Help us continue the restoration

Merrill House Summer Hours by Appointment

Sedgwick history is alive and well in our campus buildings!

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our historic buildings and exhibits, we invite you to join us this summer. The campus, at 575 North Sedgwick Road, is open by appointment only.

Call Anne Dentino at 207-266-1130 to schedule a private tour.

Together we can return our church to its stately presence on the hill
and renew the spirit of our community

And we are on our way! The bell tower restoration of the Sedgwick First Baptist Church (c. 1837) was completed on November 10th, 2023. Stage 1 began in 2020 with the rebuilding of the main truss that supports the steeple on the west side. This year, we completed Stage 2 and restored the three parts of the steeple—the plinth, the box tower, and the belfry.

The plinth was partially resheathed and flashed and was completely painted and caulked. The box tower was restored and resheathed, flashed, caulked, and painted. The old belfry was removed and demolished and replaced with a new belfry replicating as close as possible the original Benjamin S. Deane design.

The new dome is sheathed in copper and painted with gold paint. The original weathervane is also painted with gold paint. The bell is back in place.

Outstanding restoration details will be completed from the inside of the building as weather permits.

See photos and videos of the construction process.

  • The First Sedgwick Baptist Church in 1947

    1947

  • Old Church steeple

    1992

  • Refinished steeple

    2023

With our gratitude and appreciation

We were able to fully fund Stage 2, the restoration of the steeple, with a combination of donations from our generous members and individuals, granting organizations and community fundraisers.

We are fortunate to have some funds left over to apply to the next phase of the project. Stage 3, the portico restoration, will begin this spring.

We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of this project. We could not have done it without your generous support!

Chris Baker on the church scaffold stairs

Our heartfelt thanks to Chris Baker

We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to Chris Baker, longtime Sedgwick resident and Chair of the Church Restoration Project. Chris has been involved in this project for many years, working extensively with the SBHS leadership in the early days to formulate, design, and organize plans for the restoration. His vision has given shape and substance to the planning process and the development of the 5-Stage Restoration Plan. In 2020 Chris worked with Robert Baird to complete Stage 1. This year Chris not only managed every aspect of the Stage 2 process, but also was the lead carpenter. He worked tirelessly over the last 8 months finding, vetting, and coordinating resources. He made sure the project was done to the highest quality, on time and under budget. Rain or shine, he was a daily presence on the scaffold. The steeple restoration could not have happened without the dedication, commitment, and passion of Chris Baker.

Thank you to our suppliers, carpenters, helpers and sub-contractors

Bangor Steel Services, Bangor
BHD Containers, Blue Hill
Hammond Lumber, Blue Hill
New England Scaffold, Auburn
Owen Gray and Son, Millwork, Brewer
Ray Brown Plumbing, Ellsworth
Rick Brown Carpentry, Brooklin
Robert Baird and Associates
Roof Systems of Maine, Bangor
Viking Lumber, Blue Hill

Steve Allen
Chris Baker
Robert Baird
Jonathan Boardman
Rick Brown
Rob Cowart
Aiden Doughty
Kaelen Doughty
Dave Hazelton
Mark Owens

Stage 3 is scheduled to begin April 2024

During Stage 3, we will restore the portico structure. This will include a good deal of structural work extending across the front of the building, the front wall of the church, and the columns. The work will include repairs and restoration of the original front doors; foundation repair; preparation for painting including scraping, lead abatement, and flashing around the corner pediments and 4 fluted columns; and the painting of the façade, columns, soffits, facia, and front wall.

  • Portico and scaffolding at front of church
  • Portico column
  • Portico deck area
  • Portico and Scaffold
  • Portico deck deterioration
  • Portico deck side stairs

Fundraising update

As we begin to plan for Stage 3, our 2024 fundraising activities are in full swing. The estimate for the portico restoration is $128,300. We have submitted several grant applications and believe we have a good chance of receiving awards. But those will not get us across the finish line for this project stage. We still need your help to fund the portico restoration.  

Get Involved!

Every generation has to play its part and restoring the church will be the very best way that our generation can play our part in ensuring a bright future for the town we love.
– Paul Sullivan, Musician

Join our mailing list to receive updates about SBHS and the Church Restoration.