Founded in 1950, the original wood frame church building was comprised of a combination sanctuary/fellowship hall, a 2-story education wing, and a kitchen with offices and library on the ground floor. In 2000, a new sanctuary was added, increasing the size of the facility by 40%. A new gas-fired hydronic boiler system was added for the addition alongside the original steam boiler, also gas-fired. The net results of all the improvements? St. Matthew's has reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by 22%. Comparing Fall/Winter '13–'14 to Fall/Winter '14–'15 heating costs, St. Matthew's cut annual heating costs by 19%, a reduction from $10,672 to $8,667. Further conservation efforts resulted in an 8% reduction in electricity demand.
The Congregational Church of Needham cut its carbon footprint by 58%, soon to reach 64% with solar, through insulation, LED upgrades, high-efficiency boilers, and persistent, faith-driven leadership that brought sustainability into every decision.
When a condemned boiler left First Congregational Church scrambling through one cold winter, the congregation turned the crisis into a decision: a high-efficiency heat pump system that moves the historic 1860 church off fossil fuels and toward a low-carbon future.
St. John's Episcopal Church in Newtonville turned a heating crisis into climate leadership. Through upgrades and careful planning, St. John's cut carbon emissions 58% since 2012 while preserving its historic building and improving year-round comfort.
