The moment Pastor Joseph Sessions stepped inside the historic building on Norwood Street in Meriden, he knew it was the perfect place. From the stained glass windows to the century-old pipe organ, the church shined, but there was a lot of work that needed to be done.
"We remodeled the whole place, painted. There were holes in the walls," Pastor Sessions said.
After nine years and hundreds of thousands in renovations, the Holy Word Foundation Ministries brought life to the building.
His wife, Dr. Annette Sessions, said it's been great for them and the area.
"We do a lot of things in this community for Meriden," said Dr. Sessions, who added that the church gives out clothes and food to those in need, and hands out Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
But now another problem is invading the structure.
"Looking up, you can see the water coming down," Pastor Sessions said.
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What looks like something you'd see from old, weathered walls outside, is actually taking place inside. Water damage crumbles the surface of the walls throughout the sanctuary.
"It breaks my heart just like it does my husband because he loves the House of God," Dr. Sessions said.
Pastor Sessions expects the cost to fix just the steeple will be $75,000 and he expects it will cost another $175,000 to fix the rest.
They've poured all they can into the historic church and now hope the community they've helped can lend a hand in return, he said.
"I feel that God is going to help us fix it eventually. I believe that. I believe that from the bottom of my heart," Pastor Sessions said.
Pastor Sessions said they plan to hold fundraisers.
Donations can be sent to Holy Word Foundation Ministries, PO BOX 5010, Meriden, CT 06450.
