BUCKFIELD — For the first time in 20 years the Old Church on the Hill opened its doors on Saturday to hold a wedding for Nicholas Tifft and Tiffany Dunn.

According to Everett Tilton, the church has held many weddings over its 180-year history. Because the church was in such a state of disrepair, however, weddings had not been allowed since around 1991.

Tilton supplied highlights of the church, dating from when it was built in 1831. During the Civil War, many war meetings were held in the church. It was mostly neglected until 1895 when John D. Long contributed funds to help restore the weather vane on the steeple and restore the church if the town would use it as a town hall.

The church served that purpose until 1901 when it was struck by lightning and the belfry was shattered.

It survived enough so that in 1918 the Buckfield High School held their commencement exercises there. From 1920 until 1952, town meetings were held there and the church was used for worship in the Puritanical manner, with women on one side and men on the other. The church still uses the two doors.

In 1970, a federal grant helped make needed repairs in the church and in 1971 200 people attended an open house to celebrate the repairs.

The church was again struck by lightning in 1985 and suffered more damage.

From 1970 until 2010, the church was open on the town’s Labor Day celebration and several functions were held until about 20 years ago. Now the church is in business again after a revival of efforts by the Old Church on the Hill restoration committee.

The church has many artifacts that hopefully will be moved to the Historical Society, according to committee member Sandra Perkins. This will allow more room for functions.