It is apparent from the church records that part of the church remained after the fire but the records do not make clear exactly how much. The original foundation was retained. Part of the cellar was excavated to make room for new furnaces which had been located on the vestry level before. When the north gable blew over, people were standing in the vestry so part or all of the first floor may have remained. From pictures it appears that the vestry windows were the same size and location as they are today.

As soon as practical the work of rebuilding was begun according to a plan presented by Charles E. Joy, Architect. The contractors were Beede and Shaw of Dover. The new plan changed the front of the church, the rooms on the first floor, the entire audience room (which is now called the sanctuary), and the type of roof. A new and better organ was installed. The work was pushed forward and on December 24, 1882, services were held for the first time in the large vestry. All the gatherings of the church and the society were held in the vestries until March 21, 1883. On that date the audience room was opened for the first time to the public and a grand organ concert was given. On the following evening, March 22nd, the house was formerly opened for Divine Service. A short historical address was given by Rev. I. D. Stewart, a short sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. F. K. Chase, and a prayer offered by Rev. G. C. Waterman.

The original building had cost about $20,000 and the rebuilding costs were about $14,000. Insurance of $5,900 was not sufficient to cover the rebuilding but the congregation supported the effort generously and only $3,600 had to be borrowed from the Dover Five Cents Savings Bank. So the congregation of 246 members had a debt to pay off. But they had a better and more useful church building, they had faith in God's guidance, and by 1896 they were able to burn the mortgage.

<< Previous (The Fire) Next (The Twentieth Century) >> Table of Contents