USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Atlas and history of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
Among the proprietors of the " Oll South Church" IFera a number of Universaliets, who In 1821, urter ths direc- tion of Bir. Esra Raudoll, formerly a dencon of the church, demanded their proportionate part of the time. To tlils etul they petitioned the prudential committee, saying they " belleved In an hupartial allunity" whim They de- Fred lo worship. The request was granted.
In 1826, Rev. Mr. Frost, of Llebun, was engaged lo prench for the soviety, and Analiy a contract was mnadle un settle isbn as partor, after whieb he Informel the society he was a Universalist. lle bal deomiel a majority of the pro- prietors As a Baptist, Unt In his new phase be was Iras suoressful, lle was lunuedlately dismulsnel.
Jamiea Garcelon, Jr., was ordained In 1841, and sulme- queutly became pastor of the church, a relation which he
. Recignad during the year. 1 Appulated to fill vacancy.
to the meral audl religious gletool in The commnulty where hw tesilml.
The " Gid South Menting-honde" heshles its un an a chinch, was occupied for various politic purposes, and for " number of years, nulll Jones' 13 ill was oningloled, sn a townhouse. But sher the organizallon of the First Rap- List Church In 1847, shich Included some of the members uf the " OH South, " The church, which for more than fifty years bind heen to vigorons, aud enjoys I so Isrgn & share of prosperity, brecand rxlincl, aud its members were alworbel hy the First kaptint.
The church not being oconpied for rollgions purposes,
1852, hy order of the Supreme Court, for $250, In Samnel Lilehfeld and J. 1. Cutter, It was lakon dnio amil removed to the "Falls" witry It was built, and is now aupied by Brailford, Conant & Co. as a furniture aud varpel warolvide,
The First Baptist ( Butsa Street), -Early In The spring of 1847, Daniel II, Wiggin, au earnest Naplist, Look mra. sures lo ascertain the number of Baptlas In Lewiston and Anburu who were ile Irous of organtaing a church st thu "Falls." The Immediato restill of this offurt was a preliminary theeling, which was hell April 1st, 1847, at the house of Blirsrd Cobb (now Dr. Smiall'a) on Park Streel, Mr. Cobb was olmson moderator and clerk. Six parsons wore present at this meeting, who "resolvinl themselves Into a committee of vigilance to ascortain the names atul numiæer of Baptiel brethren and report at the next meeting." The ropart of tho " Figilande commiiltre" thaile on the 8th of Aprli, chorei forty-ono persons who were "destcons of being organisel lule a church." Nimoleen Were present at this meeting, and a committee of Three was appointed to "ascertain whore a place of worship oan be obtameil." Al timir next meeting, April I'll, measures Were taken lo organizo a church. The clerk was anthurizel lo wollfy the "churches wosl oou. Vrulent" to vomtilelegales for the purpose of ruoogmlinu, and Auburn, Danville, Durham, Greunn, Now Glonrestur, and Topsham responded to the call. The connell mail at the F. W. Baptist Church (the bullding now ovca pluil hy T. B. Thompson, Kal, on Haymarket Square) June 3d, 1847, and organized by showing Dra. O. C. Itroce, of Now Gloucester, moderator, and Den. E. liarrall, of Green, Borilis. The proceedings of ilu contoll were na folliea : Trailing the pronrds of the prolbinary muethiga by ituv. Geo, Knox ; Invocatlou hy How. J. Hintobingaon, nf Au- burn ; reuling of the seriptures by flov. (tno, Knox, uf Cornish ; introductory prayor by Rev. James Drummond, Congregationaliat, Amburo ; surinon by Rus, Jon, KUl. patrick, of Topsham ; revling atleles of filth by Rov, MI. Ilsnecom, of Durham ; right-hand of fellowship by Rev. S. Wien, of Binrham ; address by Rov, C. W. Heading, of Mass, ; prayer hy Rev. F. F'illshury, of Gnmnn ; comolul- Ing prayer nud bonodirtion by llev. G. W. Huan, P. W. Baptist, howiston. The church qualsled of twenty- five meinbers, of whom only two, Don. Stophon Rarle smil Hen, Win. R. Wright, aro now members of the olnitroh.
Notwillstamling these unfavorabto clreamslances, lho prosperity of the uborch was such that it was iluenind expedient for the members who resided in other lowun, lo organize omferences and churches In Ibolt own resprollve communities ; but this was not ellucled all at onen, The On the 6th of Jimno Win R. Wright in' chosen olurk, and memizers who rustded In Greene wereconstiinto i a church ou the 14th of Angor Danlol P. Wiggin was chusou iu 1793, and the same year those lu Webster organized a doaron, both for oun year. conference, ail in 1794 & conference was constituled in Simultanromaly with the effort of Dea. Wigeln, Rør, Geo. Knox, of Coralsb, Maine, visited The Fall and preaolied In the school-house, in Loriaton aml Auburn. Mr. Knox spent the 16th, 23:1, amit 30th of May In presch- Ing at lbean places, but did not commence Iils lubers AM pastor until the orst Sabbath In Angiist, and Then under the auspices of lho Mainy Daptint Missionary Society. lle remained tho pastor until Jannary, 1800, covering a l'ujøpscot ; the next yrar those being lu Now Gluurester Were disinlasod lo forni a new church, sud those In Fren- port were dismissed In 1797 to juin the church at Nuriht Yarmouth. The lepletions made by those dismissals Were more than Alled by the acoonslons during 1794 and 1796, thy fruits of interesting ruvivals which took place during Those years. From the time of the organization of the olitroh until 1802, the soclely received the oconslonal periol nf uearly thirteen yrara, Iunundliately after tin ministry of Mr. Poller, but now onoof their own members, Rev. Benjamin Cole, was called lo tho pastorale of the church. Mr. Cole remained the successful and honored pastor of the eburolt, with the exception of shorl intervais, when he supplied other places, nutil Hear the time of his death, Septomber io, 1-39. The Jonmbers reshiing In l'ejepseot were disuriaseit int 1808, la form a eburch In That town ; bul The vacancy with filled by ahilltions lu 1808-9, Ibo result of an uncommon religions lulerast,
organization of the church, they commencon Imubling meetings In the old brick selmol-house nevar Lowwall's coron, Owing lo the dilapidalet condition of the Lonso they were obliged, on the approich nf ool wentiter, to move to tho Auburn slide nf ihn river into the Rechalilto llall. This halt was small, about 22 x 40 fent, and no- empled the groomil alory of the building. The lower part was oneuplel as a confectbmirry and " grog shop." i'he hall was fomil to be too oluse for warm weather, and The society moved Into the uld schuol-house, Turner Street, where they continued to worship, with the nxrep- tion of a few Sabbath when Mr. Knox onoupiel Mr. Drummond's julylt, oulil the completion of their chaj'l, which was built during the summer ond antnion nf 1848, under continut, by Capl. Danlot Ilollaml, ami coal abont 81000, which, with the exception of $140, was ralsud by the society, The chapel was ocoupled for the Aral time November 9, 1:48, when an "lolminaling sermon" was deilveted by Rev. Mr. Berher, of l'ortlamt. Tu Lio apring of 1841 ily were obliged, owing to the extensive operations of the Water l'uwor Company, lo chango Ihn location of the chapel. During the amommer It was moved several times.
The chapel wan ooonpleil nutil May, 1853, when it was exchangeil with the Water I'uwer Company in parl pay- tuenl for the lol of land on which they subsequently Imilt thoir chun in, corner of Main and LIshion strerls, From the ubapel they moved to Volon Hall In Auburn whuro the olinrob worakipel until Decomber 1853, In the spring of this year The soclely connivenceil the erection of the church at the head of Lisbon Street, now ocoupled by the secoml Methodint soolety, This house cost alniet slo,000, amt was duulicaled December 9th, 1833, when Rev. L. B. Alien, of Yarmonth, proschel the sermon, anıl fev. Arthur Drukwater, of Greena, wado tho iledliontory prayer. The coolely continued lo worship In Lils house until May, 1670 ; The last meetlog iming held Tunadny evening, May 17th. They romanved frow hero lo their nrw church olidce on lates Struel, which was dutionted May 18th, 1870, The seraion was by The pastor, Rev. K. M. Haynes, and the dedivatory prayer by Kov. N. M. W. Wind, D. IL, of Upper Allon, III., & firmor pastor, The elinroh was built In 1869-70, is of brlok, with granito trimmings, and prenseit brick hellings, lald In black cement, and will seal about eight hundred. It cost, In- oluding lot, 454,000, Il In all nateri on Bates Street, al tha wullern extremily of the l'ark, which it combinda, being a very pleaslug sirneture, and a One, though wol s gu grou«, aprotmen of Ruglich Golhio architecture, Thu " structural bites" is carried onl lo every part, emliracing lbe Interior as well as the exterior of the building, nil Turliling, also, the furniture as well as the organ), The eulire woodwork of The luterior is black walnut, highly
Jameson, 1842, '43. James Carville, 1843, '44. Stephen, David, 1844. Willlam R Frye, 1848, '49, '51, '53, '54, '67. Nam Brooks, 1850, '51, '53. Jolin B. Jones, 185 !. Josepb S. Garcelon, 1858, '54, '55, '56. Jolin Real, 1555, tsand N. l'arker, 1956, '58, '62. llowe Weeks, 1857. A. Wake- feld, 1857, '59. Timothy Waiker, 1854, Joshnn Merrill, 1858, Jacob B. Dai, 1859, '00, 'GI, '62. Ablal M. Jones, 1860. Thomas Crowley, 1861.
List of Clerka .- Noah Litchfield, 1795, '6, '7, 'S, '9, 1800. Dan Read, 1801, '3, '4, '5, '6, '7, '11, '12, '16, '17, '18, '19, '0, "22, '23. Winslow Ames, 1802. Jnel Thompson, 1808, '9, '10, '13, '14, '15. Nathan Reynolds, 1821. Wm. 11. 1trad, 1831, '32, 33, '34. John M. Frye, 1835 Sammel G. Phillips, 1836, '37, '38. Juha Sioith, 1850. R. F. fobie, 1839, 140, '41, '42, '43, '44, '45, '44, '47. 48, '49,'51, '52, 153, '54, '55, '50, '57, '58, '59, '60,'61, '62, '63, '64, '65. '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73.
Representatives .- Julin Horriok, 1798, '99, 1801, '2, '3, '4. 7. Joel Thompson, 1800, '8, '9, '10, '13, '14, '17. Aaron Dwinal, 1812. Dan Reait, 1805, '6, "21, '24, '26. (11For Ilmariok, 1827, '29, "31. Ebenezer Herrlek, 1833, William Gorvelou, Jr., 1633, 16. Thomas Iloilgkin, 1837. Stephen 11. Read, 1841. Temple Tibbetts, 1842. Gideon l'erkins, 1843, Asa Gareelon, 1845, Stephon Davis, 1847. Stephen Myrick, 1:49. James Lowell, 1822, '39, '51, '62. Charles Millet1, 1854. Jacob B. HIAm, 1855, '6. Alonze Garerton, 1853, '7. Alexander Burbank, 1858, '9. John B. Joues, 1860. Mark Lowell, 1862, '3. N. W. Farwell, 1873, '4. Abial N. Jones, 1865, 'G. Daniel lolland, 1866, '7, Wiu. P. Frye, 1861, '2, 17. George A. Clark, 1868, '9. Samuel R. Bearce, 1870. J. S. P. Ham, 18th, '10. H. A. Osgood, 1871. R. C. Reynolds, 1871. David Forrar, 1872. John W. Farwell, 1872. Warren E. Pressoy, 1873, Nelson Dingley, Jr., 1814, '5, '8, '73. Nelson lloward, 1972, '3. City Incorporation .- An net lo incorporate the city of Lewiston was approved by the governor, larsel Wasb- burn, Jr., March 15, 1861, but was not submitted to the inhabitants of the lown for their approval until Novem- ber 22, 1802; when the following proposition, " Will the town necept an net ontitleil an act In Incorporato the ulty of Lewislon," approved March 16, 1861, was presented for their acceplauro. Gue homired and I wepty-lour voted lo accept The charter and wine volet lo reject It. The vity government was organized March 16, 1863, when
and the machinery of the new gorerument pul iu suo- cessful operation,
Mayors of Letriston, -Jacob B. Ilam, 1863, '4; William P. Frye, 1865, '6; George Il. Pilsbury, 1867; Imnac N. Parker, 1868, '9; William H1, Slevens, 1870; Alonso Gar- celon, 1811 ; David Cowan, 1872; N. W. Farwell, 1873. Alderinen .- Stephen T. Abbott, 1863, '4, '8, 19,'71 *; D. M. Ayer, 1863; Elward Clark, 1863, '4; Marshall French, 1863, '5, 'G; Abial M. Jones, 1863, '4, 5, '8* ; Sminuel W. Kilverl, 1863, '4, '6* ; Thomas D. Thorue, 1863, '07; Alonzo Garcelon, 1864, '70, '73; Linneus Clivetham, 1864; Jovinb G. Coburn, 1864; Jesinh Day, 1865 ; Thnolby E. Fogg, 1865,'6 ; Henry C. Goodeuow, 1865, '6* ; Lorenzo L. Shaw, 1865 *: Alleu P. Winslow, 1865;t George H. Pilsbury, 1865, '6; Daniel Holland, 1836; Seth Chandler, 186bf : Albert Q. Morgan, 1866, 1'7 ; Benjamin A. Dalloy, 1860 ; Ransom C. l'ingree, 1867, '8, '73; Mark Lowell, 1867 ; George A. Clark, 1867; Junlan K. Piper, 1867 ; Ebenezer Ham, 1867 ; Joseph P. Fessenden, 1868}, '9; Patrick Mio Gillieudily, 1868; Jesse S. Lyfor1, 1848 ; James Sauds, 1808* ; William J. Burnham, 1508}, 19 ; Ilurace R. Hartlalt, 1×63, '70, '2, '3+ : Jacob B. Ilsim, 1869 ; M. C. Wagewooil, 1800 ; James Wrigley, 1869: Nonh Lilchfield, 1609; A. K. 1. Knowlton, 1870 ; M. T. Liditen, 1870, '1 ; Isane C. Downs, 1870 ; David Corran, 1870, '1 ; Willlam S. Ilugers, 1870, '71,+ '72: John F. Putnam, 1871, '1; David F. Noyes, 1871 ; George A. Diew, 1871,13; Joseph P. Gif, 1671 ; William F. Garurlon, 1872, '3; B. 8. Davis, 1812; C. T. Darker, 1872 ; Cyrus Greely, 1872, '3; David Farrar, 1873 *; A. J. Morse, 1873.
Capts. Knowlion and Nye recrulled ito companies, F Jacob It, Haw was inanguraled mayor of the young oily,
Judges of the Meniripal Court .- John Smith, 1>63, '4, sud nearly all of the original proprietits having limt or
think, Ibe first company which tenerel It+ services to : Garcelon, Jr., 1824, '25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '30. Stephen
106
polished, with cellingn frescoed and linied In a manner whileh admirably relieves the dark effmel of the wood. In December, 1-69, Mr. Knox lendered his resignation as pastor, lo lake offeel the trat of January, 1860, anıl penched hin laxl Berinon to a large and deeply Interested amlfence, which included representations from the varl- ons societies In the community. Mr. Knox was a model junator, his dignifed hearing ; hle monly and Christian virinen won the respect, if not the admiration, of tho com. Brunity, and his resignation caused univeraat regret.
Mr. Knox was succeeded hy Rev. N. M. Wood, of Water- 1860, Unter hls able efforts ibo church continued to prosper. About three months, however, after Mr. Wood's arrival, April 13, 1860, the members of the church resiil- Ing In Anbarn, and conflitoling peerly one-half of the
church and society, were dismissed to organise o chorob torly meeting for his ordination, Mr. Lowell was ordalned In thet town. Bm during this pastorale the vacancy war and became pastor of tha church Jnne 6, 1861, and olosed more than olled. Mr. Wood olored his lahore March 31, his labors January 1st, 1869. Be was snooveded hy Rev. Wm. Il. Ilowen, of Providence, B. 1., tbe present pastor, Juno 6, 1869. 1808. Ile was a decided preacher and an able man, and was held In high esteem for his earuest efforts and zeal In promoting the morals and Christian character of the com. muulty, and he alded largely to uxlend and perpelnale thin fraternal Intercourso aud feellug hotweou tha varions religioes societies.
Rø. Geo, W Holman, of Fort Edward, New York, the third pastor of this church, commenordl his labors on tho third Sabbath In July, 1806, and contluned his relation es such, nntil November, 1868. He was an carneal and successful prescher.
Rev. E. M. Haynes come from Palmer, Mnom. ; com- menced hla labors in April, 1869, ood elosed thom May 4, 1873.
.
The Freewill Baptiste,-Daring his missionary tons In the antmin of 1783, Itev. Benjamin Randell, of New Dur- lınm, N. II., the founiler of the F. W. Baptinta, visited Lewiston, and preachel and baptized for the Orst tlins ; but did not organize a chnroh, His custom wan to receive all who desired to becoms metohors into the church at New Durham. But a membership so widely scattered war not early controlled, and he soon found some of his Lrivision disciples eapressing dissnilsfaction with some of the doctrines which ho advocated, Notwithetsoiling, however, the defectlon of some of the members, the nhlli- bor of adhereuls steadily increaseit, and it was deement expedient to organise & church in Lewiston. The organi- aalion was efforted September 10, 1803, the usual services being conducted by Iter, Ephraim Stinchfielil, of New Gloworster, who hail preached lu Lewiston as early as 1708. But little can be gleaned of the history of this church, which maintainod Ita exlotengo, however, with more or less prosporily until 1817, This year an raten-
The Pine Street Congregational .- It was early In 1854 sive rovlval was experienced under the labora of Rev. that the members of the Lewiston Fails Congregational Joslah Farewell, and a new church was organized De- Church, who realdeil in Lewistoo, began to agitate rha ceuher 3, 1817, at the Herrick school-house-Barker's question of the organization of a Congregational church in Mille-which comprised many members of the First lewiston. The importance as well as the necessity of a Church, and which finally supplanted it. The church as originally formed comprised twenty inembers, among whom stands the name of "Kider Bonjamin Thorne." None of them, we think, are living. At the organization of the church, Oliver Herrick was chasew olerk, a pouillon wheb he held until the church became extinot, about
1840. Jonathan Nash and buther Litehfloid were chasen your church, that we may he formed luto a church iu
deacons August 6, 1818, and oe the 19th of November, of the enme year, " Eldar Benjamin Thorne was received as tho pastor and teacher, ngrecable to the New Testament Order, " a relation which he long held with Odellty and care.
Soon after the church was organized, and In connec- tion with the labors of Mr. Farowoll, mensuren were taken to construct a house of worship lu 1818, The bonse was not completeil for several years. It was dedicated De- rember, 1820, and was located oo Main Street, on the north ride of Mountnin Avenue, where it remained until Voto- ber 2, 1838, when it was removed to the corner of Muln and Chnpul streets-Haymarket Square-and ocoupled by the Main Street F. Baptista nutil February, 1856, The church hail a nomluni existence ontil about 1840, when only some elght persoun retainad their connection with it. The South Litriston Church ( Clough) Free Baptiste .- Tina church, consisting of twenty-mix merubors, was or- gamzeil July 26, 1820, Rov. Momses, Lock and Bridges taking part in the servicos. Tho sermon was by Htev. Ward Lock. The church held Its meetings In Aaron Unvis's barn, at tho Clough school-house, and al varlons privato residences in the vicinity, until 1846, when the present meeting-house was completed. The church lias maintained the usual worship, but has no seltled miointer. Mr. A. 1), Jones, of Batos Collega, Is now laboring success- Intly with tho church. It has s wetsbersbip of serenty, lluy of whom are resident inumbers.
Main Street F'. Buptietc .- The last of April, 1839, a serles of meetings were livid at the North Mreting- house, which were conduoton by Rev, Insao Libby, assisted by Reva. Messrs, Benjamin Thorn, Giron Perkins, and E. Phloney. An interesting rovivul ensueil and a largo number of con- Ferions-nearly oue hundred-reported. As an Imto- iltale result of these meellugs, Ibirty-six were baptized May 20, 1838, Livoniy-one by Mr. Libby and fifteen by Mr. Curtis, and on 22d of May a church wun organized, con- laling of forty-two members, lleva. Messrs, Benjamin Thorn, Inaso Libhy, and Silas Curile taking part in the organization. Additions wero continually made to the church, and during the months of May and June Ofty- two were baptized and became connected with it. The interest of the new church ludneed (October 2, 1836) the change of the meeting-hunno from Ita original location to the varner of Malu and Chapel street», where it now stands, the oil building being now oooupied by 'f. B. Thompson, Isq. as an agnoultural warehouse." llere the church worshiped umil February, 1656. Several years before this thne the ohnroh qui society began to agitate the question of the erection of a new house of worship. The pian finally adopted was somewhat novel for this place, A stock company wne Incorporated with a onjdisl of # 0,000, consisting of one hundred aharen, and the work was commenceil in 1854. The house, corner of Malu and liates atreuts, was comploted lu the winter of 1855-10, and dedicated February 14, 1856, by the pastor Rev. J. S. Burgess, alded by soveral olergymeu. 11 cast $20,000, and is a substantial brick structura,
Rev, lanao Libby, who had beeu connected wilb the Nonh Church for some tune, became pastor of the church In June, 1838, a relation wbich he held ontil Maroli, 1841 ; when he was ilstuinsed and became connected with the ofmrul at Brunswick. In July, 1843, he reanmed his pastoral relation with the church, winoh he continued umit February, 1844. Mr. Libby was a sound and rileo- tire ajwaker, aud under his innetratiou the usual pros- perlty was experienced, He died Ju Anburu, October 18, isUG, ageil 57.
Her, Daniel Jackson, of New Hampshire, became pastor of the church in November, 1541, and rewalued until De.
esther, 1842. Mr. Jackson is remembered as a very genial nın, and an Interesting and instructive prescher, In April, 1844, Rev. Geo. W. Rean, of Farininglon, bs- omine pastor and remained nntil August, 1849, when he becaine pastor of the church at Weil Waterville.
Rav. J. S. Burgees became connected with the church in October, 1848, and remelned the pastor nntll Getober, 1860, when he resigned, and becama pastor of a church in Bangor, Mahnie. This wes a mnost ancoraaful pastorale, more than fonr hundred having connected themselves with the church during the twelve years il was under
ublventai regret.
Mr. J. A. Lowell, then a teacher In the Malne Stale Seminary, supplied the pulpit as early as December, 1860, and in March following the olenrei appiled to the quar-
The Pine Street Free Baptist, consisting of fifty-two members who wers dismissed from the Main Street Freo Baptist, was organized Jenuary 3, 18€9, by a conneil con- sialing of Rav. O. R. Chonay, D.D., Prof. B. F. Bayes, of Bates College, and Rev. J. A. Lowell, of Main Street Free Baptist. The church worshiped in Lisbon Hall until the completion of their house of worship, In Due., 1869. This eillfico is located on Pina, coruor of Blake Street, and was deilloated Deo. 9, 1869, by the pastor, Rev. J. S. Burgess, nasisted by Rev. Memars. Perkins, Bowen, Balkan, aud Haynes. The houne is a plain and enbstan- lial as well as a neat wooden strnoltre, with a basement, which Is occupied as a vestry and lecture-room, and cout Ibe society $14,000,
The church was fortunate In ssonring the services of Rev. J. S. Rurgras, so long the pastor of the Main Street Free Baptist, but who had been for several years settled at Harrisburg, l'enn. Mr. Burgess connnenced hls labors with this church Oct., 1869, wblob bave been tuarked by his usual suocero.
Congregationaliets - The Leviston Falls Church, -The Lewiston Falis Congregationel Chorch, now High Street, Auburn, was organized In Lewisiou at the North Meeting- bonne-Free liaplints-February 8, 1826, and consisted of kevin members, three males and four females. The church worshiped In various places in Lewiston and Auburn nulll the compleflen of the frat chinreh edifice, lo Auburn, which was iledicaleil Nov. 14, 1833, when the church became permanently located In ibat placo.
church on the "east side of the river" hecame more apparent, and joeasures were lostitoted by the friends of the news church to perfeel its organization, Accordingly & petitiou wna direoled to the churchin Auburn, in which the petitioners aspress the opinion, " that the thne had arrived when wo feel It our duty to ask a dismission from
Lewiston." This petition was signed by R. A. Bndlong and thirty olbers, and dated July 15, 1854. It was pre- senteil to the rhinreh at a "regniar meeting" held the 18th July, and the petitioners weru accordingly dismissod le forin a new church on the " east side of the river." At this meeting the church voted to unite with the petition- ers In calling an eccleslastiral couuoli, to be held Augual 8, 1854, for tho pmiposo of organizing a serond Congrega- Honal church. The pastor, Iter. J. Drummond, Deacon «. Bradford, and 8. Pickard, Esq., together with J. K. Plper and Davis K. Verrill, two of the petitlowers, were appointed a counnitteo to make the necessary arrange- ments. The church was accordingly organized Angust 8, 1854, audl consialet of thirty-nine members, thirty-one of whom were members of the " Lewiston Falis Church," and eight by letter from churches in Maine and Massachu- setts. At the organization of the church the sermon was by Rev. Geo. E. Adams, D.D., of Brunswick ; prayer by Rev. K. Jones ; right-hand of followabip by Rev. J. Drummond ; charge by Rev. A. Cummings, aud prayer aud benediellon by Rev, C. Plokard,
From the time of the organization of the church until the completion of the chapel corner of Pine and Bales utrrels, the oburub worshiped in Jones's Wall. The chapel was built fw 1855, and dledirated Nov. 16, 1855. This was a plain and neat bullding, ami was occupied by the ohurob and society until April, 1866, when it was removed to the rear of the present church on Balos Street, and used by the contractor as a carpenter-shop during the construction of the new church, and has since bren con- rorled Into a tonemout bhwck. While the new church Ian being built, the society hell their meetings In Central Hall, with the exception of a short time when ibey unlied with the Main Street Free Baptists, Their present churob elifce fe built after the Romanesque style of architecture, and In one of the finest in tho Siate. 11 Wild ereeled In 1866-67 aud itedicated May 22, 1867. The dedloatory services wore, a prayer by Rev. Mr. Adams, of Auburn ; reading the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Lowell, Free Baptist, howiston ; sormou by Rev. Dr. Balkam, the pas- lor, aud the dedioatory prayer by Rev. Dr. Fiske, of Balb. The church Is a substantial brlek building, with granite Iritminings aud beltings, aud the interior is Buished in olles black walnut and obestunt, with softly-tinted walls and fresooed ceilings, which produce a fine effeol. The basemeut lø filled op for a leotore-room, with parlors and Ilbrary-room. It is joonted on the corner of l'Ine aud Bales atreets, at this northrast coruer of the l'ark, which It comtunuds, aud from which it presents a substantial and imposiog appearauco. It cost $70,000 exelnelve of the lot.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.