Community asked to rally in support of historic Biddeford church

The Rev. Catherine Angela points to the beading that shows a stained glass window at the Second Congregational Church of Biddeford was made by Tiffany. PHOTO BY ANN FISHER
Ann Fisher, Contributing Writer

There may be few in the pews at the Second Congregational Church in Biddeford, but the members have big plans.

“It’s a small congregation with a big mission,” said the Rev. Catherine Anglea, who has led the flock of 25 members for the past decade.

The “big mission” is tackling large infrastructure projects at the 228-year-old church. But members tackle many other missions on a daily basis: three weekly programs to address addiction; a twice-weekly Bible study; a free Sunday morning breakfast; Kids Shopping – there’s even a stuffed animal ministry.

In addition, the separately funded Bon Appetit Meals Kitchen is based at Second Congregational and church members welcome an immigrant church to hold its own services in the building.

Now members are asking for the community to support them in return.

Work completed, work to be done

Much work has been completed over the past decade to restore the building at 19 Crescent St., across from Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center. The pastor’s study, a meeting room, office and chapel have all been renovated. Floors have been refinished in the dining room and other areas. The nursery has been redone and hallways have been painted.

It’s the major repairs that remain. The roof and the steeple need to be fixed. The siding on the building needs to be replaced because damage was caused when it was sealed incorrectly. In addition, the sidewalk needs repair.

 
The chandelier in the church is so heavy it takes four people to lift and lower it when the bulbs need to be changed. PHOTO BY ANN FISHER

The sanctuary – including four authentic Tiffany stained glass windows – is still accessible. But a problem with the heating system causes the paint on the ceiling to flake. Bathrooms also need remodeling. Wooden lathes are exposed on some of the walls, which have to be replastered.

“Til spring hits we can’t do major outside work,” Anglea said.

History in the making

The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1797 when it broke off from the First Congregational Church – now home to the Biddeford Historical Society on Pool Road – after a disagreement, according to church historian Mary Maxwell. The original building – also referred to as the "White Church"was built in 1850, but burned down soon after. The current church was then erected in the late 1800s, Maxwell said.

Maxwell, who joked that she’s one of the two historians because, at 95, she’s the oldest member, joined the congregation in 1950.

“The adults were very active,” Maxwell recalled. “There were lots and lots of members who did a lot of things.”

She said the Men’s Club and Women’s Fellowship put on plays and held suppers and parties for kids. Christmas was “a great time,” Maxwell said. “They just did good works for the church to raise money.”

“Women did not work outside the home back then, so (the Women’s Fellowship) was extremely active. It was so large it split up into different circles.”

There were so many kids attending Sunday school that the L-shaped addition was built in the ‘60s to accommodate the children, who met in the kitchen and the dining room. “Kids were all over,” the historian said.

 

‘Pretty much at a standstill’

Membership peaked in the early 1900s with 450 people, Anglea said, adding that currently around 10 people attend weekly services in person, but between 20 and 80 join on a Facebook live stream.

The church has grown in other ways, however. Anglea came onboard, she learned the previous pastor “had her fingers in everything. I had to slowly change that.”

Congregants now serve as deacons and trustees; a building committee was formed.

“I thought it was important,” Anglea said. “We didn’t have these roles.”

There are only a couple paid staffers, including an organist and a “Jill of all trades.” Anglea is serving as a volunteer religious leader until the revenue stream is shored up. Right now, paying for heating, electricity and other bills is more pressing.

A grant writer has been hired to attain funding and the building committee has been charged to supply the required information. According to Angelea, around $24,000 of the targeted $1 million has been raised to date. Seeds of Hope also owes its neighbor around $20,000 of that for housing overflow guests from the overnight shelter.

A historical building fund was established last year, but things are “pretty much at a standstill,” Anglea said.

Maxwell hopes people will see the importance of the church’s role in the community and contribute towards its future because “it’s historic.”

“It’s the oldest active congregational church in the state,” she said.

Donors can mail a check made out to the Second Congregational Church of Biddeford, earmarking it to “Historical Building Fund” to 19 Crescent St., Biddeford, 04005, or through an account set up at M & T Bank, 28 Adams St., Biddeford.

 

Ann Fisher is a freelance journalist based in Saco. She can be reached at 432-7483.