Bristol Senior Center Celebrates 40 Years

At one point, this almost didn't happen.

Around 50 years ago, the Benjamin Church House on Hope Street had fallen into disrepair, with boarded-up windows and plans to demolish the original site of the home for elderly men in Bristol.

Then, a group of seniors decided to spare the Church House from the wrecking ball and work with descendants of Benjamin Church to save the home.

In 1972, they formally created a nonprofit organization to preserve what would become the Bristol Senior Center, the centerpiece of the town's outreach efforts for elder residents.

Over the past year, the Senior Center has been celebrating the accomplishment, culminating with Sunday's Celebration Lunch at Jacky's Galaxie on Metacom Avenue, scheduled for 1 pm.

Tickets are $20 and include choice of roasted stuffed turkey or baked stuffed shrimp. Entertainment by the Red Suspenders.

Executive Director Maria Ursini recently spoke to Bristol-Warren Patch about the home and the history behind saving the Church House — see the accompanying video for more.