Architect's rendering of new church

ROCK TAVERN – Members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern broke ground Saturday to being construction on a new meeting house after the previous one burned down in September 2006.The new meeting house is to be built on the same site as the old one and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

To Rev. Jim Bridges this rebuilding is a culmination of two and a half years of anticipation.

The mortgage is just about complete with construction set to begin in mid-June and completion by December. “We’ll have a new Christmas present, a new building,” he said.

Bridges has been reverend of the congregation since before the fire and remembers when he first found out the facility had been destroyed. “When I got here it was just smoke and I watched the whole building burn down.”

Rev. Bridges said that although this fire was devastating it was also a blessing. “It has been transformational for the congregation; we’ve grown, we’ve come close to doubling our membership, and people are really activated by this whole thing.”

As a member of the congregation for over 50 years, Newburgh resident Verne Bell agrees with Rev. Bridges. “The congregation is stronger, I think, now that it ever has been in the years I’ve been with it. I think we have a more vibrant and active group of people than ever, so I’m very optimistic.”

According to Building Committee Chairwoman Athena Drewes, the environmentally friendly design by Rick Alfandre and his team of architects will be built primarily using money procured through insurance on the fire as well as donations from congregation members nationwide. “It is an effort of many, many people, a whole community, a whole congregation, and a whole nation of people that were supporting us.”

Church President Mike Landrum said he feels a “welcoming feeling” at the site where the congregation meets and as far as the new meeting house is concerned he, “just wants people to know that we’re here and that we’re available to them.” Landrum said he hopes his congregation will be a “resource” for the people of the surrounding region.