Outreach

Downing Trust

Lewis Downing was one of the original members of our church and was perhaps most well known as a manufacturer of the highly popular “Concord Coach”. He was a respected member of our community in the 19th century and the Concord Monitor stated upon his retirement in 1864: 

“Mr. Downing, Senior, retires from business, after active participation in it for nearly 52 years, and we think we express the general sentiment of the community when we say that during that time, his integrity having never been questioned, he is entitled to be called Concord’s best benefactor.” 

Today, 130 years after his death in 1873, Lewis Downing, through his generous legacy, is still a benefactor to our church as well as other UU churches in New Hampshire. Each year, in accordance with his will, a committee of our church receives approximately $20,000 from the Lewis Downing Trust. Only $2000 of this money can go to our church to use as we see fit. The remainder of the money is awarded to a minister(s) at large to conduct sermons preaching “liberal Christianity” to “strengthen the societies of the Unitarian faith in New Hampshire” and to projects that assist New Hampshire UU societies in meeting accessibility standards and safety codes for their facilities. 

The Second Congregational Society Unitarian Universalist of Concord is very happy to administer the annual distribution from the Lewis Downing Trust. It is a wonderful example of a legacy gift by a congregation member that lives far beyond his time.

Recent Lewis Downing Trust Awards 

The annual distribution of the Trust has been administered by the Second Congregational Society Unitarian Universalist for many years and all the proceeds (except $2000 per year granted to the Concord Society) must be awarded to other UU Churches in NH. These grants are awarded in two broad categories:

• The “Ministry” grants allow qualified applicants to provide their services to NH UU Churches in both traditional and innovative UU ministries.
• The “Project” grants are generally used to improve access, comply with building code, and repair NH UU Churches.

Here is a summary of the grants made possible by the Lewis Downing Trust to benefit the UU Churches of NH since 1999 totaling over $150,000. 

For more information about the Downing Trust: Lewis Downing Trust Procedures (PDF)

Some additional information on Lewis Downing and Concord Coaches: Lewis Downing's Last Will and Testament (pdf file) www.johnjhenderson.com/Notables/Biographies/lewis_downing.htm A good history of Lewis Downing. ohtm.org/1849concord.html General information on the coaches. www.over-land.com/ccoach.html Description of coach building techniques. www.maineantiquedigest.com/articles/coch0500.htm  Great colored picture of a Concord coach, and recent (2000) auction of coaches.