First Worship Service in the New Building on December 15, 2019

On November 6, 2017, a fire engulfed and destroyed our 190-year-old brick Canaan Congregational Church building beyond repair. But we’ve been busy, holding worship services at the Canaan Firehouse on Route 295 just east of the church and spearheading all the necessary steps in erecting a new church home. The congregation’s exile is now over, and on December 15, Canaan Congregational Church welcomes congregants and friends to celebrate worship services in our new church building, erected on the footprint of the old structure.

Join us on December 15 at 10 a.m. with coffee hour to follow

Designed by Ann Vivian AIA of Guillot, Vivian, Viehmann Architects (GVV) of Burlington, Vermont, the new building is energy efficient, low maintenance, and fully handicapped accessible, with room for socializing and worship services. Working with Vivian and the church’s building committee, Tim Schroder of Enginuity Engineering and Design of Chatham, New York, oversaw the entire process from demolition through completion of the new facility’s construction.

front of the new church with red doors on a wooden and metal panel background. a small wooden cross is in the gable end and snow shows that the move in day is in winter — Moving in to the new church building

Pastor Charlie Close says, “We now have a flexible, welcoming space that can be used for worship, meetings, and community events. We were able to salvage a few items from the fire, and owing to the fine woodworking skills of some of our members, we have door handles and a desk made from the wood of the old pews. By honoring our past, we can move faithfully and intentionally into a new chapter.”

front entrance room of the new church with slate tiles and carpeting and lots of light coming through the french door type windows — The first walk through on December 8, 2019

With an official certificate of occupancy on hand and a small punch list of items remaining to be tackled, the church is ready to welcome members and friends to worship on December 15 at 10 a.m. with coffee hour to follow, after which regular worship services will be held in the new building on Sundays at 10 a.m.

interior of the sanctuary at the Canaan Congregational Church showing the Celtic cross influenced window — Our sanctuary is nearly ready

The Canaan Congregation is full of gratitude for the warm welcome by St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, in Spencertown, New York, for the past two Christmas Eves, but is excited to celebrate in our new home this coming Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 at 5 p.m., with familiar Christmas readings, interspersed with traditional carols and special music by the choir.

Join us Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 at 5 p.m. for a family friendly celebration!