CANTON – For nearly 30 years the tiny Baptist Church that sits in the center of Canton, has had a number of interim pastors. Now, the Rev. Russ LaFlamme has answered the call to become their full-time reverend.

Dr. Foster Williams, area minister for the east region of the America Baptist Churches of Maine, officiated at the installation celebration for LaFlamme on Sunday. LaFlamme lives in Lisbon with his wife, Debbie. Their daughter, Julia, is a junior art major at the Maine College of Art in Portland, and their son, Brian, is at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., majoring in communications with emphasis on the American sign language.

The history of the church reads like many of the early churches that burned and had to be rebuilt. The first church building was built in 1862.

It burned in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1904. Since then it has had a number of reverends and over the last 30 years, there have been nine interims.

The church has a present membership of approximately 25 and offers a Sunday morning worship and Sunday school hour and prayer meeting on Tuesday night.

The daughter of a former pastor who served in the 1940’s is now the church pianist. Rachel Ray, the pianist, and Ronald Ray moved to Maine four years ago and purchased his family home.

LaFlamme said he felt like he was coming home. His great, great grandfather, James Allen, is buried in Canton and had served in the Revolutionary War. He also has a great, great, great grandfather, Epharaim Allen, buried there as well.

Many area reverends were present for the installation as were many members of the community. Ron Ray of Canton and Virginia Monica from Buckfield supplied music. Refreshments were served after the ceremony.