The group in charge of the future of the First Presbyterian Church’s building and endowment dollars, the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation (GGCF), wants the public to know that things are moving along toward next steps, although there’s not a lot to report at this time.
Naming the building, which housed a church congregation for almost 150 years that dissolved in May, will likely come later this summer. Extensive input was sought from the community on that very topic earlier this summer on social media, and about 50 prospective names were suggested.
Experts were out to Greenfield, reviewing the building to see what improvements need to be made, like new restrooms. Representatives from the advisory committee are working with the National Historic Registry to see if the church would be a good fit for that status.
Endowment funds have been received by the GGCF from the church. A second half of these funds will be received later this summer. Committee members are working to set up long-term investment options that will ensure future income to help support local projects.
“The written agreement took works of work to put in place so that the mission the church once served can be carried out for future generations in our community,” said Jennifer Garside, a spokesperson for the GGCF.
In the meantime, the advisory committee in charge of this project seeks community-minded people to serve on various committees relating to the church.
“The church is currently being used for reunions, Lion’s Club meetings, quilt guild, square dancing, among other meetings,” Garside said. “Send anyone my way if anyone is looking for a place to meet. We will eventually be adding an online scheduling calendar once our website goes live.”
The personal hygiene pantry has continued to experience high usage, though organizers have decided that, for various reasons, it will now be open by appointment only.
The Greater Greenfield Foundation has a Facebook page now. Garside said she encourages people to follow that page for updates on projects and ways to apply for grants for anything from local community projects to a family in need due to tragic or traumatic circumstances like medical bills. The foundation will soon have a new website that will show all the work they do, not just the projects relating to the church.