Campaign to preserve historic Bangor church

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How pleased I was when I learned one of Bangor’s most visible churches will benefit from a capital campaign, helping to preserve one of our city’s most historic structures.

Carolyn Hopkins, administrative assistant for Hammond Street Congregational Church, wrote that during its regular service at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 14, its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Doty, and church members will launch a three-year, $135,000 capital campaign titled “Above and Beyond.”

Nelson Durgin and Eda Morrison are co-chairing the Campaign Steering Committee, with Jim Hillman as honorary chairman.

The purpose of the campaign, Hopkins wrote, is to perform “restorative work” on the 171-year-old hillside structure on the corner of Hammond and High streets.

Not only is this building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Hopkins wrote, “it is a Bangor landmark, with its recognizable steeple and working clock tower.”

During the renovation, the roof will be reslated and the substructure strengthened to provide a solid base for the new slate, she explained.

The estimated cost of fixing the subroof, and setting up the staging, removing old slate and installing new slate on the roof is $99,000.

Additional renovations include putting the electrical service underground, with new electrical upgrades inside and out.

During this process, the chimney will be removed to the roofline, capped and a new power vent system installed. Additional work will improve the present sound system and lighting in the choir loft.

When completed, Hopkins said, “we will have a roof that should last another 150 years, and maintain the integrity of the slate roof tradition in our city.”

The church provides meeting spaces for many groups and organizations, houses the Ecumenical Food Cupboard, Kids Creative Corner Daycare and, each January, hosts the annual Bangor Theological Seminary Convocation.

I know that church members will be putting their hearts and souls into this project and I know, too, that they need our help.

“Since our building is such an integral part of the Bangor skyline,” Hopkins wrote, “we are encouraging the community to be a part of our restoration efforts by contributing” to the campaign.

If you wish to participate in this effort that benefits us all, send your contribution to Hammond Street Congregational Church Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 1106, Bangor 04402-1106.

For more information about the project, or how you could help, call the church office at 942-4381.

Those associated with Spruce Run, the Domestic Abuse Task Force, Grace United Methodist Church in Bangor and First Congregational Church of Brewer invite you to join them in a Community Vigil at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, at Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St. in Bangor.

The Community Candlelight Vigil is in remembrance of victims of domestic violence, and intended to affirm the goal of peace in all homes.

During the service, the Clothesline Project, which consists of T-shirts created by women affected by domestic abuse, will be displayed.

On behalf of the hosts, Bangor Police Chief Don Winslow, a member of the Task Force, reminds us of the importance for individuals to gather, “as a community, to speak out against domestic abuse, and offer a sign of encouragement to its victims.”

Information about Spruce Run, the domestic violence project in Bangor, will be available.

Spruce Run’s 24-hour hot line, (800) 863-9909, is available to anyone affected by domestic abuse.

The next program in the series related to the Bangor Museum and Center for History’s current exhibit, “From Away: Exploring Bangor’s Cultural Heritage,” is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday March 16, at the Bangor Museum, 6 State St.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, memories of growing up in Bangor’s Irish-American community will be shared by Charlie O’Leary, Thomas Spellman and Rosemary Riley.

Their panel discussion is titled, “Those Were the Days.”

Panel moderator John Frawley will also offer a brief introduction of how the Irish came to Bangor.

There is no admission to attend the panel discussion or visit the museum.

“From Away” will remain on exhibit until Wednesday, March 31.

For more information about Bangor Museum activities and events, call 942-1900.

In a letter to the Bangor Daily News “respectfully submitted” by Nick Wakeling, he thanks “the organizers, the helpers and especially the pledgers” who supported him and his fellow Glenburn Elementary School eighth-graders during their recent “Rock-A-Thon to raise money for our class trip.”

“We rocked in rocking chairs for eight hours,” he wrote, “with people pledging money. It was fun!”

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.