The Elmwood Community Church, the ‘Little Church with the Big Heart’ which closed in 2024, distributed a large portion of its remaining funds to West Hartford Public Schools and Social Services.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford’s Department of Social Services and West Hartford Public Schools received unexpected gifts this week that will be used to assist countless members of the community who will benefit from sizable donations presented by the now-closed Elmwood Community Church.

Susan Wiley, Colleen Peterson, and Ginger Croxall, representing the congregation of the former church that had the tagline “Little Church with the Big Heart,” presented the town and the school district with large checks Friday afternoon – $100,000 for the Town That Cares Fund, and $300,000 for West Hartford Public Schools.

“The church closed because we had dwindling membership, dwindling income. We just couldn’t keep up,” said Wiley. Elmwood Community Church celebrated 150 years as a congregation in the summer of 2023, and for decades occupied the nearly-100-year-old building at 24 Newington Road – which was always in need of some type of repair.

“To the extent that our finances allowed, we tried to do things to help Elmwood,” Wiley said. That included a “Habitat for Elmwood” effort, working through the town’s Social Services Department to assist area residents with needs at their homes, supporting the former St. Agnes Home, providing students with scholarships, and working with the South Park Inn homeless shelter in Hartford.

When the “very painful” decision was made to close the church, the building was put up for sale in February 2024 – and sold relatively quickly for a unique piece of commercial real estate. It is now owned and occupied by Maranatha Christian Church, which purchased the roughly 13,000 square foot building on 0.89 acres for $700,000 in September 2024.

It was left up to the congregation to determine what to do with the significant amount of funds from the sale of the building, as well as other remaining  funds. “Many meetings were held and letters were sent out to the congregation to say, okay, what kinds of charitable things would all of you like us to support with this money?” They wanted to use those remaining assets in useful ways.

The church council made suggestions, Peterson said, and the congregation voted to accept where to donate their legacy funds.

Ultimately, there were eight different charitable endeavors chosen, all of which had some meaning to the Elmwood Community Church, which was part of the United Church of Christ.

The donation of $100,000 to West Hartford’s Town That Cares Fund – administered by the Social Services Department – will continue the legacy the church had of a “mitten tree” where they collected new mittens and scarves to donate to local children in need, as well as the donations they would make to the food pantry or to help residents with home repairs like repairing a window or rebuilding their back steps.

Specific use of the funds is up to Social Services, with no strings attached.

“And then the big one is the scholarships,” said Wiley. The $300,000 is the donation that’s personally close to her heart, she said.

“We’re really hoping that those are going to go to kids who would like to become hairdressers, barbers, LPNs, EMTs, plumbers, electricians – all of those jobs that are very, very necessary in a community, that may not require a four-year degree … but when the young adults would get that training, they would be able to get good jobs, support their families, and the ripple effect outward is that it’s just going to be wonderful for everybody,” Wiley said.

“We’re very thrilled to be able to do this,” Wiley said, adding that while they would love to particularly help those who live in the Elmwood section of town, the funds are to be used for scholarships and they will not limit the use. The scholarships can be used to assist students from both Conard and Hall, and those who will attend two- or four-year colleges as well as vocational training programs. “It’s at your discretion, teachers and staff. There are no restrictions,” Wiley said.

“The ‘Little Church with a Big Heart’ is certainly on full display,” West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus said. “This is just absolutely amazing, incredibly generous, and very very much a legacy gift that we expect will support students in this community in perpetuity – something to just be the legacy of your church, and. of your amazing generosity, citizenship, and benevolent spirit. I can’t thank you enough,” he said.

Lorna Thomas-Farquharson, chair of West Hartford’s Board of Education, also expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation. “The opportunity that you have provided the students will allow them to do more … and I appreciate how you are encouraging for students that are pursuing different paths,” she said. “Thank you very much for helping to invest in our young people.”

Town Manager Rick Ledwith said he was completely blown away by the donation. He first learned about the $100,000 to the Town That Cares earlier in the week, and then learned about the $300,000 to the schools. “I was literally floored,” he said.

“Every day I’m reminded of the generosity of our community – every single day – and this is one that will literally carry us through the year,” Ledwith said. The Town That Cares supports more than a thousand families every year, and the $100,000 donation will almost double the level of contributions typically received to support the Food Pantry and help residents with utility and housing expenses, and more. “We are forever grateful for this contribution that you have made and it just fills our hearts with joy, honestly it really does.”

Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd said while the congregation was going through what must have been a mourning process losing their spiritual community, he is so respectful of how they have dealt with it. “Now you’re leaving a legacy, and that legacy just encapsulates the spirit of your congregation, of your church, and you are truly community church and truly now surviving with that legacy of being for the community.”

Helen Rubino-Turco, director of Leisure and Social Services for the town, said that the “tradition of compassion for our community isn’t something that you walked – it’s something that you’re giving into the future. We will remember your compassion every day in the lives we’re able to touch because of your generosity.”

Suzanne Oslander, who runs the town’s Food Pantry, said the Elmwood Community Church has been a “friend to Social Services for decades … and this will leave a lasting intact on our neighbors.”

Another town program will also benefit from the Elmwood Community Church’s legacy. Also among the eight recipients of the overall $920,000 donation is Westmoor Park, which will receive $20,000 to support “plant a row for the hungry” and eco-adventures, Peterson said.

Others receiving donations include South Park Inn ($100,000 for a new kitchen), United Church of Christ Newington ($100,000 for Christian education and scholarships), UCC Silver Lake Camp ($175,000 for scholarships and the director’s wish list), UCC Legacy Fund ($100,000), and $25,000 to the UCC National Congregation Library in Boston, where the Elmwood Community Church archives will be kept.

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