Ages And Stages
By Joyce Beairsto
Witham Construction Company workers
at the Congregational Church of North Barnstead.
When the history of the Congregational Church of North Barnstead, UCC,
is written, it will include the years 2008-2010 as the “Come Well or High
Water” years.
In 2008 church members reflected and reviewed its short and long-range
goals for the next 10 years. Moderator David Allen presented a power
point reviewing the many goals presented by the membership. The goal
of building a modern restroom to replace the present tiny one with its
electric toilet and lack of running water became Goal # 1.
The Rev. David Williams, finance consultant from the NH United Church of
Christ Conference, provided assistance in setting realistic fund raising
goals and training members for a capital fund raising campaign. Member Henry
Beairsto volunteered to be the Capital Campaign Chair, and worked with
church leaders to organize the effort. Two years later, with church
wide commitments of over $55,000 to be paid over a three-year period, nearly
$39,000 has been received to date.
It is now 2010, and the construction has begun. A 600 foot deep
well was drilled by Contoocook Well Company on the property of our neighbors
Joan and Tom Sawyer, who provided an easement allowing us to locate the well
on their property behind the church.
A 16 x 16 foot basement utility/storage room has been constructed by
Witham Construction Company to house the water tank and related items, as
well as provide needed storage space.
Very soon Witham Construction will begin work on a septic system and we
hope the restroom will be completed by November 1.
In the year 2020 the Congregational Church of North Barnstead will
celebrate 200 years of being a gathered worshipping community; first as a
year-round church, then for 70 years a church that met only in the summer
months, and for the last 10 years and moving forward, a year-round church
with a vibrant and growing congregation.
Our pastor, the Rev. Nancy Talbott, and our property committee are
encouraging us to envision projects to complete over the next ten years –
new front steps, window replacement, shutters, insulation, new siding and
painting both inside and outside the building.
On our 200th birthday we will look back on the ages and stages of our
development and celebrate that God has blessed the worshipping community
throughout its history.