Capital Campaign

Honoring our Past – Growing Into God’s Future

On May 17th, 1894, members of this church and the Nashua community at large gathered in its auditorium to faithfully dedicate the new meeting house of the first Congregational church to the glory of God for centuries to come. Today, over 140 years later, much has changed, but our church building and its sanctuary continue to both inspire and serve our community in Christ’s name.

As our ministries grew, our church building grew with the addition of Nauss Hall in 1954. A capital campaign in the 1990s funded the rebuilding of Nauss Hall (now the Walker building), including the addition of a chapel, second-floor offices, and classrooms. Subsequent campaigns have funded the exterior roof, rose windows, granite work, rewiring, nursery, commercial-grade kitchen and dining room, major upgrades to the Fellowship Hall kitchen, and the refurbishment of our sanctuary and organ. Building on this legacy, we now embark on Honoring our Past – Growing into God’s Future, a capital campaign that continues to address our 140-year-old building and campus needs, as well as necessary improvements for its future.

Growing into God’s Future

Each Sunday, our hearts and minds are inspired by both the beauty and craftsmanship of our worship space. Pristine rose windows and stained glass pocket doors are irreplaceable gifts from generations before us. Our facilities and campus enable us to continue our Christian ministry to those in need, both in Nashua and beyond. From modest beginnings over 340 years ago, First Church stands strong. Well into our fourth century of ministry, your capital campaign gift will help keep us strong by inspiring and enabling First Church to faithfully minister in Christ’s name over the next century and beyond.

Ministers Letter

Prudential Chair Letter

Brochure

Letter of Intent

Ways to Give

Q&A

The Outreach Embedded in the Capital Campaign

Stewardship of our Facilities

Church Building Repairs

Complete the Tower Restoration – touchup to seal exterior leaks
Leaks have damaged the ceiling of the Balcom Room and various parts of the tower structure.

Replace sanctuary lighting controller
The equipment is outdated and in danger of failing. A new system is needed to update and ensure proper functioning of the lighting.

Repair interior wall in Fellowship Hall attic
Crumbling, dried-out brick can lead to structural failure and leaks.

Remove and replace Fellowship Hall flat roof
The roof has several layers, built up over time, that need to be removed and replaced with a new, leakproof roof. The top layer has reached the end of its useful life. Replacement will ensure years of reliable protection.

Restore/replace windows on north side of church
The cupola windows must be replaced to guarantee no rot or leaks occur.

Repair or replace the slate roof on the south facing side of the church
Piecemeal repairs to the roof over the years have not prevented leaks that have visibly damaged parts of the sanctuary and can weaken the overall structure. The roof is original to the church and is an exceptionally high-quality slate, so it may be repaired in a more extensive manner than previously—or replaced with an entirely new roof.

Update/repair wall flashing for the south dormers
Part of the overall roof project, we need to eliminate recurring leakage.

Paint exterior windows on the 2nd floor
The first floor has been painted with a more historically accurate darker gray; repairs to the wood frames were made at the same time. The second story needs to be upgraded to match.

Replace Fellowship Hall Carpet
The current carpet is worn and stained and needs to be upgraded.

Walker Building Repairs

Replace Walker Building windows
The original windows in the building are now hazy, leaking and energy inefficient. New windows will improve aesthetics, save money on heating and cooling, reduce outside noise and provide a healthier and more comfortable environment in the building.

Replace the membrane roof on the Walker Building
This roof has served us well for years but is starting to develop leaks and is nearing the end of its expected life.

Parking Lot Repairs

Pave and repair all parking lots (including 7 Concord St)
It’s no secret that our parking lots are in bad condition and a potential hazard for cars, pedestrians and even our church’s foundation. Minor repairs are only temporary solutions and more costly overtime.

Restroom/ Kitchenette Renovation

Renovate all eight restrooms and the kitchenette in the Walker Building
Floors are in poor condition; toilets use excessive amounts of water; vanities are stained; soap dispensers are outdated; stalls need replacing; people need to feel comfortable in a clean-looking environment. Kitchenette is in fair condition but needs updating and expansion of usable workspace.

3,5,7 Concord St. Repairs

3-5 Concord Street lead mitigation
Lead bearing windows and doors needed replacement and other interior and exterior areas required lead removal. This effort has already been completed, funded almost entirely by grant money from the City of Nashua and State of New Hampshire.

Repair front porch at 7 Concord Street
The floor is weak in several places; the lead paint needs to be removed; the condition of the finished trim is poor and unsightly.

Remove Chimneys and replace roofing at 7 Concord
Some chimneys are no longer used, are crumbling and could potentially leak.

Enhancements for Growing into God’s Future

Audio/Video

Upgrade AV and Streaming in the Sanctuary

The sanctuary audio system electronics is old, failing, lacks key capabilities, and needs to be replaced to support today’s worship services. The streaming audio/video system, implemented during COVID for remote congregants, has been redesigned for full functionality. It will support the needs of our growing online and broadcast radio congregants, including out-of-staters who donate to our church. The integrated audio/video system will deliver meaningful worship experience to sanctuary, AV streaming, and radio participants

Heating/Cooling

Church building summer cooling
Attendance is low in summer in part due to excessively high temperatures, and worship is uncomfortable—and potentially unhealthy—for the congregation and, especially, singers and musicians. Affordability of AC in the sanctuary is a concern; Fellowship Hall may be more reasonable, but the organ and audiovisual (AV) equipment are in the sanctuary, so both possibilities need to be explored.

Music

Refurbish the sanctuary piano
Our historic Mason and Hamlin sanctuary piano is a piece of art, a “top shelf” instrument of the early 1900’s made during piano building’s Golden Era. Over time the piano has lost its proper (original) tone, resonance, and mechanical responsiveness (touch). Restoration will bring back its original character at a cost well under the price of an equivalent new instrument.

Signs

Add discrete digital signage and IT upgrade
Interior monitors will be added at the church entrance and other possible locations to replace temporary paper signage currently being used.

Solar Panels

Install solar panels on the Walker Building roof
After the roof is replaced, we’ll investigate getting solar installed to reduce (and maybe eliminate) our electricity cost. Also good for the environment and sets an example of stewardship for our young people and the community.