The first American book ever to be published, "Bay Psalm Book" is all set to be sold of $20 Million At Old South Church, Boston

After votes from the congregation of Old South Church in Boston were polled in, it was decided, by majority votes that the "Bay Psalm Book" also known as "America's First Book" should be sold. According to a report on The Guardian, the book is estimated to be valued at $20 million.

The book initially titledThe Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English Meter was first printed in 1640 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Hundreds of copies were made by currently only 11 are known to still exist.

Along with the book, 19 pieces of colonial silver will be sold by the church in order to raise money for repairs and carry on the church's charity work. However, the selling has raised a few brows and the move is said to be "controversial".

"We know what we need for a sustainable future," Reverend Nancy Taylor, senior minister, told Boston.com. "We want to take this old hymn book, from which we literally sang our praises to God, and convert it ... into doing God's ministry in the world today."

However, a few members of the congregation didn't share similar views with Reverend Taylor. "Once we break the faith with our forebears, it's all out the door," church historian Jeff Makholm told the Associated Press. "How easy is it to spend somebody else's money?"

Hence, the issue was opened to votes and majority of the congregation decided on selling the book and the silver.

"If we sell these heritage assets as a substitute for our own generosity to the church, and as a substitute for our own careful attention to its affairs, then the best that I can hope for is that I will be remembered by future generations as a fool," Old South trustee Dan Bergstresser told gathered church members. "If we sell these assets and combine them with our own recklessly generous gifts and service to the church, then we will be viewed as people who heard and followed the true voice of God. We will reveal through our actions from this point forward what has really happened here today."