The “Little Church that Lights the Harbor,” better known as Boothbay Harbor’s First United Methodist Church, at 81 Townsend Ave., is structurally as solid as ever following the completion of capital improvements this year. Certified Lay Minister Tamara “Tammy” Judkins said the sale of the parsonage in the spring of 2023 made it possible to have major repairs completed on the church.

"We had to sell it; we couldn’t afford the upkeep. We are very proud to have been able to upgrade things," Judkins said. "The church has had water problems ever since we (she and husband Gearry Judkins) started coming to the church over 30 years ago. Since the drainage problem has been taken care of, we haven't had any water downstairs. That was a big job." 

In addition to the water-free lower floor, which required excavation, sealing, waterproofing and insulating the foundation, the church windows have all been replaced, except for the stained-glass windows. There’s a new roof; new front and side stairs and the front ramp was re-built. Landscaping was done on the north-facing side of the building, with alternating rhododendrons and conifer trees, and grass seeding. The parking lot and driveway are newly paved. 

Improvements continue in the downstairs vestry where Gearry Judkins has repaired the walls for a fresh coat of light blue paint. The plan is to complete the vestry work in time for the annual Christmas Fair in early December.

An abbreviated church history begins with a group meeting in an East Boothbay sail loft, organized by Daniel Sawyer and Amni Pierce. This first congregation moved to Boothbay Harbor, meeting in another sail loft rental, on Union Street, which was owned by Capt. Paul Harris. West Harbor resident Silas Orne spearheaded the building of a new church. Property on West and Fullerton streets was donated by Marshall Smith. The building that housed the Harbor’s Methodist church until the late 1870s was later converted into apartments and still stands at 7 West St.

The church lot on Townsend Avenue, purchased from Silas Smith, was constructed from 1877 to 1878. The church was dedicated on Jan. 1, 1879 and was destroyed by a fire that started in the basement on Jan. 26, 1951. From the Boothbay Register, "The flames spread rapidly, gutting the structure, and a spectacular explosion lifted the roof and buckled one wall completing the damage."

The current church was built further back and to the north, centering it on the lot. It has a capacity of 225 in the auditorium, with a vestry on the ground level for Sunday School classes, the kitchen, and storage.

“It looks really nice now, from top to bottom,” Pastor Judkins said. “But, little churches are having a hard time making it in today’s world. Members are older and without the younger people coming behind them when they die, you don’t have people that can take on the jobs needed.”

Despite the need for more members, the church's Pie Ladies have been baking pies and other baked goods for decades, raising money for the church and its missions. The Clothes Closet, begun in 2010 as part of the Community Resource Council, eventually passed to the leadership of the Church. Hammond Lumber donated the building that houses the Clothes Closet (open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday).

Church services are held at 10:30 every Sunday morning.