House is fallen but the home is intact
January 28, 2024 4:46 pm
• Last Updated: January 28, 2024 5:48 pm
Parisioners including April Williams, left, of New London, and Loraine Smith, of Nintic, pray during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Pastor Bob Nicolls kneels as he leads a prayer during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Parishioners including Ruby Rosado, center, of Waterford, pray during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Parisioners including Beloved Grace Carter, center, raise their hands in prayer during a song at service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Parishioner Veronica Pope, of Gales Ferry, and her daughters Gab, 9, and Sophia, 12, sing along with the band during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Worship Pastor Sara Nicolls, center, joins the band during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Parishioners pray for each other during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Pastor Bob Nicolls prays at the feet of New London Mayor Michael Passero in thanks during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Abby Stock, right, leads vocals during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Pastor Bob Nicolls leads a song during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Parishioners hold their hands up in prayer during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Parishioners listen Pastor Bob Nicolls, not pictured, to during service for Engaging Heaven Church at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sunday, January 28, 2024. The Garde offered their theater to the congregation for Sunday’s worship following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church last week. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
New London ― Engaging Heaven welcomed parishioners and community members to Sunday services at the Garde Arts Center on Sunday following the collapse of the historic First Congregational Church.
Pastor Bob Nicolls said there are no firm plans for where future services will be held. “It was a heart-breaking moment,” he said, referring to the steeple collapse. “Building’s crumble, but people remain.”