Our History

CHURCH COLORIZED PENCIL DRAWING1
The Vision for Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church

Since the early 1800’s there had been no Presbyterian Congregations in the Mid-Coast area of Maine. But in 1984 that all changed when a group of recently retired-and-relocated Presbyterian Elders wanted to come together and worship with other Presbyterians who might be in the area. Thus began the vision for Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church.

Officially founded October 1987, we are a diverse congregation, with members from many different faith backgrounds and geographic areas. Our mission is to be in partnership with God to transform ourselves, our community, and our world. We warmly welcome all visitors to worship at 10:10 every Sunday morning.

OUR CHARTER

  • 1984-1985 … The Vision Develops
  • January 26, 1986 … “Maine Mid-Coast Presbyterian Fellowship” becomes official
  • October 25, 1987 … Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church is officially chartered by The Presbytery of Northern New England (PNNE)
Pastor Diane – 2021 Lent Quiet Day

PASTORS

  • Rev. Sarah Foulger – Founding Pastor
  • Rev. Bruce Langford – September 1998 – June 2006
  • Rev. Diane Hoppe Hugo – July 2009 – present
    (formally installed on August 30, 2009)
Our Pastor, Diane Hoppe Hugo

WHERE WE GATHERED

  • Fall 1985 … The Golden Fan Inn at Cook’s Corner, Brunswick, was our first meeting space
  • 1986-1994 … The Fellowship gathered & worshipped at the Topsham Grange Hall on Main Street (across from where we are now)

MCPC AT 84 MAIN STREET

  • October 30, 1994 … Our new building on Main Street is dedicated to the Glory of God
  • June 15, 2003 … Groundbreaking ceremony for new Educational Wing. The Wing is dedicated May 2, 2004. (The congregation did the interior finishing work!)
  • May 2, 2005 … Dedication of the Education Wing (begun June 2003)
  • 2018 … celebrated a successful Pay Off the Mortgage Campaign!

STEPS ON THE JOURNEY

  • 1988 – Became involved with Tedford Shelter
  • 1989 – Became a Covenant Church with Habitat for Humanity’s 7 Rivers Chapter
  • 2000 – Bright Start Child Care Center opens at MCPC
  • 2005 – MCPC begins working in partnership with the Sudanese Fellowship of Portland
  • February 2011 – Celebrated the opening of The Gathering Place, a drop-in day center MCPC helped shepherd into being.
  • Fall 2012 – Participate in PCUSA’s New Beginnings, a program to help the congregation assess our strengths and challenges as we sought engage in significant ministry in the community.

CELEBRATION & REDEDICATION & DISCERNMENT

  • October 2012 – Marking 25 years, MCPC begins a year-long celebration
  • October 27, 2013 – Worship Service of Rededication to the Mission of MCPC; all three pastors and the PNNE Resource Presbyter, Cindy Kohlmann, are present.
  • Fall 2014 – discerned a new Mission Statement, that we are called To be in partnership with God to transform ourselves, our community, and our world.

A Big Milestone!

  • September 2017 – Our Pay-Off-the-Mortgage Campaign is successful!
  • Ever so helpful in continuing our stewardship of our facility, making it a space where local groups can meet.

Given to MCPC over the years, these 5 crosses tell the story of Jesus’ life, death. and resurrection. The Celtic Cross generally hangs in the Sanctuary, but that changes at certain times of the year.

THE CROSSES OF MID-COAST PRESBYTERIAN

The Anchor Cross is a symbol of Baptism; crafted of oak by Henry J. Hoffman, father of charter member, Russell Hoffman.

The Star Cross reminds us of the star of Bethlehem which marked the place of Jesus’ birth and hangs in the Sanctuary in through Advent & Christmastide; made of ash by Seymour Brown of East Corinth, Vermont, who offered to make it when he first came to see the new church building.

The Jerusalem Cross reminds us of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and hangs in the sanctuary during Lent; made by Richard Hutchins of Crisfield, Maryland, created from a beam from Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, the oldest Presbyterian Church in the United States.

The Good Friday Cross reminds us of the suffering which Jesus endured; hangs in the sanctuary on Palm/Passion Sunday and throughout Holy Week, made using the natural colors of many different woods by Bryce Muir.

The Celtic Cross is a symbol of resurrection and of the global nature love and of Jesus’ message; crafted from cherry and maple, was made by charter member, John Chester.​

A TRANSFORMING PEOPLE
At an all church retreat on September 28, 2019, reflecting on our mission statement (To be in partnership with God to transform ourselves, our community, & our world) and our life as a congregation, we found our WHY:


2020 – 2022 – The Covid pandemic taught us new ways to be community and worship together, including our now regular online worship.

  • March 15, 2020 – we moved to Facebook Live and soon added worship on Zoom.
  • June 27, 2021 – Homecoming Sunday! We celebrated being back in our Sanctuary with worshippers still being able to join us online.
  • January 9 to February 13, 2022 – we’re back online only as Covid spiked; and back in the Sanctuary on February 20.

CHARGE to the CONGREGATION on the Chartering of MCPC 
October 25, 1987