PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ One of the oldest Catholic churches in northeastern Maine is celebrating its 180th anniversary.
St. Benedict Parish in Benedicta will celebrate its anniversary on Sunday. The southern Aroostook County parish began in a log church with 45 families in 1834. Diocese officials say many of the original parishioners were Irish immigrants who took up an offer from Bishop Benedict Joseph Fenwick to purchase land for $1.25 an acre. A Gothic-style church replaced the old log church in 1890.
The church will host a cookout, softball tournament and family activities on Sunday to celebrate. The church is located at 1063 Benedicta Road. Sunday's events begin at 9 a.m. and are open to anyone.