Our History

A Living Legacy: The History of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, Waterville, Maine

Pleasant Street United Methodist Church (PSUMC), located at 61 Pleasant Street in the heart of Waterville, Maine, has stood for over 150 years as a cornerstone of spiritual life, community service, and faithful witness. What began in 1870 as a humble gathering of 28 charter members has grown into a deeply rooted congregation that reflects both the enduring values of Methodism and the evolving needs of its community.

The church’s beginnings are tied closely to the growth and transformation of Waterville itself. The first church building was erected in 1869, just before the congregation officially organized the following year. Designed by noted Maine architect Charles F. Douglas, the original structure was an elegant expression of 19th-century ecclesiastical design, embodying both the humility and hope of a new spiritual community. While the original sanctuary has since been replaced or rebuilt—historical records note its eventual demolition—the spirit of that founding community still echoes through the present-day church.

The timing of the church’s founding coincided with a critical period of growth for Waterville. The city, situated along the Kennebec River, was rapidly industrializing. In 1870, the same year PSUMC was formally established, the Maine Central Railroad opened locomotive facilities in the city, bringing jobs and workers to the area. Just a few years later, in 1873, the Lockwood Mills were founded, establishing Waterville as a thriving mill town. It was into this bustling industrial environment that Pleasant Street Church planted its roots—a place of spiritual rest and moral grounding for families whose daily lives were shaped by the rhythms of factory whistles and rail lines.

Through the turn of the 20th century, PSUMC served as a sanctuary not only of faith, but of continuity. As Waterville grew and changed—including the 1922 demolition of the original high school building on Pleasant Street—the church remained steadfast. Its sanctuary filled each week with worshippers, and its halls echoed with the sounds of prayer, hymnody, and communal life. It was a place where the children of mill workers were baptized, where couples were wed, and where generations returned again and again to mark life’s most sacred moments.

In the decades that followed, the church’s presence continued to be felt throughout the Waterville area. Clippings from the Morning Sentinel and the Kennebec Journal dating from the 1970s through the 2010s paint a vivid picture of an active, service-oriented congregation. Church listings noted a 9:30 a.m. worship time, with childcare consistently provided—a reflection of PSUMC’s ongoing commitment to hospitality and inclusion. Beyond the sanctuary, PSUMC’s mission was visible in tangible acts of service. The church hosted the Greater Waterville Food Bank and opened its doors for numerous civic and charitable events, offering its space as a safe and welcoming place for all.

Archival materials held at Bowdoin College’s George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections further illustrate the church’s civic engagement. A series of folders dated between 1949 and 1962 include newspaper articles and correspondence connected to Pleasant Street Church. These records suggest not only a steady presence in local life, but also ties to statewide—and even national—conversations, including interactions with political figures from Maine’s storied public service tradition. PSUMC was never just a Sunday institution; it was a community hub that mirrored and shaped the civic life around it.

The 1968 merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church marked a significant chapter in the denomination’s history, and PSUMC was among the many congregations that embraced this new identity. As part of the global United Methodist connection, Pleasant Street Church deepened its focus on “practical divinity”—the Wesleyan emphasis on living out one’s faith through acts of love, justice, and service. Over time, the church expanded its definition of hospitality, moving intentionally toward a theology of welcome and inclusion.

By the early 2000s, PSUMC had fully embraced this expansive vision. As articulated on its website, the church became a place that openly welcomes individuals of all races, abilities, orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds—a living embodiment of Christ’s radical hospitality. In an increasingly fragmented and divisive world, the church chose the path of unity, compassion, and justice, reflecting the teachings of Jesus in action as well as in word.

Recent decades have seen continued growth—not always in size, but certainly in mission. During the COVID-19 pandemic, like many churches, PSUMC pivoted to provide virtual fellowship, ensuring that worship, connection, and care remained available to all, even in isolation. Ministries like Sunday childcare and food pantry support have persisted, and the church has expanded its reach by opening its doors to over a dozen community groups that now meet regularly in its fellowship spaces. This includes programs focused on addiction recovery, youth development, senior support, and more.

As of 2025, PSUMC is a congregation of approximately 130 members—small by some standards, but mighty in mission. Worship is held each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Elizabeth Bailey Mitchell. A gifted preacher and compassionate shepherd, Pastor Mitchell brings fresh energy to the pulpit while remaining grounded in the church’s historic commitment to “witness, nurture, and outreach.”

Today, PSUMC stands not only as a church with deep historical roots, but as a dynamic faith community still writing its next chapter. It honors its past while looking boldly toward the future. Its mission is not static—it is embodied in acts of kindness, in shared meals and prayers, in hymn singing and handbell choirs, in welcoming strangers and uplifting neighbors. The building may be brick and mortar, but the church itself lives in the hearts of its people.

Summary by Era:

• 1870–1900 (Founding & Early Growth):
  Chartered with 28 members; original building designed by Charles F. Douglas. Established during Waterville’s industrial boom, serving mill and railroad workers.
• 1900–1968 (Establishment & Civic Engagement):
  Continued presence during city expansion; hosted youth and civic events. Referenced in political and archival records reflecting civic participation.
• 1968–1999 (Denominational Transition & Community Service):
  Adopted United Methodist name following national merger. Expanded ministries to reflect practical faith and social responsibility.
• 2000–2020 (Modernization & Inclusive Growth):
  Embraced theology of inclusion; supported local food pantries, outreach efforts, and new community partners. Maintained presence in local news and directories.
• 2020–Present (Resilience & Revival):
  Adapted during pandemic with virtual worship. Welcomes 130-member congregation under Pastor Mitchell. Hosts over a dozen nonprofits and community groups.

In every season of Waterville’s history—from mill town to modern city—Pleasant Street United Methodist Church has stood as a house of worship, a place of peace, and a force for good. Through wars and depressions, celebrations and sorrows, the church has kept its doors and hearts open.

With 155 years behind it and eternity ahead, PSUMC continues to answer God’s call to love, serve, and welcome all who come through its doors. It is not simply a place on Pleasant Street. It is a blessing on every street.