CASTLE HILL, Maine – The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a picnic and special services featuring readings, music and guest speakers. Church member Beth Pickens spent numerous hours sifting through handwritten church documents to compile a history of the church for members and guests to read. What follows is the information she gathered.
The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church is and was during the past 100 years the only church in the township of Castle Hill. Samuel Holmes had been praying for some time “for the good Lord to send a minister to help.” In 1902, the Lord sent Brother William C. Churchill. The first meeting was held at the Piles School House and several other meetings followed in private homes, as well as at the McLellan School House. The Lord moved people to repentance and several were converted and baptized. Over the next few years, meetings continued to be held at the two schools. In 1908, tent meetings were held and 30 were baptized, being added to the class Brother Churchill had started a year earlier. In 1909, Brother Osman held special meetings in Castle Hill and more came to Christ. Some of those in that early class were descendants of families familiar to our congregation today – Peter Richardson, Josie McLellan and George Alley.
In 1909, community members began to see the need to have a place of worship, so a church was organized. A building committee was formed and the present location was unanimously decided upon. The lot was graciously donated by Elias King. During that summer, logs were cut and hauled to the mill. The church was then boarded in and shingled. By the following spring, the church that currently stands today was completed. Brother Churchill continued to lead the body of Christ until his death. It was noted that Pauline (Richardson) Beaulieu’s father, Allen Richardson, helped build the church when he was only 17 years old. Some of the Richardson family still attends the church today.
In 1926, church members realized that there had been no meetings documenting church business for several years. During that time, the church organization had become virtually defunct. A reorganization meeting was held and it was voted to disband and then reorganize with changes made to the church’s Constitution. Officers were also elected at that time. Brother Fred Flewelling became the first full-time pastor. In the business meeting of 1930, some of the officers were Hannah Lovely, serving as deaconess, and J.A. Richardson, serving as trustee.
Special meetings were held in 1931 with a spirit of revival in the air. Records indicated that many confessed to Christ for the first time and were added to the church membership. In 1932, 10 reportedly went to the altar. Six made recommitments to Christ and four dedicated their lives to the Lord. Documentation indicates those newly dedicated that year were Mont Turner, Oscar Randall, Floyd Sharp and Frank Sharp.
In the summers of 1935 and 1936, Susie Davis was serving as pastor at the church. She was also serving as pastor in Ashland. During the winter months, it appeared the church continued to meet without a pastor due to poor road conditions, which made it impossible for Mrs. Davis to travel down from Ashland. Freeman York helped fill in during those months, but did not feel spiritually ready to take on the full-time roll as pastor. At a business meeting, the church members voted “to come to church with reverence and if any talking was to be done, it was to be about God or in prayer. There was to be no loitering about the church yard or any running in and out of the church.” During those years, it was recorded that the janitor was being paid $1 a week. Two songbooks were purchased and they were guarded safely, put under lock and key at the church when not in use.
Reed Blackstone came to the church to hold services in 1935. In 1937, Susie Davis resigned as pastor in Ashland and Ariel Ainsworth became the pastor to both the Ashland and Castle Hill churches. By 1938, there were noticeably more women holding church offices than men, as is still true today. Fern Johnson served as trustee, along with Viola Alley and Gertrude Lovely. Freeman York became the church pastor in 1938. After camping meetings that year at the Aroostook Valley Park, 31 were baptized in the river; six of those were from the Castle Hill church.
During her research, Pickens found that there were no written church records from 1940-1980. Relying on the memory of those who attended the church during those years, she was able to compile a brief history. Gene and Musa Craig, Wendell Knox and Leona Ellis all assumed leadership roles during those years. Reed Blackstone preached and supported the Castle Hill Church from approximately 1935-1964. He baptized many, including members of the Boyles family.
Several of the officers of the church met with State Conference President David Ross to discuss the future of the church in 1981. Membership had dropped to 11. The average weekly attendance was only 6-10 people. The church funds had been depleted, and the treasury showed a deficit of $900. The Sunday School teachers were tired and in desperate need of a break. The future looked bleak, but to those faithfully attending the church, it was obvious that God had a plan. The average Sunday School attendance was almost triple that of the weekly morning service attendance, so God was still at work in the community. Dave Ross, pastor at the State Road Advent Christian Church, agreed to supply preachers, Sunday School teachers, and other personnel to see the work of the ministry continue in Castle Hill. Keith Wheaton, Ron Kofstad Sr., Doug Oliver and Wayne Kierstead were some who willingly assisted during the years 1981-1989.
George McLaughlin co-pastored the Castle Hill Advent Christian and Dunntown Advent Christian Churches from 1983-1986. McLaughlin wrote, “The three years my family spent in Castle Hill were some of the most important times in my development of ministry.” He fondly remembers Easter breakfast at the church having to be served in shifts due to lack of seating for everyone in the basement dining room. He writes of the Castle Hill congregation, “They had great patience and were a source of incredible encouragement to us.” There were 22 active members in the church from 1985-1986 and 24 children were enrolled in the Bible Club. Upon completion of his classes at Bible College, Ron Kofstad Jr. served as pastor from 1986-1987.
Castle Hill Advent Christian Church held its first candlelight service, “where all stood around the walls of the church in a circle” in 1988 after being introduced to the idea by Joanne Hunter. Hunter had been helping at the church with Bible study and in other areas as needed. In June of 1989, Hunter became the pastor and faithfully served for 14 years until her death in 2003. Many changes came to the church during Pastor Hunter’s years of service. She sought to have a church bell purchased and it was installed in 1990. The bell rang each Sunday morning to announce the morning services. It now, however, has been notably dormant in recent years. Pastor Hunter also painted the church doors red, which did not meet the approval of some in the community!
The church voted to build on a fellowship hall in 1992. The project was completed in 1993. Many feel this has played a very important part in the fellowship of the church. It has been filled with wonderful food and laughter over the years. In 1995, the church sponsored the building of a home for community residents, Alice and Jeff Curtis. They moved into their new home in 1996.
After many years of service to the church, the old pews were retired and newer, modern cushioned chairs were purchased. It has been said that falling asleep in church was made easier with their comfortable cushions! A modern sound system was installed in 2001, allowing the church to move into the 21st century. Nathan Gardiner served as assistant pastor, along with Pastors Hunter and Lucy Lovely from 2002-2003. The two women trained him well; he went on to become the full-time pastor of two local churches.
Lucy Lovely became the full-time pastor in 2004, after having served as assistant pastor and associate pastor since 1997. “We are celebrating 100 years of God’s faithfulness to past generations. Our desire as God’s people here in Castle Hill is to continue to be faithful to God’s service to the future generations.”
The church opened its doors to mark its 100th anniversary with a picnic supper Saturday, Aug. 29. Over 50 church members, residents of the community, and local pastors enjoyed the meal before gathering upstairs in the sanctuary for a special evening service. Those in attendance enjoyed music, special readings, and a message by the Rev. David Ross. Rev. Ross and his wife, Shirley, reside in North Carolina where they pastor a church in their local area. The celebration continued on Sunday with a morning service and message by Rev. Ross, and special music by his wife. The weekend concluded later that evening with a service including a reading by Natalie Maynard and special music from members of the Crouseville Advent Christian Church.
Pastor Lovely and the congregation welcome any and all who would like to attend their weekly services. Sunday morning service is held at 9:30 a.m., evening service is at 6 p.m. Tuesday Bible study is held at 6 p.m. and Saturday prayer time is held at 1 p.m. Kids’ Church will begin Thursday, Sept. 10. Children are invited to be go directly from school to the church on SAD 1 bus number 36. Parents can pick up their children following their class at 5 p.m. Kids’ church is open to children in grades pre-K through grade 8. They will meet each Thursday afternoon. The church is located on 5 Richardson Road in Castle Hill. Pastor Lucy Lovely can be reached at 764-4666 or 764-4218 or via e-mail at Lucy_lov@juno.com.
