The Story of Open Our Doors

In 1910 Arlington was a rapidly growing suburb of Poughkeepsie. The area around the church was residential, most people walked to church on Sunday. Over the years the area has become much more commercial. When the Arterial was built, on street parking on Haight Avenue was lost.  In 2003 the Open Our Doors committee was formed to consider what might be done to make our building more accessible and more useful both for church functions and for the many community organizations that meet here.  A consultant in church growth advised us that improved parking and an elevator were essential to the congregations’ future.  Bob Carter assumed leadership in the project in 2004.  We are thankful for his leadership and administrative skills in planning and administration of the project.

One of the big decisions was to remove the Snyder dwelling, a wood frame house on the south side of the church, to make room for parking.  Architectural plans were drawn up for the outside work and the interior renovations, including installation of an elevator to connect the main floor of the building with the Fellowship Hall and the educational rooms downstairs.  Work began in 2006.  Here are some of the ways we have opened our doors:

- The Snyder house was demolished.
- A parking lot with handicap parking was built on campus.
- The outside walkways and entrance to the building were made handicap accessible.
- A handicap bathroom was built upstairs on the main floor.
- An elevator was installed connecting the main floor to downstairs.
- One of the downstairs bathrooms was made handicap accessible.
- Electrical wiring in the Chapel and Fellowship Hall was brought up to date.
- A new vinyl floor was installed throughout the downstairs area.

As a result of these improvements, handicapped individuals, as well as the elderly and others who walk with difficulty, have access to the entire building.  Currently we serve around ten community organizations who hold their meetings at the church on a regular basis, others on special occasions.  By making the building handicap accessible, the Association of Senior Citizens now conducts its Daybreak senior respite care in the Fellowship Hall area.  This would not have been possible without the Open Our Doors improvements.

As an anchor of the Arlington business district, we are pleased to have been able to improve the outside and interior portions of our property even as Raymond Avenue Business District improvements have taken place around us.