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Date: 10/11/2023
SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Dominic J. Sarno pledged $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to restore the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church.
First established in 1897, the historic Black church was devastated by an arson attack in December 2021, marking it as a federal hate crime.
Standing alongside Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery, the church’s pastor, and Springfield Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan outside the damaged church, Sarno voiced his commitment against hate and reiterated his support for the MLK Church.
“For me, unfortunately, this feels like deja vu,” Sarno said, drawing parallels to a 2008 incident when the Macedonia Church was burned after the election of President Barack Obama.
“We worked closely then, ensuring the message was clear that hate will not prevail. We assisted in their rebuilding, and now, we stand once more, united against hate, ready to support the MLK Church,” the mayor added.
Dushko Vulchev, 44, of Houlton, Maine, faces federal charges for allegedly setting the fire on Dec. 28, 2020, severely damaging the MLK Church. The predominately Black church honors the slain civil rights leader.
Court documents accuse Vulchev of starting the Dec. 28, 2020, fire and several other incidents on the church’s property, including tire slashings and additional fires. Evidence, such as security footage and Vulchev’s phone location data, placed the suspect at the crime scenes.
Emphasizing the challenges faced in navigating federal rules, the historic significance of the building, and its role in the community, Sarno thanked his team for their expertise in securing this substantial funding. “We’ve been able to traverse these hurdles, and today, I proudly announce that $500,000 of ARPA funding will go to the MLK Church. This will not only aid their rebuilding but also send a message of hope, goodness, wisdom, and spiritual leadership to the communities in Springfield.”
The mayor also appealed to the local business and philanthropic communities for further support.
“I need you once again to rally because there’s still funding needed for the MLK Church. No donation is too small or too large,” the mayor said. “We must send the resounding message that hate crimes will not be tolerated here in Springfield. Goodness will prevail, and MLK leads that charge.”
Following Sarno, Curry Avery said, “We are here today to acknowledge the half a million dollars designated for the rebuild of the MLK church. We still require a million dollars to complete this church’s restoration.”
The church’s mission extends beyond its walls as Curry Avery outlined larger ambitions, including mental health services, recovery programs and educational initiatives. “To realize this vision, the church’s reconstruction is imperative,” she said.
Curry Avery noted that $2.5 million was needed for the exterior and interior work and $500,000 for furniture and fixtures.
The pastor directed the community to make cash donations at www.mlkchurchma.org. Curry Avery recognized the collective effort in securing the ARPA funding and touched upon the church’s enduring legacy.
“We extend our thanks to both the mayor and his office for their support in this initiative. We eagerly anticipate the day this church stands rebuilt, continuing the legacy that began so many years ago, a mission we’re steadfastly advancing even in our current state,” the pastor said.
Sheehan stressed the unique significance of the ARPA award to the church, given the devastating impact of the hate-driven arson. “This institution has stood in Mason Square for years, serving as a cornerstone for both the immediate neighborhood and the wider Springfield community,” he said.
The city of Springfield had concerns about potential overlaps in benefits and the need to navigate the separation of church and state.
“I want to thank both the city staff and the MLK church team for their efforts in this intricate process,” Sheehan said. “The city is delighted to contribute to this essential restoration, and we’re eager to witness the church’s rebirth.”
Rebuilding effort
Myron Hatchet, a senior project manager with the city of Springfield, stepped in about two years ago to assist the MLK Church with its reconstruction efforts.
Significant strides have been made in rebuilding the church’s interior, once a burned-out hulk. “We’ve got rid of all burnt interiors, rebuilt structural components, and restored the floor and roof,” Hatchet said. “There was a large hole in the floor and damage to the roof rafters, but we’ve now addressed those.”
Recounting the state of the church post-fire, Hatchet described it as “heartbreaking.” The blaze concentrated in the southwest corner and resulted in extensive smoke and water damage throughout the property. “The entire basement was filled with mold, particularly black mold,” Hatchet remarked.
Recalling the church’s former days, Hatchet noted, “The place was vibrant, not just for church services but for various community events, feeding programs, clothing programs, and tutoring sessions. It has been a community pillar for 50 years.”
No fire damage was visible during the tour as new lumber framed the interior, a significant milestone toward the church’s physical and spiritual renewals. “When we first came in, it was so devastating it brought tears to your eyes. But now, we’re on our way to recovery,” Hatchet said.
Community support
Paul Kelleher of Hartford was optimistic about the ongoing restoration. “It’s going to be spectacular when it’s all done,” he said. A building committee member, it was his first time in the church since the fire.
Kelleher and his husband typically split their time between four churches, two in Hartford and two in Springfield. News of the MLK Church fire deeply affected them.
“The reason for [the fire] was unthinkable. It hit the community and the congregants of this church very hard. They are a close-knit family,” he said.
With the church on the path to reopening, Kelleher affirmed it would be on his rotation. He expressed admiration for Curry Avery, emphasizing her uplifting sermons. “She makes you feel so good when you come out of service,” he added.