Page 12 - Church Hill Road_4
P. 12
HOME HISTORY FROM THE HOMEOWNER
4 CHURCH HILL ROAD
This is the first time this home is on the market in 21 years.
It truly is a chance to own a piece of Fairfield history.
Documented book on premises & stays with the home
Short story is the following:
This unique & adorable home has extraordinary charm. It was built for
the Grippin family in 1940 (Referred to as a California Monterey house)
Ethel Grippin was a co-founder of Unquowa school (located just across
the street) one of the oldest co-educational schools in the country.
Mr. & Mrs. William C. Grippin were a wealthy couple who lived in a
mansion at seaside park in Bridgeport and regularly gave to charity.
They lost everything in the 1930 stock market crash and their only regret
was that they could no longer donate which, as they said, was more a
loss for the many needy organizations & individuals than to them.
A sympathetic Architect named Carleton B. Ryder was there latest
break & the construction of #4 Church Hill Rd. began.
Mr. Ryder was very creative in using salvaged materials; The house was
built using wood from 4 old barns
Rare fireplace-sunken 2 steps below living room floor is made of Belgian
blocks that were once cobbles on John street.
Mediterranean tile used for roof came from a site in greens farms.
Mr. Ryder made 4 wall sconces in the living room from tin pie plates from
the Bridgeport pie company.(In which the frizbee was invented ) Then
he made star shape pieces out of stained glass from an old church
window that was given to him to complete these unique wall sconces.
The dining room light was another epigram of Ryder. It’s made from
glass fruit Mrs. Grippin had bought in Italy & set under a wooden bowl.
Kitchen light is cake-pan in which a design was stamped & bulb simply
inserted.
All timber & paneling in house is open faced.
Home features wonderful iron work and accessories. Grapes décor on
front door and window were made from grapes that Mr. Grippin
brought back from Italy for his wife.
I hope you will enjoy this home as much as we have for the past 21 years
- Tina E. McGoldrick (homeowner)
www.VANDERBLUE .com 203-259-8326
4 CHURCH HILL ROAD
This is the first time this home is on the market in 21 years.
It truly is a chance to own a piece of Fairfield history.
Documented book on premises & stays with the home
Short story is the following:
This unique & adorable home has extraordinary charm. It was built for
the Grippin family in 1940 (Referred to as a California Monterey house)
Ethel Grippin was a co-founder of Unquowa school (located just across
the street) one of the oldest co-educational schools in the country.
Mr. & Mrs. William C. Grippin were a wealthy couple who lived in a
mansion at seaside park in Bridgeport and regularly gave to charity.
They lost everything in the 1930 stock market crash and their only regret
was that they could no longer donate which, as they said, was more a
loss for the many needy organizations & individuals than to them.
A sympathetic Architect named Carleton B. Ryder was there latest
break & the construction of #4 Church Hill Rd. began.
Mr. Ryder was very creative in using salvaged materials; The house was
built using wood from 4 old barns
Rare fireplace-sunken 2 steps below living room floor is made of Belgian
blocks that were once cobbles on John street.
Mediterranean tile used for roof came from a site in greens farms.
Mr. Ryder made 4 wall sconces in the living room from tin pie plates from
the Bridgeport pie company.(In which the frizbee was invented ) Then
he made star shape pieces out of stained glass from an old church
window that was given to him to complete these unique wall sconces.
The dining room light was another epigram of Ryder. It’s made from
glass fruit Mrs. Grippin had bought in Italy & set under a wooden bowl.
Kitchen light is cake-pan in which a design was stamped & bulb simply
inserted.
All timber & paneling in house is open faced.
Home features wonderful iron work and accessories. Grapes décor on
front door and window were made from grapes that Mr. Grippin
brought back from Italy for his wife.
I hope you will enjoy this home as much as we have for the past 21 years
- Tina E. McGoldrick (homeowner)
www.VANDERBLUE .com 203-259-8326
