CLAREMONT, N.H. – The May Breakfast has been a Claremont tradition since 1910, when it began as a fundraiser for the First Congregational Church at 72 Pleasant Street.
Traditionally, the breakfast was always held on May 1, even if that fell on a weekday, and the entire town came out. Local shopkeepers would purchase tickets or whole tables for their staff to attend, while residents flocked to the huge downtown celebration that began at 6 a.m.
The 116-year tradition continues, now held on the first Saturday in May – this year that is May 2, at a more reasonable starting time of 8 a.m.
The Rev. Maggie Monroe-Cassel, executive pastor, related that the community still comes out to enjoy May Breakfast, and many are very involved in making it happen. The food is sourced regionally from King Arthur Bakery, Brownsville Butcher and Pantry, and North Country Smokehouse. Monroe-Cassel said they will be serving pancakes with local maple syrup, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, coffee, and tea.
Monroe-Cassel shared that last year, “[We moved] the breakfast from the musty basement fellowship space to the open and airy sanctuary with the light of the stained-glass windows surrounding us.” The organizers also started using china instead of disposable products and composting all food scraps.
A discount will be given to participants in the Steppin’ Up to End Violence 5K sponsored by The Center for Safer Communities, formerly Turning Points Network, that takes place that same morning, at Claremont Middle School.
This will be the second year that the May Breakfast is hosted by The Well Collaborative NH. Founded one and a half years ago, The Well is a secular nonprofit that utilizes the church space as a community hub, and whose mission is to provide programming and activities to enrich the greater Claremont community. Monroe-Cassel is on the board of directors for the organization.
The church welcomed The Well to share their space in an effort to make use of the historic building, which was sitting empty most days. Monroe-Cassel related that, other than the 10 a.m. Sunday morning services, which continue weekly, and regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, the venue was severely underutilized.
The historic building, a beautiful Gothic Revival brick structure built in 1835, is something to be preserved, Monroe-Cassel feels, and remains a vital part of the Claremont community.
“There are too many empty buildings of faith,” said Monroe-Cassel. “If left vacant, these structures decline and become public safety hazards.” She and others have been hard at work making sure First Congregational stays alive and relevant by finding creative ways to revitalize and support the church to the benefit of Claremont residents and visitors alike. Monroe-Cassel is motivated to bring more people to the notable city that is often misunderstood.
It was in that spirit that The Well was founded, and initially the organization offered wellness activities like yoga, reiki, and sound baths at the church. Some building improvements were made to start bringing the building up to code and to enhance the opportunities for a public meeting space.
The Well applied to the Northern Border Regional Commission, an organization that funnels federal dollars into northern New England and parts of New York, for an economic catalyst grant, and, to Monroe-Cassel’s surprise, their application was approved.
“I got the call from [U.S. Senator] Jeanne Shaheen’s office while I was driving and I nearly drove off the road,” said Monroe-Cassel. “I was shocked.”
The grant will pay 80%, approximately $820,000, toward a million-dollar project that will bring the building to compliance, and allow it to more easily host public meetings and community events. Plans for the updated space also include a child care facility, a preschool, a cooperative kitchen, necessary improvements to HVAC and sprinkler systems, and repairs and updates to the ADA-accessible ramp. Profits from this year’s May Breakfast will help support the required 20% match.
Addressing many of the area’s economic needs, the center will offer support for working families, community programming, and entrepreneurial opportunities, while revitalizing Claremont’s downtown.
Read all about the three-year project to create the Entrepreneurial Center at The Well on their website, www.thewellcollaborativenh.org.
“The church is understanding that empowering the community is crucial,” Monroe-Cassel stated. “Theology’s core message is about economic disparity. The gospel stories are about economic justice more so than morality.”
“Claremont is a very creative place with amazing people with vision,” Monroe-Cassel continued. “When it comes to economic catalyst, that’s how economic development works – a rising tide floats all boats.”