The New Ipswich Congregational Church is hosting a holiday fund drive to help pay off the church’s lingering $126,000 mortgage.
During a Select Board meeting on Tuesday, John Veeser, a member of the board that governs the New Ipswich Congregational Church Children’s Fair, made a public plea for assistance.
The church took our a $470,000 mortgage in 2008 to renovate the church’s structure.
“At that time, we had a healthy membership,” Veeser said.
However, since then, he said membership has waned, and it has become a strain to make the church’s $2,130 monthly mortgage payment. The church first launched its campaign over a year ago, when the church’s outstanding mortgage was $250,000. An outpouring of community support has cut that number essentially in half.
“We really are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. We truly appreciate the help,” said Carol Romeril, who serves as treasurer for both the church and the children’s fair.
One anonymous donor, in the fall of 2021, donated $12,000, with the stipulation that it be used to offset monthly mortgage payments for the next year, Romeril said. Many people have made smaller donations.
“That has been a tremendous help,” Romeril said.
Veeser said while the congregation is not large, the church does have a wider impact on the community, including through the children’s fair, which raises funds and distributes them to children’s organizations, or organizations like St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
The church has hosted town recreation programs without charge, supported local and school sports teams and the local Scouting troops, Veeser said.
“The relationship we have with the town has been a great relationship for many years,” he said.
Veeser said he was appearing before the board just to help spread the word of the campaign.
“We know it’s a tough time, and if people can’t give money, they can give voice to our need,” he said.
Those who would like to donate may do so by mailing a check to P.O. Box 141 in New Ipswich, make a donation though the church’s capital campaign page on its website, nicc.church; by Venmo to NICF1861; by email at nicf1861@yahoo.com; or by dropping off checks at Romeril Tax and Accounting in New Ipswich during open hours or in their secure lockbox in off hours.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.