BOSTON (AP) – The congregation of one of Boston’s oldest churches is preparing to sell its prized silver collection, hoping the historic pieces will fetch enough at auction to repair their crumbling building.

First Parish Church of Dorchester has owned the 27 silver beakers, chalices and tankards since the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Boston Globe reports they are scheduled to be auctioned Jan. 20 by Sotheby’s in New York, where the church hopes to raise up to $3 million.

The Rev. Arthur Lavoie says it’s painful to sell the items, but the historic church needs so many repairs that other fund-raising efforts fell far short.

The silver items have been stored at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for 80 years and include pieces by some of the area’s earliest silversmiths.

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