1788 – First recorded Baptist organization in the community

1870/1880s - “In 1870 Bowdoin High School used this building.” ¹ Used some years as the Bowdoin High School and Good Templar’s Lodge (¹ Dedication Program, 1966, ² Pictorial History)

1887 – The Friends Society of Durham held regular services here with good attendance and interest.¹

14 April 1897 – the property was deeded to the Baptist Society of Bowdoin ¹

1889 – A Baptist supply from Bowdoinham preached here and at West Bowdoin. ¹

1890 – the first Baptist baptism was held. ¹

21 March 1940 – Electric light approved to be installed in the church¹

1950 – Church withdrew from the American Baptist Convention. ¹

1956 – The Sanctuary ceiling was lowered, a foundation put in across the back of the church, and oil heat installed. ¹

3 April 1960 – New Baldwin Electronic Organ was dedicated.¹

9 May 1960 – Building Committee Authorized. ¹

30 May 1960 – Ground Broken for present addition

August 1961 – Basement unit of addition used for Vacation Bible School. ¹

April 1964 – The ceiling in the Sanctuary was replaced. ¹

October 1965 – New platform and Choir loft completed. ¹

June 1966 – The new Prayer Room was used for the first time ¹

16 Sept 1966 – The second heating unit was installed in the addition. ¹

1991 – Service moved to the new Bowdoin Center Baptist Church at the site of the old South Baptist Church ²

2000 - Building owned by a local Bowdoin family

Resources

1 - Dedication Program in 1966, Bowdoin Historical Society

2 - Pictorial History of Bowdoin, Maine 1788-1988 Bicentennial

1836 – constituted in July 1836, and in Sept. had twenty-two members. (Millett, p. 216)

Church was built on land originally owned by Elder James Potter, a very active Baptist evangelist (Pictorial History of Bowdoin, Maine 1788-1988 Bicentennial, 1988)

1843 – forty-eight members (Millett, p. 216)

1960s – Church was torn down and the materials were used to enlarge the Bowdoin Center Church

1970-1980 – Cellar hole was still prevalent

1990s – New church on construction near original site. This new church is called the Bowdoin Center Baptist Church.

1812 – established first Baptists in “Lisbon Plains” (Lisbon Center) by Elder Josiah Farwell

1818 - organized as the 2^nd Freewill Baptist Church of Lisbon by Elder Josiah Farwell with Elder Humphrey Purinton

1818 - June 4, 1818 first pastor Rev. Nathaniel Purinton was ordained

1820s-30s - Meeting were held in local schoolhouses, including a school house near the old Bickford’s farm in Lisbon Falls and the Booker School House.

1833 - May first Sunday School commenced in the Booker School House by Mrs. Lambert

“the first Sunday in May 1833, was chosen. Commencing at 9 A.M. in the Booker School House, 35 scholars and 5 teachers were present. Mrs. Lambert was the only one present that had ever attended such a meeting and she did her best to explain the object of the school and give out a lesson for the next Sabbath.” (Jordan, 1949)

1836 - brick church was erected as the West Bowdoin Baptist Church, mason, Rev. Nathaniel Purinton

1836 – formed a Home Missionary Society Auxiliary

1841 – Lavina Coombs, missionary to India

”In 1836, we find this record: "Voted to form a Home Missionary Society Auxiliary to the Parent Home Missionary Society." In 1841, "Voted we will form ourselves into a Missionary Society for one year. David Coombs was chosen Collector And Treasurer."

From this community Lavina Coombs became one of the most successful missionaries in India. She dated her beginning in the Lord’s Work from her training in the West Bowdoin Church and Sunday School.” (Jordan , 1949)

1872-1896 – improvements were made including hardwood floors, steel ceiling, stained glass windows, pulpit

“Extensive repairs were made on the church in 1872 when the pulpit was changed from the eastern to the western end of the edifice, the pews were reversed, two back windows were closed, blinds were added and a portion of the floor was carpeted.” (Jordan, 1949)

Memorial Window

The beautiful memorial window' near the entrance of the church was given a few years after that by friends of the ones whose names appear on the window. Of stained glass in lovely jewel-like colors, a Holy Bible is marked with a sheaf of palms. You can read the inscription on the window of those honored for their early service.

In order to raise the money for needed repairs in 1896, church funds were pledged, gifts were received, and a quilt was sold. A steel ceiling was erected and the floor was carpeted. The costs of these repairs were in the neighborhood of $1,400.

Numerous Gifts

The vestry and the vestibule, which were added at this time, were the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Purinton of Topsham. Also in 1896, Sister Charity R. Whittemore gave the church a sum of money with which the pulpit set was purchased. The Communion Service was presented to the church by Mrs. Carry Purinton of Topsham and her brother, Rev. George H. Salley, in memory of their parents, William and Mary A. Salley. Ephriam Tibbetts gave the individual cups in memory of his wife, Dollie R. Tibbetts.

Twenty years after the repairs of 1896, when the carpet showed decay, a gift was given to the church for a hardwood floor through the bequest of Maria E. Grover. She gave a like amount to the Woman's Missionary Auxiliary.” (Jordan, 1949)

1876 – Women’s Missionary Auxiliary was organized on June 22, 1876

1896 – incorporated as a Parish Church with Baptist affiliation

1918 – Pipe Organ presented to the church

“The pipe organ was presented to the church in 1918 by Captain Jacob Merriman and Walter M. Mallett of Topsham, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. James Cox, who were members of this church before making a home of their own, and were the parents of their wives. This Vocalion organ made by Mason and Risch of Worcester, Massachusetts, had been aboard Captain Merriman's ship and had sailed many times around the world before it came "back home" to West Bowdoin.” (Jordan, 1949)

19xx – Horse stalls were transformed into Parish Hall

1976 – reverted to a strictly Baptist Church

2007? – Groundbreaking on the addition, joining the church to the Parish Hall, new steel roof, expanded sanctuary, added pastor’s office, conference room, large bathrooms.

Resources

West Bowdoin Church

Lewiston Daily Sun, May 25, 1918

Edited and Condensed (from WBBC website)

West Bowdoin Folks Attend Church of Their Forefathers

By ELOISE M. JORDAN

Lewiston Journal Magazine, November 11, 1949

West Bowdoin Baptist Church – 165^th in a Series on Area Churches

By MARY E. DUMAS

Lewiston Evening Journal, February 18, 1967

Pictorial History of Bowdoin, Maine 1788-1988 Bicentennial