PRESQUE ISLE — The Presence Radio Network, Maine’s only Catholic radio network, is now airing on WEGP, 1390 AM, based in Presque Isle. The network officially hit the airwaves in Aroostook County Sept. 9.
WEGP has been a fixture in the Star City since 1960, when it was begun by then-WAGM-TV engineer Edward G. Perrier, from whom its call letters originated. In the 1990s it became WTMS, went dark for a period, and then was revived as WEGP in 1997 by Paul Decelles of Decelles Media Inc., broadcasting talk radio.
From Aug. 1, 2010 to July 31, 2013, the AM station was owned and operated by Greg McNeil, president of Northern Maine Broadcasting. McNeil then transferred ownership to Decelles once again on Aug. 1, 2013. On Feb. 28, 2015, the station ceased broadcasting pending its sale.
Former operations manager Bryan Lawrence told Star-Herald reporter Scott Mitchell Johnson earlier this year that though the sale was in process, the buyers had asked not to be disclosed until broadcasting resumed.
WEGP began its new mission Sept. 9 as the sixth Maine radio station to broadcast The Presence Radio Network.
“The vision of The Presence is to proclaim the truths of the Catholic Church throughout Maine. We are thrilled that our programming will now reach a new audience in Aroostook County, further strengthening Catholic faith, informing non-Catholics, and inviting fallen away Catholics to return home,” said Cindy Nickless, executive director of the network.
In addition to WEGP, The Presence is broadcast on 106.7 FM in Portland, 90.3 FM in Bangor, 89.7 FM in Bath-Brunswick, 89.5 FM in Augusta, 97.5 FM in Fort Kent (affiliate), and can also be found online at www.thepresence.fm and on smartphones by downloading the “Presence Radio” app.
On July 12, a Mass of Thanksgiving was held in Lewiston to commemorate the network’s fifth anniversary. Since its inception, it has relied on pledge drives and the generosity of groups and organizations for crucial funding.
For further information or to donate, call (207) 689-9939 or visit www.thepresence.fm.
