The First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill earlier this month completed the sale of its church building at the corner of Broadway and Carleton Street, noting proceeds will be used to benefit charitable efforts locally and within the region.
The church, 346 Broadway, was sold last week to Merrimack Valley Presbyterian Church, previously of North Andover. Officials said, “While both Presbyterian churches, our congregations hail from different denominational entities and have no ties to each other. The building will remain a worship space and will not change in its function or purpose.” Josiah E. Morrow, the church’s clerk of session, told the larger story.
“While this is a time of great sadness for our congregation, we are gratified to know that the building will remain a church and continue the purpose for which it was built in 1986. We are also similarly grateful that the proceeds from the sale will benefit our community and serve as a living legacy to the hundreds of members of FPC Haverhill who supported the church over the decades. Given the difficult circumstances of a shrinking congregation and financial troubles, we believe this is the best possible outcome to carry our legacy forward.”
Sale proceeds are to be held by the Presbytery of Northern New England, the regional council. It has committed to using the money over time to benefit mission projects, specifically in the Greater Haverhill area, as well as the broader New England region. Officials added information is forthcoming about how local nonprofits may be able to benefit.