Peter Gove 
Patrick Fitzgerald
In the past year, while starting an online campus and navigating the challenges of serving the congregation and community during the pandemic, Valley Brook Community Church hired two new staff members. Peter Gove was hired as the new Facilities Manager, and Patrick Fitzgerald was hired as the new Worship Arts Director. Pastor Clark Pfaff remarked, “It’s been quite a year and we’re thankful for the leadership that Peter and Patrick bring to Valley Brook.”
Gove has extensive experience in buildings and grounds management after spending 15 years as the Facilities Manager at the YMCA’s Camp Jewell. He shares, “God has definitely blessed me in ways that I could not have imagined in the short time that I have been working at Valley Brook. He has provided abundantly for my family during a time when you would not expect it. It showed me that if you are willing to step out in faith, God will be there for you.”
Gove oversees the care and maintenance of the church building and other structures and manages Valley Brook Church’s 80 acres of land that include trails, fields, a pond and a portion of the east branch of Salmon Brook. Gove works with an exceptional team of volunteers to maintain the grounds and facilities. “Peter is a great addition to our staff. Beyond his skills and knowledge in the maintenance of buildings and grounds, he is a strong and fun-loving leader to serve with,” said Pastor Clark Pfaff. Gove and his wife, Jodi, live in Colebrook and have one child.
Fitzgerald comes to Valley Brook after years of serving in the worship ministries of several churches, most recently at Life Community Church in Quincy, Mass. Fitzgerald grew up in Bristol and studied percussion at Central Connecticut State University. A talented vocalist, guitarist, and drummer, Fitzgerald works with a large team of volunteer vocalists, musicians, and technicians to lead the worship services on Sundays and special occasions. He also oversees the production and streaming of the Sunday service to Valley Brook’s online campus.
Fitzgerald shared, “I was led first and foremost by God to find a job here at Valley Brook. Once I started coming here for interviews I was blown away by the beautiful grounds and by how nice everyone was, from the greeters on Sunday morning, to the staff. It was so great to find a church that was Bible centered and loving toward others, and even more amazing to have the opportunity to work here.” Pastor Clark says of Fitzgerald, “We are blessed to have such a gifted leader for both our worship ministry and our church.” Fitzgerald and his wife, Bronwyn, reside in Simsbury.
Valley Brook Church is active in helping the community and seeks to serve people of all ages. It holds its worship service on Sundays at 10 a.m. at 160 Granville Road in North Granby and online. The church also offers small group studies for adults and Sunday morning and weekday evening programs for children and students. For more information about Valley Brook visit valleybrook.cc