BRUNSWICK

Fundraisers for a campaign to rebuild Brunswick’s Unitarian Universalist church announced this month that the effort has brought in more than $1 million.

“We set a stretch goal of $850,000, so we exceeded that substantially,” said Cindy Parker, co-chairwoman of the church’s capital campaign.

In mid-May, the Rev. Sylvia Stocker said the church had raised just more than $700,000 toward that stretch goal.

Parker said the congregation will begin soliciting construction bids later this month. Currently, she said, the congregation doesn’t know how much the new structure at the corner of Pleasant and Middle streets will cost.

The congregation employed the firm Smith, Reuter and Lull to create a design for a structure that faces Middle Street and Curtis Memorial Library. The previous church, which was irreparably damaged in a fire around a year ago, faced Pleasant Street.

About building the new church at the previous downtown location, Michael Heath, chairman of the church’s board of directors, said that the new building will provide new resources for the congregation and all residents of Brunswick.

“We wanted to remain in the heart of the community,” Heath said. “We hope to offer Brunswick another quality meeting space downtown.”

Congregational leaders hope groundbreaking for the new building will take place this summer. In the meantime, Sunday worship services will continue at the Minnie Brown Center in Bath until that construction is completed.