Bowdoin
Churches
Active Churches of the Town of Bowdoin, Maine
Bowdoin Center Baptist Church
E. Burrough Road, Bowdoin
Photo from church website
Church of the Living Word
Main Street, Bowdoin
Photo from church website
Historical Churches of the Town of Bowdoin, Maine
The settlement of Bowdoin made its mark in Baptist history as early as or even before the 1780s. “About this time, openings in the forests began to appear, where are now Bowdoinham and Bowdoin and the inhabitants were continually removing from the settlements along the rivers to those commenced in the interior.” (Joshua Millet, 1845, p.86) Bowdoin was among the first settlements in this area. Millet goes on to say that “In this place, and for which it is memorable in the history of the Baptists in this part of the States, was the first revival of religion to introduce the sentiments of the Baptists into the country.” (Joshua Millet, 1845, p. 105)
Old Bowdoin Center
Main Street, Bowdoin
West Bowdoin Baptist
West Road, Bowdoin
East Bowdoin
formerly Augusta Road, Bowdoin
Old South Bowdoin
formerly E. Burrough Road, Bowdoin
North Church
formerly Litchfield Road, Bowdoin
Old Bowdoin Center Church - Timeline
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
The Bowdoin Center Baptist Church was home to the Baptist services for over one hundred years, from 1897 to the 1990s. Prior to its use as a Baptist Church, it was a Good Templars building, Bowdoin High School, Friends Society of Durham and the Sagadahoc Grange, as well as other uses. A Baptist organization was starting in the community as early as 1788. In 1966, the dedication service was held marking the addition of the rear classrooms annex. In the 1990s, the congregation moved to the new Bowdoin Center Church located on the East Burrough Road, off of the Meadow Road in South Bowdoin. This new location was also the former location of the South Bowdoin Baptist Church.
South Bowdoin Baptist Church - Timeline (1836-
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.
The South Bowdoin Baptist Church was built in 1836, near the site now occupied by the current day Bowdoin Center Baptist Church. According to Joshua Millet in the History of Baptist Churches in Maine, p. 261: "Bowdoin South Church was constituted in July 1836, and in Sept. had twenty-two members. It is the privilege of this church to claim a standing on ‘Baptist ground;’ their meeting-house being located on the parcel of land, once occupied by Elder (James) Potter." After years of service, the church fell to disrepair and was dismantled to help enlarge the old church at Bowdoin Center around the 1960s.
West Bowdoin Baptist Church - Timeline
1812 – established first Baptists in “Lisbon Plains” (Lisbon Center) by Elder Josiah Farwell
1818 - organized as the 2nd 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 – 165th in a Series on Area Churches
By MARY E. DUMAS
Lewiston Evening Journal, February 18, 1967
Pictorial History of Bowdoin, Maine 1788-1988 Bicentennial
The West Bowdoin Baptist Church is a historic church, built in 1836, still home to generations of local families and friends from surrounding communities. The church was organized in 1818 as the 2nd Free Baptist Church of Lisbon. After holding meetings in nearby schoolhouses, the construction of the building took place in 1836 from bricks made of clay from the neighboring pond. A carriage house was transformed into a Parish House. In the 2000s, the two buildings were connected with an annex. Sunday services, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Mission outreaches are a vital part of the West Bowdoin Baptist Church of today.