Open, Welcoming and Affirming

Williston-Immanuel United Church offers a personal welcome to everyone, affirming common values as well as unique differences. Acceptance without conditions, affirmation without discrimination--these are the goals of Williston-Immanuel United Church.

Location: Williston-Immanuel United Church is located in the heart of Portland at 156 High Street. The brownstone complex sits on the corner of High and Deering Streets, across from the Eastland Park Hotel.

Parking:

• Limited Free Parking for 20 cars is provided behind the church buildings off of Deering Place.
• Additional parking for 10 cars on a first come basis is provided behind the Congress St. Post Office, accessed from Park Street.
• The Gateway Garage - Williston-Immanuel provides 2-hours of free parking during Sunday morning worship. Upon entering the Gateway Garage (across from the church on High Street and adjacent to The Eastland Park Hotel), a machine will automatically distribute a "ticket" to you. Then following worship you may obtain a free "coupon" in the Church Parlor.
• Parking for 3-4 cars is also available in the Church's alley directly to the east of the Church unless roped-off for the State Theatre, in which case the capped meters in front of the Church are reserved for Williston-Immanuel Church during Sunday morning worship and study hours.

Church Entrance: There are three entrances: 1) High Street entrance to the sanctuary; 2) Deering Street cloister gate entrance; 3) Back door, small parking lot entrance, from Deering Place, especially during weekdays.

The worship space has magnificent architecture, glorious stained glass, a state-of-the-art pipe organ and two grand pianos, plus comfortable pews. The church’s sanctuary and parish house are a modified form of English Gothic. The material used is granite, so fitly joined that the whole structure has been called a poem in stone. Groundbreaking was held on April 28, 1926.

The worship service contains the traditional and the contemporary in a meaningful blend. There is freedom and encouragement to try new forms of worship and music. A Children’s Time is a part of each worship service. Some worshipers dress formally; others dress casually; the choir and clergy wear robes. The experience of worshiping with Williston-Immanuel is not easily forgotten.

A fellowship time for casual meeting, where snacks and beverages are provided, follows each worship service.

THE MAINE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES has made the Williston-Immanuel United Church House its administrative center since April, 2011. The Church is very pleased to share its facilities with the MCC, and warmly welcomes them. Williston-Immanuel is also pleased to be the home base for the administration of Spiral Arts, The Circle of Hope Church, Sudanese Presbyterian Church, and several 12-step programs. All of these programs touch large numbers of people with vital, outreach ministries. And Immanuel considers using the church space this way as “good stewardship.”

Welcome!

Pastor: Rev. Deborah Davis-Johnson
Music Director & Organist: Kathleen Scott
Assistant Music Director and Accompanist: Denise Calkins
Nursery Care Provider: Victoria Chicon
Christian Education Coordinator: Paula Costin
Office Manager: Wendy Harding
Sexton & Security Coverage: Frank Ashnault & Robin Warner