On Sunday, Aug. 21, congregation members of the Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church in New Sweden will hold a celebration beginning at 4 p.m., in recognition of the church’s 140th anniversary.According to church history, many changes have taken place over the 140 years since the “little band of Swedes” made New Sweden their home. It was in 1871, under the leadership of Pastor Wiren that the first Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Sweden was established. It was housed in what is now the New Sweden Historical Museum (the original burned in 1971).
In 1871 the church constitution was adopted and in 1874 it was realized that the people needed a larger place to worship and the location where the church stands today was selected. The Church parsonage was erected in 1877 with a horse stable built in 1888 to accommodate the parishioners’ horses as they came from a distance to worship. The buildings have changed since that date with the horse stable being removed (where the garage now sands) and additions or the kitchen, bathrooms and study were completed.
The bell in the steeple was a donation from W.W. Thomas, and is inscribed with the following: “Presented to the First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Maine by William W. Thomas, Jr., the founder of New Sweden. Colony founded July 23, 1870. Church dedicated July 23, 1880.”
The Sunday School was started in 1875, with classes given in the Swedish language. The SVEA hall, where Sunday School is now held, was added to the church structure in 1912, with the upstairs room constructed in 1944.
On the church’s 25th anniversary, the new name, Gustaf Adolph Evangelical Lutheran Church came into being. Many people had moved to Stockholm by 1906 and it was decided to organize a daughter congregation which was named the Oscar Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church, now the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In 1950 the need for a church seemed necessary in the Caribou area with the establishment of the Loring Air Force Base and the influx of the many people that came to the area as a result of the base. Therefore the Mother Church sponsored the Faith Lutheran Church mission, which thrived and became Faith Lutheran Church in 1956.
In 1962 the Augustana Synod merged with other Lutheran Synods and became the Lutheran Church of America. Gustaf Adolph became Gustaf Adolph Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in 1988. The exterior of the church in New Sweden was re-done in stucco in 1985 through the generosity of many friends of the church from both far and near.
Although a small congregation, church members are very active sponsoring countless projects including the donation of food to a number of local organizations and they are always present selling ice cream during the Swedish Midsommar Celebration. Members also send sewing, health and school kits to Lutheran World Relief each year.
The Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church, located at 48 Capitol Hill Road in New Sweden is a certified listing in the National Register of Historic Places in the state of Maine.
Rev. Gordon Compton has served as pastor at the church since November 2008
Church services are held on Sunday morning beginning at 10:30; Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. September through May.
