St. Lawrence

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St. Lawrence Timeline of Significant Events 1854 - The St. Lawrence Congregationalists formed a church on Munjoy Hill, centered at the St. Lawrence Street Chapel several blocks down Congress Street from where the present church sits today. 1897 - In response to a need for a bigger building due to growth of the congregation (over 500 families) and purchasing an organ too large for the St. Lawrence Street Chapel, the St. Lawrence Congregation dedicates a grand new church on Congress Street occupying the entire city block between Beckett and Munjoy Streets. The site was that of a former ice skating rink and the closest undeveloped parcel to St. Lawrence Street. The congregation thrived for nearly a century, thought the building suffered wear and tear over the years. 1979 - In an attempt to rescue the deteriorating building, the congregation obtains a listing for the St. Lawrence as a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. 1986 - As a result of a dwindling congregation due to demographic changes in the neighborhood and the rising maintenance and heating costs, the congregation of a couple dozen dissolves and deconsecrates the building, selling the St. Lawrence to private developers during the real estate boom of the 1980's. 1990 - After several failed attempts to create a use for the St. Lawrence, including creating a cultural center with Japanese partners, the developers allowed the heat to go out and the structure falls into a severe state of disrepair. The St. Lawrence is listed as a local landmark under the City of Portland's historic preservation ordinances. 1993 - Deirdre Nice and a partner purchase the St. Lawrence Church with the proposal to renew the building as an arts and community center. 1996 - Friends of the St. Lawrence Church, a non-profit corporation, is formed by several neighborhood residents with the mission to save the historic St. Lawrence Church. 1997 - The St. Lawrence Church is listed on the most endangered historic properties list by the Maine State Historic Preservation Commission. Feb. 1997 - Friends of the St. Lawrence Church receives 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. Sept. 1997 - Friends of the St. Lawrence Church purchases the St. Lawrence Church from Deirdre Nice, who sold the building to the non-profit for what she paid for it. 1997 - 2001 - The St. Lawrence renovation effort develops as grants are obtained, partnerships are formed and progress is made. The effort receives grants from the Unum Foundation ($10,000), Libra Foundation ($15,000, $50,000), Davis Family Foundation ($25,000, $25,000), the State of Maine New Centuries Program ($20,000), over $260,000 from the City of Portland in Federal Community Development Block Grants and thousands of dollars in private donations. 1998 - Significant work begins on the St. Lawrence with the rebuilding of the Northwest corner with help from Youthbuild and replacement of the rotten main stairwell made possible by grants from the Davis Family Foundation and Unum Foundation respectively. June 1999 - The replacement of the Parish Hall slate and copper roof is completed with City of Portland CDBG funds.

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