Text Box: PRESERVING NORTHAMPTON'S MEETINGHOUSE FOR THE VALLEY Capital Campaign Update 02/01/2008   First Churches is in the early stages of an ambitious capital campaign, “Preserving Northampton’s Meetinghouse for the Valley,” to reopen its historic sanctuary. This $2 million project includes replacing the slate roof across the entire building, repairing the plaster ceiling over the sanctuary and restoring three stained-glass windows (see the Building Restoration Plan). Workers will also address any structural problems they may discover in the rafters. Funding is being sought from within the congregation, from special grants and from the Pioneer Valley community-at-large. To date, almost $500,000 has already been pledged, mostly from members of the First Churches congregation. The Community phase of this campaign will kick off on April 6, 2008 with a benefit concert at the Calvin Theater. Several bands that have performed in the First Churches sanctuary at First Nights in the past will fill the bill. Click here to go to Our Calendar First Churches closed its sanctuary in March 2007 after a large chunk of the plaster ceiling fell 35 feet into a row of pews. Luckily, no one was in the sanctuary at the time. Since the sanctuary has been closed, events like weddings, funerals and community meetings have been diverted to other churches, while worship services have been moved to Lyman Hall. Construction is beginning in April 2008, with the expectation that the sanctuary will reopen before Christmas 2008. Click here to learn more about Our Programs The First Churches Meetinghouse is home to multiple human service groups and other community organizations that provide critical outreach and support to our most vulnerable citizens.  The Meetinghouse serves over 1,200 people per week and offers important downtown meeting space for civic gatherings large and small.  First Churches has been an integral part of the religious, historical, architectural, and social fabric of downtown Northampton and our entire community since this City’s founding over 350 years ago. For many years, First Churches was the largest and the tallest structure in all of Western Mass. Click here to learn more about Our History Please donate to the capital campaign to Preserve Northampton’s Meetinghouse for the Valley. Your generous support will ensure that the Meetinghouse remains a vital fixture both as an architectural gem in our downtown skyline and one of the lifeblood institutions of our rich civic life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, June 1

6:30pm

 

The Nields & Friends
Sing-A-Long Music for the Meetinghouse
Edwards Church, 297 Main St., Northampton

Tickets are $10 -- Limited Tickets Available!

Tickets may be purchased at: Pleasant Street Video, Serios Market, Cooper’s Corners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATE TODAY!

 

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