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The Market Square Steeple Fund (MSSF) is a separate 501(c)3 organization formulated outside North Church for the specific purpose of community outreach fundraising for the renovation of the North Church steeple in Market Square. The campaign goal is $1 million dollars.

Our organization is made up of a group of dedicated friends and neighbors committed to raising the necessary funds to restore the steeple that's been at the heart of Portsmouth for 150 years. The work is already underway because the structure was at risk and the reconstruction could not be delayed.

The MSSF Advisory Committee includes the following individuals:

Jameson French, Advisory Committee Chair
Steve Alie
Martha Fuller Clark
Ted Connors
Tom Ferrini
Mary Carey Foley
Sam Jarvis
Elaine Krasker
Jay McSharry
John Rice
Dawn Shippee
John Tabor
Bob Thoresen
Cindy Williamson
Peter Torrey
Phil Pettis, Campaign Chair
Jay Gibson, Campaign Treasurer

How Funds Are To Be Used
The congregation of North Church began fundraising for the repair of the building in September of 2004. Saving the steeple also meant maintaining the building that houses it and a decision was made to initiate a serious fundraising effort to cover all the necessary expenses involved, a total of $1.5 million.

Here's how the funds will be apportioned:

Combined Effort Necessary
Because of the substantial cost of repairs and because the church serves as a community resource as well as being the symbol of the city it was determined that a community outreach campaign would be necessary and feasible to supplement the congregation's fundraising.

The congregation set as its goal $500,000, one third of the total needed, and created a church campaign committee consisting of the following individuals:

Phil Pettis, Campaign Chair
Louis Clarizio, Lead Gifts
Kathy Mason, Publicity
John Crist, Potential
Nancy Lehoux, Clerical
Wendy Mello, Printed Materials
Deb Jones, Pre-decision Parties
June Ellis, Team Leaders
Russ Brightman, Treasurer

Through hard work and generosity the congregation's campaign was successful in reaching their goal of $500,000. Once this was achieved the Market Square Steeple Fund was created to expand the fundraising effort into the wider community.

The public portion of the campaign of $1 million dollars will be allocated to saving the steeple itself, while the initial funds raised from within the congregation will be allocated to the other required building repairs.

Market Square Steeple Fund Board of Trustees
Phil Pettis, Chair
Mary Carey Foley, Secretary
Peter Torrey, Treasurer
Jamey French
Betty Gilman
Bob Thoresen

Team Leaders & Members
This campaign has proven to be a true community effort with so many people dedicating their time and resources to help raise the $1 million dollars needed to save the symbol of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Here are the community members who have chosen to get involved in this important project to preserve the Market Square Steeple: