Easton Church Reopens
Under New Stewardship
By: David Deschesne
Fort Fairfield Journal, March 19, 2014
Granvill Lamb and his wife, Janice have finally found a permanent home for their church congregation, New Song Church in the former United Methodist church building in Easton, Maine.
Originally chartered as a church in March, 2008, the two co-pastored a small church congregation out of their home before moving into a small community center on Birch Street in Presque Isle. After spending some time there they shared space with Cornerstone Christian Academy in Presque Isle then Christian Life Assembly Church, Presque Isle, before finally being blessed with this new location in October, 2013.
The Methodist church building had been for sale for $85,000 but there were no buyers. It held its final service and deconsecration as a Methodist church on June 23, 2013 and was declared discontinued as a Methodist Church on June 30, 2013. According to the Resolve submitted by Pat MacHugh, District Superintendent, Northern Maine District to the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, the membership of the Easton United Methodist Church had “significantly decreased and in December of 2012 they began to worship with the Mars Hill UMC.”
The Resolve further states they had a ¼ time pastoral appointment for several years in addition to maintaining their building, and have had considerable support from the other churches of the Aroostook Cluster. “On November 10, 2012, at a regularly called Charge Conference convened as a full Church Conference the remaining members of the congregation unanimously gave thanks to Almighty God for their long history, celebrated their history and journey and decided to say goodbye to the Easton United Methodist Church and to begin a new chapter in their faith journey.”
The church building was then turned over to the town of Easton. “I stood here ten months ago and accepted the keys to the church as they walked out the door,” said Jim Gardner Jr., Easton Town Manager. “When the board of selectman and I sat down to discuss this they said we see what happens to churches when they're sold, just check out Route 1, just check out De Shute. In De Shute we have apartments where there was once a church. As a board we sat together and thought if somebody should come along and say we'd love to have the church and use it as Granvill said, for the Lord, that would be nice. It was awesome the way everything came together once Granvill and I started working on this.”
“I spoke with Jim. He said the keys had been turned over to the town but they weren't sure what to do with it,” said Granvill. “I said we're a church and we need a church building. Jim's played a big part in helping us acquire the building. We're grateful to be here, knowing many people have attended this church.”
The Lambs hosted an Open House and Dedication ceremony for their new church home on Sunday, March 9. “The dedication of this building represents a great accomplishment not just of my wife and I but of the congregation” said Granvill. “We take this time to solemnly sanctify this building for the purpose of God and the glory of God. We want to say Thank You God, you gave this building to us. I know He is smiling because of the work that's been accomplished.”
According to the Lambs, New Song Church is an independent church sanctioned by Pleasant Valley Church in Thomaston Georgia. The name “New Song” comes from Psalm 40 vs 3 “And He has put a new song in my mouth…”
“We are very grateful from our heart that you all would come and join the celebration and take part in what our Father has done,” said co-pastor, Janice Lamb during the dedication ceremony at their new church home. “He has performed some miraculous things on our journey over the past few years. This is now a place where we can call home.”
“Easton is tight. It is very much family oriented, it has a great school system. It is an honor to be a part of the community” said Granvill. “We would like to say thank you, Jim for opening the doors and helping us. We also want to thank the people of Easton. No matter who we talk to they've been very excited about us being here.”
Originally built in the summer and fall of 1909, the church was dedicated in 1910. “As I've been working here I think about what it must have looked like back in 1910 where there was horse and buggy and maybe a car or two. A lot of changes have taken place from then to today in regards to how we worship the Lord, how we gather, how we do things. We have Powerpoints while they had to stoke the stove to keep warm. One thing I can say is this; God hasn't changed.”
“People come and worship from all over the place, from Woodland, Caribou, Presque Isle, Easton and hopefully we'll have people from other communities come here and be able to worship the Lord but the thing of it is, God is here. God is the first with us and that's what's important.”
New Song Church’s services are Sundays 10am-12noon and Wednesdays 6pm-8pm. For more information, email newsongchurch@maine.rr.com or call (207) 764-3229.
Over fifty people showed up at the open house and dedication ceremony at New Song Church, in the former United Methodist Church building in Easton. New Song Church is being co-pastored by Granvill Lamb and his wife, Janice.
photo/David Deschesne