Historic buildings represent a community’s heritage, but keeping them in top condition can be prohibitively expensive – a painful fact the members of the West Scarborough United Methodist Church learned this summer.

They were told that, in addition to much-needed roof work, the steeple, which has sat atop the building for the past 177 years, was rotting and needed to be removed immediately.

Removing the steeple cut significantly into the church’s cash reserves, and Duane Jutting, co-chairman of the board of trustees, said it’s unlikely the congregation will be able to restore the steeple because of the estimated $60,000 cost.

The church, already fundraising for the cost of the repairs to the roof, now faces an additional $22,000 to pay for the removal of the steeple and the work needed to cap off its location on the roof so that the interior of the church would be protected from the weather.

Jutting said this week that although the steeple looked fine from the outside, when the engineering firm that looked at the roof also surveyed the condition of the steeple it found “serious rot” and recommended that the steeple come down.

The steeple is now sitting on the ground next to the church, but it will “likely have to be dismantled,” Jutting said, because the church simply does not have the money to restore the historic structure.

In addition to the roof and the steeple, Jutting said, the congregation also learned that its bell, which was installed in the late 1950s, was badly rusted and also needed restoration work.

“We will get the bell back,” Jutting said, but he’s unsure whether it will be placed back inside the church or whether a special bell house will be built.

However, he’s confident the bell will still be rung every Sunday morning to call members to worship.

Jutting has been a member of the West Scarborough United Methodist Church for some 16 years, and from the start was heavily involved with the board of trustees, which is in charge of caring for the church buildings.

For him, belonging to the congregation is important because of the people who gather there to “fortify their faith.” But the building itself is also important to that faith story, Jutting said.

“This building means something to a lot of people, and everybody hated to see the steeple come down.”

But, he also acknowledged that there was no choice given the condition of the steeple, particularly as it was a safety hazard. In fact, Jutting said, the trustees were told it was amazing that the steeple hadn’t already toppled over.

With a historic church building, “there’s a lot of things that need to be done” for maintenance, but like many other churches, the West Scarborough congregation has been dwindling and aging.

Although the church officially has about 120 members, the number of people who regularly attend services and fill out the various church committees is around 45, Jutting said. It’s difficult to keep things up, “especially with an older congregation. But this building means a lot and we will keep it (going) as long as we can,” he said.

The church is seeking grants to help pay for the restoration work and is also seeking donations from individuals and others in the community who care about keeping the church in good working condition, he said.

The church was built in 1839 and stands on Route 1 in Dunstan, between Orchard and Church streets. However, the church membership dates back to 1800, when the first Methodist sermon was preached in Scarborough at the home of Samuel Waterhouse on Beech Ridge Road.

In his essay, “Two Hundred Years of Methodism: A History of the West Scarborough United Methodist Church,” Harold James said in the early years church members used the abandoned Second Parish Church at Dunstan Corner for worship. Then, in 1810, a new church was built on the corner of Route 1 and Broadturn Road, where the Soldier’s Monument stands today.

The current church building has undergone a series of renovations and expansions since it was constructed, according to James, including in 1907, when major renovations were made to both the interior and exterior.

At that time modern pews were added, along with colored glass windows and stamped tin for the interior walls. In 1928, the church was expanded to include the parish house. And, in 1952, a basement with a kitchen, dining room, several classrooms and bathrooms were added, James said.

In addition, a parsonage was built next to the church in 1898. That building was remodeled extensively in 1998 and now houses the church offices, library and classrooms for Sunday school.

The church has been known by a variety of names across the years. Originally it was known as the West Scarborough Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1968 the church took its current name and in 1989 the church building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The congregation last approved a variety of maintenance projects about 25 years ago, which included the floors, ceilings and windows of the church. This year, in addition to the steeple and roof work, the front steps of the church have been rebuilt, thanks to work by Jutting’s grandson, Cole Anderson, 16, as part of his bid to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

The steeple at the historic West Scarborough United Methodist Church has been removed and the tower capped off.

The 177-year-old steeple at the West Scarborough United Methodist Church will likely be dismantled.

An image of the West Scarborough United Methodist Church prior to the removal of the steeple this summer.

A closer look

The West Scarborough United Methodist Church is seeking donations for its church restoration fund. Donations can be sent to: WSUMC, P.O. Box 2035, Scarborough, Maine 04070-2035.

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