Churches in Houlton Area

This week while driving along Court Street, if you happened to glance at the Court St Baptist Church, you would have noticed a man putting new shingles on the church steeple. As one who is very content to stay on the ground, I have to admire a person who works from great heights.

The second day that I saw this man working, I started thinking about just how many churches that there are in Houlton. By my count, I can come up with 17. In no particular order, we have St Mary's Catholic Church, Military St Baptist, Court St Baptist, Shiretown Baptist, The Methodist Church, The Unitarian Church, The Congregational Church,and the Penecostial Church on Main St as well as the Houlton Full Gospel Assembly on the Calais Road. There is the Episcopal Church, The Salvation Army, The Church of Christ on Main Street and one located on the Hovey Road. Do not forget the Kingdom Hall for Jehovah's Witnessess. There is also the Church of the Latter Day Saints on the corner of Pleasant and Highland Avenue There is the small church ( Sowing His Seed?, I think is the name) located on Court Street near Jerrys Barber Shop and the Wesleyan Church on Kelleran Street.

There are many choices for a family or an individual to worship in Houlton.

That seems to be a lot of churches for an area so small. I often wonder why we need three Baptist Churches within a mile of each other? Don't get me wrong, I am all for moral values and family values- but I am also a person who has a slight grasp on economics. It just seems like ther has to be a huge amount of money put into each of these churches for upkeep, heating, electric bills and salaries. Many times a lot of these churches have smaller attendences than they had in former years,and it seems that the congrgations could be better served (at least money wise) if a few of them combined.

I understand traditions and personal preferences- but what I'm talking about is not new to Houlton. In recent years the big yellow church onthe end of HighStreet has closed and I believe Stepping Stones has made great use of the building. The Church of the Nazerene on Bangor Street closed and is now the home of Sport Vechicles.

As I watched the man shingle Court Street church, I could see the pride he took in his work and it will help preserve the Steeple for years to come.

That church, along with many others in our town, would welcome you and your family with open arms. many area churches have open seats and would be glad if you attended one of their services.

Perhaps I'll see you there?

That's the View From My Couch.

Summer with the Kids

This has been a hectic summer. The kids are getting to the point where they are no longer happy going to Just For Kids at the park. It seems like they always want to go to the lake or go to camp. Now I am not that unlike a lot of my friends, in that I don't actually mind going to camp. There is nothing quite like a moonlight boatride around the lake, followed by a nice campfire. The problem is that I still have to get up and go to work in the morning while everyone else can remain behind.
Still nothing can compare to the laughter you hear, the smells o fthe grill, and even the sunburns that you get. Memories for a lifetime!

This summer we were able to take a short vacation to Acadia State Park, and thank goodness it was not the week that the President was there. We enjoyed the vacation, even though it was short. The views from Cadillac Mountain are beyond compare.

We took in the Houlton Fair on the 4th of July following the parade, in what has become a family tradition. I will say that this year, they put on a very good fireworks display. I can't imagine that anyone was dissappointed in that.

Summer is flying by too quick - but at least we've been able to go out the Bangor Road this year on our way to the lake without a long detour, so we're not complaining!