The Work Continues!
Preservation and renovation efforts commenced in May 2022, including upgraded flooring in Hadley Hall, the kitchens, bathrooms, and foyer, as well as scraping and painting the exterior of the building. In the summer of 2023, extensive restoration work on the steeple was completed. In June of 2024, work began on fixing the bell-ringing apparatus.
We have met 50%
of our 3-year goal!
Thank you to our generous donors who have helped us raise $180,000 through
pledges and contributions!
Projects Completed so Far:
• Repair and restoration of steeple
• Scraping and painting of the sanctuary's exterior
• Removal and resurfacing of majority of Hadley Hall flooring
• New carpet in foyer and hallway outside bathrooms
• New floors in women’s and kid’s bathrooms
• New floor in kitchen
Continued funding will help complete:
• Repair of bell-ringing apparatus
• Restoration of 18 sanctuary windows
• Repair of front entry doors
A Picture Gallery of Progress!
Nick from The Verdin Company, shown here with Erin and Chris McCune.
We stopped ringing our bell 1,200 lb. bell four years ago out of safety concerns when we learned that repairs were needed. The bell itself is in good condition; however, the bell is loose in the yoke, most likely due to a worn or corroded head bolt. This is an imminent risk, as there is a potential for the bolt to snap, causing the bell to drop.
Work began June 26, 2024 to replace the bolt and the A-frame stand, including new sealed bearings that will allow for smoother swinging of the bell, along with a new headpiece/clapper/spring assembly. The work is being performed by The Verdin Company of Cincinnati, world-renowned manufacturer and repairer of cast bronze bells.
Our 1,200 lb. bronze bell was cast in 1876 by the Meneely & Kimberly Bell Foundry in Troy, New York. Installed in our belfry on December 23, 1955, it was first rung on Christmas Day and replaced the original bell, which had cracked in 1918 when rung to celebrate the end of WWI.
The steeple work was completed by Robert Morgan Steeple and Building Restoration of Errol, NH. After removing rotted siding and plywood from the spire down to the base, they wrapped the spire in waterproof underlayment, installed new plywood and cedar corner-boards and clapboards, scraped the interior and exterior of the bell tower, and painted all surfaces. Lastly, the crew installed galvanized screen to the open arches of the bell tower to keep out birds and applied 23-carat gold leaf to the weathervane.
The steeple work was featured on the front page of the June 29, 2023 Union Leader and appeared on WMUR's Channel 9 news on
June 8:
Steeplejacks using traditional method to repair Hampstead Congregational Church
In January 2024 we received a $10,000 matching grant from the Methuen Festival of Trees, to help fund the steeple repair. Since 1994, this organization has contributed to historic preservation projects in 25 communities throughout the Merrimack Valley.
After extensive scraping, the exterior of the sanctuary received two coats of fresh paint.
Using state-of-the-art diamond grinders, workers ground down the top layer of Hadley Hall’s concrete floor, leaving a highly-polished, easy-to-maintain surface.
We have new carpet in the foyer and hallway, as well as beautiful new floors in the kitchen and women's and kid's bathrooms!
