`Rejuvenated’ First Congregational Church of Spencer plans to rebuild

Last June’s fire at the First Congregational Church of Spencer, although devastating, gave members a  more focused commitment to its mission as well as renewed energy, according to Rev. Bruce MacLeod, interim pastor.

“As hard as it is to lose a church building, in some ways, it sets (people) free from its confines,” Rev. MacLeod said. “There’s a new sense of purpose, of calling and a goal of renewal.”

The Spencer church dates to 1743, although the latest structure was built in 1863 after a fire destroyed it the previous year. Following expansion and a merger in 1968, it was called the United Church of Christ, joining the Congregational with Evangelical and Reformed Churches.

Two days following the 2023 fire, Rev. MacLeod threw out his prepared sermon that Sunday and acknowledged and affirmed the loss everyone was feeling. He also spread the message that God did not create the fire, but would be “there to pick up the pieces and help us decide what to do next.”

Members of an ad hoc committee have been  meeting two or three times per month since last summer to map out plans. They hired architect Amanda Normandin of A. Normandin Design in Sturbridge and are working on getting the site surveyed and evaluated, according to the pastor.

He predicts it will take six months to get things ready with construction likely to begin in early 2025.

Rev. MacLeod noted the new church will be smaller, on one floor and have flexible use space. “We spoke with the architect about wanting to give a nod to the past and look like a New England church building, but not nearly as big,” he said.

Other changes include moveable chairs instead of pews, the absence of a pipe organ (”there will be another organ or piano of some sort,”) and more energy efficiency. There will not be a dedicated worship space.

Rev. MacLeod said the space could be used for worship, concerts and “anything appropriate,” and designed to help the community fulfill its mission “in this day and age.”

What will remain is an area for the economy shop, a second-hand store with mostly clothing but also other gently used items for sale inexpensively. The shop started several decades ago to raise funds for a new organ and continued until last year’s fire.

It will be back.

“Part of the question was `will it be part of our mission or not?’ The answer was, yes, it really was important and we want to get that going again,” Rev. MacLeod said.

The pastor said that although insurance will cover a fair amount of the cost for a new church, it will not pay for everything. Donations have been put aside in a designated account and he anticipates fundraisers and grants will help with the balance.

Rev. MacLeod was hired four months prior to the fire to serve as minister for both the Spencer Church at 207 Main Street and the smaller, First Congregational Church in Leicester at 1 Washburn Square. Initially, services alternated week to week between the two buildings.

After the fire struck, the Leicester church “opened its arms and welcomed the Spencer community.”

“They are a congregation in some ways, sharing and doing things together,” the pastor said. “It has been a blessing and benefit, with both congregations there.”

He estimated that between the two churches, there are a couple hundred members, with 30 to 35 people attending on Sunday mornings.

As they rebuild, members have articulated that they will need support from others. Rev. MacLeod said they want to “create a bridge, to the larger community” to address social justice issues and as the website states, “with strong faith and fellowship…change lives.”

“We are rejuvenated to serve with new hope,” Rev. MacLeod said.