In 2021, Southborough voters approved using $300K of Community Preservation Act funds to help preserve and restore the historic clock/bell tower attached to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Now that the work is complete, the church is inviting the community to a celebration this week to rededicate the restored tower.
The church’s invite includes, “This is also an opportunity to thank the community.”
The ceremony will take place this Thursday evening, May 9th from 6:30 – 7:30pm at 27 Main Street. The invite shares:
Bishop Alan M. Gates will join us for a service of dedication of the Tower at 6:30pm. This will be followed by refreshments in the Parish Hall and ice cream provided by Trombetta’s Farm at 7pm.
Tower and Clock History at a Glance
Constructed 130 years ago as a free-standing structure and designed in the popular Gothic Revival style of the 19th century by architect Walter Frank Hurd, the tower was gifted by philanthropic-minded Southborough citizen Hon. Charles F. Choate, Sr. The 3-sided mechanical clock has been in continuous operation ever since.
In May 2021, representatives and members of St. Mark’s Church told Annual Town Meeting voters that the tower was in serious need of repair. Some supporters argued for the need to preserve a crumbling historic landmark while other voters argued against the Article for reasons that included spending government funds on a project for private, religious entity.
In the end the Article passed by the narrowest margin possible – 83 votes to 82.
Updated (5/6/24 9:52 am): The church’s Bargain Box (selling recycled clothing and accessories) asked me to share that they will hold special hours that evening. They will extend their regular hours to be open from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm on the 9th. They will then reopen 7:00 – 7:30 pm. For the types of items they are selling this spring, click here for pics they posted recently to Facebook. (For details on their other hours and special sales this spring, click here.)
