Renewing the building

My father was walking to church in Milton one very cold Sabbath morning early in the 1930s when he saw that the building was on fire. The sanctuary was being heated for the morning service and, apparently, a fault in the chimney set off the blaze. The building was destroyed. And then, in the middle of the Great Depression, the congregation proceeded to build this structure. From conception, to construction, to completion:

Architect's rendering of the proposed Milton SDB Church building

Using both contractors and the volunteer labor of skilled craftsmen and other workers from the church, one of the most beautiful church buildings in the denomination was completed and has served succeeding generations of Milton Seventh Day Baptists until this day.  This picture is from 1939:

The church recently sent out this appeal:

It was the middle of the Depression when the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church burned to the ground. It was a time of unprecedented hardship when funds were tight and families didn't have much (if any) money to spare. However, the people pulled together to build a new church that has stood the test of time, serving the local SDB congregation for almost 80 years.

As time has marched on, however, the roof on the church has deteriorated and now is in need of major repair. Specifically, these are the areas that need to be fixed and an estimate of their costs:

Part 1 Bell Tower Pocket Restoration	$ 31,500
Part 2 West Chimney Restoration	$ 4,925
Part 3 Maintenance Work	$ 5,150
Part 4 East Bay Roof & Wall Flashing	$ 5,930
Total	$ 47,505

This is a steep and unexpected expense, and that is why we are coming to you, our church family, to ask for help. Please consider additional giving or a one-time gift designated toward the roof project. Checks can be made out to Milton SDB Church, write "Roof Repair" in the memo, and send it to Milton SDB Church, 720 E. Madison Ave, Milton WI 53563.

Obviously, we are sensitive to the fact that the past few years have brought financial hardship to many on a scale not seen since the 1930s, when our predecessors built the current church. But if you are able to give, we are hopeful that we can provide a roof repair that will serve our church for another 80 years.