Norwich — The local Salvation Army moved last week into another temporary location, but agency officials have decided to give up on plans to renovate the fire- and water-damaged building on Main Street and will look for a permanent new home after the holidays.

The building at 262 Main St., owned by The Salvation Army Inc. of Hartford, suffered what city building officials said was reparable damage in a first-floor fire on Aug. 24, 2014. But after making some repairs and installing new electrical equipment, the roof leaked and last winter’s heavy snow compounded the problem, Capt. Jerry Uttley said Friday.

With renovation costs estimated at about $120,000, officials at the local branch and the southern New England divisional headquarters in Hartford have decided to vacate that building and try to purchase another downtown Norwich building.

“We plan to fix it up a little bit and put it on the market,” Uttley said, “and find something that is more feasible for us.”

Divisional Commander Major David Champlin at the Hartford office said the decision in no way diminishes the Salvation Army’s more than 130-year commitment to the Norwich area. The branch covers Norwich, Griswold and Preston.

Champlin said money raised for renovations was spent in trying to fix the leaks, and now the repair fund is depleted.

He said the search for a new Norwich location will start in earnest after the holidays.

The Salvation Army last week moved from its first emergency temporary quarters, at the United Congregational Church, to the former Cornerstone Church at 169 Franklin St., where the Salvation Army Sunday worship and Sunday school have been held since the fire.

Youth groups, a Thursday women’s group and Bible study and a Friday men’s fellowship all will meet at the Cornerstone Church, Uttley said.

The Greater Norwich Anti-Bullying Coalition and the Norwich NAACP branch both shared space in the Salvation Army’s Main Street building. Both agencies also moved to the United Congregational Church after the fire, and both plan to stay in that church, program leaders said Friday.

The Salvation Army has a one-year lease for the Cornerstone Church, but Uttley said the upcoming busy holiday activities still will take place at its other temporary location, the first-floor gallery at Artspace, 35 Chestnut St.

On Thursday, Salvation Army volunteers will pack Thanksgiving food baskets at the Artspace gallery to be delivered to 121 local families.

Volunteers also are needed for the upcoming holiday kettle drive, the main fundraiser that runs the agency’s yearlong operations. For more information or to volunteer, call the Salvation Army at (860) 889-2329.

This year, the local branch has set a goal to raise $80,000 in the kettle drive, which starts Nov. 23, with a special bonus in the works.

The divisional headquarters has pledged to match dollar for dollar any amount raised above last year’s total of $70,000. It also has pledged to match $2 for every dollar the local branch raises above last year's $1,000 in its "virtual kettle" online drive.

Uttley said all funds raised will remain in the local area.

“Part of our charge is to support the local units,” Champlin said of the divisional headquarters. “We’ve had a beautiful and wonderful history in Norwich.”

Champlin put out “a general thank you” to the Norwich community for its patience and continued support of the local Salvation Army after the fire.

“We can only do as much as we have resources to do,” he said. “Any contributions in the kettle are most appreciated.”

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday

Volunteers needed

What: Salvation Army volunteers will pack Thanksgiving food baskets to be delivered to 121 local families.

When: Thursday

Where: The Artspace gallery, 35 Chestnut St.

To volunteer: Call (860) 889-2329.