SVA worked very closely with the First Congregational Church in Thetford for almost five years, to help them realize their goal of being "open to all." Our work started when the Congregation received a matching grant from the Preservation Trust of Vermont to study options for making the building accessible. Ultimately, we designed an addition that provided handicap access and an accessible bathroom for the Sanctuary, Vestry and Maple Leaf Day Care. The addition also provided two much-needed offices, and improved overall fire-safety and egress. The existing Vestry was redesigned to provide updated spaces for ancillary parish purposes. Over several years we explored a number of scenarios for adding sensitively to this prominent building on Thetford Hill. We worked extensively with the congregation and building committee to address the delicate balance of providing for current and future needs, while working within the financial resources of the congregation, and maintaining the integrity of the Thetford Hill Historic District.

Project completed Fall 2004

General Contractor: Ingram Construction, NH