07/20/2025
We are so excited to announce that on June 11, 2025, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance celebrated its 40th Anniversary at the Tilton School in Tilton, NH by presenting ten New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Achievement Awards.
Paula Gilman and Susan Kelley Leclerc, members of the First Baptist Church and Lower Gilmanton Community Club are thrilled to announce that the First Baptist Church of Lower Gilmanton was honored with this prestigious award for the Restoration and Stewardship of our Historic Church. The Preservation Alliance supports and encourages the revitalization and protection of historic buildings and places which strengthens communities and local economies. For 40 years the Preservation Alliance has recognized exemplary projects and people that illustrate these tenants.
We received this award for our efforts in the 6-year long restoration project and 10-year Stewardship of the First Baptist Church of Lower Gilmanton. Maintenance of beloved old buildings as you know is an ongoing task and this is what was accomplished during the restoration process:
Phase I, Began in 2019 and was completed in 2023. Restoration included extensive restoration of the foundation, belfry, new roof, restored chimneys and lined with metalbestos, and installation of code ADA access ramp. Extensive interior upgrades included refurbishing the twin antique woodstoves, and installation of code approved stove pipes. The electrical involved upgrading and replacing wiring chewed by mice; installing a new 100-amp main breaker panel and the installation of 2 ground rods.
Contractors for Phase I included Bedard Restoration & Preservation providing the assessment and guidance; Fifield Restoration & Relocation; Steppingstones Masonry; and LaPan’s Antique Stoves. Grants and generous individual donations, along with work by volunteers, made Phase I a great success.
Phase II, 2024 the final exterior restoration project concluded during the summer of unusually high heat and humidity. This restoration project included the exterior scraped of all loose and peeling paint; feathering out all edges of scraped paint and sand all bare wood; apply a full coat of Exterior Oil Wood Primer; fill and sand all holes and patches; replace broken and rotten clapboard; add trim in areas where it is missing; repair rotten section of trim with Liquid Wood Hardener and Wood Epoxy; prime all repairs with Exterior Oil Wood Primer; caulk all cracks and open seams; make minor repairs to window sills as needed; and apply one full coat of Sherwin Williams Duration finish paint.
The contractors for Phase II were Collins & Sons Electric and Perkins Professional Painting. A grant was obtained from the Globe Community Fund and many generous donations from individuals were received.
NH Preservation Alliance’s Seven to Save and Land & Community Heritage Investment Program lead the way for our grants. The Lower Gilmanton Community Club, a 501 © 3 nonprofit, was our sponsor. We are forever grateful to the many donors who contributed to our project.
The following is from the NH Preservation Alliance Awards ceremony:
Paula Gilman and Susan Kelley Leclerc led this project with great vision, enormous energy and attention to detail. This high-quality, community-driven preservation effort is a model for other communities. The Greek Revival-style church was built in 1842 to replace a 1774 meetinghouse that stood approximately one-half mile to the north of the current location. The 1774 structure’s timbers, sills and cut foundation stones were re-used in the National Register-listed structure. After over 180 years of services, suppers, christenings, weddings and funerals, the building needed comprehensive rehabilitation.
Using a building assessment as a road map and budget tool, the group tackled structural needs, wood repair, roofing, foundation leveling and painting. Ten bushels of bird nesting and dirt from the eave and belfry level were removed. Antique stove repair and accessibility improvements were completed.
Community fundraising matched and exceeded their LCHIP grant. Members of the First Baptist Church and the Lower Gilmanton Community Club, donated hundreds of volunteer hours (and cool snacks on hot summer workdays) to prepare this landmark for another century. Like the Bradford and Bartlett projects, this is a former Seven to Save listee that is now an award winner.
The project leader’s ancestors were instrumental in the founding of this place. Paula Gilman’s 8th great grandfather, Antipas Gilman along with John Meserve deeded to the First Baptist Church the land the Church now stands on. Paula grew up attending this church and Sunday School.
Susan Kelley Leclerc’s 6th great grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Kelley arrived in Gilmanton in 1802 and was instrumental in writing the Church’s Constitution along with others.
Our roots run deep in Lower Gilmanton. We are following in our forefather’s footsteps to maintain this Historic Church. We feel indebted to them and feel privileged to honor them in this way by preserving it for future generations.
Paula Gilman and Susan Kelley Leclerc
