West Harwich Baptist Church Opens Doors To Community

 Residents took advantage of the opportunity to view the nave of the West Harwich Baptist Church during an open house last Tuesday. WILLIAM F. GALVIN PHOTOS

[CURRENT WEEK’S PHOTOS / Bapt-Carey 4

 Cultural Affairs Director Kara Mewhinney and Linda Cebula chat with West Harwich Baptist Church owner John Carey during an open house at the church. 

Current week photos/Bapt-Carey  10

West Harwich Baptist Church owner John Carey views the exposed ceiling beam structure above the nave.

Current week photos/ Bapt.-Carey  22

West Harwich Baptist Church Opens Doors To Community

HARWICH – The doors of the West Harwich Baptist Church were open to the public last week as the new owner, developer John Carey, provided the opportunity for residents to view the interior of the structure that he plans to convert to the West Harwich Meetinghouse.

On Dec. 3 Carey held a two-hour open house at the church, inviting people to view the interior of the structure. He said about 70 people showed up, and a lot of memories were shared, leading to some very emotional moments. 

Carey said a 97-year-old man told him that his mother was married in the church in 1931, but his mother died while he was an infant. There were memories and a few tears shed by people visiting the church, which was built in 1841. 

It took some time to close on the purchase of the church and cemetery at the rear of the property, Carey said. According to documents at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds, the closing occurred on Nov. 25. Paid the First Baptist Church of West Harwich and Dennisport $325,000 for the property. 

There is a stipulation in the deed that prohibits demolition of the church, its clock tower and clock. That is certainly Carey’s intention. He plans to preserve and restore the entire exterior of the church and make improvements to the interior of the structure.

 “The goal of the project is to refurbish the church as the crown jewel of West Harwich, securing its place as a source of pride for generations to come,” said Carey. “Once restored, the building will be repositioned as the West Harwich Meetinghouse.”

 The revitalized nave will serve as the meetinghouse, said Carey, with the goal of establishing it as a place that will bring the community together through community forums, lectures, concerts, fundraisers, historic talks, art and cultural performances. It will be available as rental space for weddings and birthday parties, he said. He has an agreement with Pastor Johathan Cobb of the First Baptist Church Society to continue Sunday Mass in the nave. 

Carey said he and three additional residents have formed a nonprofit, the Friends of Harwich, that will oversee the operation of the meetinghouse. The mission of group is preservation of historic assets in Harwich. Carey has recently completed the preservation and restoration of the West Harwich Schoolhouse, the historic structure located behind the Baptist Church, where he created 10 apartments, three of which are affordable.

On Dec. 4, Carey again opened the doors for a couple of hours, and people came with stories and a lot of positive energy for the planned use of the meetinghouse and for the work Carey is doing in the neighborhood, he said.

Carey estimated it will cost $1,410,500 to preserve the church. His plan, according to the application he has filed with the town’s community preservation committee, is to complete the project in three phases: pre-construction at a cost of $120,000, exterior preservation at $667,500, and interior preservation at $622,500.

Carey said the proponent of the project will be the nonprofit Friends of Harwich. 

Carey is seeking to use historic preservation funds under the Community Preservation Act to cover the cost of the exterior work. He is scheduled to go before the community preservation committee on Thursday, Dec. 11, seeking a recommendation to town meeting for approval of the funds. Town meeting voters in 2022 endorsed the preservation of  the church, he noted.

“Once the outside improvements to the structure are done, the building will be good for 100 years,” Carey said of the church that serves as the centerpiece of West Harwich village. 

As for the historic cemetery on the property, Carey said he has talked with town officials and learned they do not want to own it, but they will continue to maintain it.