The Damariscotta Baptist Church’s iconic steeple will not be raised this year, according to Walter Hilton, Chairman of the Steeple Fundraising Committee.
According to Hilton, the fundraising committee has only $8300 on hand. While it had previously reported that $30,000 was needed to complete the project, the committee now says that $48,000 is required. The discrepancy comes from verbal donation commitments that were not fulfilled.
While the crane and construction will continue to be outside the Church for another two weeks under contract, Hilton says it he is not optimistic that the funds will be raised. Though it is no longer aiming to raise the steeple this year, the fundraising committee says that it will continue raising money.
Representatives from the committee will continue to be on Main Street every day but Sunday soliciting donations. Along with an auction that will be held late next month, a community breakfast will be held on Sat., Aug. 7 from 6-10 a.m. at Reunion Station to help raise funds.
