Capital Campaign Ground-Breaking Ceremony: Nov 18

On Sunday, November 18, 2018, at 11:15 a.m, First Parish Church will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a new elevator addition to Pilgrim House on Cleaveland Street in Brunswick. The elevator will make the building more accessible and allow greater use of the large gathering space, Fellowship Hall, on the second floor. Construction, managed by Ledgewood Construction, will begin in late November and is expected to be finished in the early summer of 2019.

A second phase of this project, involving changes to the interior of the church sanctuary, will be undertaken in January and February of 2019. The plan is to modify the front of the sanctuary in order to enhance the experience of worship. The reredos or screen behind the pulpit will be moved back. At the same time, the large sounding board attached to the reredos or screen will be lowered, allowing a better view of the large window at very front of the sanctuary, which was given by Joshua Chamberlain in memory of his father‐in‐law, Dr. Adams, a long‐time minister of the church.

In addition, the pulpit will be made moveable, allowing more flexible use of space. The steps to the pulpit will be made uniform, making them safer and more functional for youth choirs and other activities. These changes will be made with respect for the historical importance of the building and with minimal disturbance to the appearance of the sanctuary.

Scott Simons Architects has designed both projects and has worked with the Church over many years to try to make its space more suitable to the mission of the Church.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Gerry Brookes at gabrookes@comcast.net