here - Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

4
Driving The Downtown Renaissance
I
t’s a beautiful spring evening in Downtown New Britain,
and the buzz in the air is palpable.
At Main, Chestnut and Arch Streets – New Britain’s
“Triangle of the Arts” – smiling ticket takers welcome guests as
nationally acclaimed comics inside the bustling Trinity-On-Main
performing arts, cultural and community center rehearse their
routines. Across the way, local theater-goers spy posters trumpeting
the new drama at the Hole in the Wall Theater.
TRINITY
-ON-
MAIN
Andrews-Hicks Memorial Fund
Mrs. Robert A. Hicks
Next door, at the Hardware City Tavern in the
historic Andrews Building, diners pay their tabs
and head for the show, already thinking ahead to
the next evening’s jazz concert at the Music Series
at South Church. Almost as if on cue, the church’s
clock tower bell strikes, heralding not only the promise of a weekend
of live entertainment in the city, but the dawn of a new era.
Yes, there is life in the Hardware City, driven
not by the pounding machine presses of years ago
but by a new generation of arts and culture.
As Anne Pilla, executive director of Trinity-On-Main,
says, “People are starting to believe.”
Much of the faith and infectious enthusiasm
about the transformation taking place in Downtown
New Britain begins with Trinity-On-Main, the
spectacular, 100-year-old former home of Trinity
United Methodist Church, which only a few short
years ago faced the imminent prospect of
a wrecking ball. Instead, thanks to the
efforts of a group called the Committee
to Save 69 Main Street, as well as
Vision New Britain, city and state
elected officials, and funders such
as the Community Foundation of
Greater New Britain, Trinity-On-Main
is now a beacon of renewed energy
and hope for a proud city.
Our Donors
Justus S. and Lillian F. Beach Fund
Justus S. and Lillian F. Beach
Suzanne Beckius Scholarship Fund
Kenneth and Patricia Beckius
in memory of Sue Beckius
Ramona T. Beckius
Richard J. Beckius
in memory of Sue
Andrew and Lanelle Cusack
Margaret Cusack
in memory of Sue Beckius
Southington Youth Summer Theater
Tom Stagis
The Bialkowski Family Fund
Florence T. Bialkowski
Irene B. Bialkowski
Helen T. Bianca Nursing Scholarship Fund
Aimee M. Bianca
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bianca, Jr.
Bombaci Family Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bombaci
Trinity-On-Main’s weeks are filled with
arts, entertainment, cultural and community
events, ranging from comedy performances,
to classical music, to opera, to jazz.
It is home to the Connecticut Virtuosi
Chamber Orchestra and its music
education program, and regularly hosts
the Children’s Dance Theater Connection.
Community groups hold regular meetings
there. Families use the building for private
functions. The facility is a whirlwind of activity.
Over the past five years, the Community Foundation has been
a major supporter of Trinity-On-Main, committing more than
$135,000 in grants, including a $75,000 challenge
grant in 2007 to help restore the building’s
108-foot granite tower. This support
exemplifies the Foundation’s commitment to
arts, culture and Downtown revitalization.
“New Britain is so rich in culture,”
says Pilla. “I love meeting people who
are down on the city. I tell them, come
to Trinity-On-Main, come to Hole in the
Wall, come to South Church.
“And then I say, ‘Tell me New
Britain isn’t alive!’”
Gloria Biscoglio Bosco Memorial
Scholarship Fund
Robert J. Bosco, Sr.
Trinity-On-Main has become a
regional destination for arts and
culture, including live comedy (left).
Stained glass (above) is featured
throughout the 100-year-old granite
structure, which is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
(Comedy photo courtesy Amy
Reed/The Herald. Exterior and interior
photos courtesy Southside Media.)
Virginia and William Bray Scholarship Fund
Anonymous
Larry Archambault and Betsy Bray
Bill and Debbie Bray
Geoff and Joyce Bray
Kim, Ashley and Jonathan Bray
Robin and Cheryl Farmer
Helmer and Barbara Frisk
in memory of Jerry Legg
Helmer and Barbara Frisk
in memory of Edward Rutherford