A Church's Gift to Brooklin: What's Next?

A historic church in Brooklin, Maine, is facing a big change. The First Baptist Church, standing tall since 1853, is no longer bustling with activity. The number of members has dropped to less than 10, and they are all around 70 years old. The church has not been used much in the last three years. The trustees of the church have decided to give the church, a nearby hall, and the land to the town. They are also giving $100, 000 to help take care of the property. The congregation plans to dissolve. This is not just any property; it's right in the heart of the village, next to the town office and library. The town will vote in April on whether to accept this gift. There have been community meetings to discuss the idea, and a group of volunteers is looking into how it could work. The church building is in good shape, but it needs some repairs. There are concerns about the cost of upkeep, but also excitement about the possibilities. Some people in town see this as a great chance to do something new with the space. It could become a community center or be renovated in other ways. But there are also worries about what could happen if the town says no. The church's rules say that the members can't make money from selling the property. If the town doesn't take the gift, the trustees could give the property to a regional organization or another church. Or they could just walk away. The president of the trustees, Mike Sherman, has lived in Brooklin most of his life. He and his wife feel proud of the town and want the community to have a say in what happens next. This is not just about a church closing. It's about what happens when a community changes. It's about the choices we make and the future we want to build. It's a big decision for Brooklin, and the vote in April will be an important step.