By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Photo/Jane Keller Gordon
Marlborough – A year-and-a-half ago, the Community Advocate published an article about the First Baptist Church of Marlborough’s efforts to obtain outside funding to repair and paint their historic building. The good news is that the church is almost restored to its original splendor. But the church is still short of the funds needed to finish the job.
“Ninety-eight percent of the money came from small contributions and the church’s building fund. We are a tiny congregation of mostly older members,” Leander Anderson said. “Our parishioners agreed to give the church’s last nickels to make this happen, and we are still short about $6,000.”
“I contacted the Marlborough mayor’s office, the historical society, and different funding outfits. Nobody other than a few businesses gave anything. We looked into requesting money from Historical Preservation Fund, but it became too complicated and expensive. We would have had to hire an architect, in perpetuity. I looked up what that word meant, and it was not an option,” said Anderson.
The church, located on the corner of Main Street and Route 20, had fallen into significant disrepair. It had been almost 25 years since the last time that it was painted.
According to Anderson, people are now taking notice of its splendor.
Dedicated in 1887, the Queen Ann church was designed by Fitchburg architect H. M. Francis. It is a one-of-a-kind design with all four different sides. According to historical records, “It is a magnificent, flamboyant building… with a square belfry and a tall, slender, cylindrical spire (rising) from a large square tower.”
In the Queen Ann tradition, the church is covered in a variety of materials. Martins Cleaning and Painting of Framingham are restoring its cracked and rotten shingles.
“The church members have had bad experiences with some other paint companies who did not do the work, “said Anderson, who is a retired contractor. “I knew that Martins was the right choice.”
Thanks to an exterior paint study done in 1994 by preservation consultant Sara B. Chase, all the original colors were then matched to Benjamin Moore and Sherwin William’s paint colors.
The siding of the church is painted in Cliffside gray, with accents in Charcoal Slate, Essex Green, and Cottage Red. Highlights in Rockwood Amber, a beautiful orange, add the most dramatic effect.
Members of the congregation are thrilled with the renovation.
“I think that the church is the most beautiful awe inspiring vision. It takes my breath away,” said Jane Peters.
“The painters have done a marvelous job. They’ll be finished when they get a bigger hoist to get up to the steeple,” said Jim McGee, a member for 25 years, who is from Northborough.
It is clear that Anderson had a lot to do with the restoration of the church. When he and his wife moved here in 2015, they joined the church, having belonged to several other New England Baptist churches.
“I’ve been in construction all my life, and have always done whatever repairs I can,” he said. “This is a very special building, which needed to be repaired. I’m all about getting things done.”
A fundraiser will be held on November 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the church and its restoration. There will be guest speakers and refreshments. All are welcome.
To contribute to the painting fund, send checks to First Baptist Church, 22 Mechanic Street, P.O. Box 248, Marlborough MA 01752. For more information, contact Anderson at [email protected].
