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1991-2007
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As the church grew in size, so the needs of the congregants.  At this time, it was decided to attach an addition to the church.  The American with Disabilities Act was about to pass, so this new addition would house a new elevator  and handicap entrance, which would require the interior stairs to be relocated.  The architect of record was Edward Clinton and the work was beautifully done.  The addition was seamless and looked like it belong and was part of the building from the beginning.

This project took several years and it was finally completed in 1991.  To this date it stands in memory of those who work hard to see it through – John and Ruth Mattsen.

In 1996 and through 1998 the church participated in the Net Series organized by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.  These began in 1996 with Mark Finley and for these the church purchased a new satellite system.  In 1997 they were conducted by Doug Bachelor and in 1998, the church joined in again for the Dwight Nelson “The Next Millennium” Series.  Many were baptized by Pr. Robert Maehre.

After Pr. Robert and Susan Maehre moved to Georgia, Pastor Bill Brace came and stayed for 18 months, a period which had an evangelistic series conducted by Pr. Larry Becker, Ministerial Director for Southern New England Conference at the time. 

In 2004, Pastor Daniel Sierra and his wife, Catalina joined the church.  By this time, the church was in the same district with the Waltham church and both congregations joined in celebrations and activities. 

On January 28th, 2006, after Sabbath services had ended, the church suffered a devastating fire. (MetroWest Daily Article Pg 1 and Pg 2)  The reconstruction would take 19 months and over one million dollars to complete.  (for pictures of the reconstruction follow links below)

Without a building, the church made an appeal to local congregations to lend their sanctuaries and all of the responded immediately.  The Crossroads Community Church offered their building and the Sabbath after the fire the members met there.   However, because of location and proximity to our own building, The Unitarian Universalist Church was chosen as the long-term meeting place and our church will always be grateful for their generosity.

The Construction moved at a very slow pace.  Murray Brothers Construction was the General Contractor, and the plans were designed by Vasthi Cheddar with Chenot and Associates as the architect of record.  The church was insured by the Adventist Risk Management. 

After many appeals to the Architectural Access Board, Town Building Department and Insurance the church was able to open on September 15th, 2007. 

The rededication ceremony was attended and led by Elder Frank Tochterman, Pr. Whitford Shaw, Pr. Juan Borges, Pr. Dan Sierra and many other conference officials.  The building committee members (Vasthi Cheddar, Chair, Jim Barnes, Co-chair and Treasurer, Jennifer Vazquez, Secretary, Daniel Cheddar, Gilberto Sustache, Endy Sustache, Ursula Mejia, Sylvia Barnes, Reggie Simons and Thomas Giampa) were recognized for their arduous labor of love, meeting every week for over one year.  The church once again enjoyed a newly and beautifully renovated facility.  Many improvements were made which made the building comply with tighter Energy and Accessibility Codes as well as a new Fire Alarm System and upgraded equipment, new piano and a Hook and Hastings Pipe Organ.

For the ceremony, the Guest Soloist was Pearl Selane.  The celebration lasted all day, closing with a concert in the Evening.

Jim Barnes retired as church Treasurer after 18 years of dedicated service.


Additional links on this topic:

The Damage

The Demolition

The Rebuilding

The Rededication