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Historic Stamford First Congregational church saved as housing complex moves in

A Stamford developer is preserving a historic church while turning the property into an apartment complex.
The Stamford First Congregational Church dates back to the 1600s. The current church building was erected back in 1913. The congregation has moved many times over the years.
With mounting debt, the church was sold a few years ago for $5 million to Copperline Partners, which has bigger things in mind.
"We're talking about 224 units," said Rick Redniss, a consultant working for Copperline Partners.
Developers are planning to build 224 apartments behind the church while keeping the now-vacant church building.
"It’s been a whole process over the decades. How do you deal with protecting these buildings, repurposing them or how do you monetize the land around so the church can stay there and afford to keep it up," said Redniss.
The Stamford Historical Society says First Congregational Church was the center of life in Stamford, once housing both church and town meetings.
The developer says the church building will stay the same on the outside, but they plan to put amenity space for residents inside the church.
The congregation has since relocated nearby. The zoning board still has to give final approval sometime next month.
Copperline Partners owns about 1,000 apartment units in Stamford.