CAMDEN, Maine — Town residents gave their backing Wednesday evening to spending $75,000 to restore the town clock located in a church steeple.
The clock has been in the steeple of the Chestnut Street Baptist Church since shortly after the U.S. Civil War. But the steeple, clock and spire are in need of significant repairs. The church been working for more than a year to raise $538,000 for the work.
The approval came despite warnings from several residents that the town’s contribution would violate the separation of church and state.
“I don’t think we should be repairing any church. If we do one, we would have to do all. There’s a separation of church and state. Let’s keep it that way,” Steve Dunn said Wednesday night during the annual town meeting at the Camden Opera House.
Stephen Melchiskey agreed the proposal appeared to violate the First Amendment’s clause concerning the separation of church and state. However, Camden town attorney William Kelly countered that he did not consider helping to pay for restoration of the clock a violation of the Constitution.
The church’s pastor, Adam Kohlstrom, said none of the money would go toward the mission of the church but only for the restoration of the clock.
“This is not a question of theology; it’s a question of history and the beauty of the community,” Kohlstrom said.
The church needed about $190,000 a few months ago to reach its fundraising goal.
Meg Barclay, chair of the town’s historic resources committee, said the clock was put in the church in 1868 and that, over the years, the town has only been asked to repair the clock. She said the town has been getting a free ride over those years, in that it has not had to maintain the entire structure that it would have, had the clock been in a town building.
“This is an icon of our skyline. The clock is of great historical importance,” Barclay said.
The church congregation organized in Camden in 1808, when Thomas Jefferson was president. The church was built in 1837, and the clock was added to the building in 1868.
During the annual town meeting, residents also debated at length before approving $297,000 to cover losses at the Camden Snow Bowl over the last two years.
Camden Select Board Chair John French Jr. pointed out that the weather has been difficult and that ski areas all across the region have experienced the same financial difficulties.
Resident Dana Strout criticized the operations of the town-owned ski resort.
“This project has been grossly mismanaged from Day One,” Strout said.
Ragged Mountain Foundation Chair Bob Gordon said that $1.3 million has been raised for a new lodge and that it will be built. No timetable was offered.