Jaffrey is hoping that a state grant will cover a majority of the cost of fixing the roof on the 1775 Meetinghouse.
Last year, after heavy snow and ice buildup on the roof during the winter, members of the Jaffrey Meetinghouse committee noticed water damage on the ceiling caused by a leak in the roof, according to Rob Stephenson, head of the committee.
“It became clear that the roof needed to be redone,” said Stephenson.
Mike Petrovic of Catlin and Petrovic Architects reviewed the roof and came up with an estimate of $100,000 to replace the current wooden roof with similar materials.
“We’re the only Meeting House in Cheshire County with the original wooden roof,” said Stephenson. “Maybe the only one in the state.”
The Meeting House Committee has applied for a Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, or LCHIP, grant for about $50,000 toward the cost of replacing the roof, said Stephenson.
The building will be assessed by LCHIP officials this summer, and grants will be awarded at the end of this year.
This year, the LCHIP fund has about $3.5 million to disperse, and about $6 million in requests for funding for land or building preservation projects.
The Jaffrey Meetinghouse is the sole surviving second period meetinghouse in the Monadnock region, according to the LCHIP application. It has been in continuous use since 1775 as meetinghouse, church, high school, town offices, concert and lecture hall and theater.
To cover the remaining cost of repairs, the Meetinghouse Committee is also applying for a Moose Plate Grant and plans to do private fundraising and possibly request funds at Town Meeting, said Stephenson.
“We hope to have the money in place to be able to do the roof in 2017. And if we are unsuccessful, we will keep our fingers crossed going into 2018,” he said.
Currently, the water damage to the ceiling has been repaired, and the roof has been holding up well enough, given the current levels of rainfall, that the problem has not increased, said Stephenson. Kiddie pools have been placed in the attic to prevent further water damage from any leaks until the roof can be properly repaired.
“Even though everyone agrees the roof is at the end of its life, we are holding on,” said Stephenson.