ADDRESS: 1273 Route 302 westbound, Box 900.
DENOMINATION/AFFILIATION: Evangelical Baptist/American Baptist Churches of Maine.
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HISTORY: Lake Region Baptist Church started in 1986 with a weekly meeting at the home of Donald and Elizabeth Knowles on Sebago Lake in Raymond. The congregation later moved to the Real School for Sunday services, renting the facility for the day.
The church was initially supported by monies from the American Baptist Churches of Maine. The Rev. Elmer E. Young developed the new church while serving as chaplain at the Pineland Center in New Gloucester.
The present property was purchased from Microwave Techniques Inc. in 1989 through a mortgage with longtime member Ida Mae Mills. Upon her death in 1999, the property was given completely to the church, along with a sizable trust fund.
In 2005, the church basement was renovated to house the Raymond Food Pantry, and continues to provide food from several federal programs on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
With the ordination of the Rev. Barbara Adlard — one of the first ordained female Baptist pastors — the church called her to serve as an associate pastor in 2005, and she continues in this ministry today.
The most recent 24 foot-by-24 foot addition began this spring and will be completed in the fall with a new worship area on the main floor. The basement area is now open for pantry food service as well as church fellowship meetings. Funds from the Ida Mills Trust have made all this possible.
PLANS: Expansion plans include enlarging the congregation, serving the Lake Region area with the addition of child and youth ministries, as well as continuing the senior ministry and Gorham House services.
WORSHIP SERVICES: 10 a.m. Sunday followed by fellowship and refreshments. A service also is held at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at Gorham House. Bible study is at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and Hour of Power prayer meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday. A hymn sing is held at area churches at 6 p.m. Sunday. Daily Prayer Time is at 7 p.m., with suggested topics listed in the church bulletin. The building is handicapped-accessible.
CONTACT: The Rev. Elmer E. Young, 232-5830 or 428-3637; the Rev. Barbara Adlard, 693-6759; http://lrbc.thriceholy.net
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