Major Renovation Underway At Hallowed First Congregational Church Of Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It's a jewel on Main Street – a church settled in the 1830s by East End founding fathers.

But no one knew until just recently that the roof was in danger of collapse. And as CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported Wednesday, congregants believed heavenly help prevented it from happening.

"It was a minor miracle here," The Rev. Dr. Sean Murray said.

Rev. Murray and congregants were near tears as they walked McLogan under scaffolding and around safety support beams inside their Victorian-style historical landmark church.

"To lose this treasure would have been heartbreaking. We were that close," church trustee Ronald Blake said.

The First Congregational Church, which was built by Riverhead founding fathers in 1834, is home to 200 worshippers, and has one of the oldest pipe organs in the country.

Last Sunday, some parishioners heard rumbling and creaking. Historical preservationist contractor Richard Cox and son were called in.

"It was truly minutes, that this roof was coming down," Cox said, adding when asked if he got there in the nick of time, "Yes, it was a little, well, some help from above on that one."

The roof towers over Main Street. Ladders were hoisted to survey the sounds and what the contractors found sent shivers up their spines. McLogan climbed up the scaffolding to see for herself what they meant. All of the roof rafters were cracking, collapsing and ready to cave in.

"It would have spread out andthe walls would've pushed in and the whole roof would have fallen in on everyone. The church would be gone," Cox said.

The church has been a constant in a changing village, offering a soup kitchen, thrift shop and companionship to those in need, McLogan reported.

"It would have been a tremendous loss personally and for the community, because so many people look to our church for a safe haven," church deacon Janet Sanford said.

Despite the fact that the congregation cannot afford it, $250,000 in repairs are underway.

"Right now, what we feel is hope. The place is infused with hope," Rev. Murray said.

It was an appeal to the public to help save their church.

Services will be held in the Fellowship Hall during the restoration, which is expected to take months, McLogan reported.