The Restoration
Built in 1836, The Old Stone Church is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Jane and Ian purchased the church from the Saint Luke's Episcopal Diocese in hopes of halting the deterioration of this landmark. The building had no running water, no bathrooms, no septic, no heat, and limited electricity. Within a month of closing, a well was drilled, the electrical service was upgraded, and the septic was installed. The goal was to create an events space with an overnight accommodations component upstairs.
Jane and Ian acted as general contractors and designers for the entire project, which transcended a standard renovation before it even began. Halfway through the restoration journey, in September of 2021, they were even married right there in the church.
The Windows
There are nine full-length Gothic Revival glass window frames that surround the building. Each window is composed of approximately 300 hand-cut beveled glass panes. Many of the glass panes were either broken or missing, and the wooden sills, sashes, and glazing were all in need of repair. In the end, 150 hand-cut glass panes were replaced. All exterior wood finishes were restored and then primed and sealed for weather durability. The re-glazing of every glass pane and the repair of the rotting sash were absolutely essential, but in the end, we couldn’t be happier with the results.
The Organ
Hinterland Hall's historic hand-pumped mechanical organ was built in 1862 by the famed William Johnson of Westfield. One of the oldest functioning hand-pumped organs in the United States, it has been meticulously restored to its former glory by the professional organ restoration firm Czelusniak et Dugal. The organ was disassembled from its former location in the upstairs choir loft and rebuilt in the downstairs sanctuary near the altar. The bellows were carefully inspected and balanced with large stone pieces and the organ was precisely tuned by adjusting the tension of each pipe to achieve the correct pitch. Cherished and celebrated, we hope this great piece continues to provide enchanting music and memories for those who visit.