FRYEBURG — The banners hanging beside the white columns at the front of the First Congregational Church of Fryeburg-UCC say it all — “Preserving Our Heritage … Pointing to Our Future.” With that as their motto, the congregation recently kicked-off their capital fundraising campaign to save the church steeple. The worship service was followed by an outdoor reception in celebration of the beginning of the public phase of their campaign.

Rising 100 feet above Main Street, marking the passage of 165 years and steadily pointing the direction of the prevailing wind, the iconic steeple is a landmark of the town of Fryeburg.  The church itself is an important historical anchor to the town and its people.

Due to its large size and central location, the church has served as a meeting place and concert hall. Fryeburg Academy’s worship and baccalaureate services were once held there. Countless weddings, christenings and other important events have taken place beneath the soaring steeple. Now it is home to FirstKids Children’s Learning Center.

Because the building has always been a focal point in the village and a part of the lives of many townspeople, they have, in turn, been there to help in any way they can. It started in 1872 when Miss Sarah Osgood bequeathed $200 to be used toward a town clock for the steeple. Through the years, the community has been vital in banding together to assist with maintaining this historical landmark, from helping to repair the cracked bell in 1941, to raising funds to restore the beautiful stained glass windows in 2005.

Now, the steeple, nearly 50 years after its last repair, is in need of major structural restoration. The Capital Campaign Committee of the First Congregational Church of Fryeburg has begun to raise the necessary funds to save the steeple and preserve it for another 50 years, in a major capital campaign. It will cost $180,000 to restore the steeple and repair the structure of the roof.

The committee has already raised, through gifts and grants, $25,000. They are now seeking the help of the greater Fryeburg community. For further information, contact campaign chairman, George Weston.