OTISFIELD – The annual summer service at Bell Hill Meetinghouse will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27, sponsored by the Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association. This year marks the 19th consecutive summer service at the historic church. The Rev. Richard L. Bennett of Bridgton will be the speaker.

Built in 1839 as a Congregational church at the top of what was once known as Meetinghouse Hill, the white church with its high belfry and red dome has long been the town’s most prominent landmark.

This year the Maine Historic Preservation Commission has nominated this building, as well as the adjacent schoolhouse, also built in 1839, for the National Register of Historic Places. Only churches that are no longer in regular use are eligible for the register.

The commission judged that the meetinghouse deserves listing for architectural and historical reasons. Its architect was Nathan Nutting Jr., Otisfield native and a noted master builder responsible for designing a number of other buildings in the area, including churches in Casco, Waterford and New Gloucester.

The meetinghouse interior, little changed since 1839, features a curved rear gallery and pew doors with original hardware and stencilled numbers. The church stands at the top of Otisfield’s second highest hill, once a busy commercial and population center.

Until well into the 19th century the area surrounding the meetinghouse was used as the town’s muster ground, a training field for the town’s militia, composed of all males aged 16 to 60. The muster was an annual event that served as a major social occasion for everyone in town.

Bennett has been pastor of the First Congregational Church, Bridgton, since 1998. A Connecticut native, he was formerly chaplain at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He has also held pastorates at Wolfeboro, N.H., and Westbrook.

He has long been fascinated with New England’s historic churches. Calling himself a “swamp Yankee,” Bennett lists among his other hobbies motorcycle touring and snowshoeing.

The Hills Alive Chorale, conducted by Dan Allen, will provide choral music for the service. Virginia Noble, pianist, will accompany the group.

The brick Bell Hill schoolhouse adjacent to the church, also maintained by the association, will be open for visitors. Refreshments will be served outside following the service.