Historic home should be restored to its former elegance

This is a letter in response to Michael Acker's article on the fate of the Victorian Queen Anne-style house at 124 Main St., South River ("Mansion's Uncertain Future Raises Concern," Sentinel, June 29).

It is unfortunate that the Tabernacle Baptist Church has let the building go into disrepair. My aunt and uncle, Hedwig and Joseph Bienkowski, and their daughter, Annette, lived there from the 1940s until the 1970s. For a year my family also lived there, in the third-floor apartment.

Originally, the property extended to the corner of Main and Jackson, but in the 1950s my aunt and uncle gave the triangular piece to the Baptist church to build its new church. The property was then reduced to one-fourth of an acre. After my aunt and uncle passed away, the house was given up.

In the early- to mid-1970s, the house was sold/given/donated to the church for a meager sum. The church has been in possession of the whole property since the mid-1970s.

I hope that the South River Historical Preservation Society and others like the homes group can rescue this house and restore it to its former elegance - just the architectural qualities alone could make it become a showcase. The fact that the property is a beautiful location in South River, with ample potential for parking, could make it good for a bed-and-breakfast inn, a small conference center or a professional office.

Maybe the church could sell the property to someone and make it taxable again to the town. This someone could look into submitting the property for a makeover, like on "This Old House," where they lovingly restore these types of houses. There are probably more of these groups that can be found through cable television or Internet outlets.

Since I personally lived there for a while when I was young, I know the house has a grandeur, a flow and views from the windows. The beautiful wraparound porch that was screened in during the summer was rocking-chair comfortable. I remember the pond on the side where the goldfish swam. If it returns to being a residence, it can certainly contain a professional part, too.

I hope that the residents and the local community groups can work with the church to find a way not to demolish the house but to enhance it. If you need some pictures to rebuild it, I would be happy to help.

Cynthia Gabrielski

Basking Ridge section of Bernards