NORTHFIELD — Two years after storm damage brought the First Parish of Northfield Unitarian Church clock to a halt, restoration efforts have ensured the nearly 150-year-old town symbol will show the correct time more than twice per day.
“We want to maintain our beautiful, historic building,” parishioner David Smith said. “We also want it to be the center of our town and be a symbol of how it’s thriving. It’s a very active and dynamic town.”
The clock, which was installed when the church was built in the 1870s, belongs to the town, Smith clarified.
Funding for the $4,000 project was provided through the Community Preservation Act, and Town Meeting voters allocated an additional $10,000 for repairs and maintenance to the clock last year.
Smith began the first phase of cleanup himself, removing dirt and debris from the parts of the clock that are exposed to the elements.
“Cleaning that took a great deal of time and effort,” he recounted.
“We figured out what was wrong, and we removed gears and other mechanical parts,” Smith continued, adding that challenges came about when it was time to repair the clock’s motor. “We couldn’t just buy a new motor — it’s a very old motor.”
The first phase of restoration, which included making the clock functional again, began last summer and wrapped up a few weeks ago.
Smith connected with watchmaker Brian Tanguay, who runs Tanguay Jewelers in Gardner. Tanguay has worked on vintage pocket and wrist watches since 1976, and he began servicing and advising clock tower repairs about 10 years ago.
Tanguay said the church clocks he restores today are “not much different than any other pocket watch or clock.”
“They’re just much bigger,” he said.
Despite the difficulties that come with hauling centuries-old, 350-pound structures up and down church buildings, Tanguay said he has enjoyed working on a dozen town clocks.
“It’s just a nice thing to do for any church or community,” he said.
“In the summer, I tell my wife I’m going to the gym, but I’m going to the church and climbing the stairs,” Tanguay added. “It’s a nice little pastime, and it’s a nice way to keep you strong.”
The next phase of repair at the First Parish of Northfield Unitarian Church is to restore the clock’s hourly chime, which Smith estimates will be completed this fall. He looks forward to celebrating the church and its clock at Northfield’s 350th anniversary celebration next year.