A charming Maine church is experiencing such a surge in its congregation that its leaders have deemed a major expansion necessary. All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1992, has contemplated rebuilding its aging auxiliary wing for decades. Now, the church is finally poised to take that step, driven by an influx of new members.
'We see new faces almost every week,' said Rev. Chad Poland, the church's pastor, in an interview with the Bangor Daily News. Poland attributed the growth to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted people to reassess their connections and seek authentic communities. 'I think people's priorities shifted and people saw the value of community,' he added.
The Protestant church, located about 130 miles northeast of Portland, Maine, now has a congregation of approximately 326 people, with around 50 new members joining over the past two to three years. Since beginning fundraising in February, the church has raised nearly $2.8 million toward its goal of more than $4 million, according to Poland.
Expansion Plans and Timeline
Demolition is set to commence by the end of this month, with the new space expected to open next fall. In the meantime, Sunday worship services will continue at 10 a.m., shifting to 9 a.m. during July and August. The church's website notes that while 'we are descended from the Pilgrims,' the congregation is 'very diverse ... with people from all over and from many different Christian backgrounds.'
Although the share of Americans identifying as Christians has declined, recent data suggests the drop has slowed over the last five years. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in February, about six in ten Americans currently identify as Christians.
New Structure Features
The new building will be smaller than the Arlan A. Baillie building it replaces, which was constructed in 1954. However, it will add a second story, providing 'administrative, educational and multi-use rooms,' as outlined in project plans shared by the church. On April 12, All Souls held a 'special prayer for the decommissioning' of the wing. 'As this will be our final event in the Baillie Building, we also take a moment to say goodbye to this meaningful space and offer our thanks for all the memories it has held,' the church's website stated.
The construction will also expand green space outside and make the church 'substantially more energy efficient' through the addition of solar panels and high-efficiency HVAC equipment. The upper level will house administrative offices, while the lower level will feature educational programs. The total cost is estimated to 'approach' $4 million, according to the proposed redesign.
Funding and Preservation
The church plans to rely largely on member contributions, supplemented by capital donations, endowment earnings, and a construction loan. 'Achieving our goal will require unprecedented levels of giving,' the church noted. The auxiliary wing will be completely torn down, but some elements, including a copper fireplace hood and granite from the original building, will be preserved.
Rev. Rebekah Timms explained that the congregation decided what to keep and repurpose. 'Imagine if these walls could talk?' Timms told FOX Bangor. 'There's a lot of memories in there but there are the difficulties of heating and maintaining and being part of the modern world,' she added. Church moderator Dale Gass highlighted that the wing had long been a fixture but was in dire need of repairs. 'The Baillie building has been a staple of this church for 70 years and you can only patch and repair for so long,' Gass told the outlet. The Daily Mail reached out to All Souls Congregational Church for further comment, but both pastors were unavailable due to home visits.
