AUBURN — Just as the city of Auburn is celebrating its 150th anniversary, a local church building has been a prominent part of the city’s skyline for 150 years. The Court Street Baptist Church, founded in 1859, conducted its first service in its new building at 129 Court St. on Jan. 24, 1869. This was just one month before the Maine Legislature granted the charter to the city on Feb. 22, 1869.

In celebration of these birthdays, the church will serve as an official cake site sponsored by the city of Auburn on Friday, Feb. 22. The church will also offer tours of the facility from 3 to 5 p.m.

Church members will serve cake and punch. Local historians Doug Hodgkin and Annette Dorey will provide informal stories on the church’s history, the stained glass windows and the Hook organ. Organist Kathy Haley will play a few selections to demonstrate the organ’s features. Those attending will also be able to view the newly refurbished education wing.

The original structure is a familiar piece of Auburn’s landscape. Only the education wing is a 20th-century addition.

Court Street Baptist Church as it appeared in the nineteenth century.


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