ASHFIELD — A three-year, $300,000 fundraiser to pay for an historic pipe organ restoration and other church needs has exceeded its goal in less than six months.
By last week, the First Congregational Church of Ashfield had raised $345,463.
About $225,000 of the money will be used to restore the church’s 114-year-old George W. Reed organ; this includes replacing brittle, original leather pads, rattling parts and parts that suffered water damage. Also, the keys are worn down — like old steps — and will be rebuilt. In addition, the bellows will be rebuilt, so it will be possible for everything to be manually operated, as it was in 1903.
At least $45,000 of the money raised will go for modifications to the chancel — the raised, stage-like part of the church, near the altar. Other changes include removing lecterns that obscure the audience’s view and replacing them with a moveable lectern with portable microphones. There will also be stairs around the stage area and more visibility of the organ’s pipes.
About $15,000 raised was planned to go for local mission work, and $15,000 for campaign administration.
Since more than $300,000 was raised, the additional money will help deal with any unexpected project costs or possible new components, to be decided by the church’s trustees.
Work on the church’s chancel area is expected to begin in mid-October, with Todd Pease as contractor.
William Czelusniak, organ builder, and his staff will be at the church in January or February, first documenting, then disassembling, and finally removing the entire organ for restoration at his shop in Northampton.
“When we have specific date information, everyone will be invited to view the process,” the committee said.