One of the town’s historic landmarks is in need of some tender love and care, and it’s asking for residents’ help. The Old North Church just launched the “Keep It Ringing” campaign, with the primary objective of repairing the church’s bell tower.
The campaign has set a goal of $1 million for repairs to the church’s tower, with the cupola and steeple alone requiring an estimated $400,000. Church Moderator Betsey Halbert said that both need to be totally rebuilt.
Mark Adams, the chair of Sustainable Marblehead’s Green Homes and Buildings Working Group, assured that the church’s historical style will be kept intact after all the updates.
“The bell tower will be restored by a company that specializes in doing this work for historical churches,” said Adams. “It will be rebuilt in the same design and with the same appearance using historical materials.”
The town hopes to have the bell tower restored in two years for a very specific reason, further emphasizing a focus on keeping the church’s history alive.
“We are trying to get that work completed in time for the 200-year celebration of the building of our church, which will be happening in the spring of 2025,” said Adams. “Other projects, such as the repointing of our building’s stone wall, may take up to five years to complete.”
According to the campaign’s press release, donations will be accepted by check, EFT, credit or debit cards, or financial assets over the next three years. Adams stressed the need for the community’s help.
“The amounts that are needed for the restoration work that will be funded by this Capital Campaign far exceed our annual operating budget. This is why we are making an appeal to our members and to the Marblehead community at large for the donations that are needed to restore the splendor of our church,” he said.