History

In 1988, the members of the Camden United Methodist Church and the members of Rockport United Methodist Church made the decision to break new ground, and to become "one" church family. The newly erected church, located in the picturesque, coastal town of Camden, held its first service at the new location on June 28, 1992.

In 1997, Thom Blackstone led the congregation in an intensive study on homosexuality and the Bible. On March 1, 1998, the church became the first, United Methodist Church in Maine to support inclusiveness of all persons regardless of sexual orientation.

Here is an excerpt from our reconciling statement:

"We proclaim our welcome to all and affirm our faith in the love of Jesus Christ, mindful of the prejudice and hateful acts which persist today, particularly against gays and lesbians. Therefore, we join with other United Methodist Churches in the Reconciling Congregation Program to ensure access to all who have felt excluded from our Christian Community."

The newly formed Midcoast PFLAG meets at 7 pm on the first monday of every month at John Street. Contact us at 236-4829 for more information. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Bell Tower- In 2001, the Trustees undertook an effort to bring both the former Camden and Rockport's bells together in a bell tower. While the Rockport bell, a brass bell cast at the Meneely Foundry in Troy, NY in the 1850's, had always been visible in front of John Street, the Camden bell, a younger bell cast in iron at an unknown foundry, had been in storage in Camden. The bell tower is not just a place that houses the two bells, but, a larger plan includes a semi-formal garden, including a broad variety of flowers and shrubbery, and several discrete benches for sitting and contemplation. Small memorial plaques on the angled upright supports of the tower will remember John Streeter's that have passed on. The bell tower was dedicated on November 4, 2001.

The Carillon Tower- On October 21, 2001, a dedication ceremony was held for the carillon tower presented to the Church by John Williams, Sr. and family, in memory of his wife, Edith, and son, Billy. Favorite songs will be played on Edith's birthday, September 28, Billy's birthday, July 8, and Edith & Jack's anniversary, November 18. The carillon tower was purposely set at an angle to alleviate reverberation off the building.