WATERFORD — The Waterford Congregational Church on Plummer Hill has a new look. The crumbling concrete steps and landing were covered with a stanstead gray granite veneer and the black handrails were refurbished and replaced.

The renovations were made possible because of a gift from Virginia Tyler Cutler, in memory of the Tyler and Cutler families who have had a long family connection to the church. The gift was coordinated by Ginny Raymond at the request of her mother who passed away in February of 2009.

The dedicatory plaque which will be placed on the church will have the names of Virginia and her husband C. Chapin Cutler; Blanche Millett Tyler and Urban V. Tyler, her mother and father; and James H. Tyler, her brother. Her mother Blanche, whose Rice roots date back to the very earliest Waterford settlers, was a long time member of the church, serving among other posts as Sunday School teacher and treasurer. The original front step railings were given in Blanche’s memory in 1970.

Urban Tyler raised chickens, cows and pigs at his Waterford Flat farm which was a favorite spot for children in the 1950s and 1960s. He joined the church later in life and worked as caretaker and bell ringer, as did Virginia’s brother James Tyler who was a life-long church member serving in many capacities including trustee and deacon. Virginia’s husband Chapin was a student of Christian Science. He volunteered to help at secular functions often conducting services at the church during the absence of the minister.

Also adding to the renovations were James Long and his sons Eric and Darin. After scraping and painting the church during the summer, they discovered that the pillars in front of the church needed to be reinforced with metal and refurbished as the steps were about to be replaced. James, Eric and Darin donated materials and labor to build a handicapped ramp and a new entrance door on the side of the church.

Pastor Anita White welcomes everyone to Sunday services, starting at 10 a.m. Sunday School begins after the children’s sermon and child care is available. For more information about services or Sunday School, call the church at 583-6381 or Joann Fillebrown at 583-4673.