HARRISON — The United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton reopened on Easter Sunday for its first service following a fire last September that heavily damaged parts of the Main Street building.
Parishioners recognized Gerry Smith for coordinating day-to-day renovation projects, including organizing cleanup crews, communicating with insurance agents and contractors, as well as attending to parishioners’ needs.
“This complicated program would seem to be beyond the scope of one person to handle and many persons helped to accomplish the job, but it all came together under his direction and dedication,” church members said in a statement released this week.
The congregation was displaced after fire broke out in the basement kitchen early on Sept. 1, 2012. The fire was discovered shortly after 6 a.m. when a woman who was opening the church for a community breakfast saw smoke billowing out. The building was insured.
The congregation had been holding worship services at the Harrison Fire Station’s community room since then, while renovations, including everything from electrical work to cleaning the pew cushions, were done.
ldixon@sunjournal.com
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- Jack DiPretoro presents Gerry Smith with a framed letter of appreciation during the Easter Sunday service at the United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton in Harrison. Smith was recognized for coordinating the restoration work after a fire heavily damaged the Main Street building in September 2012.
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