Diocese of Portland

Catholic Charities Maine announces expansion with new location planned at historic priory in Lewiston

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rendering of building

Catholic Charities Maine has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston to occupy the priory, a historic building adjacent to the Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul.

The 20,000 square-foot, four-story structure will undergo extensive renovations over the next year, to improve and modernize the 130-year-old building, including many ADA compliance upgrades.

The project marks a significant milestone for Catholic Charities Maine as it establishes a central presence in the city during a year when the agency will celebrate its 60-year legacy of providing an array of critical social services across 18 program sites in Maine.

A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held outside 27 Bartlett St. in Lewiston on Wednesday, December 10th at 11:00 a.m. during which Most Reverend James Ruggieri will bless the pending project. A reception will follow.

“This is an ideal partnership that will deepen our connection to serving the greater Lewiston/Auburn area, while affording us the opportunity to grow and expand our service offerings in Maine” said Steve Letourneau, CEO.

Once renovations are complete, anticipated to be in late fall 2026, Catholic Charities Maine will relocate some central administrative operations to the priory and expand its social service programming. Several existing programs currently based in Auburn will move to the new location, including:

  • Education Services for Blind & Visually Impaired Children, for children from birth through age 21 statewide
  • SEARCH, a volunteer senior companion program that serves in nine counties
  • Independent Support Services, homemaker services program for seniors and adults with a disability that serves statewide
  • Parish Social Ministry

Catholic Charities St. Francis Recovery Center, a men’s residential recovery program, will continue operations in Auburn.

The priory previously housed the Dominican Friars for four decades and served as parish offices.

“This partnership between Catholic Charities Maine and Prince of Peace Parish is rooted in shared mission and values,” said Very Reverend Daniel Greenleaf, pastor of Prince of Peace and rector of the Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul. “In addition to practical benefits for the parish, I believe this arrangement will foster collaboration, enable joint events, and create shared space for community engagement.”

Catholic Charities Maine is one of the largest and most diverse human service agencies in the State. Since 1966, it has provided leadership programs and services to reduce poverty, support families, and advocate for justice in social structures. Empowering and strengthening individuals and families of all faiths, CCM serves more than 25,000 annually. Programming includes providing behavioral and mental health services for adults and children, substance use disorder treatment and recovery, strengthening and growing services for Maine’s aging population, providing affordable dental and orthodontic care, supporting New Mainers in integrating into local communities, creating program models for emergency assistance services, and addressing hunger/food security issues, among other services. More information is available at www.ccmaine.org