Above: Gloria Schmidt of the Portsmouth Historical Society looks out at the "audience room" of the former Christian Union Church inside the Society's building.

To the editor:

The old church is feeling her age. The Christian Union Church on the corner of Union Street and East Main Road has served for 150 years as the former home for a religious community and the current headquarters of the Portsmouth Historical Society. Now the building needs some tender loving care if it is to be preserved and serve the Portsmouth community for many years to come.

Members of the Curator’s Committee have spent the better part of the last year researching the building, the church community and the people associated with the church. It was their privilege to read the old church records, the newspaper clippings of socials and events, and the handwritten notes about the Sunday School. Through this research the members of the Portsmouth Historical Society have come to appreciate what a special building this old church is and how it connects us to Portsmouth’s past. This structure was built by Portsmouth farmers and Portsmouth families that were the heart of the community: The Cooks, the Manchesters, the Shermans, the Sissons, the Browns, the Durfees... All these families and more worked together to build a community center. Builder John Coggeshall was in charge and Rev. Miller built the pulpit with his own hands. It didn’t take more than a few months to get the job done.

The vestry hall was downstairs and that is where the activity of the church was centered. There was a lending library there long before the Portsmouth Free Public Library began. Music education was important, so singing schools and organ lessons were part of the education. The beautifully decorated “audience room” upstairs was the scene of temperance rallies and cultured debates. Portsmouth summer resident Julia Ward Howe would on occasion “supply the pulpit.” Mrs. Howe was the famed writer of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Women had important roles in the church. All were welcome to attend.

There still are lectures in the “audience room.” Now they are on topics of Portsmouth history such as Rhode Island in the Civil War, Rhode Island farms, Anne Hutchinson and Portsmouth artist Sarah Eddy. The yearly service to honor the Marines who died in the Beirut bombing fills the old church to the rafters.

Old-fashioned hymns will ring out as a community hymn sing is planned for August. Julia Ward Howe still has a presence. There is a room dedicated to her which has pieces of her furniture including her writing desk.

How much longer can this building serve the Portsmouth community? The “audience room” is beautifully restored, but there are areas that need work that is far beyond what the budget of the Historical Society can handle. We have already replaced gutters and downspouts to prevent water leakage. If we can make the necessary repairs it can last for many more years. If we can restore windows, repair damaged ceilings and repaint we can get the museum area back to displaying the many artifacts and documents we have from Portsmouth history. We have been good stewards in restoring the 1725 Southermost School and the 1840 Old Town Hall which are also on the museum grounds.

The Portsmouth Historical Society is valiantly trying to get funding to make the needed repairs. The Christian Union Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so we are eligible to try for a Rhode Island State Preservation Grant. This grant, however, requires matching funds. The application date for this grant is mid-August. We have applied for other grants, but we have been asked to show that we have community support to preserve this building.

What can the community do to help this preservation effort?

For a small fee individuals or families can become members of the Portsmouth Historical Society. Community businesses or organizations can become corporate members or patrons. Check the membership section of the society website (portsmouthhistorical.com) for membership forms and details. Note on the membership form that you support the preservation of the building.

Consider making a donation beyond the membership fee to add to the matching fund drive. Come by the museum on Sundays between 2 and 4 p.m. A docent will be happy to show you through the building and our displays.

Write a letter supporting the preservation effort. Send your letter to the Portsmouth Historical Society, PO Box 834, Portsmouth, RI 02871. These letters can be included with the grant application as evidence of community support

We hate to think of this historic building slowly deteriorating. It is worth preserving and we have some special dreams for the future. We have great hopes for what we can do to make it a better community space — making it more handicap accessible, rearranging display space for more room for small meetings, inviting Portsmouth students to see and touch Portsmouth artifacts.

This old building is showing her age, but she can serve for many more years if we get the support we need from the Portsmouth community.

Gloria Schmidt, Richard Schmidt and Marjorie Webster

Portsmouth Historical Society Curator’s Committee

Editor’s note: This letter was signed by 11 other members of the Portsmouth Historical Society.