USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Holden > Brewer, Orrington, Holden, Eddington : history and families > Part 7
USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Eddington > Brewer, Orrington, Holden, Eddington : history and families > Part 7
USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Orrington > Brewer, Orrington, Holden, Eddington : history and families > Part 7
USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Brewer > Brewer, Orrington, Holden, Eddington : history and families > Part 7
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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
77
the time and a committee appointed to visit him in Bucksport and endeavor to reclaim and save him. Two of the church brethren wrote letters which were read at the church meeting. These letters pleaded for the forgiveness of the parish for their sins of violating the Sabbath, one by attempting to ride to Orring- ton on worldly business (He only attemped it because the rig broke down); and the other one by riding to the same town to visit friends.
These are duplicated many times as one goes through these weathered and time worn books. One case is perhaps outstanding and worthy of some space here. In December 1834, a committee visited the home of one sister to inquire whether it be true of her that she did "consider dancing as an innocent amusement and advisable to be practiced by those who were so disposed" and whether or not she would approve of it in her own children. She said that such were her views. The committee advised her to pray about it and report to the church. At the time of a second visit she stated that her views had not changed. She was subse- quently excommunicated.
In 1828, the year in which the second church building was erected there was a "great outpouring of the Holy Spirit" known as the "Great Revival". It spread throughout the town and reli- gious topics were dominant in the conversation of the people wherever they chanced to meet. The revival extended into the busiest season of the year, but the people found time to attend all church meetings and every one was crowded. Some people walked five miles at the end of the day to attend the meetings, then retraced their steps homeward through the paths of the forest. On one day during this time fifty members were received into the fellowship of the church.
Prayer meetings were often held in private homes. From 1836 to 1846, a room over a store was used. There seems to be some foundation for the belief that this was a room known as "Thomp- son's Hall" which was probably in the building which now houses the Woodbury Hardware Store. In 1847, the "Vestry" was built on North Main Street where the Carter Block now stands. This was built to accommodate two hundred and records state that it was never too large for the increasingly large numbers that attend- ed. In 1870 this building was enlarged and the name changed to the "Chapel". During the period between the last service held in the
78
old church building and the first one held in the new; Sunday services were held in the Chapel.
Following the revival of 1828 there were several other such revivals. In 1834 there was a powerful one which proved to be of but short duration. The outstanding feature of the one held in 1848 was the way it reached most of the church members. At some of these meetings every member of the church was in attendance and "The place was awful and glorious with God's presence." This church, along with the Methodist church, held a series of evangelistical meetings in 1879. One of the fine contri- butions of this was that it brought about a spirit of close fellow- ship between the churches; a spirit which exists down to the present time. As a result of these meetings fifty-two persons united with the church. The evangelists were Smith and Mc- Kenney, better known as "Bailey's Praying Band."
According to the journal of the Bangor Historical Society, a Female Cent Society was formed in 1820 and in the course of a few years had between seventy and eighty members. There seems to be a little disagreement as some records would indicate that it was a cultural group while others state that it was a missionary society. Some records say that it was organized for the purpose of raising funds for the Maine Missionary Society. The date of the organization of the Ladies' Auxiliary to Foreign Missions is not known; but it was actively engaged in 1881 and continued so until 1910 when the two united and formed the Women's Missionary Society.
During the period from 1850 to 1900, sixty persons from the church entered missionary service at home and abroad. Elkanah Walker united with the church and was ordained the same year. For ten years he served as missionary to the Indians of Oregon and for the next fifteen years was assistant pastor to one of the churches in Forest Grove, Oregon. It was while he was living there that he translated the New Testament into Indian dialect. Benjamin Snow born in Brewer, a graduate of Bowdoin College and the Bangor Seminary, was one of a pioneer band of mis- sionaries sent to Micronesia in 1851 by the American Board of Missions.
The Civil War broke out in 1861 and many of the able-bodied men of the parish marched away to fight. General Joshua Cham- berlain, a member of the parish was the man delegated by
79
General Grant to receive Lee's sword of surrender at the close of the war. It was characteristic of the man that at that time he gave the salute of honor to the Confederate Army.
The first Young Peoples' group in the church, the Young Peoples' Sociable, was formed in 1874. Its immediate purpose was to raise $500 to build an addition to the church building. In 1876 this group purchased the release deed of the meeting house lot. It was also active in raising money to pay for the church build- ing which was erected in 1889. In 1888 this group became the Young People's Society for Christian Endeavor, a name which it held until the 1930's when it became the Pilgrim Fellowship.
During the pastorate of the Rev. Clarence Beckworth, the parsonage was purchased.
We should make mention of the fact that in 1828 the church at East Brewer was formed, owing to the fact that the church at Brewer became too small to seat the increased number of members. The original membership of this new church numbered 68; 26 men and 42 women. The first deacons were John Far- rington, Lemuel Copeland, and William Rogers. Church services were first held in the kitchen of John Farrington's house. The meeting house was built in 1829.
To return to Brewer, the last service in the old building was held on March 21, 1889, when Rev. Benjamin Merrill was pastor. The committee in charge of the disposal of the old building failed to find anyone interested in buying it so they decided to purchase it themselves. The building was sawed in half and moved across Main Street to the foot of Church Street, where it was made into two similar apartment houses which are in use at the present time.
The present building, erected by Albert A. Kenney, was dedi- cated on March 28, 1890, and at the time of its dedication was considered one of the most beautiful churches in this area. During the service, Rev. George W. Field, pastor of the Central Church in Bangor, and a former pastor of this church, stated that he was glad this "oldest society on the Penobscot was the first to branch out and build as fine a church as they can afford."
Many gifts came from members of the parish at this time. Cyrus Washburn gave a beautiful pulpit and chair for use in the vestry. Caleb Holyoke and Mrs. Catherine Hardy gave a pulpit
80
and three pulpit chairs for use in the church sanctuary. In 1927 that pulpit was removed and the one given to the church in 1850 was restored. The pulpit chairs remain in use, although in 1961 a beautiful new pulpit was presented to the church by Mr. Stanley Currier in memory of Lyman and Emma Currier. The stained glass window which bears the inscription "In Memory of Deacon John Holyoke" was given in 1890 by Seth C. and Margaret Holyoke Dyer of Portland. Due to the efforts of Mr. W. W. Doane and the children of the Sunday School the other window was made possible. The latter window was destroyed by fire in January 1927 and has since been replaced by a beautiful reproduction of Hofman's "Christ in Gethsemane." At the time that the repair work took place the Holyoke Memorial window was moved to the north side of the auditorium and the new one put in its place on the south side.
Cushions for the new church pews were purchased in 1890, from the G. W. Bent Co., at a cost of $402.46. These pew cushions are still in use today, although with the renovating of the auditorium they were covered with gold upholstery in keeping with the color scheme of the church.
The Parish Circle was organized by the ladies of the church in 1890. At this time two groups, known respectively as the Upside Circle and the Downside Circle were united. On April 12, 1902, this group presented the church with the beautiful communion service. The old communion service, which probably dates back to the early days of the church, is still in existence.
In 1900, the church celebrated its centennial. Speakers for the occasion were Professor Clarence Beckwith, General Joshua L. Chamberlain, and the Rev. Benjamin Merrill.
The Volunteer Circle of the King's Daughters was organized in 1892 in November. It was the first circle in the city to be organized and holds the honor of being the largest circle in the largest state in New England.
In 1904 the first pipe organ was installed. This was a fine Skinner Organ and was presented by a group who had organized a few years earlier as the Organ Fund Society.
In 1935 the organ was rebuilt through the Farrington Fund. A portion of a gift from the estate of the Deacon Edward P. Farrington was used to purchase a bell which was rung for the
81
first time for the mid-week service on October 12, and for a Sunday service on October 14, 1923. In 1935 the Cathedral Chimes were installed in memory of Frances H. Robinson. The baptismal font was given in memory of Deacon Harold S. Burrill.
The Brewer Congregational Scouts were organized in 1908. They made up the first troop to be organized in America and will be discussed in a later chapter.
So the old order changeth. In April 1914 the old practice of renting pews was abandoned and the Free Pew System was established.
In 1920 silver collection plates were given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Manley Hardy. Offerings are still received in these plates at our Sunday services. The Jennie Crockett room was established in 1924, being financed by a fund in her name.
In 1924, Dr. E. M. Cousins was elected the first Pastor Emeritus in the history of the church and in the next year the Rev. Basil C. Gleason was elected pastor. Mr. Gleason served the church well until 1949, when he became the second pastor emeritus. While yet a young man, Mr. Gleason became a victim of a crippling disease; but in spite of this he was active and an influential advisor of the church and the community. When he retired from the active pastorate of the church, he became the chaplain of the Eastern Maine General Hospital. He has been referred to as the "Wheel Chair Chaplain." Mr. Gleason died in 1952 and at the annual meeting in 1962 the Rev. Basil C. Gleason Memorial Fund was established.
The Homemakers' Club for married couples was organized in 1926 and has been a very active group in the work of the church. In the 1950's the Parish Circle became the Women's Fellowship.
The 138th Anniversary of the founding of the church was celebrated in 1938 with the presentation of the pageant The Builders of Brewer. In 1950, the pageant was revised and repeated under the new title Sesquicentennial Church. Miss Helen J. Robinson was the author of the pageant.
The Rev. Donald C. Ward was installed in 1950. Under his direction the members of the parish carried on one of the most important drives in the history of the church. The theme of the drive was sacrificial giving. The result of this drive was the complete renovation of the lower part of the church with
82
new Church School rooms, a new lower auditorium, lounge, and kitchen. The vestry was redecorated at this time.
In 1957 and 1958 the exterior of the church was refinished with aluminum siding. It now presents a striking appearance as it stands out on its position on "Meeting House Hill" welcoming strangers as they enter our city by way of the Joshua L. Chamber- lain Bridge. The sanctuary was redecorated in 1959 and presents a charming and restful appearance to those who go there in search of spiritual guidance. The first services were held in the redecorated auditorium, October 11, 1959.
The present pastor, the Rev. Raymond B. Wilbur came to the church in 1957, following an interim period when the parish was under the spiritual leadership of Dr. Mervin Deems of the Bangor Theological Seminary. It was under Mr. Wilbur's guid- ing hand that the sanctuary was renovated and the new pulpit acquired. A new heating plant was also installed that year.
In 1961, the First Congregational Church of Brewer became a member church of the United Church of Christ. A significant gain in spiritual growth is shown in the fact that during the past five years the church has more than doubled its benevolent giving.
Funds which have been established over the years to contribute to the growth and development of the church are: the Albert A. Kenney fund, the Dorothy Elizabeth Miller fund, the Mary Holyoke Nickerson fund, the Eva L. Arey fund, the Willis I. Bunker fund, the Edward P. Farrington fund, the Grace Sargent Prentiss fund, the Elizabeth Currier Powers fund, the Mellen G. Prentiss fund, the Frances H. Robinson fund, the William and Fannie E. Spurling fund, the Josephine Arey found, the Julia H. Bunker fund, and the Harriet A. Lord fund. The Captain Arthur Baldwin Family Fund of $1,000 was added to the Development and Improvement fund. The Jennie L. Farrington Fund of $375.00 was used to buy new hymnals for the use of the church.
Serving as pastors of the church since 1800 have been: James Boyd, Thomas Williams, Wales Lewis, Wooster Parker, Nathan Dole, George W. Field, Ephraim C. Cummings, Levi G. Marsh, John W. H. Baker, Clarence A. Beckwith, Benjamin B. Merrill, Warren Morse, Edgar M. Cousins, Basil C. Gleason, Donald C. Ward, and Raymond B. Wilbur. When the church lacked a settled minister, the following men are known to have supplied
83
the pulpit: D. Smith Talcott, Samuel Harris, John R. Herrick, William M. Barbour, Levi L. Paine, Narham H. Harriman, Henry W. Hurlburt, and Dr. Mervin Deems, all of whom were associated with the Bangor Theological Seminary.
Thus from the small beginning with the group of people meeting with Deacon Robinson, the church under the able leader- ship of the above men, sustained by the loyalty of its many members, has grown to its present proportions.
THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
As we mentioned earlier two meeting houses were built, one in the south part of the town and one in the north. The one in the south part, later Orrington, was used by the Methodists and for a Town House until a building was built for that purpose. Elder Jesse Lee, a Methodist, came to this section in 1793, and preached here several times. He later became the Presiding Elder of the Boston District which included all of the district of Maine. Elder Lee was born in Virginia, March 12, 1758. He had a fair education and was instructed in the prayer book and the catechism. In 1773, the Lee family joined the Methodist Society which was formed under Roger Williams, promoter of Methodism in this country. On October 1, 1793, Mr. Lee rode to Buckstown ( Bucksport) and continued up the river to within a short distance of the Indian settlement (probably Brewer) returning to Orrington, Hampden, and Frankfort.
In 1795, he again visited this area. Arriving in Bangor he found it necessary to cross the river. As there was no ferry at the time, two small boats were lashed together. The horse was made to stand with his forefeet in one boat and his hind feet in the other. The ride was completed without unfortunate incidents. Mr. Lee continued to Orrington, Bucksport, and Machias, and then went on to New Brunswick, visiting and preaching along the way.
Rev. Joshua Hall came to the Penobscot River in 1795 and settled in Frankfort. He preached in Orrington often. He was succeeded in this area by the Rev. Phillip Wagner, who served the people of the Orrington circuit for three months.
The Rev. Enoch Mudge was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, June 28, 1776. He was the first Methodist minister ever raised in New England. His decision on entering the ministery is
84
supposed to be one of the first fruits of the preaching of the Elder Jesse Lee in Lynn. In 1795, Rev. Mudge was sent into this state to preach on the Readfield Circuit. He came to Orring- ton in 1797 and settled there. He was a shoemaker by trade and had but a limited education; but he became an excellent and even an eloquent speaker. His impression was keenly felt by the people of the town. Under his preaching the people of Orrington became largely Methodists. His style was good and he had an outstanding and pleasant voice and manner. For several years he was the town's representative to the General Court. He returned to Lynn about 1820. He died April 2, 1850.
According to the Orrington records of January 27, 1795, it was voted to build the meeting house in the lower part of the town on a little hill near Mr. Moses Rogers' home. This was probably the first Methodist Church in the area.
The first minister of the First Methodist Church of Brewer was the Rev. Seth Howard Beale, who came here in 1844. Mr. Beale was converted in 1830 and licensed to preach in 1836. He became a member of the Maine Conference in 1843. The Rev. Beale remained in Brewer for two years, living in North Brewer and preaching in Brewer, North Brewer, Orrington, and other places. Mr. Beale was succeeded by Rev. E. M. Fowler and Rev. C. B. Duhn.
On September 3, 1848, during the pastorate of the Rev. T. B. Tupper, the Brewer Mission Sunday School Society was organized. In 1849, Rev. F. A. Soule came to the church and remained for about a year. His successor was Rev. A. C. Godfrey who served for the next two years.
One of the earliest acts of the Sunday School Society was to create a Sunday School Library. Records show that the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School Union donated to the library. A com- mittee of five women was appointed to visit families whose children were not attending Sunday School and try to bring them in and also to solicit funds for the library.
Until this time the church met in the Town Hall. On October 20, 1850, a Board of Trustees was elected to supervise the important business of building a church. The same lot of land on which the present church stands was purchased in 1850 for $250. The church was erected in 1853 at a cost of $3,000. This was a frame building with a high roof, tower, and steeple, two
85
front doors on either side according to the custom of the times. A lower roofed vestry was joined on the right side of the building toward the rear. The pulpit was at the rear of the building while the organ and choir were at the opposite end toward Main Street. Pews were rented for amounts ranging from $5 to $15 per year according to their location in the church. The highest priced seats were those in the middle of the building toward the back. Those in front and on either side of the pulpit brought a lower rent.
The Rev. Godfrey's term of service ended in 1851 and he was followed by Rev. B. S. Arey, Rev. L. W. Partridge, Rev. E. H. Whitney, Rev. L. F. French, Rev. E. H. Helmhauser, and H. L. Bray.
There is a dearth of records regarding events of the church during this period. In a Historical Record Book of the Church, believed started by Rev. J. W. H. Cromwell in 1870, it is stated that "The Society was unfortunate in the year 1869 to have the original church records carried away." The Rev. W. W. Marsh (pastor 1884-1886) wrote: "This church had the misfortune to be supplied for a few months in 1869 by one Thomas Cooper from the Bangor Seminary. A scandal soon occurred and in the melee that followed, he made away with all the records in his possession. As a consequence, there is no ancient document of Brewer in existence." Mr. Marsh also made mention of the revival of 1854 or 1855.
Records state that there was a period of financial distress fol- lowing the building of the church when many of the members nearly lost their courage. However, Joseph Shackley, “a man of excellent business ability, of great generosity, and a loyal Metho- dist" settled in Brewer at this time and gave "inspiration and hope to the entire society."
The Brewer Mission Sunday School Society, at an anniversary meeting held April 15, 1858, drew up a new constitution. The records of this are no longer legible.
Serving as pastors of the church during the 1860's were: J. C. Knowles, Rev. W. Trevin, Rev. S. A. Fuller, Rev. M. D. Matthews, Rev. S. Wentworth, and Rev. J. W. Day. In 1867, the Rev. S. A. Fuller returned and was succeeded in 1869 by the Rev. Thomas Cooper.
86
The constitution of the Sunday School was again revised and adopted April 15, 1869. According to this revision the society was changed to "The Sunday School Society of Brewer Auxiliary to the Sunday School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church" and connected with the quarterly meeting Conference of Brewer. The frequent revisions of the constitution would indicate growth and progress which made the members feel that change was indicated.
The Rev. James W. H. Cromwell became pastor of the church in 1870 and in March 1873, Joseph Baker presented a house and outbuildings together with land enough for a garden and yard for the church parsonage, a purpose which it served for many years. This property was located at 57 Parker Street.
For some time there had been dispute as to the real owner- ship of the church property, some contending it was owned by the building association; and others that it was owned by the Trustees. In the fall of 1877, the original deed of purchase and conveyance of the ground was obtained by the church and they sought legal advice to determine the actual ownership. The decision stated that the Trustees were in full charge of the property and the association had no claim whatsoever. This adjustment encouraged the members to go ahead and make necessary improvements. Four hundred and seventy dollars were expended which was collected and paid by the members of the Ladies' Circle.
The church experienced another revival and a large number of new members were admitted during the pastorate of the Rev. S. A. Townsend.
The young people of the church had been working for some time toward the idea of building a vestry, which was built in 1886 and joined to the church on the right side toward the rear. The vestry was completed in 1887, during the time that the Rev. A. A. Lewis was pastor. It was dedicated in the fall of that year. The parsonage stable was repaired and painted in 1888. In the winter of 1888 a gallery was built in the church.
At the Fourth Quarterly Conference of April 11, 1889, it was announced that Brewer became a separate charge. This would indicate that Brewer and Eddington were placed under separate charges at this time.
87
There seems to be no record of the date when the Young People's Christian Endeavor was first organized; but a news- paper, The Methodist News, at Bangor, March 1890, mentions a county meeting of the young people which was held in the Brewer church.
The incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal Parish or (Re- ligious Society) of the City of Brewer, took place in May, 1891. By this time there were over 300 books in the church library.
The Ladies Aid Society of the Church was organized on September 19, 1901. The primary object of this group was to raise money toward the building of a new church. The church fair held in 1902 netted these ladies $1,213.00.
On June 23, 1902, the main church was condemned by the city building inspector as being unsafe. Many repairs had been made over the years but the church which had been erected nearly fifty years previously was in very poor condition. For a time meetings were held in the vestry; but this enterprising group determined to build a new church. The pastor who came at this time was the Rev. A. H. Boynton. The building committee included F. H. Nickerson, J. N. V. Lane, L. A. Kenney, G. D. Goodwin, Ralph Webster, Amos King, and Leon F. Higgins. W. H. Mansur, Bangor architect, submitted plans for a stone church which were accepted. After a year of consideration and attempts to reduce the cost, the building contract was awarded to W. F. Perry of Bangor.
In 1870 the spire of the old church was struck by lightning and shattered. This was immediately repaired. When the old church was torn down the spire was removed. The last service which was held in the old church was a supper with memorial exercises on April 2, 1903.
It is said that when the old church was being dismantled, part of it was moved to Ayers Court where it was converted into an apartment house. During the time that the new church was under construction services were held in the Union Block at 21 North Main Street.
The laying of the cornerstone of the new building took place on July 17, 1903. In a copper box, made especially for the occasion, memorials of the church and city were placed. The box was sealed by Herbert A. Baker, one of the Trustees. It
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.