BRUNSWICK

In celebration of the 300th anniversary of its first public worship, First Parish Church of Brunswick announces a year of special activities and programs open to the community:

Jan. 22

30th anniversary of Minister of Music Ray Cornils; reception following church service.

Feb. 19

Bowdoin Connection: celebrating the ties between parish and college.

March 4-5

Harriet Beecher Stowe impersonator hosts “Tea With Harriet” on Saturday and takes part in the Sunday service.

April 30

Common Good Day: church members disperse to work for local nonprofits.

May 6-7

Nationally known Christian author Diana Butler Bass comes to visit.

May 29

Sanctuary open house, with tours.

June 11

60th Anniversary of the United Church of Christ with Rev. Deborah Blood preaching.

Aug. 22

Joshua Chamberlain re-enactors

join the worship service; reception following church service

Aug. 27

300th Anniversary Sunday, with parade to the site of the first worship service, followed by a picnic and falls and gelato on the green.

Sept. 23

Noel Paul Stookey and Rev. Betty Stookey perform their “One Light, Many Candles” concert.

Sept. 24

UCC President Rev. John Dorhauer preaching.

Oct. 29

500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

Massachusetts law in the 1700s required that a town could not be formed without a church and a “ settled” minister. Rev. Joseph Baxter, a missionary to this area, held the first service on Aug. 25, 1717, on the banks of the Androscoggin River at Fort George near the Topsham Brunswick falls. The first meeting house was built midway between the falls and Maquoit Bay, where the old cemetery on upper Maine Street is located. The church moved to its present location, 217 Maine Street, at the foot of Bowdoin College, in 1806.

For more information, go to firstparish.net/300th or call ( 207) 729- 7331. All events are free and open to the community.