Center Meeting House

Where is the Center Meeting House located?

Our Center Meeting House is located in the town center of Newbury, New Hampshire, adjacent to the Town Offices at the intersection of Routes 103 and 103A.

What is the building's history?

The Center Meeting House has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places.  It was nominated by the State Historic Preservation Officer and received this honor in January of 1980.  Learn more about its wonderful history by clicking HERE.

Who owns the Center Meeting House?

The Center Meeting House of Newbury, NH, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that owns the Center Meeting House. But we don't feel like owners; we feel like stewards of the welfare of this grand old lady who was here before we got here and will be here when we have moved on.  She belongs right where she is and she deserves our love and attention.

Elected Directors serve on behalf of those who become members of this organization (you can read more about us by clicking HERE). You can become a member of the CMH for as little as $10, and help to determine the building’s future by sending in an Application.

Who are the members of the CMH?

Most are property owners and/or residents of Newbury or the surrounding area, who pay a small membership fee to support this important effort.

Where do the funds being used to restore the Center Meeting House come from?

To date, about 80% of our donations have come from the residents or property owners of Newbury. The remaining funds have come from the people of New Hampshire through a grant from the State of NH and a donation from the Town of Newbury:

• State of New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP): $100,000
• Town of Newbury: $75,000
• Events such as the Historic Homes Tour: $30,000
• Private Donors: $700,000
• Bank Loan: $200,000

Since we are a dedicated band of CMH members and volunteers, we can report that 95% of the funds that we have raised have gone into actual restoration work or archtiectural design.  We are proud of our efficient use of YOUR money!

What's been done so far?

Many people ask what's been happening at the Center Meeting House. You may wonder why, after such a flurry of activity in 2008, the building still looks run down. The simple answer is that it has taken a great deal of time and effort time to raise the needed funds, negotiate with architects and construction companies, determine what needs to be done and the best way to do it.

The Center Meeting House Architecture & Restoration Committee has moved slowly in its efforts to carefully ensure that each and every step of the renovation process is as true to the building's history as possible, to preserve the building for another 175 years.

Once an Historic Structures Report of the building's condition and recommended repairs was prepared we broke all needed work into discrete projects.

To date, the following work has been completed:

• The Meeting House was lifted and a permanent foundation was installed
• Rotted structural members were replaced
• A new roof was installed
• Clapboards on one side of the building were renewed
• In 2008, the bell tower was brought to the ground for further evaluation and ultimate restoration was completed. 
• At its August 2009 meeting, the CMH Board of Directors reviewed its finances and voted to begin work on the restoration of the Bell Tower
• Bell Tower installation was completed during the first week of December
• With the Bell Tower completion, upwards of $1,050,000 has been expended on the building's restoration.
• $850,000 of the work was fully funded and paid for, while a $200,000 loan was needed to close the gap.  All of this is in place!

While the Center Meeting House is now safe and structurally sound much more work is still required. This is why we still need your help!

For more details on what's been completed to date, click HERE.

What still needs to be done?

• Restoration/Replacement of Remaining Clapboards
• Replastering of the Interior
• Restoration/Replacement of Window Fans & Shutters
• Floor Repairs
• Seat Cushions for the Pews
• Blinds to Protect the Building's Interior historic paint work

When these projects are completed, we will be ready to breath a sigh of relief, to continue our community-enriching events and to begin to use the building to "unite and enrich" our community.

How much money is needed?

As the full breadth of damage that the years and leaks had created was revealed in 2008, it was determined that a projected $1,475,000 would need to be raised to return the Center Meeting House to its full glory. We have raised 60% of the needed funds and borrowed another 13.5%.  Project completion is therefore near the 75% mark. 

How can I help?

We need you to join with us in completing this important project.

• Membership. For as little as $10 a year, you can help us reach our goal!
• Donations. They are always welcome and appreciated.
• Pew Sponsorship. Individuals, families, groups of friends, neighborhoods, clubs, or any other social grouping can pull together and sponsor one of the 25 remaining pews. Seventeen pews have received support from new sponsors.  Thank you sponsors!
• Volunteer! We are always looking for those who are willing to help or take on a leadership role to make things happen. Your time is gratefully accepted, much needed and sincerely appreciated.

Please contact us to learn more about any of these options.

Is the Center Meeting House open to the public?

Due to ongoing construction and renovation, the Center Meeting House is not currently open to the public, except during special events.  Most recently, the Meeting House was open for the Historic Homes Tour on August 15, 2009. 

We  "Rang the Bell" on the night of "The Lighting of the Tree" on December 6, 2009 and Alice Lynn was there to do the honors.

How can I stay updated on your progress?

This web site is our central information center; please bookmark it and return regularly! You can also join our mailing list by registering online (See Receive Updates in the bar on the right-hand side of each page)... it's easy, and it ensures we'll send you regular emails about our progress.