Congregational Church needs a new roof

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:32:00 GMT

BY TOBY HENRY

Organizers say they’re looking forward to an upcoming fundraiser that will help them put a new top on one of the most well-known buildings in town.

Located on High Street (Route 27) at an area that some call “Candia’s other Four Corners” -- the junction of South Road, Route 27 and Healey Road -- the Candia Congregational Church is one of the oldest buildings in town still in daily use.

Trustee Lynn Yule said the building dates to the 1830s and was built to replace a 1760sera building that formerly stood where the town Soldiers Monument is today, but that building was destroyed by a fire in January 1838.

According to historical accounts, it took the 19th century Candia residents only 10 months to build the church that still stands there today. The building is also neighbors with two other historical structures, the Fitts Museum and the old Smyth Library building. But church trustee Nancy Malone said the past few decades have taken their toll on the tall building’s roof, and some shingles can now be seen eroding and peeling even from a distant street-level vantage point.

To help repair the damage, Malone said officials have drawn up a re-shingling plan that is expected to cost around $60,000, and one of the first fundraisers for the event has been scheduled for the end of the month. Malone and others are calling on local residents to gather together “those things that are just hanging around” for the upcoming community yard sale on Aug. 30.

“It certainly needs to be done, because we want to preserve the church we have now,” Yule said.

The yard sale will take place at the church from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a rain date slated for Sept. 6. Tables are available for $15 each and applicants can send their checks to the church at Candia Congregational Church, 1 South Road, P.O. Box 62, Candia, N.H. 03034.

For more information or to donate items for the sale, contact Malone at 587-0065.

Candia News : Church

Congregational Church needs a new roof