Broad Bay Congregational Church invites the community to an afternoon of fun, celebrating the public phase of its Capital Campaign Kick-Off on Sat., Sept. 1. The event runs from 3 to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine, and neighbors from near and far are welcome to drop in at any time. 

Staying true to its campaign theme of “A Place for All,” there will be food for vegetarians as well as carnivores, young and not-so-young, including veggie platters, crockpots full of various goodies, fruits, beverages and ice cream. Children can take a turn or two in a bounce house, as well as get their faces painted, get temporary tatoos, play games, and adults can socialize or sit back and listen to live music. 

Children

can take a turn or two in a bounce house, as well as get their faces painted, get temporary tatoos, play games, and adults can socialize or sit back and listen to live music.

The Windfern Ensemble

will play both classical and popular selections for the afternoon get-together.

At 4:15 p.m.,campaign co-chairs Dorothy Petersen and Kathy Osborne will unveil the campaign funding sign, showing what church congregants have raised and the amount that still needs to be raised.  Shortly after that, Brian Scheuzger, an architect and member of the church’s building committee, will give a tour of the 1838 church, pointing out historical features and explaining plans to make the building more accessible, safe and flexibie.  Among the slated projects are work on the structural integrity of the building, including foundation and steeple projects; making the entrance safer and more user-friendly; putting in a lift for easier access to the church sanctuary, and adding a restroom on the sanctuary level. 

“We’re hoping folks in the neighborhood, as well as those from farther away, will come for some simple family fun,” said Osborne. “The town is letting us close the small portion of Pleasant Street along the side lawn for the hours of the party which will enhance the family-friendly feel we're striving to create.”

With community support, church members hope to raise $500,000 by Nov. 15, which would then make Broad Bay eligible to receive $250,000 in matching funds from the National Fund for Sacred Places. That fund, a collaboration of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the  Partners for Sacred Places, chose the church, along with only 13 others nationwide, for its inaugural grant process. Broad Bay was chosen for its historical significance, commitment to the community, need for financial help in urgently needed projects, fundraising capabilities and vitality of its congregation.

“We are committed to the project for so many reasons,” said co-chair Petersen. “The church building is open to all for concerts, meetings and worship. The steeple is a beautiful symbol of the town of Waldoboro and reminds us of our heritage and of something greater than ourselves.

“And, we believe in the power of community. We’re already seeing that the project is succeeding with the help not only of church members and friends, but because the wider Lincoln County community cares about preservation and has a commitment to future generations.” 

Many community groups currently use space at Broad Bay, including Alcoholics Anonymous, nutrition and restorative justice programs, the historical society and the garden society. The church hosts musical events, including organ concerts, some of which have been benefits for community organizations, including New Hope for Women, CHIP, and the Waldoboro Food Pantry. The hope and plan is that the building will be used more extensively by more groups in the community. 

The church building has been home to both Congregationalists and Baptists.  Broad Bay started as a house church in 1983 and moved to the Grange Hall that same year. In 2002, the congregation voted to purchase the 941 Main St. site, formerly the First Baptist Church. Since then, the congregation has restored the 1875 Hook & Hastings organ, put on a new roof, replastered the walls of the sanctuary and refurbished its lighting, among other projects.

Other Broad Bay September events are a fundraiser dinner on Sept. 15 at the VFW, hosted by the Community Friends of Broad Bay, and an organ concert featuring Keith Reas on Sept. 30. 

For more information visit our capital campaign page.