FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHATHAM

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The current home of the First Congregational Church of Chatham is a late Greek Revival building built in 1830 and moved two miles to its current location in 1866. The last renovation was in the 1980s. Design Associates and Coastal Engineering (now part of Tighe and Bond Engineering) prepared a Conditions Survey and Exterior Preservation Report of the historic First Congregational Church of Chatham as the first stage of a building renovation to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the congregation. The study identified improvements to structure and utilities, outlined space needs, and supported successful fundraising. The subsequent renovation included universal access through the interior, a new, full-service elevator, a choir-robing room, and a church office while respecting the historic architecture. A substantial addition to the Sanctuary houses a new organ loft for the rebuilt Casavant organ. Life safety improvements included the extension of existing sprinklers into the education wing and new heat and smoke detection equipment.