The United Baptist Church of Topsham has named the Rev. H. Kenneth “Ken” Dutille, Jr. as its interim minister. He’ll take over the role starting on June 29.
Dutille is a retired minister associated with the Maine Sea Coast Mission and lived on Swan’s Island. He has served twice as Chaplain of the Day for the United States Senate, as well as the Massachusetts Senate, the Maine State Senate, and the House of Representatives. Dutille has delivered the benediction at a Maine governor’s inauguration.
He attended Eastern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), Baptist College in Springfield, Missouri, where he pursued a degree in theology, and the California Graduate School of Theology at Haven University, culminating in a master’s degree in church growth and development.
He authored the book “Images of America: Lewiston and Auburn, Maine” and founded the Bread of Life Food Pantry on Swan’s Island, while also serving as president of the Swan’s Island Educational Society during the $1.2 million renovation of the new library. On Swan’s Island, he established Hockamock Place, which included two houses for low-income families and a self-storage business.
He served as president of the Maine Sunday School Association, as a committee member at Parkview Hospital, and vice president of New England Bible College.
Ken was married for 50 years to Pat Witham Dutille, who passed away in 2022. During a bus trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he met Sheila M. Knowles, and they subsequently married in 2024.
Together, they have five adult children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren (twin boys). Ken and Sheila enjoy their home in Rockland, which overlooks Rockland’s Breakwater, and they spend their winters at Lake Yale in Florida. Sheila is a retired intensive care unit nurse from Tampa Bay, Florida, and is currently a tour director for Cyr Northstar Tour Company.
Ken Dutille enjoys woodworking, gardening, traveling, auctions, and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The church welcomes Rev. Dutille and his wife Sheila on Sunday, June 29. Worship service begins at 10:15 a.m. with a reception following. For more information, visit ubctopsham.org.