'Keep the church community safe.' Sandwich church will use $75K grant for security system

First Church of Christ in Sandwich will use a new $75,000 grant to install a state-of-the-art security system to "keep the church community safe," said the Rev. Jenny Valentine, minister of faith formation and service.

"The added security is reassuring because it means people here can relax and fully experience their time here among community," said Valentine. "It puts our minds at ease that we are doing all that we can to take good care of the space."

Eighty-five nonprofits including houses of worship, schools, health care providers and other organizations at heightened risk of a hate crime or extremist attack received a total of $4.75 million to make security improvements, according to a Healey-Driscoll Administration press release .

St. John Paul II School in Hyannis was the other nonprofit on Cape Cod that received a grant, of $35,000, according to the release.

The upgrade at the church will include entry keypads, cameras inside and outside and monitoring software and equipment, according to a church press release.

For the Rev. Tina Walker-Morin, senior pastor, the grant will enable the church community to safely and securely "live out our mission of providing a place where there is a seat for everyone."

"We look forward to welcoming all who wish to join with us or use the space," said Walker-Morin in the church press release.

Church staff applied for the grant earlier this year, Valentine said. The money came through the state's Massachusetts Nonprofit Security Grant Program , according to the press release. The program uses federal funds set aside for the state through the American Rescue Plan Act .

The church has already hired a company to upgrade the security system, and software is already being installed, said Valentine.

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Why did the church want to ramp up security?

Safety for church staff and its roughly 250 active church participants is a top priority, said Valentine.

The church also wants to protect the roughly 30 students enrolled in the church's Joyful Noise Preschool . Valentine hopes preschool families can rest assured that measures are put in place to maintain a strong learning environment for students and teachers.

The church, said Valentine, also hosts Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as many other groups throughout the community like the Sandwich Arts Alliance and 12-step meeting groups.

"All schools in our area have a high level of security. And with our preschool here we want to have parity with other schools and organizations that are providing services to children who are a vulnerable population," said Valentine.

The expense of keys for an old church

There are also practical reasons why the church wanted to improve, said Valentine. The church was founded in 1638 under the Plymouth Colony Charter and the Mayflower Compact. Because the church has been around for so long, keys to the building have been difficult to replace when staff moves on to other endeavors, said Valentine.

"The keys then disappear with the people," she said. "The expense of having to rekey the church and then get keys to all the right people, at the right time, is cumbersome."

The church is also very public with its witness of support for all people, including members of the LGBTQ+ population.

"It's helpful to know that we have that added security," said Valentine. That's not a primary reason for the upgraded security system "but it's something we keep in mind."

Throughout the life of the grant, said Valentine, the state program coordinators will work with the award recipients to provide assistance in managing the money and ensuring work is finished.

“Protecting faith-based and other nonprofit organizations from hate and extremist violence is essential to the safety and security of our communities across Massachusetts. We are deeply committed to ensuring that organizations at risk of hate crimes and violence are protected and supported,” said Gov. Maura Healey in the press release.

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com . Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 'Keep the church community safe.' Sandwich church will use $75K grant for security system