Restoration work begins this month at the First Congregational Church of Kittery Point, the oldest of continuous use in Maine.

The first stage of the restoration project beings the morning of Feb. 17 when Bagala Window Works of Falmouth, Maine, removes some of the large, small-paned windows for off-site restoration.

Sir William Pepperrell, a statesman and naval commander in the Colonial era, donated 1200 panes of glass for the windows, one of the church’s most prominent features. Many of these original panes survive in situ today.

The project, which will cost nearly $50,000, is just one part of the church’s preservation project. The total estimated cost of the three-year project is more than $100,000. The Kittery congregation has received a matching grant from the Belvedere Historic Preservation Grant Program through the state of Maine and hopes to launch a community-wide capital fundraising campaign in the coming months.

The windows removal and preservation campaign also coincides with the church’s 300th anniversary celebration, which will feature events highlighting the Kittery Point church’s history, and the history of the community this month, Black History and Church History Intertwine in Kittery.

As a part of the First Congregational Church’s 300th anniversary celebration, and Black History Month, a presentation from local historian, author, and church member Pat Wall is to be presented. This presentation will be on Sunday, February 23, during the 8am and 10am worship services. Pat has done extensive research on black history here on the Seacoast, and she will be speaking about her newest focus: the slaves that were held in Kittery and Kittery Point.

To honor the memory of those slaves, the names of all slaves know to have worshiped in the church will be read aloud during the worship service. Pat’s work is powerful and the worship service should be as well as we remember this important piece of our church’s history.