Here is the Unitarian Church, but what’s going on with the steeple?

If you’ve driven by Grafton Common in recent weeks, you’ve probably noticed the Grafton Unitarian Church has a new look.

A summer windstorm knocked the six-foot tall, gilded cast iron weathervane off the top of the historic Grafton Unitarian Church. On the way down, the weathervane damaged the steeple, roof, and front of the church building.

As a result, the church is now surrounded by scaffolding in preparation for repair by Valley Restoration of Torrington, Connecticut has been hired to repair the damage. Valley specializes in the repair and restoration of New England churches.

At the same time, the church is updating electrical and information technology capabilities to support ongoing live broadcasts of church services on the Internet.

It’s quite a bit of change for the historic church, established in 1731. For its first century, the church meetinghouse was in the center of Grafton Common, but a liberal-orthodox split led to the liberal wing taking the name Unitarian, building the church at 3 Grafton Common. The orthodox wing took the name Congregational, building their church across the Common.

Plans are also being drawn for a handicap ramp to improve building accessibility, as well as installation of updated exit and emergency lighting.

During the Civil War, while the minister was serving with the Massachusetts Regiment, the church burned down. The current building was rebuilt and dedicated in 1864. Within the past 40 years, the Unitarian Society of Upton and the Unitarian Society of Grafton were merged.

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