The Peacham Congregational Church is pleased to invite the public to a panel discussion on Saturday, July 3 at 3:30 p.m. to celebrate and discuss the 215^th anniversary of the church building, The Olde Meeting House.
 
Built in 1806 and moved to its current location in 1844, The Olde Meeting House has enjoyed a vast history, not only as a church, but a community gathering place and historic structure. It was designed by Edward Clark, a timberframer and Revolutionary War veteran, who also designed the Congregational Church in Newbury.
 
The panel will consist of Jan Lewandoski, owner of Restoration and Traditional Building, a company specializing in the restoration and reconstruction of historic timber frame structures; Adam King, founder and director of Arcadia Restorations specializing in the faithful restoration, re-creation, and preservation of historic structures and timberframes; Susan Chandler, Collections and Research Manager for the Peacham Historical Association; and Rev. Sonia Dunbar, pastor of the Peacham Congregational Church. 

“Adam King recently completed an extensive conditions assessment for us that included an architectural and preservation analysis of The Olde Meeting House. We are pleased to host him with Jan Lewandoski to discuss the unique construction methods and materials used when this structure was erected in 1806, up the hill, across from where the firehouse is today,” said Dunbar.
 
The panel discussion is the second of four events of a year-long celebration honoring significant anniversaries at the church. The congregation was founded in 1794; the organ, a valuable gift to the church, was installed 150 years ago, in 1871; and The Olde Meeting House was built 215 years ago, in 1806. 
 
“The core of the mission of the Peacham Congregational Church is service to all, including to the greater Peacham community," said Dunbar. "We are committed to exploring the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, including Risk-Taking Mission and Radical Hospitality. Members of our church walk together to serve our community, support its spiritual needs, and maintain The Olde Meeting House, a spiritual, civic, educational, and social gathering place. It is our hope that by offering this special celebration, other individuals and organizations will utilize the building to host existing and potential activities."
 
The panel discussion is preceded by an old-fashioned hymn sing and celebration of the importance of music in the early church. “We are lucky to have a surviving copy of the program from the Church’s 1894 centennial celebration. Thanks to that and the internet, we can recreate some of the music people would have sung in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries,” said Dunbar. The hymn sing starts outside of the church at 1:30 p.m.
 
Both events are open to the public and are free. Following Covid guidelines, if you have not been vaccinated, please keep a social distance, and wear a mask.