Building Expansion

Download a .pdf file of the Architect's Drawings here.

"We are here today in this Meetinghouse because of the forethought and generosity of those Friends who came before us. Our building addition is for the future, to foster the growth of our Meeting, so that we can share our Quaker message with people residing in the greater Worcester area."

The Worcester Monthly Meeting draws members and attenders from across Worcester County, yet our present worship space can only accommodate 40 people comfortably. Worcester also houses the offices of the New England Yearly Meeting (NEYM) on the second floor of the Meetinghouse.

In late 2005 the Worcester Monthly Meeting began discussing the renovation and expansion of our Meetinghouse. During the first year of discussions, Christel Jorgenson facilitated a series of called meetings where members and attenders developed their vision of what features and facilities an expanded Meetinghouse might include. In the second year we retained Wayne Salo, a Worcester architect, who, after meeting monthly with an appointed committee, and then twice at called meetings, developed a set of plans and drawings.

In developing our vision of features and facilities, Worcester Friends expressed a desire for a building large enough to host Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) and Young Friends retreats, and also suitable for hosting NEYM events requiring smaller, break-out areas such as Committee Day.

The plans include an addition at the rear of the Meetinghouse with worship space on the upper level with movable seating, and a fellowship area and new kitchen on the lower level. To comply with ADA requirements, an elevator would also be built that would connect the lower level to the existing second floor where the Yearly Meeting maintains its offices; additional off-street parking would be added as required by the City. The existing Meetinghouse will be renovated, including replacement of the HVAC systems, installation of energy efficient windows, and replacement of the wooden siding and roof. The current projected cost of the renovation and expansion is $800,000.00 to $1,000,000.00.

Our goal is 100% financial participation by all members and regular attenders, regardless of actual amount pledged, as well as financial support from the larger community of Friends in New England. Contributions can be made as a lump sum or in installments.

God willing, we hope to start construction in the Spring of 2011 and to complete the project by Fall, 2012. If we raise the necessary funds sooner, we will start sooner.