Old Addison Church turns to musical arts

ADDISON – The old Indian River Baptist Church, remembered locally as a site for Maine Sea Coast Mission preachers in the 1950s, has a new purpose beyond the occasional wedding.

The 1853 church, complete with 60-pane windows, hasn’t been used for worship in decades. It now belongs to the nonprofit Indian River Community Association, which is starting to bring music and arts programs to the area.

Tonight features a concert by Frank Dodge, an acclaimed cellist with an international resume and family ties to Jonesport.

Known in New England as the founder of the Strawberry Banke Chamber Music Festival in Portsmouth, N.H., Dodge also is known in Germany for having started Spectrum Concerts Berlin in his adopted city.

Dodge, who also performs Wednesday at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, has lived in Europe since 1982. He has recorded with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Orchestra in Madrid and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Dodge’s program this evening will consist of music by Bach and selections from his original work.

The Greek Revival-style church seats 125 people. It is filled with pews and a piano, and some Addison residents are eager to fully restore the church to its simple splendor.

Dodge is donating his performance to the church, and all proceeds from the benefit concert go toward the building’s restoration.

The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Cellist Frank Dodge will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Indian River Baptist Church on Route 187 in Addison.