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Saving our Heritage: Citizen Committee Organizes Effort to Restore and Preserve Iconic Public Square Landmark

April 19, 2022 By admin

Community Foundation to Steward Charitable Funds to Help With Project

     WATERTOWN — Considered by many to be one of the most important historical landmarks in our region and of Watertown’s Public Square, the First Baptist Church and its iconic clock tower is suffering from years of weather-related issues and neglect.

     The current stone structure, built in 1891, has held a very prominent place in our community for more than a century. In 1898, a clock — one that still monitors time to this day — and a bell weighing 2,500 pounds, were placed its tower. The total clock project cost at that time was made possible through contribution by local citizens.

First Baptist Church on Watertown’s Public Square

     It was then that City of Watertown officials agreed to the “oiling, regulating, and properly caring” for the clock “for the public good” and allocated annual funding for that purpose.

     Since those early days, the timepiece has maintained its steady presence in the Downtown, thanks to many volunteers, the church and continued support from the City of Watertown. The church building itself has stood like a sentinel gracing the east end of the Square and forever reminding us of our heritage and sense of community. Nearly every image of the structure appears when Downtown Watertown is featured.

     Recently, strong evidence has showed something must be done to the exterior to preserve and restore this landmark for this generation and the next. Its loss would leave a devastating mark on the landscape.

     A local committee of concerned citizens, with no direct church affiliation, recently worked with the historic preservation firm Crawford and Stearns to complete a preliminary assessment of the overall condition of the clocktower and building to help understand and evaluate the scope of the project and the level of funding that will be necessary to stabilize the structure. The initial work was funded through the generosity of former Watertown Mayor Tom Walker and the Northern New York Community Foundation. The report will provide the basis for the next steps to acquire additional funding and support.

     At present, the building remains well utilized by the community, hosting programs to such not-for-profit organizations as PIVOT, Urban Mission, and Fort Drum, among many others.

     The committee has begun to identify opportunities for grant funding and local support. Recently, a grant application was submitted to the New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Program. Also, a request for support through this year’s New York State Regional Economic Development Council initiative through the Consolidated Funding Application process and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is being prepared. 

     As it has with similar endeavors, the Northern New York Community Foundation has agreed to establish and administer a charitable fund through which individuals, families, organizations, and businesses can help support the initial and future efforts.

     During recent meetings the Committee has also discussed a larger role in the community related to historic preservation efforts. Thus, while the preservation of the First Baptist Church clock tower will be its first effort, it will be positioned to assist with other appropriate endeavors in the future.

     Those who wish to assist the Committee or contribute to its work may contact any member of the committee listed below or the Northern New York Community Foundation for additional information.

     Contact: Don Alexander, Chairman, 315-783-2000; Committee members: Steve Massaro, Sheila Barney-Pullus, Michael Lumbis, Don Rutherford, Reg Schweitzer, Watertown Mayor Jeff Smith, Rev. Jeffrey Smith, former Watertown Mayor Tom Walker, Dr. Jason White.

About the Northern New York Community Foundation

     Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

     Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable  objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

     The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Filed Under: Recent News

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Working with donors to benefit the community through grants and scholarships since 1929.

Meet Cullen Miller, an eighth grader at Lowville Academy and Central School.

For Cullen, community is “a place where people motivate and support each other to make better decisions.”

“What I love about my community is all the people. Good people make a good community. It’s a great place to live because the community is grateful, respectful, and helpful to each other,” Cullen wrote in his winning essay. 

As a Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge winner, Cullen had a chance to present a grant to the Lewis County Agricultural Society, an organization he chose for its work to build community. 

“The Agricultural Society brings people together to show their love for the community and animals,” Cullen wrote. 

Cullen met with Lewis County Fair Manager Rachel Lisk last fall and presented a $500 Youth Giving Challenge grant that will help the Agricultural Society continue its work and mission. The grant is supported by donors to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a partnership with Community Bank, N.A., and a leadership gift from an anonymous donor. 

Pictured, from left, Fair Manager Rachel Lisk; Lowville Academy and Central Schools Middle School student and Youth Giving Challenge winner Cullen Miller; and Community Bank Lowville Branch Manager and Vice President Tammie Lambert.

Cullen is one of dozens of thoughtful youths who looked inside his community to recognize an organization that works to improve quality of life in the region. The 2021-2022 Giving Challenge asked students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to explain in an essay what community means to them and to choose a nonprofit that embodies their definition of community. Cullen’s essay is one of 20 chosen from 193 submissions.

Look for more photos and stories behind the Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge in the coming weeks.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulGiving #YouthGivingChallenge #CommunitySpirit

Meet Cullen Miller, an eighth grader at Lowville Academy and Central School.

For Cullen, community is “a place where people motivate and support each other to make better decisions.”

“What I love about my community is all the people. Good people make a good community. It’s a great place to live because the community is grateful, respectful, and helpful to each other,” Cullen wrote in his winning essay.

As a Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge winner, Cullen had a chance to present a grant to the Lewis County Agricultural Society, an organization he chose for its work to build community.

“The Agricultural Society brings people together to show their love for the community and animals,” Cullen wrote.

Cullen met with Lewis County Fair Manager Rachel Lisk last fall and presented a $500 Youth Giving Challenge grant that will help the Agricultural Society continue its work and mission. The grant is supported by donors to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a partnership with Community Bank, N.A., and a leadership gift from an anonymous donor.

Pictured, from left, Fair Manager Rachel Lisk; Lowville Academy and Central Schools Middle School student and Youth Giving Challenge winner Cullen Miller; and Community Bank Lowville Branch Manager and Vice President Tammie Lambert.

Cullen is one of dozens of thoughtful youths who looked inside his community to recognize an organization that works to improve quality of life in the region. The 2021-2022 Giving Challenge asked students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to explain in an essay what community means to them and to choose a nonprofit that embodies their definition of community. Cullen’s essay is one of 20 chosen from 193 submissions.

Look for more photos and stories behind the Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge in the coming weeks.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulGiving #YouthGivingChallenge #CommunitySpirit
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We are proud to partner with The Orchestra of Northern New York to present “Winter Serenade” this Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Marys Church in Canton and Sunday, Feb. 5, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Watertown.

Dont miss this chance to see a wonderful live orchestral music event. The Community Foundation, with the support of its loyal donors, is a major underwriter of the entire ONNY season. Hope to see you there!

#Winterlude #WinterConcert #LiveMusic #ONNY #NNYCF

We are proud to partner with The Orchestra of Northern New York to present “Winter Serenade” this Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Canton and Sunday, Feb. 5, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Watertown.

Don't miss this chance to see a wonderful live orchestral music event. The Community Foundation, with the support of its loyal donors, is a major underwriter of the entire ONNY season. Hope to see you there!

#Winterlude #WinterConcert #LiveMusic #ONNY #NNYCF
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4 days ago
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The Six Town Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded $7,500 in grant support to five organizations that serve residents in the southern Jefferson County towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman, and Worth.

We are grateful to all who give to the Six Town Fund and make possible efforts to strengthen quality of life for all. The Six Town Community Fund is a great example of how the Community Foundation facilitates geographic funds that foster a “give where you live” culture.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/six-town-grants

#SixTown #NNYCF #Grants
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Six Town Fund Supports Five Community Projects

www.nnycf.org

Six Town Fund Supports Five Community Projects February 1, 2023 By admin Funding Will Help Local Organizations with Quality-of-Life Initiatives, Projects ADAMS — The Six Town Community Fund of the N...
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