Cary Seeks CPA Funding For Baptist Church

HARWICH – Restoration of the exterior of the West Harwich Baptist Church was presented to the community preservation committee on Dec. 11 as a major step forward in revitalizing the village.

 Developer John Carey was before the committee seeking support for $667,500 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to restore the exterior of the historic church. 

“This church embodies the very best of Harwich,” Carey said.  

The Baptist parish, the first on Cape Cod, was established in 1759. Carey said the 1841 church was built by veterans of the American Revolution.

 The building is an irreplaceable town asset, he added, noting that Harwich is losing a little of its historic character year by year. Past examples include the demolition of the Exchange building in Harwich Center and the Belmont Hotel in West Harwich.

“Without preservation, the public ends up a loser,” Carey said. 

A previous agreement between the town and the Davenport Company called for apartments in the building, but Davenport wanted to demolish and build a replica. The agreement was never finalized.

“We couldn’t live with ourselves doing nothing,” Carey said of he and his wife Piper Connolly’s commitment to preserving the historic church. “We’re capable of taking it over, to do it right. We’re here to partner with the community preservation committee and the town.”   

“You are restoring something of cultural historic significance and seeding the viability and vitality of a moriband, virtually dead village,” said Duncan Berry, a local historian and planning board member. “Life is being breathed back into this village gradually and John Carey has been part of that.”

Berry referenced “The Economics of Historic Preservation,” a community leadership guide written by economist Donovan Rypkema, which shows that historic preservation and community growth go hand and hand. Rypkema argues that each dollar spent on preservation returns 40 times the financial benefit to the community. 

“We normally look at preservation as a cost. I’m looking at it as a return,” Berry said. “Other immediate benefits include job creation, job growth, formation of new businesses, stimulation of private investment, increased property values, therefore tax revenues. I think this is ultimately the true source of value for West Harwich, Captain’s Row, and the vitality and viability for West Harwich and the town.”

Berry praised the work Carey has done in restoring the 1871 West Harwich Schoolhouse while converting the building into apartments.

Carey said there is a lot of interest in the project. During the two days he held open houses at the church, 170 people went through the building.

He said every dollar received from the CPA would go into the restoration and preservation of the exterior of the church, including a new roof, trim and siding. The clock tower and clock would be refurbished as well. 

CPC member Kathy Green questioned the $667,500 request for the exterior work, pointing out it will cost $750,000 for exterior restoration of the smaller Brooks Academy building.

Carey said he has a confirmed price from a contractor, adding that private construction costs are usually cheaper based on public contract requirements. He said that he is prepared to absorb any additional costs associated with the exterior restoration, adding that this will be the only request for use of public funds from the town for the project.

Carey said he plans to convert the church to the West Harwich Meetinghouse and will donate a portion of the parking lot to the town for a sewer pumphouse. A design and proper location for the structure is in the works, he added.

Green also questioned the need for another cultural arts center in town in addition to the 204 Sisson Cultural Arts Municipal Building and the South Harwich Meetinghouse. Carey said he has already had a lot of inquiries from dance studios, theaters and orchestras looking to use the building. The Baptist Church has a 10-year lease for Sundays, he said, adding that there will be community gatherings and different organizations will use the building in the evening. 

CPC Chair David Nixon reminded the board that the application for historic preservation funds for the exterior of the church has nothing to do with the business model for the operation of the meetinghouse..

Green wanted to know more about the change in the CPC application to The Friends of Harwich nonprofit. Carey said the nonprofit would lease the building and it was established for tax benefits, adding that he and his wife would own the church. 

There were questions about protecting a town investment in the building. Carey said there will be a “no demolition restriction” on the building. 

Carey was also asked who would own the historic cemetery on a section of the property. Carey said the town has expressed no interest in owning the cemetery but would continue to maintain it. Tree maintenance and visual improvements would be made, he added.

Carey made it clear his proposal is about preserving historic character to the village. The church’s bell, which was cast by Paul Revere’s apprentice, was given away by the pastor, said Carey said he is working to get it returned and possibly placed on display.

CPC member Mary Maslowski emphasized the need to restore and protect the historic glass windows in the church.

 “It’s outlived its initial use,” Berry said of the church. “Let’s keep it, it’s a monument that marks a place, time and intersection on a mile stretch of road that has been for 400 years central to the town of Harwich.”

 The committee did not vote on the proposal, which will go to town meeting in May for a vote if supported by the CPC.