Story
Eastport’s Central Congregational Church, also known as the Seaman’s Church, was dedicated in 1829, although its spire was not completed until 1831. It was built by the First Evangelical Congregational Church and Society of Eastport, who later shortened their name to the Central Congregational Society of Eastport.
The Federal-style church is the work of prominent local architect and builder Daniel Low, and it was praised in the Eastport Sentinel for being well-proportioned and well-constructed. Low was known to have owned several plan books including Asher Benjamin’s “American Builder’s Companion.” Central Congregational Church appears to have been inspired by a design in the book. The interior, tower, belfry, and spire closely matched Benjamin’s plan, while Low took more license with the building’s proportions and added pilasters to its primary facade. The original belfry and spire blew over in the Saxby Gale of 1869 and were replaced with a different design. Additional alterations were made to the tower after a lightning strike in the 1990s. The only other significant alteration to the building is the enclosure of the galleries, which was done in the late nineteenth century.
In 1976, the Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as an important example of Federal-style ecclesiastical architecture as well as an example of the skill of Daniel Low.
Threat
Like so many other houses of worship across the state, the number of congregants dwindled and owning the large church became financially unsustainable. In 2015, Maine Preservation staff conducted a preliminary assessment and warned that deferred maintenance was reaching a tipping point. A year later, the property was donated to the Tides Institute & Museum of Art, a nonprofit organization that has preserved a collection of significant historic buildings in Eastport.
In 2017, the Tides Institute, with support from the Maine Steeples Fund, commissioned a conditions assessment from Preservation Timber Framing (PTF) to understand the needs of the landmark church. It became evident that poor grade and drainage at the site resulted in areas of collapse in the foundation and extensive decay of the undercarriage framing. PTF’s assessment recommended significant repairs to the foundation and timber frame structure, including the steeple tower and spire. Other needs include the careful restoration of the windows, a new roof, and repainting the interior and exterior. The cost estimate for the most critical repairs to the structure and envelope is over $400,000. Compounding the physical problems, a new use for the building has yet to be identified. Large sanctuary spaces lend themselves to the performing arts, lectures, and meetings but the Tides Institute already programs a historic church down the street in these ways.
How to get involved
Maine voters can “Vote Yes on 3” to create a funding source for the preservation of historic community buildings like the Central Congregational Church. The third referendum question on this November’s ballot asks Mainers to support a $10 million bond that would create a state grant program administered by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to fund repairs on National-Register listed buildings owned and stewarded by nonprofit organizations or local governments.
While the Tides Institute is an engaged steward with a proven track record of preservation and fundraising, long-term success requires a sustainable plan for reuse. Input from a variety of stakeholders in the Eastport community and larger Downeast region is welcomed and encouraged. If you or your organization wants to be a part of the conversation, please reach out to either the Tides Institute or Maine Preservation.
For information on how to directly support the Central Congregational Church, please visit, https://www.tidesinstitute.org/.
Photo Credits: Tides Institute & Museum of Art; Maine Preservation
