Fans of art, theater, and live music will enjoy a visit to the Chocolate Church Arts Center, here in Bath, ME. Housed in a lovingly repurposed, 1847 church, now painted a dark brown (hence the name), the center stands as a vibrant cultural hub and local venue for the arts.
Bath is home to a vibrant and thriving arts culture, reflecting the historic town’s maritime heritage and strong community spirit. The Chocolate Church serves as an important hub for this rich visual and performing arts scene. It hosts year-round performances, gallery exhibits, lectures, workshops, and community events drawing locals and visitors alike.
The building’s Gothic Revival architecture, with a towering steeple and intricate stained-glass windows, makes it an architectural gem. Its current mission as an arts center began in the 1970s, when it was saved from demolition.
The Chocolate Church is located in downtown Bath at 804 Washington St. This is within half a mile of our Maine bed and breakfast, The Inn at Bath. In fact, the walk there, on pleasant, tree-lined streets, takes less than ten minutes.
Whether you’re an arts enthusiast or a history buff, the Chocolate Church is a must-see destination in Bath, Maine. The center’s blend of historic charm and contemporary creativity, this arts center is a shining example of how communities can repurpose their historic spaces to foster local talent and keep the arts alive for generations to come.
Upcoming 2024 Events at the Chocolate Church
Honk! – November 15 – 17
Stiles & Drewe’s 1993 heartwarming musical take on the classic ugly duckling story has won multiple awards, including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical.
Groovetide – November 21
Groovetide, a Midcoast Maine five-piece contemporary jam-style band, performs a musical exploration of groovy sunshine, spanning generations and genres.
Kaleta & Super Yamba Band – November 22
Brooklyn-based Super Yamba Band ignites the hottest Afro-funk dance parties in town, featuring legendary guitarist Kaleta.
Patty Larkin – November 23
Patty Larkin has redefined the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising lyrics and vocals.
Freddy Larrosa – November 30
Ecuadorean singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Freddy Larrosa transports listeners to South America through soulful melodies and ancestral folklore.
Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem with Darlin’ Corey – December 06
An American musical group whose style combines folk, country blues, progressive bluegrass, jazz, and swing.
Holiday Hot Chocolate with the Volunteer Jazz Band – December 07
A holiday concert of jazz, swing, rock, pop, and classical, with all proceeds to benefit the Chocolate Church.
Còig – December 14
One of Atlantic Canada’s most exciting Celtic traditional groups of accomplished multi-instrumentalists, with a fiery high-energy style at its musical core.
Sing! It’s Christmas – December 16
A FREE and cherished community tradition, where we come together as neighbors and friends, to raise our voices in song in celebration of this joyous season.
Hiroya Tsukamoto – December 20
Hiroya is a composer, guitarist, and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan and a two time, 2nd place winner of International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship.
These upcoming shows offer something for everyone, from holiday musicals to comedy and jazz, making the Chocolate Church the perfect spot to enjoy the arts in Bath! Visit the Chocolate Church website for more information, tickets, and a full schedule. You can also follow the Arts Center on Facebook.