The church was begun as an offshoot of the Christ the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Portland. Both churches belong to the Presbyterian Church in America. Working from Portland, Almquist formed Bible study groups in 2007 with a few Lewiston-area Presbyterians.

Per Almquist knew he would be a minister even before he knew where he fit in as a Christian.

As an Air Force brat, his family moved from city to city. He’d attend whatever church was nearby. By the time he reached college, he described himself as “generic evangelical protestant.”

Then, he felt the tug of the ministry.

“I’m a very systematic person,” Almquist said. First, he read his Bible. He picked up books on theology. His aim was to find a religion that fit.

“I sat down and started to walk through this, ‘What is it that the scripture teaches?'” he said. “‘Where do I fit in the theological spectrum?'”

He found his place with the Presbyterian Church.

The Calvinist doctrine and its strict interpretation of the Bible seemed to fit Almquist’s beliefs.

Today, he is looking for a fit of another kind.

Almquist is searching for a niche for his church — Free Grace Presbyterian Church in Lewiston — among Lewiston-Auburn’s small and large congregations.
So far, it’s going well.

The church was begun as an offshoot of the Christ the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Portland. Both churches belong to the Presbyterian Church in America.

Working from Portland, Almquist formed Bible study groups in 2007 with a few Lewiston-area Presbyterians.

The meetings grew so fast that in May 2010, the congregation held its first Sunday morning services at the former Carroll’s Music building at 160 Canal St.

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