Last modified: Saturday, October 21, 2006 1:19 AM EDT Steeple raising Workers at the First Congregational Church on Old Post Road in North Attleboro raise the reconstructed steeple sections and the church bell onto the roof of the church back in June as church members watch from lawn chairs across the street. The new steeple will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 29. (Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle) Steeped in history, First Congregational Church to dedicate steeple BY GLORIA LaBOUNTY SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - The new steeple installed on top of First Congregational Church in June will now get an official welcoming. The congregation will be dedicating the new steeple on Sunday, Oct. 29 on the south lawn of the church on Old Post Road. A brief ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m., and a time capsule and a plaque will be placed in the steeple that will include prayers and words of thanks. Bell to ring out The historic church bell, which was put back into place when the new steeple was installed, will be tolled in celebration of the completion of the project. Following the ceremony, the congregation will gather in the church vestry for a chicken dinner. "Thanks belong to so many members, friends and businesses, who have helped us in completing this $80,000 project," said Ed Clavette, the church moderator. Work began in 2003, when serious deterioration to the steeple was detected. The steeple was taken down that year, and a new one constructed off-site to almost exactly replicate the old one, but with tougher materials. The new steeple was delivered in April and remained on the ground while preparatory work was done. On June 23, it was hauled into place by cranes and secured by steeplejacks as members and supporters of the congregation watched and cheered. Extensive fundraising During the three years of the project, church members ran fundraising events and solicited donations to cover the $80,000 cost. The congregation was first established in the early 1700s when settlers first arrived in the area. The current building, known historically and affectionately as Oldtown Church, was built in 1828, then renovated in the 1950s and expanded in the 1990s.