'We're a family.' North Truro congregation has a deadline coming in March

NORTH TRURO — Soaring gospel vocals echoed inside the small white church on Pond Road Sunday morning.

Carlene Brown led a hand-clapping, stomping congregation of about 30 mostly Jamaican people through the lyrics "When I wake up in the morning and I lay my head to rest, every day of my life I am blessed."

Chapel on the Pond sets itself apart. When other churches in the area praise, "they're kind of silent," said Herman McLean, of North Truro, who has attended the church since 2017.

"We have fire," said McLean. "We like to keep the fire burning."

In January, the church learned it would have to close its doors by the end of March. Pastor David Brown, who has led services there since 2017, first learned about the closure from a notice written by property owners Bob and Kathy Valleau, who are exploring repurposing the space.

The husband and wife are founders of Boathouse Ministries, which exists to "serve, to encourage others to seek God, to build up, to foster community, and to love," according to the website. Their extensive travels aboard their yacht Vesper take them "into fellowship with believers in Jesus Christ all over the world."

Owners: A need to consider future plans for the church property

Initially the closing date was originally planned for January before the couple agreed to delay until March.

"As owners of the Chapel we are entering our 80s this year and have been considering future plans for the property. For this reason we are sad to announce our decision to close the Chapel On the Pond in January 2024 and begin the process of prayerfully repurposing 17 Pond Road," reads the statement provided to the Times.

The couple could not be reached for comment.

What is the history of the church property?

The Valleaus bought the chapel for $385,000 from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Fall River in January 2009, according to records with the Barnstable Registry of Deeds. The former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church was built in 1915 but closed in September 2007.

The property's total assessed value is $611,800, according to the Truro assessor's office.

Lutchana Phipps, of West Yarmouth, who was baptized in the church, described herself as devastated to learn about the church's closing.

"It's a small church, but we're a family," said Phipps, who is the church secretary.

'Not abandoned but embraced'

During Sunday's service, Kat Black and the Rev. Christopher Vazquez, the married co-pastors for Christian Union Church, a half-mile away, told the churchgoers that they were welcome at their church as they searched for a permanent space and that "our congregation is in support of you."

"They're not abandoned but embraced," Vazquez said to the Times.

Brown took over as pastor in 2017 and said he's watched his congregation blossom. He will now focus on building his new ministry Emmanuel Faith Ministries.

He said the mostly Jamaican parishioners come from a Pentecostal background and "gravitate towards this spirited worship." He is planning to set up a GoFundMe fundraiser so the community can raise money to potentially buy 17 Pond Road or another space.

Brown said the building owners told him they want to put the property on the market by the beginning of April. He's grateful for the support from other local churches, but is also anxious to secure a permanent base.

"We can do Zoom meeting and do online worship. But coming together, it's different. We need a place to call our home," said Brown.

Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Chapel on the Pond in Truro is looking for a new home