Methodist Church in Damariscotta Under Contract

The Damariscotta United Methodist Church, at 40 Church St., is for sale and currently under contract. The congregation and the church-hosted pet food pantry plan to move to another space or spaces.

Drum & Drum, of Damariscotta, is listing the property. Bonnie Stone, a broker with the agency, confirmed that a contract has been signed. She said a sale may not be final for a few months.

Built in 1870, the 4,032-square-foot church is listed for $175,000.

The listing on Drum & Drum’s website calls the building a “rare opportunity.” The church has a 38-foot-by-44-foot sanctuary with the original tin ceiling, two offices, a walk-up attic, a social hall, a kitchen, storage rooms, and two half-baths. The property has town water and sewer, and is being sold “in ‘as is’ condition.”

“Many possible options for use include repurposing as a residence with bright studio space (or) perhaps a school or multi-unit condos/apartments, with town approval,” the listing states.

The Rev. Karen Munson, a district superintendent responsible for 66 United Methodist churches in Maine, said the Damariscotta building was put on the market “after a year of study and discernment.”

“This will relieve a small congregation of the responsibilities of facility care as they grow older,” Munson said. “The congregation will move to alternate space for worship, continuing to be led by its rotation of gifted preachers from the area.

“They will continue to receive administrative support from their coordinating pastor, R. Kelly Harvell, also pastor of the United Methodist Churches in Round Pond and New Harbor.”

Harvell said the congregation is in the process of finding a new location for worship.

Munson said the church is actively seeking a new location to house its pet pantry outreach. The congregation and pantry may end up in separate spaces.

Until the building sells, worship and pantry operations will take place there as usual, according to Harvell.