Thank You Chelmsford!

The members of First Parish would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Town of Chelmsford. We sincerely appreciate the support shown us by the Town Meeting Representatives who voted to approve the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding for both the steeple and the town clock during Monday night's Town Meeting. Together, in a partnership of support and caring for this historic meetinghouse, we will truly be guarding what our Chelmsford sires have won.

With gracious respect,

First Parish Standing Committee

Located in Chelmsford center, First Parish holds a place of significance in Chelmsford's history as the First Meeting House. As one of the most prominent structures in the historic district, First Parish still plays a vibrant role as a historic symbol in our community.

First Parish is on both the State and National Register of Historic Places. Falling under the guidelines of Historic Preservation Act, we were able to apply for a Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Grant. We take pride in maintaining our historic building and hope that these funds will allow us to continue to maintain our historical integrity.

A Joint Venture

The faces and antique mechanism of the town clock are physically supported by the fabric of the First Parish bell tower. Though this CPC Grant application is being made by First Parish, who will oversee the work, it is essentially a joint venture between the church, who owns the steeple and the roof, and the town, who owns the clock.

How will we pay for it?

On Wednesday February 16th 2011, the CPC approved a grant of $185K for both the Clock ($96,424) and the First Parish Steeple ($88,620). The Church was to be responsible for an additional $45,000 to cover the steeple repairs.

We have heard some concerns from the Town Meeting Representatives, the Finance Committee and the Selectman about the cost sharing on this project.

The church has offered to cover more of the expense for the repairs. First Parish will split the $133,620 steeple portion in half, increasing our contribution to $66,810 from $45,000, which will lower the Churches portion of the grant request.

This grant still needs to be voted by Town Reps at Town Meeting on Monday April 25th.

What Has Been Done?

First Parish has undertaken, at its cost, a professional engineering, architectural and steeplejack review of the work required to preserve the steeple, the town clock and surrounding roof. This review is the basis for the costing used in the grant application.

For more information about the Steeple Restoration Project, contact the First Parish This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it