Several representatives from Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, sat down with Meryl Kessler, director of Newton’s new Arts and Culture Department, and John Rice, chief of Community Services, to talk about plans for the church grounds and how to work collaboratively with the City of Newton as it makes improvements in Newton Highlands over the next few years.
The May 14, 2026, meeting, which took place at Brigham House, across the street from the church, touched on ideas like better connecting the church’s grounds with Rodney Barker Square (expected to be redone in spring 2027) and making the church a cultural stop in Newton Highlands, along with Brigham House (becoming home to the Arts and Culture Department and Spark Newton in July), the Hyde Community Center, and the Woman’s Club.
Representing the church were Sally Brickell, vice moderator; Yoko Bryden, building manager; David Nauss, design builder and restoration contractor; and Karen Sebastian, landscape architect.
As a result of the meeting, Ms. Kessler added the church’s rental spaces to her new Interactive Arts and Culture Map.
The next step in the Community Connection project is a property survey, which was approved by the church Council in April.
