The historic First Congregational Church of New Village in Lake Grove will soon undergo a major exterior restoration after the Brookhaven Town Board approved funding for the project.
The renovation comes after the building suffered unfortunate vandalism and deterioration over time. Work is expected to include repairs and restoration to windows and shutters, scraping and repainting of the exterior siding, as well as new landscaping and irrigation improvements surrounding the property, according to Supervisor Dan Panico.
Barbara Russell, the Brookhaven Town historian, will work with the parks department to make sure the building’s historic character is preserved.
The Middle Country Road church is one of the oldest surviving structures in the area and is deeply tied to the history of both Lake Grove and neighboring Centereach, which was once known as New Village.
Historical records indicate the building was constructed around 1818 and originally served as a union meeting house hosting several religious denominations. The Third Congregational Church of Brookhaven was formed in 1815 and in 1845, it officially became the First Congregational Church of New Village.
The congregation later moved to a larger facility in 1961, and the original church property eventually came under ownership of Brookhaven Town around 1970. Recognized for its historic significance, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Today, the building remains one of Lake Grove’s most recognizable landmarks and is prominently featured on the official village seal, symbolizing the community’s long history and heritage, Supervisor Panico noted.