(Photo by Dean Weaver)

NORWICH – The United Methodist Church on Broad Street recently began a fundraising campaign to help pay for repairs on the steeples and the roof of their 145-year-old Norwich landmark.

Representatives of the church said it was built in 1874, and has seen its fair share of history. They said it is the highest structure in Chenango County and is a New York Landmarks Conversancy’s Sacred Site.

They added that when the church was originally built, it cost $49,500.

After factoring in inflation, that’s just over $1,000,000 in today’s money. At the helm of the project is The Scott Imhoff Company Inc. and Ryan Biggs Engineers. When asked how the project will take Al Kochersperger said, “I would say five years is a minimum when you’re looking at the totality of the roof, of the windows, and all we’re doing here.”

Initially, the restoration project began with the iconic stained-glass windows.