History of St. Nick’s
Our church began in 1988 when a small group of Episcopalians formed the Episcopal Church of Scarborough. It was our goal to create an Episcopal Church presence between Portland and Saco. We named our church after St. Nicholas, the patron saint of seafarers and children. The Diocese offered us a home in an unused summer chapel in Old Orchard Beach, and we met there for one winter.
In 1989, the parish relocated to the Blue Point Congregational Church in Scarborough, renting that facility for ten years. We called Reverend Gil Birney to be our priest. During those years, the congregation grew steadily.
In 1999, we bought a lot on Route One that included a flat-roofed structure which most recently had housed a hot tub shop. The building served as St. Nicholas Episcopal Church until 2004. When Father Birney left to pursue another vocation, the Reverend John Widdows became our interim minister, and the Reverend Jeffrey Ferguson became our deacon. The congregation continued to develop an informal, innovative style of worship and to raise money to construct a new church building.
In 2004, the current church was completed. The design and décor reflect the simplicity of our rite and ceremony and our connection to nature and the world beyond our doors. The vaulted ceiling is reminiscent of a ship’s hull. Above the altar, a triangular window draws our eyes to the sky and reminds us of the Trinity. The cross was made from sticks gnawed by beavers and bailing twine. The altar was built by an early member of the church, and the podium was built by another member’s father. The weathervane, designed by a Maine craftsman, shows a ship from St. Nicholas’s time, sailing bravely into the future. It fits the spirit of our letterhead: “Honoring the past, welcoming the future”.
In 2008, the Reverend Eckart Horn became our new priest. Tragically, he died of a heart attack in November 2010. During the subsequent search for a new minister, the Reverend Dr. Roy Partridge, who continues to attend St. Nick’s, and clergy members of our congregation conducted services and saw to other pastoral needs of our parishioners.
In 2010, our parish opened Sandpiper Children’s Center, a faith-based childcare facility that served local families and helped sustain the church financially. Sandpiper operated Monday through Friday, filling the building with life and love all week. In 2018, the Center moved to a new location and ended its affiliation with St. Nick’s.
In August 2011, we welcomed the Reverend David Heald who served as our minister until his retirement in January 2019.
Over the years, numerous Scarborough organizations held their meetings in our building. Alcoholics Anonymous, Hospice of Southern Maine, a Girl Scout troop, a Boy Scout troop, and Scarborough Garden Club were some of these. Our lovely prayer garden in the backyard was donated by the Garden Club. The Girl Scout troop planted the butterfly gardens outside the sanctuary windows.
The Don Martin Classic Golf Tournament, held for six years in memory of a member of St. Nick’s, raised thousands of dollars for the church and for Project. G.R.A.C.E. (Granting Resources and Assistance through Community Effort), which supports our Scarborough neighbors in need.
After Father Heald’s retirement, St. Nick’s relied on the services of excellent substitute clergy as well as ministers within our congregation.
At the same time, the congregation formed a Priest Search Committee that worked with a diocesan representative appointed by Bishop Brown. The Committee members gathered input from parishioners by means of a twelve-question survey. They used the responses to formulate a “Profile for Priest” which was used in the search process.
During this interim, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and in-person services halted. Through the dedication and determination of our Bishop’s Committee members, Sunday morning prayer services were held via ZOOM.
In February 2021, the Search Committee announced that the Reverend Canon Dr. Ted Gaiser accepted the call to be St. Nick’s priest. Father Ted’s ministry includes missionary work in South America, work with non-profit boards nationally and internationally, and oversight of a meal program and pastoral care in downtown Boston.
In January 2022, the Reverend Ann O’Sullivan, a strong advocate for the rights of Maine’s Indigenous Peoples and the LGBTQ population, became our deacon.
At present, St. Nick’s rents space to the Landmark Church, of which Michael Dill is the pastor. The congregation meets twice weekly. A music teacher also rents space in our Sunday School wing for piano lessons.
St. Nicholas Church has indeed become the visible, vibrant Episcopal church its founding members envisioned. The people of St. Nick’s make it a wonderful place to worship and grow in the love of God.