After the Old Congregational Church was put up for sale approximately two years ago, Lyndeborough Historical Society Secretary Jessie Salisbury said several comments surfaced on social media calling to either tear it down or repurpose it as a barn.

The Historical Society decided to step in.

“We did not want to see it turn into a hay barn, among other things,” Salisbury said. “We are going to preserve this building.”

The society is inching closer to its goal of purchasing the church. As of Thursday, Aug. 15, the society has a little under than $20,000 left to raise out of the overall goal of approximately $156,000. The society originally put down a down payment of 10% two years ago with the purchase-and-sale agreement.

Salisbury said the society hopes to have all the money raised by the end of the year, but didn’t rule out the possibility it could take longer.

In terms of fundraising, Salisbury said yard sales are always popular. The society plans to hold its next yard sale on Oct. 12. The society will be at the Lyndeborough Community Day on Aug. 25. Typically, Salisbury said these events bring in a couple thousand dollars for the society’s efforts. Besides fundraising events, the society takes donations, but Salisbury said that is not as successful as the events.

After the purchase is complete, the Historical Society plans to repair the bell. In its current state, the bolts that hold the bell up are all rusted.

“It’s an 1870s bell with a beautiful tone,” Salisbury said.

Additionally, some cosmetic work in the interior needs to be completed, but Salisbury said is not as important as the bell.

Salisbury said plans on how to transfer the church to the town are still up in the air, noting it is not known if it will be transferred or sold. However, Salisbury said she hopes to “simply transfer” it with an endowment fund.

As for the future use of the church, she said the church has the largest seating capacity in town, and events like concerts could be held there. Additionally, she said, “the acoustics are almost perfect.” Other uses for the church could include being a wedding venue.

The Old Congregational Church is being used today, while the United Church of Christ still has ownership over the building. As for as Salisbury could remember, she said it has always been a seasonal church operating in the summer.