BEVERLY — An auction and estate sale of items at the Second Congregational Church of Beverly will take place next month as the church winds down its ministry and prepares for the site to be taken over by Lifebridge.
The auction and sale, held by Kaminski Auctions, will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, in the church’s sanctuary at 35 Conant St.
Items will include furniture, church worship items and supplies, office items, decorative pieces, artwork, pianos, hand bells and antique silver and pewter items, including a Paul Revere tankard, the Rev. Adam Isbitsky said in a notice.
All proceeds will go to charitable causes as part of the church’s dissolution process through the Attorney General’s Office, he said.
The church has been at the site since 1713. Its membership has dwindled from about 500 members 20 years ago to just a few dozen today, leading members to decide to close the church and transfer the property to the human services nonprofit Lifebridge.
That deed transfer and its price tag of $250,000 was approved by the Supreme Judicial Court on Jan. 2.
Lifebridge serves those struggling with homelessness. It will operate a day resource center for clients there while maintaining the church’s chapel as a worship space for current congregation members. Community groups, including scouts and AA organizations, will also continue to meet there.
There’s no firm closing date on the deed transfer currently but the process continues to move forward, Isbitsky told The Salem News Friday.
Previews of items featured in the auction will be held from April 13-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also be viewable at kaminskiauctions.com two weeks prior to the auction.
Those who cannot bid in person on items can register to bid online, by phone or absentee via that website. Registration on remote bids is required no more than 24 hours before the auction starts.
All auction questions should be directed to Kaminski Auctions, not the church.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.