Community Corner

Treasure Uncovered During North Fork Community Theatre Renovations

What would you like to see done with the old stained glass windows?

Workers removing the marquee at the North Fork Community Theatre in advance of painting the building got a surprise — beautiful old stained windows that had been covered for years.

Work is ongoing to renovate the North Fork Community Theatre, including painting and other repairs.

The stained glass was found both behind the marquee and hidden behind the vent.

"The NFCT recently started renovations on our building," Mary Motto Kalich, president of the board of directors, said. 

She added that Emilie and Michael Corey have kickstarted the renovations of the NFCT building by agreeing to match all donations up to $300,000 through December 31,, 2015.

"Our first project was to paint the building, and when we started that project, under the marquee and a shutter, to our delight, we found two stained glass windows," she said.

"My son and I were very surprised to find the window in one piece. We had been led to believe that we would just find broken glass when we removed the marquee. Other than a few small holes, the window was basically intact. This was a very pleasant surprise," said Charlie Scheer.

A year ago, the North Fork Community Theater finally bought the building on Old Sound Avenue where it has put on shows for the community for the past 50 years, a deal that organizers said was a long time coming.

After securing $500,000 in donations from nearly 700 community members, the theater group closed on the deal just a year ago, taking the historic structure off of the hands of the neighboring Mattituck Presbyterian Church, which has owned the structure since 1830.

“And now that we own the place, we can dream about the future and finally plan to make these necessary improvements,” said Motto Kalich last year. 

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