The Methodist Church in East Vassalboro village no longer stands. The pews, bell, a stained glass window and some other furnishings were moved to the newly constructed Vassalboro United Methodist Church in 1988. Submitted photo

VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro United Methodist Church recently added a lift and removed some pews to increase accessibility.

The Vassalboro Methodists first professed their faith in 1794 when the itinerant minister Rev. Jesse Lee preached at Getchell’s Corner, and they have been on the move and adapting to change ever since.

There were four Methodist churches in town at one time: South Vassalboro on Cross Hill (1813); East Vassalboro (1840); North Vassalboro (1865); and at Getchell’s Corner (1868). None of those buildings exist any longer, according to a news release from Dale Potter-Clark with the church’s Fundraising and Activities Committee.

The Vassalboro United Methodist Church on Route 32/Main Street is the only one in town today — constructed when the declining congregations in North and East Vassalboro recognized the need to change. They combined in 1987 and took on the seemingly gargantuan task of constructing a new church building.

Ever since the church’s doors opened in 1988 community members have been welcomed to worship services. Public meals, weddings, funerals and special events are frequently held there as well. Other than choosing to add a rear ell to hold office space and two meeting rooms in 2003, members of the church have not had to undertake any major structural or interior changes until last year. It was when a largely attended funeral made them realize they needed to make some adaptations for folks with mobility and accessibility challenges, and they immediately began to plan accordingly.

“The project was planned in three stages,” said Harvey Boatman, project coordinator, according to a news release from the church. “Once funding was secured, our first step was to install a lift/elevator between the sanctuary and the lower level where our fellowship hall and bathrooms are located. The lift is very close to completion and it should become operational in February. During the early stages of the installation we discovered significant damage to the roof so unexpected, emergency repairs had to be done which included removal of the damaged steeple. Through all that, the lift installation never faltered. We had a lot going on here for a while last fall,” said Boatman.

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Part of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church sanctuary as it looks without sections of two pews recently removed. Submitted photo

Once the lift was almost complete, the next step was to remove parts of two pews near the center of the sanctuary to better accommodate wheelchairs. This was completed Jan. 21, and the following day some veteran members saw the changes. “There are several older folks who attend VUMC — some who were once members of the East or North Vassalboro churches and were here when VUMC was built,” said Boatman. “But given time to understand they have been real troopers. It’s human nature to have some resistance to change no matter how young or old we are but the vast majority of our congregation has been on board from the beginning.”

The pews were moved there from the East Vassalboro Methodist church that no longer stands. The pews, bell, a stained-glass window and some other furnishings were moved to the newly constructed Vassalboro United Methodist Church in 1988.

A ceremony will be held later this year to dedicate the new lift/elevator and to recognize those who made it possible through their donations of funds, time and efforts.

For more information, email info.vumc@gmail.com, call 207-873-5564 or follow the Vassalboro United Methodist Church Facebook page.

 

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