The East Stoneham Congregational Church circa 1980. photo courtesy Bethel Historical Society

STONEHAM — Former Norway resident Marilyn McAlister Jones wrote a short history of her beloved East Stoneham Congregational Church that she gleaned from church records during research for its 100th anniversary in 1995.

After 129 years, the Route 5 church in Stoneham held its last service and was deconsecrated on Aug. 4 this year.

“It was with great sadness I heard the news. I’m living in Chester, S.C. to be with my family, but my roots and my heart will always be back in my hometown church,” she wrote.

The church was very important to multiple generations of her family.

In May 1894, a building committee was formed to consider the erection of a church. Jones’ grandfather Charles Flanders served on the committee. A lot of land was given by J.L. Parker of Norway and a $1,700 contract to build was awarded to C.H. Adams of Norway.

The organ, book, and interior furnish were also gifts from friends of the church society. The entire cost of the building was $2,230 and the congregational church was officially organized on Aug. 25, 1895 with 26 members.

On July 5, 1896, Jones’ grandmother Lucy McAlister and grandfather Frank McAlister became members of the church.

On Sept. 21, 1913, Jones’ mother and father joined the church and Jones became a member on July 2, 1950.

Jones was active in the church, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School in 1964.

“I still have the pictures I used for illustrations to my Bible stories that I read to the children in my class,” she wrote.

“The work done by the church here has remarkably transformed the social life of the community, and is educating the children to higher ideals,” according to a history of East Stoneham.