Temple of Witchcraft Still Needs $26K to Fund Parking Lot

Salem's Temple of Witchcraft has a fundraising goal of $68,000 to fund a parking lot at Grandview Manor and begin holding classes and religious services at the property.

The neo-pagan religious organization recently started a campaign on Indiegogo.com, and has raised $42,139 of that goal as of April 3.

The temple recently purchased Grandview Manor, located on 49 N. Policy St., which was built in 1898.

Temple co-founder Christopher Penczak delivered a message to the organization's 18,894 Facebook followers on Wednesday:

We've made huge strides in our parking lot campaign but we still have about $26,000 to go and 19 day to do it! If everyone who has Like our FB page, could give $1-5 donation, we'd be over the top and ready to build. 

Without the parking lot, we cannot open our new space. All our future community plans depend on this initial development. Please spread the word and support if you can. And thank you all who have already supported! It means a lot. Blessings - Christopher Penczak

The project has been approved by the Salem Planning Board but requires the funds for a contractor to do the work.

The additional parking would be located between the house and the barn on the 5-acre property.

Specific donation perks are offered on the Indiegogo fundraising page, starting with the lighting of a candle for $25 donations and ending with a two-day private and personalized weekend workshop with Penczak, subject to instructor agreement and scheduling, for a $5,000 donation.

The non-profit organization has had a presence in Salem since 1998 at 2 Main St.

Residents raised concerns last fall about the new site because of the traffic issues already caused on North Policy Street from summer visitors to Canobie Lake Park.

A total of 168 people have funded the project, with one anonymous donor giving $10,335. Another, named "URIAH WEAVER," gave $5,000 to the fundraising effort.