A marriage of bricks and faith

Lee Witting believes that no matter what your faith, you should have access to a beautiful place for your wedding.

That’s why he’s offering interfaith or nondenominational services at the city’s oldest church.

Now called the Union Street Brick Church, the red-brick structure is a landmark at the heart of Bangor’s downtown and, for a century and a half, was home of the city’s Unitarian congregation.

“I’ve always thought churches were too exclusive in the use of their facilities,” Witting says. “They oftentimes limit themselves to doing marriages only within their congregation or within their denomination.”

But Witting says whether Jew marries Protestant or Catholic marries for a second time, all should have access to a “beautiful, sacred spot to do their wedding.”

Having performed wedding ceremonies for 30 years, first as a justice of the peace, then as a notary and now as an ordained minister, Witting loves to perform the services.

“It can be religious in a nondenominational way,” he says.

The church can comfortably hold 250 people, and if a couple wants to have a reception at the church, tables and chairs are provided.

The Unitarian congregation started in Bangor in the 1820s. An earlier church burned, and the present building was built in the 1850s.

The Unitarian congregation voted to merge with the Universalist congregation on Park Street and held its last service in the Union Street building Sept. 10, 1995. Witting bought the church three years later and turned it into a nonprofit organization.

“Lots of other things go on at the church, so we do have to plan in advance,” Witting said of arranging a wedding ceremony.

Because it’s a nonprofit, the suggested donation to use the building for a wedding is $250, or $450 for a wedding and reception together. That includes Witting’s fee to perform the ceremony, but he says people are welcome to bring in their own officiant.

Call 945-9798 or e-mail lwitting@hypernet.com.