The city is hoping that future improvements to the church property will preserve its history while expanding its public and private use.
SPRINGFIELD — The city, having purchased the historic Old First Church at Court Square nearly six years ago, is making short-term and long-term plans for repairs and improvements.
The improvements to the church and to the attached brick parish house are needed to continue preservation efforts and to bring more activity to the property, said Patrick J. Sullivan, the city’s director of parks, buildings and recreation management.
“We are very proud to be bringing this next phase forward,” Sullivan said Friday. “Hopefully within two years, we will announce it is open for a lot of different venues for the general public and business groups.”
In December 2007, the city announced that it would purchase the church and parish house for $900,000, just three days before the church conducted its final service.
Then-Mayor Charles V. Ryan and representatives of the former Springfield Finance Control Board said at the time that the purchase was critical to protect and preserve the historic church, built in 1819, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The city has since rented the site for approximately 20 events a year, with rental income averaging about $20,240 annually, Sullivan said.
That revenue, along with about $25,000 annually received from a church trust fund, help pay for maintenance, he said.
The city is currently seeking bids, due by Jan. 22, for repairs to some ceilings in a second-floor entrance and to replace railings along the steeple. The repairs, estimated to cost $110,000, are needed in the aftermath of damage caused by the tornado of 2011, Sullivan said.
Those repair costs will be covered by federal disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said.
The city has also initiated a schematic design process for long-term improvements with the goal of bringing the historic property into compliance with modern building codes and making it handicapped accessible, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he is working with Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, on the potential long-term uses of the property.
“The building has great potential to be rented for functions, performing arts activities, business meetings and small off-site classrooms for training and conferences,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he is “not at all disappointed” about the sporadic use of the property since purchased, saying Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is committed to its preservation and improvement. Overall, the building is in good condition, he said.
Old First Church was founded in 1637, conducting its final service in December 2007. It was affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The membership had voted to cease all services and activities, and to immediately close the church, saying it was faced with insurmountable costs and a dwindling membership.
City officials spoke of potential uses, including municipal uses after finalizing the purchase in early 2008.