PATTEN, Maine – The treasured 1845 Regular Baptist Church, saved by a Patten town vote last year, is getting a new roof on Monday.
The Church, now known as the Patten Historical Society Cultural Center, had a badly leaking roof, which was destroying its hand painted trompe l’oeil ceiling. Repairing the roof damage topped the list of necessary repairs to the town’s earliest building, said Marcia Pond, the woman who led the Save the Church effort and is now managing the preservation committee’s restoration initiative.
A “Raise The Roof” project became Phase One of the committee’s preservation plan, Pond said, adding that the Patten Historical Society and the Preservation Committee went to work raising the needed $30,000 to replace the entire roof.
“We have held many fundraisers, which were a huge success, and many people who believe in our cause, were very generous with donations and support. One of those who showed early support is Maine Preservation,” she said.
After the story of saving the building was featured in the Bangor Daily News, Maine Preservation was the first to contact Pond expressing an interest in what they were doing. Through emails, phone conversations, a discussion with the Patten Select Board members on their behalf, and a visit to the site, Maine Preservation offered the committee helpful information on next steps and funding.
That led to Pond applying for a Maine Preservation and 1772 Foundation Matching Grant.
“Understanding it was possible to make a request for roof repairs, I submitted the grant in late February,” she said.
They were notified in May that they were awarded a $10,000 matching grant to replace the roof. Along with $21,200 in donations to the Raise the Roof campaign, the historical society had raised enough money to replace the roof.
“We are approaching our first year anniversary of receiving the deed to the building on June 26, 2023,” Pond said. “What a wonderful first year gift it is to have the roof totally replaced.”
The Cultural Center has come a long way in a year. The building has been open for small public events, which included tours of the structure, viewing the painted ceiling, music jams, historical presentations, poetry readings, story telling, educational programs, even a dancing in the dark dance on the Total Eclipse weekend in April.
“The response has been very encouraging for our project and the events drew people from the community, surrounding areas, and Canada,” Pond said. “I want to say what a wonderful group of people we have on the Preservation Committee. They come from different stations in life and are critical thinkers, problem solvers, money managers, and goal oriented. They are self motivated with a desire to succeed.”
Unparalleled Roofers, LLC based in Windham, with experience working on historic buildings, will begin replacing the old roof on Monday.
As part of the project, the historical society will be holding an open house while the work is in progress, with the intention of helping to promote historic trades and show younger visitors potential career opportunities in preservation, Pond said, adding that the open house starts at 10 a.m., June 11 at the Patten Historical Society, 38 Main Street.
“We look forward to the chance to tell the public our story of rescuing the building, working to preserve its historical integrity, and giving it a new life as the Patten Cultural Center,” Pond said. “A new roof is just the beginning.”
