ADDRESS: 810 Main St., Westbrook

AFFILIATION: United Church of Christ

Additional Photos

The Westbrook-Warren church in Westbrook, the result of two Congregational churches merging in 1977, has about 250 members and active outreach ministries. Courtesy photo

HISTORY: Both the congregation and the building we call home are not what you might expect. The building does not look like a typical New England Congregational church. The large, flat-roofed brick building appears utilitarian, but it houses a beautiful sanctuary, a generous fellowship hall and plenty of places for community and church activities.

Westbrook-Warren Church is the result of two Congregational churches merging in 1977. When the Westbrook Congregational Church (1832) and the Warren Congregational Church (1867) merged, the new church was dedicated to be one with an “open door.” Today, the church continues to strive to embody its vision of being a community presence and a welcoming home for a very busy, diverse family. There are about 250 members and a number of regular visitors. We are one of 164 United Church of Christ parishes in Maine.

Westbrook-Warren has all sorts of people with different faith backgrounds (or none), and differing perspectives on theology, ethics and action. Upon entering our building, you will see a sign that says: “You Are a Child of God and You Are Welcome Here.” So feel free to join us or visit us any time.

MINISTRIES: In addition to our regular worship, Sunday school and bean suppers, we support a number of ministries locally and beyond our walls.

One of our newest outreach ministries is the Angel Food Ministry. High-quality family food packages are available at significant discounts to any and all who choose to participate. Angel Food nicely augments our weekly Thursday noon meal in the fellowship hall. We’ve hosted these meals for over 30 years. More than 100 people come for conversation and good food weekly.

This year we served our fourth annual Christmas Day dinner. We started this feast after the Methodist church in town, which had done it for years, closed. This year we welcomed more than 200 people who wanted to be with others to celebrate the day.

Our 10th annual Festival of Trees was held in December. Local organizations donated and decorated nearly 50 Christmas trees for the event. A community worship service, daily entertainment, sleigh rides and toy trains add to the festivities. A fundraising luncheon also raises money to support local missions: the Westbrook Food Pantry and the Good Samaritan Fund in Westbrook this year.

Our building houses a number of community organizations. Among them are the Animal Refuge League’s dog training, TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), two Girl Scout troops, Westbrook Women’s Club, Embroiderers Guild, Maine Properties Meetings, PACTS Play Group (Parents and Children Together), WIC (Women, Infants and Children), Sea Strokes and Sumner Elwell’s music lessons.

Our newest outreach effort includes providing weekly devotional services and patient support at both Dolley Farm and Springbrook Nursing Home. We hope to expand that ministry along with our midweek outreach to local youth in grades 6 to 12 called LOGOS. On Wednesday evenings youth and adults gather for fun, dinner, play, study and worship.

Beyond our area, we also support Central Africa Vision, a local mission to Congo; Konbit Sante (Haiti relief); and we regularly send mission teams to Honduras.

WORSHIP: Sunday school for all ages is at 9 a.m. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. The LOGOS youth program is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

CONTACT: Call 854-9187, e-mail office@westbrookwarren.com or go online to www.westbrookwarren.com. The pastor is the Rev. Dr. Edward DeLong.

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