First Congregational Church offers 200th anniversary celebration events

As part of the observance of their 200th Anniversary, First Congregational Church of Houlton welcomes the public to the following events: A potluck supper will be served on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m. Attendees will be served a variety of dishes, salads and desserts. A “Memory Wall” of photographs will offer glimpses into the past century. All are welcome to this free event.     Sunday’s Oct. 2 anniversary observance will begin at 12:15 p.m. with a coffee hour of light refreshments and fellowship, followed by a special service at 1 p.m. A Narrative History of the church, punctuated by props and personages of the past, will be featured during the service. A hymn sing will follow the service, as pastors and delegates from other churches of the Aroostook Association of the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ, gather for their fall meeting. The public is cordially invited to the coffee hour and to the service which follows.
A history item of note is that back in 1811, when Maine was still part of Massachusetts, a law existed that no town could be incorporated until it had established a Congregational Church and could guarantee the support of a minister for at least one year.
The Unitarian Society of Houlton and First Congregational Church both hold their beginnings with the organization of First Church of Houlton on Oct. 10, 1811. Information concerning the Unitarian Society’s celebrations will be coming soon.