The New Church Booth - A Brief History

Photo credit: Peter OBrien

Through the years, a group of women organized first as “The Circle,” then later in the 1940s as “The Alliance,” took responsibility for the cleaning and maintenance of the New Church building. Fund-raising to cover those costs was always part of their mission.

In the Fall of 1953, the Alliance, led by president Ola-Mae Wheaton, supplied and managed a food booth at the Western Maine Agricultural Fair, now known simply as “Fryeburg Fair.” The Alliance made a profit of $324 in one week of their first Fair.

Since then, all people within our church, young and old, along with relatives and community friends, donated their cooking abilities and time so unselfishly that, for years, the New Church Booth at “The Fair” was our largest source of income.

Our reputation as “the place to go to get good, home-cooked food,” prepared under clean conditions, necessitated the need for 1,100+ volunteer hours for the eight day period the booth is in operation. Those hours were over and above the time spent in the church kitchen, preparing baked beans, chili, and pies.

Not only was our Fair Booth a major source of funding for us, but it also served as the heart of our church every year for a week in October, when we welcomed friends - old and new - to enjoy our famous “Fayah Burgahs,” pies, and hospitality. Letting go of all that tradition was gut-wrenching..

 We appreciate everyone’s support as we navigate this new chapter and explore alternative ways to sustain our fundraising efforts and the mission of our church.