AUBURN — “Christmas by the Lake,” the popular Christmas fair at St. Philip’s Church, will hold its 40th annual event this year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the parish center on Route 4 across from Lake Auburn.

The first fair was organized under the direction of Dot (Dorothy) Violette, who has chaired nine fairs, co-chaired at least two and remains involved to this day. Other early leaders, many of whom are still involved, included Terry Bonney, Jeannette Boutin, Gert Cantwell, Irene Coady, Tony (Antoinette) Darling, Tjerk and Johanna DeHaan, Andy and Pat Deshaies, Dick and Elaine Dubois, Pauline Dubois, Giselle Gagnon, Ann Hanson, Grace Hendrix, Kay Kincaid, Jackie Laplante, Rose Lapointe, Vivan Mancine, Rachel Morin, Roger and Joyce St. Pierre, Frances Theberge and Terry Willard.

St. Philip’s Church came into being in 1968, when parishioners in some areas of Auburn, formerly served by St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart churches, were designated by the Diocese to form the new church. The community initially met in a storefront on Summer Street in Auburn, then at Park Ave. United Methodist until the contemporary, Vatican II-style worship center was dedicated on Aug. 29, 1971.

Several years later, the Parish Council, of which Dot Violette was a member, determined that a major annual fundraiser was needed to help pay down the mortgage, and Fr. Louis Berube, the pastor at that time, offered to put up the seed money to get the project underway. He saw the event as an opportunity for the “blended family” to get better acquainted and to form a stronger faith community.

Forty years later, “Christmas by the Lake” involves close to 200 people – parishioners as well as friends in the community – and a core group who work year round planning, designing, collecting, crafting, sewing, knitting and painting, to produce what has become the premier fair in this area. Always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the fair features only the talents of its parishioners and friends; there are no outside vendors and no tables are rented out.

The church’s debt, which had been expanded with the construction of an education wing and parish center in 1989, was finally paid off in 2012, much to the satisfaction of those early leaders who prayed they’d live to see the day. The fair continues, however, with recent proceeds going towards replacing the original roof, carpeting and heating system of the church. In addition, the fair committee has tithed to the Deacon’s poor fund. While a significant fundraiser, the fair remains a community-building activity and an opportunity for fair participants to welcome all who visit the event.

This year’s “Christmas by the Lake” will include all the regular features: greens and wreaths, knits, quilted items, homemade candies and preserved foods, woodcrafts, theme baskets, jewelry, hidden treasures, holiday crafts, bakery, beans for takeout or eat-in and a children’s activity room.

Any leftover items will be available for extended shopping on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Extra attention is being given to the lunch counter, available seating and to the theme baskets, with many in the $15-$25 range. In addition, the silent auction room will have many choice items to attract bidders’ interest. A nice selection of dolls has come in as well as a Dept. 56 first edition Seasons Bay village scene. Parishioner and renowned wildlife artist David Footer has donated a very attractive fish painted on a wood panel.

At the end of the day on Saturday there will be a raffle drawing for three cash prizes of $500 each. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for a book and are available from parishioners and at the door. You need not be present to win.

St. Philip’s Church is part of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, is handicap accessible and has plenty of parking.