The Way of Truth Temple

Standing beside the Temple, it is easy to understand why this remarkable building has been the heart of Ocean Park since the community was founded in 1881. Long before rows of cottages lined the streets or generations of families made Ocean Park their summer home, the founders believed that the community needed a central gathering place where people could come together to worship, learn, enjoy music, and build friendships. Their vision was so important that the Temple became the very first major building constructed after the Ocean Park Association received its charter from the State of Maine.

The building was officially named the Way of Truth Temple, a name that reflected the ideals upon which Ocean Park was established. Although founded by a group of Free Baptist ministers and laymen, the building was never intended to serve as a traditional church for a single congregation. Instead, it was designed as a place where the entire community could gather. Throughout the summer months, the Temple hosted worship services, Bible conferences, lectures, educational programs, concerts, and civic gatherings, becoming the center of both the spiritual and intellectual life of Ocean Park.

The story of its construction is as inspiring as the building itself. Built during the summer of 1881, the Temple was completed in only six weeks. Local tradition tells us that during the final days of construction, workers continued building by moonlight so the structure would be ready for its dedication on August 2. Their determination reflected the enthusiasm of those early founders, who believed they were creating something far greater than a seasonal meeting hall. They were establishing the heart of a community they hoped would endure for generations.

The Temple’s distinctive octagonal design also sets it apart. During the nineteenth century, octagonal buildings were admired for their practicality. The shape allowed everyone gathered inside to see and hear the speaker more clearly while creating a sense of unity among the audience. Today, the Way of Truth Temple is recognized as Maine’s only octagonal religious building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a testament to both its architectural significance and its enduring role in the history of Ocean Park.

The founders chose to call it the Way of Truth Temple because they believed a community should nourish both the mind and the spirit. Walking its grounds today, it is easy to see that their vision is still alive, making this building not simply a historic landmark, but the enduring soul of Ocean Park.