day we began to receive condolences and offers of support from members of the community, from houses of worship in the area, from the Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey, and from the Township of Montclair. Monetary donations began to arrive, and donations of office equipment and furniture also arrived so that Pastor Robin Miller Currás and Church Administrator Alison Hurlock could set up offices in the Manse.
Leaders of the congregation came together to arrange for worship space, and there was not a single Sunday when we did not gather for worship, first under tents on our own property, with the smell of smoke still heavy in the air, and later in space borrowed from Union Congregational Church (UCC) in Upper Montclair. Again, thanks be to God and to the staff and congregants of UCC.
We needed to form a committee to deal with insurance claims and to begin the process of cleanup, restoration, and rebuilding. We are grateful beyond words for the skill and heroic, tireless efforts of Dustin Kennedy, Anthony Argibay, Sam Moultrhop, Denarra Simmons, Alison Hurlock, and Pastor Robin Miller Currás. They have dealt with numerous contractors, attorneys, and insurance agents. They have conducted an inventory of the contents of the building. They have assessed the feasibility of restoration and rebuilding. They have begun to draw plans that include upgrades to the structure and functionality of our buildings.
In the winter and spring of 2024 the committee is receiving input from the congregation and ministry teams and committees on how to rebuild in a way that enables Grace to live into its mission: “Connecting with people through Christ to serve the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.” The committee will then work with the Session to formulate specific plans and budgets for rebuilding and for a capital campaign.
Please continue to pray for the Rebuilding Committee members and for the church leadership, in particular the Session, as we continue the processes of discernment and planning for the restoration of our building.