Printer Friendly Version - Pine Orchard Union Chapel Restoration Project Breaks Ground in Branford

Several shovels helped break ground on the Pine Orchard Union Chapel restoration project on Oct. 19; among those in the crowd are Vincent Giordano, Rep. Sean Scanlon, Whitney Murphy, Sheri Peterson, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Eunice Lasala, Melodie O'Connor, Paul Gavajian, Jonathan Kinney, Jennifer Aniskovich, Bernadette Stak, Geoff Hotz, Sen. Christin Cohen, Joe Sepot, Tom Dorsey, Wendy Wheeler, Barbara Colley, Nick Fischer, Kevin Cole, Jim Elmasry, Francis Acunzo, Bob Massey, Jr. and Erin Fink.Photo Courtesy Jennifer Aniskovich

On Oct. 19, local and state officials and many supporters gathered to celebrate breaking ground on the Pine Orchard Union Chapel project to restore the historic wooden chapel built in 1897. Members of the Union Chapel board, Fundraising Committee, Building Committee joined in with speakers and other guests to set several spades to work outside the building.

The cost for the $700,000 project is being supported with over $400,000 in donations from local residents and a $100,000 grant from the State's Historic Restoration Fund and State Historic Tax Credits (to be purchased by Eversource), according to information supplied by the Chapel Association. The effort includes more than 30 active volunteers and close to 100 donors.

On Oct. 19, local and state officials and many supporters gathered to celebrate breaking ground on the Pine Orchard Union Chapel project. Front, l-r: Jim Elmasry, Francis Acunzo, Se. Sean Scanlon, Wendy Wheeler, Barbara Colley, Geoff Hotz, Kevin Cole, Sen. Christine Cohen, Vincent Giordano. Center, l-r: Nick Fischer, Bernadette Stak, Melodie O’Connor, Sheri Peterson, Eunice Lasala, Paul Gavajian, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, Jonathan Kinney. Back, l-r: Jennifer Aniskovich, Bob Massey, Jr., Whitney Herzog, Joe Sepot, Erin Fink.Photo Courtesy Jennifer Aniskovich