The Stewardship Team/Trustees for the Second Congregational Chuch in Newcastle, UCC, are excited to announce the installation of the latest component to the renovation of the church’s historic leaded-glass windows. The restoration effort was originally launched and funded by the church in 2006.

The latest installation of a modest three-foot by-six-foot narthex window is dedicated to the remarkable contributions made possible by a quiet, humble man who was a member of the church and in the Twin Village community, John Andrews.

The new window, located on the south side of the narthex, faces northbound traffic following Business Route 1 into the twin villages. The narthex is the room by the Main Street entrance before entering the larger sanctuary. It is a new, custom-designed stained glass window sized to fit the opening, and replacing the previous window. The similar-sized complimenting window located on the opposite wall will remain. The top arch panel of the memorial window is a stylized sundial representing the years of John Andrews’ modest contributions to the Twin Villages.

John A. Andrews, 76, of Damariscotta, passed away at his home on October 9, 2012. Born in Damariscotta on June 30, 1936, he was the son of Alberto and Effie (Perkins) Andrews. John grew up in Damariscotta and attended local schools. In 1959 he began working at the First National Bank.

A 60-year member of the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, John started attending with his parents. In memory of his mother, who passed away in 1989, he donated a new sound system to the church.

John’s presence in the community was often literally behind the scenes. Andrews was the projectionist at the Lincoln Theater for many years and supplied and operated the audiovisual equipment for church services and special events.

John recorded Sunday church services every week, first on audiocassette, and more recently to DVD. These recordings were distributed to the Lincoln Home, Cove’s Edge, Schooner Cove, and others who couldn’t leave their homes. John also was an excellent photographer and took many photos of the church and the Twin Villages from the Second Congo church’s belfry. And every morning for many years, John would raise the flag at the First bank in town, and it was John who climbed the Damariscotta Baptist Church steeple to wind the clock by hand.

John’s generous unanticipated financial gift to the church and the Lincoln Home surprised many in the community. Additionally, his legacy has supported area nonprofit organizations including Blue Haven, Stepping Stone Housing, Inn Along the Way, The Carpenter’s Boat Shop, and CHIP.

The Micah 6:8 biblical inscription on the new memorial window is a wonderfully succinct description of both John Andrews and the core beliefs of the United Church of Christ: Do Justice, Love Goodness, Walk Humbly.

Greg Gorman, owner of Greg Gorman Studio in Lyme Center, New Hampshire, is the stained glass artist first hired by the church nearly 20 years ago to restore the leading in many of the church’s historic sanctuary windows. The pace was slow — usually a window every few years as needed, many dating to the nineteenth century. Most are nearly five feet wide by 14 feet tall, containing seven or more individual panels. Amanda Ann Palmer, an independent window artist from Vermont assisted Greg with this project.

In 2016, the impetus to renovate the smaller narthex window was launched and funded from the earlier 2006 Window Fund. The last remaining restoration, the Dodge window, was to have been restored this summer; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed that element until 2021.

Meanwhile, until the pandemic is under control, the Second Congregational Church is not open to the public except for the Ecumenical Food Bank.