Ellie Shaw called to ask if I could include the following information that was actually written by Chuck Shaw.  I am happy to help. – Lil

The origins of the First Congregational Church, UCC can be traced to the early meetings of the settlers in 1761.  Through the years there were several religious divisions within the town.  Meeting houses were moved, new ones built.  On November 20, 1832 a new religious group called the “First Congregational Church and Society in Walpole” was formed.  Around 1833 or 1834, the Church on the green, that today we know as the First Congregational Church, UCC, was built.

The Church on the green has become a fixture of our community and is integral to many who live here today and those who have passed through Walpole over the past 175 years.  It is a resource for our town and its people for worship and outreach with children’s events, rummage sales, food pantry contributions for North Walpole, Alstead and Bellows Falls, Mistletoe Mart Christmas bazaar, CROP walks, chicken barbeques, winter clothes for orphans, blankets and supplies for the homeless shelter in North Walpole, and more.  We are the host church for large weddings and funerals.

Whether you’re a regular attendee on Sunday or an occasional visitor you may have noticed a “bounce” upon walking down the center aisle in the upstairs sanctuary.  That is not a good thing.  In addition, the ceiling in the Fellowship Hall underneath the sanctuary floor seemed to be sagging.  We have a structural and a safety problem.

Contractors and a structural engineer have investigated these problems.  They made holes in the ceiling and found that years ago the primary support posts of the timber joints in the center floor of the sanctuary were missing.  They had been moved from their original position.  In addition there are six layers of ceiling material and five layers of flooring.  The seating capacity of the sanctuary was placed at around 150 people but we know that over 200 people attend events in it.

To address the immediate problem, temporary steel support posts were inserted at the weakened timber joints.  The more permanent repair will be difficult and complex.  The estimated cost is $106,162.00 and will give us the opportunity to upgrade the out-of-code electrical and plumbing problems.

Our church and our town have been blessed for many years with benefactors who come forward financially when urgent needs arise.  We have received an anonymous gift of $50,000.00 which will be put toward the project.  We are looking for contributions to help match this gift so we don’t draw down our limited reserve funds.

Walpole is a generous town.  Our churches are anchors of our community.  Our strength comes from our people.  Thank you for sharing in this appeal.

Contributions may be made to:

First Congregational Church UCC

Building Fund

P.O. Box 393

Walpole, NH  03608

Dale Woodward

Chuck Shaw

Dave Westover