About United Christian Church

United Christian Church is in Lincolnville Center, Maine.  We are affiliated with the United Church of Christ, and all faiths are welcome here.   Lincolnville celebrated its Bicentennial in 2002, and the church's history is nearly as old as that of the town.  [more church pictures below].

The church was erected  between 1820 and 1821 by Captain Joshua Lamb, Jr.  Originally known as the Lincolnville Center Meeting House, the Federalist style building retains a number of interesting original features, including boxed pews with doors, an upper pulpit in the balcony, and a "reverse floor plan" featuring both pulpits on the front wall between the two entrance doors.   People were rarely late more than once, after entering to see the smiling faces of the congregation, rather than the backs of  their heads. 

As of August, 2005, however, all have been able to enter from the rear of the church as well as the front; and in the winter we use the rear entrance exclusively.  The church retains most of its original features and is on the National Register of Historic Places.   THe church has an 1821 pump organ, as old as the church is, which retains a beautiful tone; it is played for special occasions by brave organists.  Descendents of Joshua Lamb still attend here.   In 2005, the church celebrated the church's long heritage with a special Heritage Day service and reception in the new Parish Hall (below).                                      Upper Pulpit

 As Lincolnville's population rose and fell over the last two centuries, so too did the size of the congregation.    For almost fourteen years prior to 1999, the church was open only April through December.  In January of 1999, with the arrival of Pastor Susan Stonestreet, we were able to open our doors all year.   Since then church membership has nearly tripled.  Our congregation increases in size during the summer months, as our "snowbirds" return and we welcome visitors from all over the country. 

The Parish Hall

On August 21st, 2005, the new Parish Hall  became an official part of the church, and it seems now as though it has always been there.  The hall has frequent, varied church and community uses from coffee hours and receptions to meetings and seminars.  It provides a rest room accessible to all, better handicap access, a meeting room with limited kitchen facilities, a coat room, and a rear entrance to the church. 

Architect John Silverio's plans are in accordance with the guidelines of the National Register, so the addition is architecturally in keeping with the church.  The original structure has been disturbed as little as possible, and the back of the church has been restored from earlier changes.  We are grateful to John Silverio, Bald Rock Builders of Lincolnville, as well as the Building Committee, Peter Thomas, and Chuck Stevens for their fine work. 

More church pictures