Former Gales Ferry Methodist Church to Become Retail Space

John Phetteplace has experience restoring and selling old, historic homes. His latest project involves the restoration of a vintage church building in Gales Ferry, which he plans to use for retail space.

For Phetteplace, this is a first.  “We’ve never done anything commercial," he said.

But he is very familiar with the historic component of such projects. And this project is all about history.

The building once was home to the Gales Ferry Methodist Church. William Fossum, chairman of the town’s Historic District Commission, said the original church building on the site was constructed around 1800, and was replaced by the existing structure in 1857.

Located at 6 Hurlbutt Road, the church was the vision of Ralph Hurlbutt, whom Fossum described as one of the early “movers and shakers” in town. He said the church served as a combination Methodist/Episcopal Church, with a congregation of about 250 people. On the 50th anniversary, members purchased a 606-pound bell to welcome parishioners. On the 100th anniversary, an addition was added to the rear.

At some point during the mid-1950s, Fosum said, it became the Gales Ferry Methodist Church. In the late 1960s, the church relocated.

Then, in 1969, Church and Allen, a funeral home business, purchased the building. A subsequent owner held religious services for the deceased who were cremated, though no cremations were conducted on site. 

The old church had been on the market for several years before Phetteplace’s family business, Olde New England Restoration, purchased it in December for $77,500.

Phetteplace plans to house two businesses in the space when renovations are complete, which could be as early as May 1.

One-room schoolhouse

Adding to the historical significance of the site is a one-room schoolhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, adjacent to the former church. That small building served as a school from 1868 to 1929. Previously, schoolhouses were built at the same location in 1750 and 1804, according to a plaque on the building.

The schoolhouse will be left alone because it is in good condition. And Phetteplace said that the former church is structurally sound, and was ready for conversion.

A labor of love

He said he doesn’t make large profits on house restorations and the same holds true for the Hurlbutt Road project. “It’s a labor of love,” said Phetteplace, who studied preservation in college. “Just look at this place.”

He stood on the main floor of the building, looking around at the pews – still in place – and an organ located in the balcony. He said it will be a perfect fit for the community and he will remain true to the building’s past.

In the 1800s, the church was more than a place of worship, Fossum said.

“The church was the center of social activity. Going to church was the big social event of the week," he said. “It was the hub of the community and people really made an effort to go.”

Fosum said he has no problem with Phetteplace's project from a historical point of view. While attractive, he said the old church isn’t of any great historical value.

“It’s not a nationally significant site,” he said. “It’s a Greek Revival-style church that was a reflection of the architecture of the time.”

He added that Phetteplace has a reputation for maintaining the historical integrity of buildings he has refurbished. 

“It looks fine to me as long as there aren’t any blinking lights or things of that nature,” Fosum said.

Phetteplace lives in a Greek Revival home in Ledyard Center. He has restored and sold six houses over a decade. This will be the first building he has restored to serve as landlord.

New businesses to Gales Ferry

The first floor will be home to Village Resale, a consignment shop. The main floor, where the pews still stand, will house Seasonal Home of Gales Ferry, which will specialize in quality handcrafted items, antiques and seasonal accessories. The owner is Virginia Candler.

The pews will be removed soon, and Phetteplace plans to put build a stairway outside leading to the front door of the building, as it had appeared when it was used as church. Eventually, he said, there may even be a steeple again, adding to the authenticity.

Phettenplace said he isn’t ruling out the possibility that the building may one day be a church again. Although he is dismantling the pews, he said he will keep them in storage … just in case.