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Founded in 2024, Sudbury Meetinghouse, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to expand the secular use of the historic meetinghouse. To mark the beginning of this exciting journey, Sudbury Meetinghouse invites the entire community to a FREE celebration in the Town Center on Saturday, September 13. In anticipation of the launch event, Tom Kruskal was kind enough to answer our questions about the new nonprofit.
Why was Sudbury Meetinghouse, Inc. founded, and what inspired the decision to expand the secular use of the First Parish Meetinghouse?
The Meetinghouse was built in 1797 and originally functioned as both the secular meetinghouse for the town’s annual meetings and the home of the only church in Sudbury. Thus, the building was the center of community life until 1836 when the separation of church and state became a reality here. Since then, the building has been used and maintained by the members of First Parish of Sudbury. As time has passed, First Parish has faced the same trends as is seen nationwide – a fewer number of church goers. The maintenance of the iconic building that has represented Sudbury for over 225 years has become more and more difficult. So First Parish decided to follow the lead of many other historic churches, such as the Arlington Street Church in Boston and the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church in Gloucester, and create a separate charitable entity devoted to the secular use of the building – hoping to attract community supporters and foundation grants to maintain and preserve the beautiful landmark.
The meetinghouse has been part of Sudbury’s history since 1797. How do you balance preserving its historic character while adapting it for modern community use?
Preserving the historic character is a primary goal. In addition to our own commitment to historic preservation, both the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Sudbury Historic Districts Commission have guidelines regarding both the interior and exterior renovations.
That said, the meetinghouse already has a brand new kitchen suitable for catering large and small social events. There are plans to create a larger stage in the Sanctuary to accommodate larger musical groups and perhaps a dance troupe or acting company. This change can be made in keeping with the historic design of the Sanctuary. There is already an air-conditioned second-floor room, called The Commons, which has a butler’s sink and can accommodate people either in a seminar type arrangement or social gathering. The building has a charming room called The Brackett Room with a fireplace and living room furniture suitable for informal gatherings. And there is The Library with a conference room table and chairs.
“Opening Doors. Honoring History. Creating Community.” is your motto—can you share what each of those values means in practice?
Our motto reflects the original vision behind the Sudbury Meetinghouse. First Parish hoped to encourage greater community use of its historic property. The creation of a new secular nonprofit offered the best path forward. Rooted in Unitarian Universalist values of inclusivity and diversity, our motto speaks to building common ground through partnerships, programs, and events. By opening the doors of the Meetinghouse more widely, we aim to create a vibrant community resource—one that not only serves today’s residents but also builds lasting public support for preserving the Meetinghouse and its history.
What kinds of cultural, educational, and community programming can residents expect to see in the coming months?
We are a small organization, with just six board members and a handful of volunteers, so we’re giving ourselves time to introduce who we are and share our vision for the community. The Launch is our first major event—more celebratory than educational—and a wonderful chance to connect with the town as a new organization. It also marks the start of the Sudbury Meetinghouse Concert Series, which began at First Parish several years ago and is now organized and hosted by us. Looking ahead, we plan to expand into educational offerings such as lectures, workshops, and other public programs.
We also hope to welcome partnerships with other organizations and invite groups to use the Meetinghouse for their own activities—whether concerts, theatrical performances, lectures, forums, or community events. Over time, we look forward to seeing what new collaborations and opportunities emerge.
How do you envision collaborating with other local organizations, schools, and artists to make the meetinghouse a vibrant gathering space?
We hope that this Launch acts as an open invitation to organizations, schools, and artists to consider using the Meetinghouse for their events.
The launch celebration on September 13 sounds like a big event. What are you most excited for that day, and what do you hope the community takes away from it?
We look forward to welcoming the public to the Meetinghouse for an afternoon and evening of fun! It will begin with free outdoor activities—lawn games, kid crafts, and ice cream—at 4:00, a guided history tour at 4:15, a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00, and a parade at 5:30. The event will finish off with a ticketed dinner (provided by Tennessee’s BBQ) and concert with the Catnip Junkies Band. We look forward to all that we’ve planned as there is something for everyone! Ticket for the dinner concert can be purchased at
https://www.viewcy.com/event/catnip_junkies_dinner
This historic building has stood at the heart of town for more than 225 years, and we hope the community rediscovers it as a true local treasure—one that can host educational forums, local events, artistic performances, and other activities that bring people together.
What role do you hope the meetinghouse will play in the everyday lives of Sudbury residents going forward?
We hope the Meetinghouse will once again serve as a true gathering place at the heart of Sudbury. Historically, it was where neighbors came together to socialize, deliberate on the town’s needs, and shape the community’s future. While times have changed, that spirit of connection and collaboration is just as important today. Our goal is to bring that tradition back, both in spirit and in practice—by opening the doors for concerts, lectures, workshops, and celebrations, as well as for forums where residents can share ideas and strengthen civic life. We envision the Meetinghouse as a space where people of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome, whether they are coming to enjoy music, learn something new, or simply spend time with their community. Over time, we hope it becomes part of the everyday rhythm of life in Sudbury: a place to gather, to celebrate, and to imagine the town’s future together.
For community members who want to support your mission—whether through attending events, volunteering, or donating—what’s the best way to get involved?
The best way to reach us is by email at [email protected] . For more information, see our website at sudburymeetinghouse.org.