ALNA -- Overlooking the Sheepscot River, the historic Head Tide Church, with its square boxed pews and high pulpit, once flourished.

Major developments in the mid-19th century, including industrialization and the Civil War, brought changes to the town, including a decreased population.

The church was used less and less until it finally closed in the late 1880s. Then a group of local people decided to save the old church that was rapidly deteriorating from the weather and nonuse.

In the 1940s, when the church had fallen into serious disrepair again, another volunteer group, Friends of the Historic Head Tide Church, was formed to raise money to get the much needed work done.

On Aug. 3, the Friends will celebrate the church's 170th anniversary with a concert featuring the Bath Municipal Concert Band.

The entire community is invited to attend the fundraiser.

When the church was struck by lightning in the 1960s and the entire steeple needed to be replaced, the Friends organized a restoration campaign and completed the work.

About six years ago, church ownership was formally transferred to the town of Alna and its deed changed, so it is now a historic building and no longer used for religious purposes.

Honora Jordan, president of the Friends, said proceeds from the concert will go to paint the church and restore the chandelier.

"Anytime we do something like this, we're happy with whatever we raise," Jordan said. "A lot of people don't know about the church. We just want them to come to the concert and enjoy it."

Box lunches and drinks will be available for purchase, and a raffle will take place during the concert. People should bring a blanket or chairs, and if they want, a picnic lunch.

It will be held on the lawns of the church beginning at 1 p.m. Jordan said the group is requesting a donation of $10 for adults; children get in for free.

"There's no parking at the church, but a shuttle will be available for those unable to walk up the hill to the church," she said.

The rain date is Aug. 10. For more information, call 586-5384 or hjordan@tidewater.net

Each year, the friends raise money through a bean supper in June, an annual event in August and an appeal in October.

A calendar project featuring historic photographs was started about eight years ago. The 2009 calendar is about to go to press, she said.

Jordan said the historical Paul Revere bell that crashed through the front of the church when the steeple was struck by lightning is another project for the Friends.

Pieces of the cracked bell were lying on the wooden floor in the front foyer of the church next to the iron chandelier that needs to be repaired.

"We'd like to put it into a display case," she said. "I don't know if we can put it together again."

Stephanie Noddin, a member of Friends, is in charge of leasing the church for weddings, lectures and other events.

The original pulpit is a fine example, she said, of the grained "American Empire" style pulpit, resting on a marblized platform.

In back of the pulpit, a long sofa-type seat is covered in red upholstery. And above that is a Trompe L'Oeil window, a painted mural that creates the illusion of looking out a window.

It costs $250 to rent the church for the day, she said. The fee for residents is less.

"It's a special person who wants to be married in an old church," Noddin said. "They provide their own music and that sort of thing. But it's beautiful inside and it's going to be painted this year so we're kind of excited."

Anyone interested in leasing the building for a function can call Noddin at 586-6141.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com