Just got this press release from Pastor Meeter at Old First.

On Monday, June 11th, the 30-foot tall, 116-year-old chandelier at historic Old First Reformed Church will be lowered for the first time in ten years for cleaning and renovation, and replacement of 108 bulbs.

The chandelier serves as the centerpiece for the sanctuary of the Old First Reformed Church. Founded in 1654, Old First was Brooklyn’s first church. The fixture, dating from 1891’ has four rings of lights and was designed for both electricity and gas power, though the gas has since been disconnected.

The process of lowering this chandelier takes half an hour and the cleaning and repair calls for more than 20 volunteers. The chandelier is hung from a steel cable in the church attic, which is fixed to a windlass with six reducing gears. Once the chandelier is brought down scaffolding is required to reach the top ring of lights.

Sixty young adult volunteers from Gibbsville Reformed Church in Gibbsville, Wisconsin will be here for the week to work on the chandelier and other projects in the sanctuary and steeple. Under the leadership of Rev. Luke Schouten, the "Transformers" are making their second trip to Brooklyn. Three years ago they put a new roof on the New Brooklyn Reformed Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Not only do they donate their labor, they pay their own travel, room, and board just to work at these Brooklyn churches. They have also done work projects in Appalachia. Professional electricians, carpenters, and builders are part of the group, not to mention college students, farmers, and school teachers.

Old First Reformed Church, located on Seventh Ave and Carroll Street, in Park Slope, will be open to the public all week for viewing the lowering, cleaning, and repair, and the raising again on Thursday or Friday. The pastor. Rev. Dr. Daniel Meeter, is very active in borough affairs.

CONTACT: Sandra Francois or Pastor Meeter, info@oldfirstbrooklyn.org, 718-638-8300