Manse:
Wales Presbyterian Church
About Us And Our Community
The Town:
Wales is in central Maine located between Lewiston/Auburn, and Augusta, Maine. It is a town of over 1,300 almost all (who work outside of their home) work outside the town. Wales is a bedroom community with its workers traveling (primarily) to Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, and Augusta, Maine to work, returning home at the end of each workday. There are still a few working farms in town to help remind us of our rural heritage, but there are also several housing developments under construction. <top>
Our Facilities:
The church building was originally built in 1827 by the Free Baptists on another site, then in 1856 it was dismantled, moved, and rebuilt on its present site. During most of its history the church served a non-denominational congregation. In 1954 it affiliated with United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and became known as "The Wales Union Church" until 1988 when it was renamed to "Wales Presbyterian Church", its current name. The church has 35 pews that can seat 185 people, in addition it has a full basement divided into 6 Sunday school rooms, a furnace room and storage facilities. Next to the church is the "Youth Center", a 59' x 41' single story structure containing the church kitchen, rest room facilities, and a single large meeting/activity room. In 1991 a two-story four-bedroom two-bath manse with over 3000 square feet of family living space on a full basement, with a two and a half car garage connected to the house by the pastor's office was built in a wooded area of the property. The pastor's office has an entrance from the manse as well as a separate outside entrance for visitors. <top>
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Our Members:
We have 101 members representing 62 family units with over 60% who attend services on a regular basis. In addition to our members we have 7 non-members who also attend services on a regular basis and are treated like members (with the exception of the ability to vote on church issues, or serve as elders). Over 40% of our members have been members for over 30 years, less than 15% have been members for less than 2 years. About 35% of our members are between the ages of 0-20 years. Our members are involved in the church and community. All elder and committee positions are filled, and calls for assistance during church suppers, fund raiser, or special projects are answered positively. The Youth Center houses a non-affiliated food bank to help our communities needy families, and the Deacons deliver food baskets to shut-ins and those in financial distress. During the Christmas period many in the congregation donate Christmas gifts to the Rural Community Action Ministry Outreach program for distribution to children in families experiencing financial difficulty. <top>
Area Schools:
Wales' school age children are served by a single grade school, Wales Central School, (K - 8) and Oak Hill High School (9 - 12). Oak Hill High School is located in the town of Wales but also serves the towns of Litchfield (to our East) and Sabattus (to our South) in a Consolidated School District arrangement. The University of Southern Maine is located in Portland (about 50 minutes South of town), the University of Maine at Augusta is located in Augusta (about 35 minutes North of town), both also share Lewiston/Auburn College's campus in Lewiston (about 25 minutes South). Nationally known Bates College is located in Lewiston, Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine (about 45 minutes North of town), and Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine (45 minutes East of town). Our area has a higher than average (national) number of high school graduates, but has less than average number of college graduates. <top>
Local Culture:
Wales provides a peaceful and quiet location where one can enjoy the wonders of nature and experience a variety of outdoor activities. Varied recreational opportunities present themselves during our four seasons. A short drive to the West and you can enjoy excellent downhill skiing during the winter months. The ocean is only an hours drive to the east where one can enjoy the scenic rocky Maine shoreline year around. The many lakes, streams, and ponds provide almost unlimited boating, and fishing opportunities. The area hosts many golf courses, snowmobile trails, hiking trails, and other seasonal recreational facilities. Portland, Maine's largest city, offers many shopping and dining opportunities, is home to professional baseball and hockey teams, has a facility to host many concerts and other entertainment events, and direct train service to Boston. Boston can also be reached by car with a 2-hour drive down Interstate 95 South and offers all the advantages of big city cultural, sports, and shopping venues. <top>
Professional Organizations:
Organizations for professional interaction between Pastors/Ministers/etc are available in the area. Winthrop, Maine (15 minutes drive) has several small churches whose Pastors/Ministers/etc meet together for professional fellowship. Lewiston/Auburn area also has an organization of church leaders with which our Pastor may affiliate with. <top>
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