300-Year-Old Beverly Church Set For Rededication On Sunday

BEVERLY, MA — Members of Beverly's oldest church hold it up as a place that welcomes all through the doors of the 300-year-old building.

Now the church is holding a rededication ceremony to celebrate the completion of a renovation that allows for that to occur for those with accessibility challenges.

The First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church at 225 Cabot Street will hold a rededication ceremony on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. following the renovation that includes an elevator that makes both floors of the building more accessible for church members and visitors.

The Sunday service will include a formal Act of Rededication led by Board Chair Scott Gorman, special music, a historical reading, and a homily by Rev. Susan Milnor.

"One of the highest values in our Unitarian Universalist faith tradition is the inclusion of all," Rev. Milnor said. "We want all people — regardless of race, gender, gender identity, or mental or physical ability — to have full access to our congregational life and to our meetinghouse.

"This rededication emphasizes that value."

Architectural design firm Derby Square Architects of Salem and Construction firm Carr Enterprises of Danvers carried out the renovation. The elevator installation led to changes in the church's front entranceway, hospitality area, sanctuary and minister's office.

First Parish Building Committee Chair Mike Hardiman and James Mitchell, First Parish's owner's representative, played key roles throughout the renovation.

The public, including all those again interested in an in-person spiritual experience, are invited to the rededication ceremony.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)