NEWCASTLE — St. Patrick Church, the home to significant artifacts such as the altar of Bishop Cheverus and a bell cast by Paul Revere & Sons, seeks donations for a restoration project. It is the oldest active Catholic Church in New England, dedicated in 1808.

“All Saints Parish, of which St. Patrick Church is a part, met with a restoration firm to get an estimate of costs for the restoration needs of the church,” said Fr. Thomas Murphy, pastor of All Saints Parish, according to a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. “The cost is close to $324,000, which is our project goal.”

The firm, Kronenberger and Sons Restoration in Middletown, Connecticut, found that the church is showing signs of deterioration, especially in the roof and the brickwork.

Already, dedicated parishioners and community members have shown their deep desire to help the cause.

“As of April 30, the account balance for this restoration is nearly $180,000,” said Murphy. “In addition to this parish account, there is a privately owned lay trust that has also committed to giving us an additional $112,000 toward the restorations when the project is underway.”

The project plan includes a new roof, detailed brickwork, cornice and window trim repair, and additional exterior renovations.

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“For our contract to be signed, we must have enough money to start and finish,” said Murphy. “That’s why we are asking for people who value and appreciate the incredible history of this church to assist in this effort to raise the final $35,000.”

All Saints Parish is offering three different ways to contribute to the cause:

• Place a donation in an envelope marked “St. Patrick’s Old Church Fund” and drop it in the offertory baskets at any parish Mass (St. Charles Borromeo Church, Brunswick; St. John the Baptist Church, Brunswick; St. Mary Church, Bath; Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Boothbay Harbor; St. Ambrose Church, Richmond; St. Patrick Church, Newcastle; and St. Katharine Drexel Church, Harpswell);

• Mail donation (“St. Patrick Old Church Fund” in the memo line of the check) to All Saints Parish, 144 Lincoln St., Bath, ME 04530; or

• Donate online at allsaintsbrunswick.weshareonline.org.

Any funds over goal will be used to enhance the church even further.

“For instance, if we were to secure an additional $29,000, we would be able to purchase custom storm windows to protect the stained glass church windows,” said Murphy. “We are so grateful for anything that people can offer.”

For more information about the St. Patrick Project or the church itself, call 207-563-3240.

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