Update On Old Stone Church Steeple, Bell, Exterior Repair: $36K Short

EAST HAVEN, CT —Back in March 2022, Patch toured the Old Stone Church from the vestry to the near-top of the steeple and bell tower, 196-feet above the ground.

A small wood-frame meeting house in 1711, now more than 300 years later, the historic church that towers above East Haven, has needed some $100,000 in steeple and bell repairs.

A campaign to raise that money was then almost a third of the way along. At the time, Pastor Mark Pilletere said that the tower structure itself was good, and that it was the exterior that required repairing. And, the bell clapper, the church recently learned, needs to be repaired.

Now, around 10 months later, Pilletere has an update on the progress.

One of the questions that has been floating around is the status the work on the steeple, bell and exterior metal work. Let’s begin with the steeple, we do have a contractor under contract, sadly he injured his back and is not able to start until the spring. We have been assured that we will be the first on his list.

Last week, we had another contractor look at the metal work around the sanctuary and office building. To repair the existing metal it came to $6,000, to replace it all $10,000. The FB&G has this on their agenda to discuss next month. We have received two quotes for the bell. The first one is for $23,000 which would repair/replace the wooden framework that holds the bell in place. Replace the clapper and install a new rope to ring the bell. The bell would be completely cleaned, and any cracks found would be repaired or replaced with new wood. The bell and its carriage would be removed and sent out for repair, estimated time of repair and replace is 6 to 12 months. The second quote of $30,000 would include everything from above but would include an automatic striker that would run off a timer and computer. The second quote is the one we are going with.

So, where do we stand financially? Currently, we have $64,000 in the steeple restoration fund, $49,000 of that is for the steeple work and $15,000 is for the bell. For all the work to be done including the metal work, we will need $89,000 with a $10,000 contingency for unforeseen expenses. The total is $99,000, so let’s say $100.000.

In order to complete these three projects fully, we still need $36,000. So, how are we going to reach the goal?

First and foremost, pray! I am always amazed how God works when we truly pray and seek guidance.

Second, maybe you can give another pledge over and above what you currently give. I had a
conversation this weekend about giving and trusting in God for our needs. The person has committed to making that additional pledge to the Steeple Restoration Fund. Imagine how fast we could raise the needed funds if more of us committed an additional pledge?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Blessings
Pr. Mark

To donate to Old Stone Church's Bell and Steeple Fund, click here.