United Methodist Church starts $1 million restoration fundraising campaign
(Photo by Dean Weaver)
NORWICH – The United Methodist Church on Broad Street recently began a fundraising campaign to help pay for repairs on the steeples and the roof of their 145-year-old Norwich landmark.
Representatives of the church said it was built in 1874, and has seen its fair share of history. They said it is the highest structure in Chenango County and is a New York Landmarks Conversancy’s Sacred Site.
They added that when the church was originally built, it cost $49,500.
After factoring in inflation, that’s just over $1,000,000 in today’s money. At the helm of the project is The Scott Imhoff Company Inc. and Ryan Biggs Engineers. When asked how the project will take Al Kochersperger said, “I would say five years is a minimum when you’re looking at the totality of the roof, of the windows, and all we’re doing here.”
Initially, the restoration project began with the iconic stained-glass windows.
Representatives said the current windows, which were installed around 1928 after the original windows faded, was the focus of the restoration but upon further inspection, deterioration of the bricks and beam structures in the steeples and attic as well as multiple leaks in the roof were found to be troubling for the future of the building.
When asked why the repairs are important, Bernie Windsor said, “Little by little, with all of the other things going on, we’re trying to improve this not just for us but for the community because a lot of people come in here.”
While the repairs are going to be expensive, church officials Allan Strong, Al Kochersperger, and Bernie Windsor said, “Our steeples are focal point of the community. We’re told that the high steeple is the highest structure in Chenango County.” They reasoned that a major piece of history would be lost if the steeples were to be removed.
When asked about why the preservation of this piece of history is vital to the community, church officials said the building is more than just a church, it’s a place for the community to come together. They added that there are several organizations that use the building including: AA, NA, Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, and Red Cross as well as pre school programs and after school programs.
They also have a kitchen that they use to provide lunches to needy children in the community. Allan Strong had mentioned that, “Sometimes even those of us connected here at the church don’t fully understand how utilized the building is. For instance, there was a funeral this summer that this building was used for because the expected number of people there was exceeding any place the rest of the community could hold.”
As for how they plan to raise the money, church officials said they plan to apply for various grants and will be holding both big and small fundraising events, as well as asking for contributions from locals. Donations can be made on their website – www.BroadStUMC.com, on their Go-Fund-Me page, or in the form of a pledge over 3, 5, or 10 years.
– Dean Weaver, Sun Correspondent
Representatives of the church said it was built in 1874, and has seen its fair share of history. They said it is the highest structure in Chenango County and is a New York Landmarks Conversancy’s Sacred Site.
They added that when the church was originally built, it cost $49,500.
After factoring in inflation, that’s just over $1,000,000 in today’s money. At the helm of the project is The Scott Imhoff Company Inc. and Ryan Biggs Engineers. When asked how the project will take Al Kochersperger said, “I would say five years is a minimum when you’re looking at the totality of the roof, of the windows, and all we’re doing here.”
Initially, the restoration project began with the iconic stained-glass windows.
Representatives said the current windows, which were installed around 1928 after the original windows faded, was the focus of the restoration but upon further inspection, deterioration of the bricks and beam structures in the steeples and attic as well as multiple leaks in the roof were found to be troubling for the future of the building.
When asked why the repairs are important, Bernie Windsor said, “Little by little, with all of the other things going on, we’re trying to improve this not just for us but for the community because a lot of people come in here.”
While the repairs are going to be expensive, church officials Allan Strong, Al Kochersperger, and Bernie Windsor said, “Our steeples are focal point of the community. We’re told that the high steeple is the highest structure in Chenango County.” They reasoned that a major piece of history would be lost if the steeples were to be removed.
When asked about why the preservation of this piece of history is vital to the community, church officials said the building is more than just a church, it’s a place for the community to come together. They added that there are several organizations that use the building including: AA, NA, Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, and Red Cross as well as pre school programs and after school programs.
They also have a kitchen that they use to provide lunches to needy children in the community. Allan Strong had mentioned that, “Sometimes even those of us connected here at the church don’t fully understand how utilized the building is. For instance, there was a funeral this summer that this building was used for because the expected number of people there was exceeding any place the rest of the community could hold.”
As for how they plan to raise the money, church officials said they plan to apply for various grants and will be holding both big and small fundraising events, as well as asking for contributions from locals. Donations can be made on their website – www.BroadStUMC.com, on their Go-Fund-Me page, or in the form of a pledge over 3, 5, or 10 years.
– Dean Weaver, Sun Correspondent
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