A historic building in East Machias, having been rescued from deteriorating into the ground, is now seeing "its old bones" find purpose once more. The East Machias Cultural Arts Center (EMCAC) now calls First Congregational Church home as it moves to interact with both church members, residents and visitors to East Machias.
      Friends of the First Congregational Church of East Machias (FFCCEM) have been through plenty together. Starting in July 2021 with a historic building in real trouble, church trustees, local residents, representatives from the Maine Steeples Fund, Maine Preservation and members of the greater historic preservation community came together and successfully raised the funds to rescue the structure from collapse. Structural stabilization of the steeple and front facade was completed in 2022.
      Through a shared use agreement, church trustees partnered with FFCCEM to steward, repair and reestablish the building as a cultural arts center.
      FFCCEM board President Erica Famous says, "Renovations continue to provide safe and accessible community use of the building for regular musical engagements and instruction, children's programs, art shows, community forums and lectures. The EMCAC is committed to providing a welcoming space for cultural enrichment and improving community resilience through the preservation of this historic landmark."
      Built in 1837, the church sits in the heart of East Machias with one of the oldest educational institutions in Maine: Washington Academy. "The EMCAC evolved as the future use of this historic church expanded to include a broader range of events," says Famous. "All genres of cultural and performing arts will be welcomed in the future space and most offered by donation, with no one turned away for lack of funding."
      While the group moves into utilizing the church, they also continue with phase two of the restoration process, focused on improving accessibility and functionality of the space, restoration of the sanctuary and remaining facades.
      "We have had a couple of events which are different from religious services held previously in the church," says Famous. "We expect that people may have reservations or potential resentments 'using' a church in this manner. This was necessary as the congregation had dwindled of congregants and maintaining the building has become a priority. All money gained from performances will be going back into the building and future programming."
      The first event of 2025 was held on April 22 with the Turtle Dance Co op presenting Ain't Gonna Rain No More, an Earth Day play for all ages featuring the Sea Junk Revue Puppets made by Lubec based artist Chuck Kniffen. The 20 minute play featured folk music and has been performed at retirement homes, schools and other gatherings.
      "Additional summer events are still in the planning process, and we are always looking for creative people to join us and our mission to provide affordable access to entertainment," says FFCCEM board Secretary Kim McClure. "Our first goal is to keep the lights on while providing interesting and entertaining events to the community." The public is invited to send ideas for events or express their interest in performing or volunteering to the East Machias Cultural Arts Center to .
      What does the church and the new activity bring and mean to a community? State Rep. Will Tuell, an East Machias selectman, believes it adds historic luster to a community. "The First Congregational Church is an iconic symbol of East Machias, one which community volunteers rallied to save and restore. It was a place of worship for generations of residents and has deep memories for many long time residents. I am pleased that it is being revitalized and reactivated, that there is a new energy around it."
      "An organization like EMCAC benefits the community by allowing people to enjoy events without 'breaking their bank,'" says McClure. "People can plan to attend and pay as their resources will allow. They can look forward to things and not regret that the cost of attending could possibly not allow them to pay a household bill. Additionally, it just provides a dimension of fun, as it's all entertainment based. It also provides a place for people who have musical, speaking or other engagement talents to express and create."
      "The restoration of a grand historic building and the telling of a region's honorable history provide a mirror in which a community can see itself reflected in a pride of place," says Famous. "The community is the basis of the EMCAC, without which an organization like this cannot exist."