Courtesy / Friends of the First Congregational Church
The steeple was repaired along with structural damage during phase 1 of a restoration project at the First Congregational Church in East Machias.
October 26, 2022
In East Machias, first phase of historic church renovation project complete
Courtesy / Friends of the First Congregational Church
A fundraising campaign raised $475,000 to repair the steeple of the First Congregational Church during the first restoration phase.
By Staff
Less than a year ago, an early 19th-century church in East Machias that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places faced an uncertain future.
But thanks to a fundraising campaign that has raised $475,000 to date, the structure was recently stabilized and the 1837 First Congregational Church is again open to the community.
The project will be the subject of a documentary, with a crew returning to East Machias to complete filming later this week.
“The Friends of the First Congregational Church of East Machias have overcome an extraordinary hurdle in stabilizing the historic steeple,” Tara Kelly, executive director of Maine Preservation, said in a news release. “Now, work begins on a full restoration of this significant resource in order to welcome the broader public as it transforms into a cultural hub for all of Washington County and beyond.”
Over 250 donations have been received since the local fundraiser started.
The historic church was placed on the Maine Preservation's list of Most Endangered Historic Places a year ago and the National Register of Historic Places a half century ago.
Many experts in the historic preservation community feared the church would not be saved because many key timbers supporting the nearly 100-foot-tall tower were rotten and there were other major structural problems as well.
With the structural repairs now completed by the Steeple People, a Jonesboro construction company that deals with historical restorations and home and commercial renovations, the building can continue to serve as a meeting place for the congregation and the Friends of the First Congregational Church of East Machias can carry on with the building’s reuse as a community performance space.
Fundraising will continue to fund phase 2, when the sanctuary and remaining facades will be restored and accessibility will be addressed. Primary challenges include providing access into the church and determining restroom accommodations that are appropriate for large numbers of people. To support the project click here.
Courtesy / Friends of the First Congregational Church
The steeple and façade of the 1837 First Congregational Church in East Machias were infested with rot.
Once complete, it’s expected that the restored landmark and new community space will bolster the local economy by drawing visitors and events.
“We are grateful for the support received from many individuals, government agencies, elected officials and businesses, and also from Maine Steeples Fund, Maine Community Foundation and Maine Preservation,” said Erica Famous, a local coordinator of the fundraising and stabilization work.
The church, located in the East Machias Historic District, has served as one of the town’s oldest religious institutions and community center for 185 years. In the 19th century, the congregation was led by several nationally prominent ministers, who delivered some of the earliest speeches supporting the abolition of slavery.
However, due to a significant decline in the congregation, the building has rarely been used in recent years. Through a shared use agreement, church trustees partnered with the Friends of the First Congregational Church of East Machias to steward, repair and reestablish the building as the East Machias Cultural Arts Center. Renovations in progress aim to provide safe and accessible community use of the building for regular musical engagements and instruction, children’s programs, art shows, community forums, lectures and healing vigils.
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