Gilford Community Church Supports Gale School Project

Gilford Community Church provides a grant of $25,000 in support of the redevelopment of the Gale School in Belmont. The project will transform the historic schoolhouse into a community facility that will include a new early learning center operated by the Boys & Girls Club and a new program center operated by Lakes Region Community Services.

“The Gilford Community Church is excited to disburse one of two grant-based contributions of the Daniell Fund to the Gale School Project,” said Jessica Fleck, Outreach Committee Chair of Gilford Community Church.  “In these times of uncertainty and challenges for families, being able to support a project that will serve young children and families, fulfills our mission to support local charitable organizations that enrich and improve the quality of life for our community.   It will be amazing to watch the Gale School be brought back to life and become a home for two vital programs for this area.  We are very thankful to be able to help with the final fit-up needs for the school.”

“We are incredibly grateful to have the support of the Gilford Community Church,” said Carmen Lorentz, Executive Director of Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD), the developer of the project. “This generous grant will ensure we have the necessary funds for the final fit-up of the school.  Bringing the Gale School back to life so it can serve children and families once again is only possible because of the support provided by community businesses and organizations, like the Gilford Community Church.”
Construction on the Gale School could begin in the later months of this year if all funds are secured as planned.

The Gale School was built in 1894, and was used by the Belmont school district until the mid-1980s. The building has been mostly vacant since then, and years of neglect have taken their toll. The Gale School was named to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2018, and was selected as one of New Hampshire’s Seven to Save in 2017.

In July 2020, the building was successfully moved by the local Save Our Gale School Committee (SOGS) to a new location at 60 Concord Street in Belmont Village. LRCD agreed to partner with SOGS to redevelop the building.

Photo (left to right): Jessica Fleck – Outreach Committee Chair Gilford Community Church, Carmen Lorentz – Executive Director LRCD, and Pastor Michael Graham – Gilford Community Church.