A new building will replace it
For a year, the old “Vestry” next to St. Jude’s Catholic Church has featured a handsome, new “half roof” to protect the building from rain and snow. Inside, where you can’t see, there are supports and buttresses.
The building has held, but unfortunately, it’s in bad shape. So what’s happening with it?
A new plan.
If you’ve forgotten what we’ve written in past articles here – or you are new to Hinesburg – here’s the background: for decades, different groups of townspeople have worked to repair and remake the building for public use.
The latest effort began several years ago when a handful of Hinesburg residents banded together, formed a nonprofit, The Vestry Community Center, and took possession of the building. The intent was to restore it and transform the building into a community center for all to use.
After shoring the building and putting on the new roof in 2023, the group applied to several organizations in hopes of getting historic preservation dollars to pay the cost of saving and restoring the structure.
Sadly, while many pieces of the building are historic, the building itself was not deemed “historically significant.” The group was turned down.
On to Plan B.
From the start, the group envisioned the building as a non-sectarian space for art shows, small concerts, programs for seniors and after school kids, meeting space for town clubs and groups, as well as a nice spot for exercise classes, art classes and community gatherings.
While there are public spaces available in Hinesburg, more space is needed. The group is now seeking funding and donations – and making plans – to dismantle the existing building and replacing it with a new, energy-efficient structure that will look very much like the building you see today.
In the process, the group will save the iconic arched window and some of the timbers (some are over 200 years old) and wood.
Planning is underway on engineering and architectural plans. Drainage around the building is a problem – it is what has led to the significant deterioration of the north wall – so plans to correct drainage has also begun. It is hoped that it will improve not only the Vestry’s property, but other properties to the south.
During this coming construction season, the Community Center team plans to carefully dismantle the building and then to pour a new foundation and slab floor. Depending on our fundraising and time, Hinesburg may or may not see more work this year.
The Vestry Community Center Committee needs your help.
We would like to know what you believe would be the best uses for the building once it’s complete. How can this building enhance life and connection in town? What should the center host? What public needs are not being met by the current programs in spaces around town? What activities would be better suited for the building?
Our committee would greatly appreciate your taking the time to complete a very brief survey which will guide the future use of the center.
Here’s a link to the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/NSDTBSW
This link can also be found on the group’s website, vestrycommunitycenter.org or on hinesburgrecord.org or in upcoming issues of Front Porch Forum.
Thanks so much.
(The Record Managing Editor Geoffrey Gevalt is a member of the community center board.)