Fund Raising Program
The United Church of Ludlow announced a major fund raising campaign this summer. Church President George Thomson indicated that the five-year restoration program to renovate the church building is estimated to cost $200,000. He noted that another $150,000 was probably needed to satisfy ADA access requirements mandated by the Federal Government.
“Of this total,” Thomson said, “We will seek to raise half of the necessary funding through matching grants. We have already accumulated $40,000 for this project through long-term savings. The remaining $60,000 is the goal of this fund raising effort.”
He indicated that the church will begin work on the project this fall with renovation of the roof, including the century old slate, flashing, and chimney. In subsequent years work will done to restore the siding, windows, and foundation. Interior work will include strengthening of the hammer arch beam in the sanctuary.
“One area of concern to us,” Thomson added, “is the need to install facilities to make the building ADA compliant.” Thomson indicated that this phase of the renovation would be very expensive. “When this church was built in 1892,” he said, “no one had a clue that ADA requirements would one day exist. Consequently, installing sound ADA compliant systems will be both expensive and architecturally demanding.”
Fund Raising Drive
The church will seek to raise the $60,000 through direct mailing and personal visitations according to Ralph Pace, restoration chairman. “Since 75% of the church’s usage is for local and regional groups ranging from the League of Women Voters to the Community Garden, along with child care and play groups, we view the church as a community institution,” Pace said.
Fund raising efforts will be directed at the church’s membership, community members who use the facility, and all of those whose personal and business property values will be enhanced because of the church’s restoration.
Those interested in contributing to the fund raising drive may send contributions to:
Restoration Fund
United Church Of Ludlow
48 Pleasant Street
Ludlow,VT 05149
All contributions will be acknowledged and, since the Church is 501 (c) (3) organization, all such contributions are tax-deductible.
Pace noted that the United Church of Ludlow had also initiated steps to be listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, administered by the U. S. Department of the Interior. It is hoped that such recognition will be realized in early 2004.