Pelham Manor Church Begins Geothermal Heating Project

Huguenot Memorial Church officials don’t simply view Wednesday’s groundbreaking for their geothermal cooling system as way to provide cheaper heating, ventilation and air conditioning to its facilities.

Church leaders believe the $2 million project will make an even larger statement. The church, which is 136 years old, has 500 members and is located in Pelham Manor.

The system, which is expected to be completed by October, will rely on pipes plugged into wells that are dug into the ground. The pipes will carry water will then be manipulated by heat pumps and used to heat or cool the church’s buildings.

“It’s the culmination of a number of years of dreaming, planning, researching and evaluating what kind of a congregation we want to be, not only now, but for generations to come,” said Steve Michie, pastor at the church. “We felt that this was an opportune time to make this legac change, because we have the resources and we have learned a lot about environmental stewardship and enough people believe in this project.”

A small group of gathered at the church for the groundbreaking ceremony of Pelham Manor, including Pelham Manor Mayor Jim O'Connor, Pelham Town Supervisor Peter DiPaolo, and Mia Homan from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s office.The ceremony also marked the beginning of the church’s “Sustainable Huguenot” initiative.

The project started about three years when church officials were trying to figure out ways to repair its aging heating system. After two years of fundraising, planning and design church officials were able to reach the point where they could begin construction.

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As part of the project, the church will be able to get rid of its oil tank.  Currently during an average winter, the church uses 25,000 gals of fuel oil, which is stored in a 5,000 gallon buried oil tank that has the potential for leakage.

“We get to relieve ourselves of the volatility of oil prices,” said Eric Smith, co-chairman of the church’s Property Use Task Force. “By going green, we get to use a heating cooling system for the entire facility. All of the rooms here in this building will be heated and cooled.”

Smith said the church will become the first non-profit organization in the county to rely on geothermal heating.

Mayor James O’Connor said the church will also become the first nonresidential building in Pelham Manor to rely on geothermal heating. He said he knew of at least two homes in the village  that used the process.

“I want to congratulate Huguenot on this sustainable project,” O’Connor said. “I think this geothermal system will create and sustainable Huguenot of years to come and it’s worthy of celebration.”

Smith said the church tried to go through the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority to gain grants for the project, but was unable to gain approval from the state agency.

The church is currently halfway through to reaching its fundraising goals for the project. Presbyterian Church (USA) also structured a loan for the church while it collects the rest of its donations.

“We anticipate having all the receipts within the next three years,” Smith said.