BRISTOL — The First Baptist Church of Bristol is raffling of a one-seater canoe and paddle made and donated by Stephen Ahern of Starksboro. Proceeds will help to keep the historic community First Baptist Church buildings “afloat.”
The church, one of Bristol’s historic landmarks, has stood since 1819. The last major renovation was in 1925 when, among other work, stained glass windows were added. Proceeds generated by the raffle will help ensure that the building can continue to be maintained and updated.
Only 300 tickets are available. They are $20 each and are on sale at Martin’s Hardware in Bristol and Middlebury and at Kimball Office Services in Bristol. They may also be purchased from church members. The drawing will take place on July 24 at the Bristol Band Concert.
The skin-on-frame canoe is made of wood and cloth. The design came from Andrew Linn of Toledo, Ore. It measures 11 feet, 5 inches long by 32 inches wide and 13 inches high, and has parts made of mahogany, cherry, spruce and pine. Underlayment plywood was used for the frames, seats, floors and deck/thwarts. The cloth covering is 8-ounce polyester, coated with three coats of oil-based spar varnish. Other materials include synthetic sinew (to tie the stringers and keel to the frames), stainless steel screws, Titebond III waterproof wood glue and stainless steel staples.