Jonathan Clowes reports:
As almost all Acworthians know, the steeple of the Church on the Hill was lowered January 19, 2006. Jonathan Clowes, head trustee, for the United Church of Acworth made the decision after much discussion with engineers, builders, and the church council. Roger Cote, steeple jack, and church member, discovered structurally threatening rot in several of the steeple's timbers, after he and several others grew concerned about a lean that was visible in the steeple above the bell. Roger Cote and Charley Haines collaborated with Ben Brungraber, engineer at Benson Woodworking Co. to free and lower the steeple. They were assisted by a crane from McMillan Construction in Keene.
Since then the church council has set up the Acworth Meetinghouse Restoration Committee to raise funds and supervise the restoration of the steeple and any other work that needs to be done in a major restoration of this beautiful church. They have set up a separate account to handle all funds donated to the church to help with the effort. These funds will be monitored by a group of three supervisors. John Putnam and Jonathan Clowes have agreed to be co-chairs of the Restoration Committee. Several people have volunteered to serve on the committee. Currently they are looking for fundraising chair, someone to take on the PR for the committee, and a historian who will research and tell the story of this magnificent church.
The committee has met with Rev. David Williams, a fund raising consultant from the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ, and James Garvin, Architectural Historian at the NH Div. Historic Resources. Work has begun to assess the work that needs to be done to keep the building sound.
The Acworth Meetinghouse, locally known as the "Church on the Hill," was built in 1821 by Isaac Carter who built a series of churches in the federalist style after patterns published by Christopher Wren. They started with one in Templeton, Massachusetts. They include churches in Hancock, Acworth, and Newport NH.
STEEPLE REMOVAL, JANUARY 19, 2006
Most people had assumed that without steel and concrete in the center of the steeple it would weigh less.
Acworth carpenter, Charley Haines, who was involved in removing the steeple three and a half years ago, had predicted that the new steeple would weigh more than the old one.
The wood used in the construction of the new steeple was greener, therefore heavier than wood that had been seasoning, and in some areas rotting, in the original framework for nearly 200 years. Oak was used on the bottom of the steeple lantern to reinforce the strength and durability of the structure. Although as much of the old steeple was salvaged and reused as possible, the weight of the greener wood proved to be heavier than steel and concrete in the center beam.
Don Nunes, a new resident to Acworth, came closest to guessing the weight of the steeple to win the 50/50 raffle. Don guessed 13,444 pounds; the actual weight was 13,300 pounds. The old steeple that was removed three and a half years ago weighted 11,700 pounds.
Don graciously donated his winnings to the Acworth Meetinghouse Restoration fund.
The extra weight of the steeple caused some unexpected delays in the progress of work to raise the structure. The fact that the weathervane was in place on top of the steeple also added a challenging element to the process.
When the steeple was removed in 2006 the weathervane had been taken off. Workers were able to drop a cable down through the top center of the steeple allowing for increased stability for removal.
The steeple was raised part way off the ground twice before it was successfully placed back on the bell tower. After each of the first two failed attempts, workers and engineers regrouped to solve the problems associated with the project. Workers shortened the straps and rigging attached to the crane before the third attempt to raise the steeple. The third time the steeple came off the ground the crane operator and work crew successfully maneuvered the steeple in place on top of the Meetinghouse.
A large crowd had gathered on the common at 9:00 AM to watch the steeple-raising following a pancake breakfast in the church.
The crowd had thinned out considerably by 1:15 PM when the steeple was back on top of the bell tower. The remaining audience cheered and clapped loudly to express their gratitude for the morning’s hard work by a dedicated crew, while Jonathan Clowes rang the bell in the church tower.
Many thanks to everyone who has worked on the different phases of this multi-year restoration project, including but not limited to: Project Manager: Ken Christie, and workers: John Putnam, Keith Quarrier, Ed Metsack, Mike Blake, Charlie Bush, Gail Williamson, and Mark Goodenough, who have all been involved in the most recent phase of work. Also thanks to engineer Aaron Sturgis and his crew of workers. Local carpenters who have worked on other phases of the project and helped on the day of the steeple raising: Bob Morel, Charley Haines, Dave Carter and others; the crane operator from MacMillan Crane Company of Keene, NH who both removed and raised the steeple, and the Lift-All Company crane operators from Westmoreland, NH who raised the large beams that replaced the rotted ones in the bell tower.
Much appreciation to the Acworth Meetinghouse Restoration Committee and everyone who has donated money to the project.
Please keep in mind that there is more work that needs to be done to fully restore this majestic landmark in Acworth. To make an online donation click here
If I’ve forgotten any important names that should be mentioned in this article, please email me and I will add them:
postmaster@acworthian.org
STEEPLE RAISING, JUNE 20, 2009
By Gretchen Abendschein
On June 20, 2009, after three and a half years stationed on the ground in front of the church, the steeple was raised and put back into position on the bell tower atop the Acworth Meetinghouse.
For most people in attendance, including the work crew, the surprise of the day was that the newly constructed steeple weighed more than the old steeple that was taken down in January 2006.
Enclosed within the original steeple was a steel girdle that had been wrapped around the center beam and filled with concrete. This repair had been made to stabilize the center beam which had cracked during the 1938 hurricane.
It was Linda Christie’s grandfather, Hugh Clark, who climbed to the top of the steeple, on the outside of the structure, took off the weathervane and poured concrete into the steel girdle.
Slideshow of Steeple Raising
Workers secure the steeple on top of the bell tower, June 20, 2009 ~ Click to enlarge