BUXTON — Love stories have a way of standing the test of time. Settings and circumstances may change, but the feelings that bind two hearts together is a theme that appeals to every generation.

One of those love stories, “The Old Peabody Pew,” is now nearly 100 years old, but is still capturing hearts as it is performed each year in Buxton. Originally a novel written by Hollis’ own Kate Douglas Wiggin, the author herself transformed it into a play in 1916 as a fundraiser for the good works of her Dorcas Society.

This Sunday, society members will perform the play for the 88th year, at the historic 1822 Tory Hill Meeting House which is its setting. “The Old Peabody Pew” has been performed at least once annually since 1916, with the exception of four years during World War II and the year of Wiggin’s death, 1923.

“It’s simple, but it’s a very sweet story,” said Sharon House, who portrays the village historian in the play.

The play follows the love story of Nancy and Justin, who reunite in a chance meeting at the church after Justin returns to town, having endured fruitless years of seeking his fortune in Detroit. The “church ladies” introduce the background of the love story as they prepare the church for Christmas and the audience witnesses Nancy and Justin’s encounter later in the play.

“The Old Peabody Pew” was dedicated to the Dorcas Society in 1907, shortly after it was published. According to society scrapbooks, House said, it was while cleaning the church pews with other society members in the early 1900s that Wiggin was inspired to transform the novel into a play. It was first presented in the barn of Quillcote, Wiggin’s home in nearby Hollis, but was later moved to the church.

For many society members, performing in the play has become a family tradition. Carolyn Vail, who has portrayed Maria for 16 years, is following in the footsteps of her mother, who filled the part for 27 years before her. Three others are marking 25 years or more in the play this year.

“I’ve been a Dorcas Society member for 40 years and we still use some lines (from the play) around the dinner table,” said House.

The lines are often witty and well represent the small town banter in which a group of church ladies may have engaged in the early 20th century. Society member Linda Caouette, who will portray Lobelia for the 13th time this year, noted one of her lines about women doing the work while men get the credit.

“(Wiggin) may have been a liberated woman before her time to come up with the lines I say,” said Caouette.

Wiggin was a prolific author and is remembered as a persuasive, passionate woman. She started the Salmon Falls Library in Hollis, which was later given to the town by her sister.

“We’re pretty proud she lived here,” said House.

For the local productions only, Wiggin added a small part for her goddaughter, Kate Douglas Mason, which has been filled by society members’ granddaughters throughout the years. Emily White, granddaughter of Caouette, will play the role this year. The cape she will wear dates back to the early years of the play and is one of only a few pieces of older costumes that is still used.

“The costuming was amazing then,” said House. New dresses have been made by members over the years as the historic dresses have become too brittle to use. The oldest pieces are stored at the Bar Mills Parish House.

Tours of Quillcote and the house that was the setting for Wiggin’s most famous work, “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” are still strong, said Caouette ”“ evidence that interest in the author has not waned.

The minister of Tory Hill Meeting House, the Rev. Karen Christensen, jokes that in the church there are, “The Father, The Son, The Holy Ghost and Kate Douglas Wiggin,” said Teivy Manuel, who has served as narrator for 25 years.

Though the crowds are not standing-room-only as they once were during earlier years of the production, people still come out to see “The Old Peabody Pew” year after year, she said.

“It’s been hard to carry on the tradition all these years,” said House, citing members’ busy schedules. “It may get so we won’t be able to do it any more.”

For now, however, the group perseveres with the annual play, as a tribute to Wiggin and to honor the community tradition. They plan to continue the productions at least until 2016, which will mark 100 years since “The Old Peabody Pew” was first shown, said House.

“Because of her heritage, we feel like we want to keep that going,” she said. “There’s a community closeness to it.”

Showtime for “The Old Peabody Pew” is Sunday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. with a tree-lighting ceremony outside at 4:30 p.m. Snow date is Dec. 13. Call 929-6052 for more information and admission prices. Tory Hill Meeting House is located at Buxton Lower Corner, near the intersection of Routes 112 and 202. For more on the Dorcas Society, visit www.dorcassocietymaine.org.

— City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 322 or kristenm@journaltribune.com.