COPY OF CENTENNIAL MOMENTS by written permission of Mary Delamater
Please do not copy
Copyright May 2000 Oxford Advent Christian Church

My Memorable Moment

The setting of this event was one Sunday morning in the Oxford Advent Christian Church in Oxford village. In the back of the platform, on the wall, was a large painting of the head of Christ. The worship started as usual with congregational singing, responsive reading, and the usual preliminaries. It was a time for the pastoral prayer. My husband Al was praying and in that time, the picture of Chrisst came off the wall and crashed to the floor, startling everyone. When Al finished his prayer, he said, "I guess the devil didn't like what was being prayed for." However, this was a memorable moment because I believe we were deep in meditation when the loud crash happened. Needless to say, there was a stirring among the people and a moment I'v always remembered.

------ Mrs. Hazel A. Thurlow

All in the Family

All but one member of Bill Chouinard's immediate family were elected to church offices in June 1969. Bill was chosen as deacon and janitor, Ruth as deaconess and pianist, and sons Edward and Charles as ushers. Bill's father-in-law, Ai Twitchell, was also elected deacon that year, and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ridley, was chosen clerk.
In June 1973, Rev. Timothey Story was called to Oxford to begin his first pastorate. He received $75 a week, a day off a week, and two weeks of vacation a year. There were no objections if his wife worked, church records note.

------ Rev. Timothy Story & wife Catherine (From page 26.)

The Oxford Christian Academy Monarch

On June 4, 1980, the church voted 18-6 to extablish a Christian school and open it in the fall. The original members of the academy board were Pastor Tim Story, Hial Snell, Doris Witham, Cliff Goodwin, Sandra Thomas, Jim Hamper, Albert Libby, Laurice Bean and Sherry Chouinard.

The following constitutional amendment was presented for a vote Sept. 3, 1980, and defeated: "All resident members are expected to take an active role in the church through attendance at the services and financial support. Any member who fails to either support the church through regular contributions or attend a minimum of one service each month unless ill or temporarily residing elsewhere shall be placed on an inactive list."

Muriel Snell was elected a deaconess of OACC on January 1, 1975. She officially retired on January 19, 2000. Her 25 years of service may be the longest of any deaconess in the 100 years of this church. She and her husband Hial became members on October 24, 1973, and both served together on the diaconate for a number of years. Her daughter, Doris Witham, is a former deaconess and Sunday School superintendent; and her son, David Snell, is a former pastor of this church.

Bill Chouinard proposed at the business meeting on July 7, 1982, that a deacons benevolent fund be established. It would be under the care and administration of the deacons. The recommendation passed.

------ Christian School, Hial & Muriel Snell

My Memorable Moment

Living in a mobile home the Travisses let us use while pastoring the church was a highlight in our life while there in Oxford. Many mornings, while looking out of the picture window, we saw many of God's creatures in the wild. We also had the privilege of ministering to people who were in the process of losing their beloved Pastsor (Tim Story) to cancer. It was a real joy and privilege to take the congregation through that transition time and keep their hand in the hand of the Lord Jesus.

------ Rev. Warren & Helen Feustel (From page 30.)

Beloved Pastor Dies

In February 1986, the Rev. Timothy Story died of cancer. His wife, Catherine, and sons, Mark and Micah, were invited to remain at the parsonage until school ended in the spring, and the church would pay the utilities. (From page 30.)

My Memorable Moment

One of my dearest and most memorable moments at OACC is bittersweet.
I was sitting in church when Pastor Tim Story announced that his sermmon would be delivered today by tape recorder instead of live. He would be downstairs and anyone who wished to speak to him and Catherine after the service was welcome to do so.
His message was to let us know that he had cancer. I am not sure, but I think he indicated that it was not treatable. Pastor Tim was so sensitive that he realized that not everyone would be able to face him when they heard this news.
Watching Pastor Tim walk "through the valled of the shadow of death" during the next few months was one of the most faith building times in my life. Even though it was obvious that, short of a miraculous cure, Tim was going to die leaving a young widow and two young boys, I could see God at work in his life and the lives of those in the congregation. Even in his desperate state, Tim had a peace about him that strengthened us all.
I thank God that Pastor Tim was a living demonstration that we truly can "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" and that we can fear no evil for He is with us.
This turbulent time was also a faaith builder to me, because I saw that the death of our Pastor did not cause our congregation to fall apart. We were truly a body of Christ -- not a body of Pastor Tim. Several pastors later, I am happy to belong to a church that continues to be a body of Christ-a body capable of taking bumps and bruises without disintegrating.

------ Lois Strauss (From page 31.)

Christian School Closes

On April 8, 1987, the church business meeting voted to accept a motion to close Oxford Christian Academy as of July 31, 1987. The financial indebtedness and declining enrollment were cited in discussions about closing the Christian school after 7 years. John Perkins spoke of the dedication and long hours of work given by Pauline Phelps as administrator and teacher. The body responded with a standing ovation.

My Memorable Moment

I have several memories I would like to share. The first memory that comes to mind for me is the warm reception we got when we moved to Maine and decided to try my sister's church way over in Oxford. Hial Snell greeted us with a hug as if we were old friends and many others were just as friendly to us.
The second memory I have is when Tim Fox's uncle came from up north and preached to us about the Holy Spirit. We had been here maybe a year (1989), and Rick and I both went forward in the evening service to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It was the beginning of a better marriage relationship for us and will always be a nice memory.
The last memory that I can think of is the time when our older boys were teens and the youth group put on a fall family festival. We all had a part in it, each family doing an activity, and we had a wonderful time with each other that day. I hope we can make more memories like those in days to come.

------ Sue Coombs (From page 32).

On August 3, 1988, the church board voted unanimously to make Rev. Theodore Traviss and Dr. Albert Libby honorary pastors of the church. (From page 32.)

Also that month, Hial Snell moved that the board recommend to the church that a search be started for a youth minister. It was approved unanimously.

On April 5, 1989, the church membership voted to extend a call to the Rev. Frank Jewett to be associate pastor. He was to start July 1.

It was voted September 6, 1989, that the church authorize the expenditure of $80,00 to construct a new parsonage for the Jewetts and use the church property as secdurity with the trustees acting as general contractors. The project was to be started before year's end. (From page 33.)

My Memorable Moment

A most inspiring, touching moment at OACC came in the late 1980s when I was teaching a high school class. The discussion was based on the question, "What are you most looking forward to when you get to heaven?"
Each student took turns with his or her answer. But there was one boy, who upon hearing the question, immediately leaned over the table on his elbows and was barely able to contain hisresponse until called upon. His name was Ai Chouinard. His eyes were a mixture of excitement and frustration and intensity.
He told of how his great-grandfaather, Ai Twitchell, had devised a series of brainteaser puzzles our of wite and other materials. Young Ai had found them stored in a barn and had worked for hours trying to figure them out., but without success.
But what struck me about young Ai was how sure he was he would see his great-grandfather and where. Heaven was as real a place to him as the world in which he presently lived. He knew absolutely that that day was coming.
Many times since then I'v pictured Ai and Ai sitting together on that day working on those ingenious creations. And many times I've thought of the faith that dwelled in that young man, and the hope and excitement I have of seeing him again.

------ Mary Delamater (From pages 33, 34).

The church board voted July 25, 1990 to begin holding two Sunday morning worship services for uyp to six months. Pastors Tim Fox and Frank Jewett and the deacons will decide whether to continue that schedule after that. On June 24, 1992, the church voted to extend a call to Kent Davis to become youth director. Kent accepted the position and on November 18 of that year he was accepted as a member of the church.

The church board voted in November 1993 to appoint Jim Hamper, Jan LeBlanc, Rick Coombs, Doris Witham, Russ Giasson and Pastor Tim Fox to a building committee charged with designing an addition to the church. At the annual business meeting in January 1994, it was voted to accept the proposed building design and secure up to $200,000 to finance the project.

------ (From page 34).

On March 28, 1995, the church voted to accept Senior Pastor Tim Fox's resignation effective June 3, 1995, with much regret and sadness.

A pastoral search committee recommended to the board on May 30, 1995, that the position of pastor be offered to Frank Jewett. The church, on June 14 of that year, voted unanimously to offer him an indefinite call.

The secretarial search committee recommended on August 16, 1995, that Jodi Major be hired as secretary for the church. In October 1995, Heath Keniston was approved to become assistant to youth director Kent Davis.

In June 1996, Tim Soucy was welcomed for his pastoral internship for the summer.
The next month, the church voted to return to one Sunday morning service since the expansion of the sanctuary wasw complete.
Pastor Frank Jewett and Hat Turner made plans to go on a mission trip to Nigeria at the end of 1996.

David Young began an internship with youth Kent Davis in early 1997.
In July 1997, a pastoral search committee was formed.
In Oxtober 1997, Kent Davis announced his resignation as youth director. It was accepted with deep regret.
In December 1997, the board recommended the church commemorate the 100th anniversary of the church. The centennial observance officially began in March 1999 and concluded in May 2000, exactly 100 years aftrer the first church constitution was adopted.

In March 1998, the church board voted to ask Rev. William Monroe to serve as interim senior pastor until one is hired.
The church voted April 1, 1998, to issue a call to Rev. George Waterman to serve as senior pastor. He began his duties in July of that year.
Also that month the church became free of all financial debt.(From page 35).

In late July the board approved the proposal that Pastor Frank Jewett become the part-time director of Europe/Africa for AC World Missions Department.

Missions trips in which the church members, friends and staff have participated in over the years include excursions in to United States as well as Mexico, England, Africa, Central America, Russia, India and Europe.

Greg Twitchell was hired as youth pastor of the church on September 23, 1998.

The following month Terri Wakefield was hired as church secretary.

Ben Murray was hired as a summer intern for the youth passtoral staff in May 1999. Camps, concerts, community service and regular Bible study and discipleship were incorporated into the youth program.

In December 1999, the church presented its 18th annual Live Nativity on the front lawn with a cast of more than 60 characters, along with an assortment of live animals.

Pastor Frank Jewett was named the first chaplain of Oxford Plains Speedway in April 2000. He, or his designate on the church pastoral staff, will open each program with prayer and may conduct chapel services on some race days.

Easter Sunday, April 23, 2000, saw a morning attendance of 320, the largest congragation for a worship service at OACC.

On May 27-28, 2000, the church celebrated its centennial with family activities, concerts, special guests and services.(From page 36).

History of OACC Buildings

In 1974, the work on the new OACC church building was completed. The church and parsonage, which was built in the late 1930s, were now on the same property located on Route 26. This new church building measured 34 x 60 feet and had a seating capacity of about 100. The basement was divided into a dining room, kitchen and four Sunday School rooms, and stairways were located at each end of the basement. Halfway up the rear stairway was an exit door to the outside at ground level, or one could turn and continue up and right onto the platform. The Pastor's study was located in what is now the sound room. The size of this building was sufficient for 6 years.

The congregation grew under the leadership of Pastor Tim Story, and expansion of the building became necessary. An addition of 30 x 80 feet was designed in 1980 to accommodate the need for Sunday School space. 'This addition was to be built in stages, beginning with a capped foundation. During the course of the construction, the church members agreed to open a Christian "School in this new space. Oxford Christsian Academy opened in the tall as a one-room school, housed in the capped foundation. This addition received the main floor walls and a pitched roof in the summer of 1981, and this ensured the Academy would not have roof leaks. The space on the main fllor was finished in stages over the course of several years, and a wheelchair ramp was added during this time. The church sanctuary was enloarged into the addition, and the seating capacity was now up to 140. The Pastor's study was relocated into the new space in the northwest corner, directly behind the pulpit. The addition housed a church office, Pastor's study, three classrooms and two bathrooms. After the Adademy closed the one-room school was divided into the rooms as they are presently.