Thank you for your interest in helping to preserve the historic Elijah Kellogg Church in Harpswell, Maine!
Capital Campaign Goals (Slideshow in ppt)
We invite you to learn more about the history of the church, its role in the community and our preservation efforts by clicking on the links in the box and below. We will be updating this site often. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact the church at (207) 833-6026 or fill out the contact form on this web site.
Interested in Donating?
If you are interested in donating to the Capital Campaign and would like your donation to be in the form of securities/stock transfer, please click here for instructions on how to proceed and who to contact with your questions. Thank you!
If you are interested in donating a cash amount or setting up payments over time, please fill out the DONATION CARD and mail to the church or call 207-833-6026 to speak with someone directly about how you can help. Thank you!
If you would like to make a one-time cash donation on-line, please click the Donate button below. All major credit cards are accepted. Thank you!
UPDATE: Wednesday, September 9th
Changes are good and good is very good! Please read this article printed in the local Times Record about the steeple renovations that have just finished up.
UPDATE: Wednesday, August 19th
Great work continues on the exterior of the Santuary. The weathervane has been removed from the steeple so work can be done. The paint stripping and re-painting are moving forward with the help of the lovely summer weather. We will have more photos in the September Newsletter but here are a few to show you the progress being made.
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UPDATE: Wednesday, July 29th
View updated article and photos from our August Newsletter - click here
UPDATE: Monday, July 6th
Work is well underway on the outside renovation projects on the list for this summer. Updated photos will be posted soon and will appear in the August newsletter. The ground work for the new access ramp and painting have started. The weather has been helpful and right now, we are on track. Keep checking back for updates. We appreciate your interest.
UPDATE: Wednesday, May 7, 2015
Final preparations have been underway over winter and early spring. Work on the church will begin in early June and run through the summer months. Please feel free to check back as we update with photos and other information as progess continues over the next few weeks. Thank you.
UPDATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Our Threshold for the Future
Submitted by George Patterson
The preservation project is moving forward with the expectation that we will have a guaranteed maximum price by the end of the year, all within the time line established earlier.
Giving ourselves the time to look very carefully at each part of the larger picture has been beneficial. For example, we expect to purchase the paint for less than 40% of the retail price and we have applied for a grant to assist us in reducing the over-all cost of steeple work. We are working on another application for funds towards the over-all cost of the entire project. If these efforts are successful, the savings to the church will be significant.
Our relationship with the contractor, Restoration Resources, has proven to be beneficial as the details of the work and the associated costs are carefully reviewed each week. Our progress is definitely showing our determination to have good results for the least amount of money.
On December 2nd, two of the large windows in the sanctuary will be removed and taken to an off-site location to be restored (as have been the shutters). An insulated sandwich of foam board and plywood, painted on both sides, will replace them until they are returned when the other 2 windows will follow suit. The insulation in the Sanctuary is already paying benefits as it takes less time to bring that room up to a comfortable temperature which means reduced fuel consumption. The parsonage has been insulated in both the attic and the basement and the Braley’s report they have already noticed more comfort and can turn down the thermostat, again a savings in fuel consumption.
We hope to have a similar article in upcoming newsletters, and we want to know of your questions and concerns. The members of our committee, Ashley Braley, Art Dyer, Ben Skinner, Janice Maranda, John Wright, Ruth Smith, Louise Huntington, John Carson and Bill Greenwood, will be glad to be of help.
Thank you,
George Patterson
UPDATE: Thursday, October 2, 2014
UPCOMING EVENT IN OCTOBER
On Sunday, October 19th, please join us to hear Les Fossil lecture on the improvements coming to the church in a presentation entitled, "Our Visual Community." He will be speaking to the congregation during the service which begins at 10am. All are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
UPDATE: Thursday, September 11, 2014
CELEBRATION EVENT
Capital Campaign Update
byJane Gott
Eighteen weeks ago we gathered to kick off a capital campaign to raise funds to preserve our beautiful, historic church. Our goals were to achieve 100% participation and to raise $400,000 to ensure the structural integrity of our 171-year-old building.
Now, in approximately two more weeks, we will meet once again to celebrate the accomplishments of the past five months. The sanctuary has been insulated, and work will begin on the parsonage insulation project this fall. Come spring work will begin on the exterior of the church: windows, clapboards, corner boards, the steeple and doorway will all receive attention.
Plan to join us on Sunday, September 14, 2014, to hear the results of our capital campaign. The percentage of participation has increased from 66% in late July to 71% as of this writing! Because of your generosity and devotion to Elijah Kellogg Church, the future of this building and its ministry seems secure. Thanks be to God.
UPDATE: Thursday, August 7, 2014
We are now at 66% of participation for members and friends! Here is the article from the August Newsletter.
Capital Campaign Update
by Bill Hunter
Your response to the “Threshold to Our Future” campaign to preserve and restore our church has been nothing less than remarkable! Because of the generosity of so many members and friends of Elijah Kellogg Church, we are well on our way to achieving the ambitious goals that were established when the membership voted to undertake a three-year capital campaign to fund the preservation and restoration of our historic buildings.
Through mid-July, in the brief three months since the kick-off Capital Campaign Brunch, 66% of those who actively participate in our church throughout the year and seasonally have committed pledges and gifts. Through these generous commitments we are rapidly approaching the achievement of our goals.
If you haven’t yet committed to the Campaign, we hope you will take the opportunity now to join with those who have. We hope to get as close to 100% participation as we can.
In the meantime, the Preservation Committee has been hard at work reviewing proposals from experienced restoration construction firms in response to their requests for proposals to accomplish the work that needs to be done. Anticipate that they will schedule a meeting of the membership during the month of August to call for a vote authorizing our Treasurer to expend the funds as the restoration and preservation work begins in earnest.
Again, many thanks to you all!
UPDATE: Thursday, July 10, 2014
Great News!! We are now at 63% participation for members and friends and moving toward the 100% goal! More updates to follow in the August Newsletter!
UPDATE: Tuesday, July 8, 2014
This following FACT SHEET has been designed to help navigate through the repairs needed and provide more information on the work to be done. Please click HERE to open the .pdf or on the image below.
UPDATE: Thursday, June 26, 2014
'The Restoration Chorus' is on-line. Click here to view the video of some of Harpswell's finest singers performing an orginial song about our church.
UPDATE: Wednesday, June 25, 2014
From the July EKC Newsletter....
Preservation Committee Update
Submitted by George Patterson
The first part of the preservation effort is done.
The sanctuary and the attic over the parlor has not only been insulated but we have air-sealed those items that penetrate the ceiling (fan vents, light wiring, etc.). Such items tend to be major leaks of warm air -think of wasted use of propane. There is more that could be done in the church building but other items that are more important. The parsonage attic and basement will be insulated in the Fall and by that time a general contractor will have been chosen to remove the paint, and then repaint the Sanctuary. This effort won’t take place until next year but progress is being made on all fronts thanks to your support.
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UPDATE: June 6, 2014
Article about EKC's restoration project that appeared in The Times Record, Brunswick. Please click HERE to view the article as a .pdf. Thank you.
UPDATE: Thursday, May 8, 2014
Click here to read an article updating everyone on the Capital Campaign efforts that appears in the May edition of the Harpswell Anchor.
Below are some photos taken during the Capital Campaign Kick-Off Brunch held at EKC on Sunday, April 27th.
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UPDATE: Monday, April 28, 2014
The Kick-Off Brunch and Preservation Presentation by Mr. Christopher Closs from Maine Preservation in Yarmouth, Maine went off without a hitch! The numerous attendees learned more about the restoration efforts for EKC and its building use and future goals. A great festive atmosphere filled the room and everyone enjoyed themselves greatly! Sue Luce, our Music Director developed a song for the efforts restoration. The lyrics to the song are available by clicking here.
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Our Capital Campaign is UNDERWAY!
To view our brochure, please click here.
You and yours are welcome to attend the KICK-OFF Brunch to be held after service on Sunday, April 27th.
To view the invitation in .pdf form, click here.
In addition to joining us for a meal, we will be discussing the renovation plans and concepts for the church. Guest speaker will be Mr. Christopher Closs from Maine Preservation in Yarmouth. He will share a history of Greek Revival Churches as well as some history of the Elijah Kellogg Church.
Please join us to learn why it is important that we preserve our historic church building.
Please RSVP on or before April 15th to Nancy Hurst at hurstnancy@ymail.com if you will be able to attend and the number in your party or call the church at (207) 833-6026. If you get the answering machine, just leave a message.
Please check back for updates on the Capital Campaign that are underway to enhance, preserve and grow the church in our community.
