Brooks Morton had hoped to save the Newry Church. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen

NEWRY — Brooks Morton of Newry said the town made the church on Bear River Road worse by not dealing with the culvert that plugged on one side of the lawn where water was puddled.

The town voted to sell the church in a close vote at town meeting on May 15.

There are no bathrooms and parking on the sharp corner is dangerous.

For Morton it’s personal. He grew up a mile from the church. He and his friends would crawl through the scuttle at the back of the church to get warm. He attended the Branch School a one-room schoolhouse next door where there were just three in his grade and 24 all together.

He was the best man at his brother’s wedding in 1978. It was very hot and he fainted just before the “I do’s.” He was baptized, went to Sunday School and vacation bible school at the church, too.

He is disappointed that the town didn’t take care of it after they purchased it in 2017. A few years ago Morton, Jim Sysko and Andre Bernier looked at the foundation and offered to repair it for $850. The state eventually fixed the culvert but he said the town did no upkeep.

Morton said had it remained a church it would have been grandfathered and a sale might not have been allowed.

“I think I’m the lone ranger [fighting to keep it]. Maybe a couple of other people who dare to speak up. It’s a family-based town. I’m not going to mince words.

“My faith doesn’t rely on this church.” he said.