In 1820, Joshua Lamb began building the old meeting house in Lincolnville Center, selling pews to help fund its construction. Now known as the Center Church, the Lincolnville United Church of Christ, it continues to have an active congregation in the 21st Century, led by part-time pastor Elizabeth Barnum and the people of the church. There are still descendants who lay claim to pews their ancestors purchased.

As a child, I had a difficult time believing that this was a church — where was the steeple?

But the Lincolnville UCC was constructed in the tradition of old Puritan Meeting Houses, pointedly plain and unassuming. That said, it must have been a striking building in early 19th Century Lincolnville Center, with its size and rows of many paned windows. Within, the sanctuary encompasses two floors, the balcony winding its way around, and a high pulpit, now rarely used, which may have been useful for raining fire and brimstone from above.

In my memory, the only entrance was from the front, meaning those arriving late to church would enter behind the pastor, in front of the entire congregation.

As the congregation was revitalized in the late 20th Century, the people of the church raised the funds to add a parish hall to the back of the building, including, for the first time, indoor plumbing — “Margareta’s Flush”, named for long time Lincolnville resident and parishioner Margareta Thurlow. 

The church also took over the stewardship for the Community Building next door, which served as a make-shift gymnasium for Lincolnville Central School when I was a kid, as well as the site of my Boy Scout meetings.

The church has renovated this old building, too, adding a kitchen and improved plumbing, and it is currently available for rent to the community for any myriad of events.

I met with Pastor Elizabeth in her office beneath the parish hall, a room I had never entered, which benefits from large basement windows taking in the spring afternoon sun.

A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Pastor Elizabeth had been a full time minister for 10 years before accepting the position at the Lincolnville UCC in 2017. As a bi-vocational minister, Elizabeth splits her time between her duties to the church and her teaching position at the Children’s House Montessori School in Camden.

Pastor Elizabeth describes the church as a people-centered ministry, not pastor-centered. Showing me about her office, named in honor of the late, and great, Ruth Felton, she named all the church members who had contributed to its construction, and by extension, the way the church is made up of all its members, past and present.

In spite of being on the National Registry of Historic Places, the church doesn’t feel old. There is a vitality, a pulse, made up of all the people who have called the meeting house their spiritual home over the past 205 years.

Pastor Elizabeth described the congregation as “small but mighty”, a welcoming community dedicated to showing up for one another. As a Welcome and Affirming congregation, all are accepted and embraced at the Lincolnville UCC.

As a very occasional attendee of this church, my favorite part of each service is the Prayers of Concern, where the congregation is invited to share their requests for prayers for specific community members and loved ones, for places in turmoil, for wisdom from our leaders. 

Lacking a separate Sunday school, the children of the congregation are invited early in the service to the front of the church for a specific message from the pastor and the lighting of the Peace Candle — prayers for all the children of the world — after which the children head to the Parish Hall for Children’s Church, while the service continues. I recall one couple, with several young children, remark that those few moments at church, without children, is like being on a date.

If you are so inclined, perhaps you may find a church home at the Lincolnville UCC. It is definitely worth a visit, if only to check out the old building, the traditional hymns, the enclosed pews, the solid and practical architecture.

Sunday service is at 9:30, and will end by 10:45, with Pastor Elizabeth’s signature farewell message: “Worship has ended, Service begins.” Because why go to church, if you are not prepared to serve others?

Check out the church’s new website at ucclincolnville.org.

Congratulations

For the actors and crew of the Camden Hills’ production of the musical Willy Wonka. With a cast drawing from both the high school and the area middle schools, Lincolnville was, as always, very heavily represented. As CHRHS says goodbye to several seniors actors and tech crew, it is clear that there is some serious talent in the incoming classes. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the fall musical.

Plant Sale at the Library

The Lincolnville Community Library will hold its annual plant sale this Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Geraniums, shrubs, and trees can be preordered by calling 207-706-3896, emailing at questions@lincolnvillelibrary.org, or by stopping by during library hours.

Indoor Flea Market

The first of this year’s flea markets, sponsored by the UCC, will be held Saturday, May 17, from 8 to noon at the Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road. As always, expect handcrafts, antiques, value added farm products, and plenty of baked goods for sale. The Community Building is wheelchair accessible and there is plenty of parking on site.

I am greeted this Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, by bright sunshine. It is about time. Enjoy what is predicted to be a brighter, warmer week, Lincolnville. As always, be kind, and reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com with your news or any comments of suggestions.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, May 12

Select Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Town Office

Recreation Committee Meeting, 6 p.m., Town Office

Five Town CSD Budget Meeting, 7 p.m., Bieber Theater, Camden Rockport Middle School

Tuesday, May 13

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Wednesday, May 14

Planning Board, 6 p.m. Town Office

Bayshore Baptist Church, Bible Study, 7 p.m.

Friday, May 16

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, May 17

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, May 18

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 10 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages, 10:40 a.m. Coffee and Baked Goods, 11:00 a.m. worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway