LEWISTON – For nearly 19 years, business owner Claire Gauvin spread the word and furthered faith to hundreds of Christians living in the L-A area and beyond. Some days, it may have been for the mother in search of a Bible for their child’s first communion. Other days, it may have been a kind word and the right string of rosary beads to place in the casket of a lost loved one.

But for everyone who ever entered The Dove, a Catholic bookstore on Sabattus Street, there was always a smile and a strong sense of faith. Now, as Prince of Peace Parish announces the closing and sale of her childhood church, St. Joseph’s Church on Main Street, the longtime bookstore owner knows all too well the painful decision faced by the Catholic Church.

“It’s just one of those stores you always think would be there,” said Eric Marenghi, a longtime customer of The Dove. “Claire has been so devoted to providing books, music and other things that really help people in their faith.”

Days before Saturday’s announcement by Monsignor Marc B. Caron that the parish would close St. Joseph’s Church and St. Patrick’s Church on Bates Street, Gauvin grappled with her own difficult decision to close her bookstore due to mounting economic concerns.

“I close the door on the 18th (of April), but my heart will still be open in my home and people will definitely have my number if they need to reach me,” Gauvin said.

Like the church, Gauvin cited a steady decline in the number of people making their way through her doors to buy religious items. She’d already downsized the business about 10 years ago when she moved from her original location at Highland Spring Plaza in Lewiston to the Sabattus Street location. While she will close her business, Gauvin hopes to continue selling items such as Bibles, rosaries and other religious staples out of her home via the Internet.

She also hopes to continue hosting reading circles and Bible study groups in her home as a way to help people foster stronger connections with their faith.

“When we needed strength, The Dove was a place – the friendship, the community – where we could go and gain strength from each other,” said Laura De Sousa, another longtime customer and friend of Gauvin.

While Caron’s announcement during Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul stung, Gauvin said she was not entirely surprised by the parish task force decision to close the church in which she was raised. Gauvin said she was able to view it from a cost of doing business perspective when comparing it to her own situation.

She said the downturn in the economy last fall made it difficult for her to continue doing business as the bills kept coming, but the customers did not. She pointed out that many people were in the position where they were forced to choose between necessities like food or heat or medicine. She understands that buying religious items like books was probably not at the top of people’s monthly shopping list.

“I’ve been really blessed over the years by meeting so many wonderful people,” Gauvin said of her customer base. “The Dove was a place where Christians met. I want to continue that. I’ll just have to do it in a different way.”