USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harrison > Centennial history of Harrison, Maine > Part 10
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As to how it fared with the little church the first six or seven years of its existence, we have scant information. They had no minister, but worshipped with other congre- gations of Christians, and seldom listened to a preacher of their own denomination. Some of them were despondent of the future, but as a body they were resolute, and their circumstances compelled them to me self-reliant. In spite of unfavorable conditions their numbers increased; young people joined them, many of whom were children of the first members. In 1829, they united with the Baptists in erecting what was afterwards known as the old Baptist meeting-house, at the four corners this side of Summit Hill. A year or two later, after earnest prayer and mature de- liberation, they invited the neighboring ministers to come in and hold a four days meeting ; as a result of which sev- eral became Christians. There seems to have been a gen- eral revival of religion in town about this time, in which our church shared, and quite a number were added to it; so that at the installation of its first pastor the eleven mem- bers with which it started had increased to nearly fifty.
Seven years after their organization, they joined with a church in Otisfield in extending to Rev. James P. Richard- son an invitation to settle with them in the gospel ministry, two-thirds of his time to be spent in Otisfield and one-third in Harrison. He accepted the call, and was installed over the two churches, October 22, 1833. This arrangement was not maintained without some sacrifices, both on the part of the church in Otisfield, and of Mr. Richardson; as the Otisfield church wanted him all of the time, and the yoking of the churches, of course, increased Mr. Richardson's labors. Mr. Richardson, however, loved pioneer work, for which his genuine piety, his large heart, and his practical wisdom admirably fitted him; and he thoroughly identified himself with the interests of this church. It was during his ministry that our present house of worship was built. Though in connection with the Baptists they had recently
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built a church and the two denominations had occupied it in perfect harmony, "the good of the cause of Christ" seemed now to require their removal to the village. The village, of late, had attained to increased importance by the opening of the Oxford and Cumberland Canal, which gave it a waterway to the outside world, and made it a port for the surrounding towns. Some of the leading families of the place were Congregational. Years before this, even be- fore our church was organized, Grinfill Blake, Esq., - tra- ditionally known as "old Squire Blake," though he lived only to the age of forty-three - had set apart the land upon which this house stands for the purpose for which it is used. His three sons, Harrison, Grinfill and Francis, his daughter Zibiah, the wife of Charles Washburn, Harrison's first lawyer, and his daughter Eunice were then living here. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn were already members of the church, and the others became such not long afterward. Dr. Rodgers the physician, and his wife were members, Mr. and Mrs. George Peirce, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Robie were also here .. The growing importance of the village and the Congregational families of the place were doubtless the considerations that led to the change of location. Those living in the interior of the town felt the inconvenience which it would bring to them, but they cheerfully acquiesced in the arrangement for the common good; they constituted, however, an important part of the church, and for many years the annual church meeting and the church conferences continued to be held at the house of Oliver Peirce. No particulars in regard to the building of the meeting-house have come down to us, but it was dedicated December 29, 1836. Its dedication formed the opening service of a Union Conference, which met here at that time. Mr. Richardson, who had labored hard for the erection of the house, preached the sermon. Soon after, at his own request, he was dis- missed from the pastorate of the church, that he might devote all his efforts to the work in Otisfield, where he re-
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mained pastor for many years. He was at once succeeded here by the Rev. Joseph Searle, who was installed over the churches at Harrison and North Bridgton.
The church being now established in a meeting-house of its own, with all the stated means of grace, we may regard the founders' work as complete; had they built wisely?
It would hardly be permitted at the present day that forty persons in the same rural community should simultaneously form themselves into three evangelical churches. * Wherever (in New Hampshire) the religious needs of a community are fairly met by the church, or churches, al- ready on the ground, the members of this organization are pledged to use their influence, each in his own denomination, against the formation of another church in that place. It is hoped, moreover, to enlarge the scope of the organization so as to effect a union of churches wherever too many exist. I understand that Maine has followed a similar plan for several years. This represents the spirit of today, but it was not the spirit of seventy-five years ago, and we cannot blame the men of that day for not acting in advance of their age. Those who organized those three churches were not narrow bigots; they were men and women who, ac- cording to the best light they had, were earnestly striving to promote the cause of true religion. Their thought is well expressed by Mr. Richardson in his dedication sermon, in which he says: "Each denomination in this town has now its separate place of worship, where according to the dictates of their own conscience they may worship the God of their fathers. This is as it should be. Think not, my brethren, that this is calculated to produce alienation among those who ought to love as brethren - far otherwise - it is that which is calculated to produce the most beneficial effect."
The work of the founders of this church is justified by its results. For more than thirty years it was the only church
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in the village. While it has never been a strong church, its spiritual work has not been unimportant. In Mr. Searle's ministry, nearly forty were received to the church on con- fession of faith - largely as a result of a great revival in 1839. Many of these became, in later years, pillars of strength. Mr. Searle had been settled as pastor of the churches at Harrison and North Bridgton, but after four years he was dismissed from the pastorate at North Bridg- ton; continuing at Harrison till his death, which occurred a few months later. The next three pastors were installed over the Harrison church alone. This made it hard finan- cially, both for the people and the minister. Mr. Pearl was criticised for engaging in secular employments, but in his letter of resignation, which breathes a sweet Christian spirit, he claims that it was impossible to provide for his growing family without some outside employment; and Mr. Chute in resigning says: "I have been convinced that it will be better for me and for you that I give the place to some one who is so situated that he can live and labor here for the salary that you can comfortably raise." There were some additions during the pastorate of these two men, and evi- dently good seed-sowing; for under Mr. Packard, who fol- lowed them, on one Sunday in June, 1852, seventeen young people joined the church on confession. Of these a few re- mained here to greatly strengthen the church; the larger part, however, went away to bless other churches and other communities. Mr. Packard was obliged to resign on account of his wife's health, and for a year the church was without a pastor ; then Mr. Dodd came. After being here a year, the church at North Bridgton united with this church in his support, and the same arrangement held under his successor, Mr. Palmer. They were both good preachers, and during Mr. Dodd's ministry several new members were added. After them Mr. Ellis for one year supplied here and at Naples; then Mr. Sheldon supplied this church for a year. From 1863 to 1867, the church had preaching for only a
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few months in each year. For two successive winters, Mr. Clough, a student from Waterville, a Baptist, supplied. After him Mr. Watson, who had formerly taught here and was now studying at Union Theological Seminary, supplied during a summer vacation; and the following summer another Congregational student, Mr. Dickerson, supplied. The church seemed now to have reached its low water mark. Many of its strongest supporters had moved from town, and no one had come in to take their place. Yet the church had not lost its vitality; the Sunday-school and the prayer meetings were maintained the year around, and souls were born anew. *
In 1867, this church united with the Free Baptist Church, then worshipping at its house on Maple Ridge, in support of the Rev. George W. Howe, a Free Baptist minister, who preached at the two churches on alternate Sundays. This arrangement continued for a year, when our church again formed a union with the North Bridgton church, a union which has lasted to the present time.
The church had now entered upon a new period in its history. Heretofore it had been the only church in the village; now it shared the ground with the Free Baptists, and later joined with the Baptists, who maintained ser- vices for a few years. As compared with the time which immediately preceded, it was to be a period of renewed prosperity. For five years it had not had continuous preach- ing by ministers of the Congregational faith, and for twelve years there had been no additions, either by confession of faith or by letter. Since then the church has been con- stantly supplied with preaching, and there has been greater permanency in the pastorate. Previous to 1868, no min- ister stayed as long as five years; since then the length of pastorates has averaged seven years. During this pe- riod it has had five pastors - good men and true: Rev. Ernest G. Borchers, three years; Rev. Nehemiah Lincoln, sixteen years; Rev. Henry A. Freeman, four years; Rev.
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Arthur G. Fitz, nearly ten years; and the present pastor, Rev. Fred E. Winn, who has been here since 1903 - and everybody hopes he will be here many years to come. The church building has been much improved and beautified. There have not been such extensive revivals of religion as marked the earlier years of the church's history; yet quite a number have, by uniting with this church, declared their faith in Christ. The work of a church is not to be de- termined, however, by statistics. Its work in developing Christian character and giving tone to the community can- not be estimated. What would have been the effect on this community had there been no church here for those thirty years in which this church was alone in the field? What would be the effect of removing the churches now here? Like the little stream that flows through our vil- lage, and furnishes power for its industries, our church has never been of large dimensions. Sometimes it has run low, and sometimes has needed to be supplemented by other sources of power; yet it has had an important part in promoting the welfare of the people. It has been a river of the water of life.
We remember, however, that we are but one such life- giving stream. Could it have been done, the most fitting thing at this time would have been that a union service should be held, at which some one competent for the task should deliver an address on the religious history of the town, giving each church its due share of attention. It is a matter of congratulation that the churches of this vil- lage, without jealousy or unchristian rivalry, stand together in the work of their common Master.
The only justification for going back into the past is that we may get a fresh start for the future; that, inspired by the spirit of our ancestors, we may do a greater work than they. We do not need to go back to their ideas, but we do need to have their faith in God and their devotion to his cause. We still have for our guid-
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ance and inspiration the divine life of Him who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. I recently heard this statement: "In giving his son, God declared that man must be saved at any cost." When the church shall fully enter into the spirit of divine sacrifice, and, in humble reliance upon God, shall say with God and Christ, "Man must be saved at any cost," it will gain victories such as it has never yet won.
There seems to be need of adding but little to the histor- ical matter relating to the Congregational Church, (and, incidentally, to the other churches in the town), which the foregoing sermon contains, but a full list of the pastors of the church, and the time that each one preached, is ap- pended :
James P. Richardson preached one-third of the time from Oct. 22, 1833, till July 18, 1837, he being at that time a resident of Otisfield, and preaching the remaining two- thirds of his time in that town.
Joseph Searle was the first settled pastor, preaching from July 18, 1837, till his death on Dec. 3, 1841.
Cyril Pearl, Jan. 10, 1843, to Sept. 22, 1846.
Ariel P. Chute, Feb. 24, 1847, to Aug. 15, 1849.
Charles Packard, Feb. 7, 1850, to Dec. 27, 1852.
John Dodd, Jan. 1, 1854, to Jan. 1, 1858.
Edward Hawes, Sept. 1, 1858, to Oct. 5, 1858.
Edward S. Palmer, Jan. 1, 1859, to Jan. 1, 1861.
T. L. Ellis, May 1, 1861, a few months. Ernest R. Borchers, Jan. 14, 1869, to Sept. 24, 1871.
Nehemiah Lincoln, May 15, 1872, to Nov. 19, 1887.
H. A. Freeman, April 5, 1888, to April 5, 1892.
Arthur G. Fitz, Sept. 22, 1892, till his death, March 3, 1902.
Fred E. Winn, April 7, 1903, and is still the pastor.
We have been fortunate in securing so much historical matter relating to this, the oldest church in town, and re- gret very much that the history of the other churches can-
BAPTIST CHURCH
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not be procured so fully. We give the details of their his- tory as fully as we could obtain them.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church, (formerly known as the Calvin Baptist Church), was organized at the house of Samuel Scribner, on March 26, 1827, with the following members :
Ebenezer Bisbee,
Nathaniel Burnham,
Eunice Bisbee,
Edward Lowell,
Louisa Bisbee,
Martha Lowell,
James Gray,
Hannah Scribner,
Anne Burnham,
Sarah Scribner,
Ellis Burnham,
Sarah Willard.
This society erected a church building at the four cor- ners near where Mrs. S. K. Wight now lives, in 1829, it being the first meeting-house built in Harrison. This house was originally built for the joint use of the Baptists and Congregationalists, and the latter named society held meet- ings there for one-third of the time until their house was erected at the village in 1836.
In 1879, the society deemed it advisable to remove its headquarters to the village, and the old house was torn down, and a part of the timbers used in building a new meeting-house at that place. The house was destroyed by fire on May 14, 1907, having been unoccupied for many years.
The following named persons have been pastors of this church :
Ephraim Harland,
David Jewell,
John Haines,
A. Snyder,
Reuben Mills,
Andrew Hopper,
William P. Grant,
John C. Andrews,
Robert C. Starr,
N. G. French,
M. Lawrence,
Frank Davis,
Jacob Bray,
William Beavens,
Levi Burnham,
George R. Hovey.
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The last six were pastors of the church after it wor- shipped in the new house at the village.
The following named persons have been deacons in this church :
Ebenezer Bisbee,
William P. Harmon,
Edward Lowell,
David Jewell,
Reuben Burnham,
Philander Tolman,
Alanson Cary, Samuel Abbott,
Howard M. Thompson.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church, known at that time as the Free Will Bap- tist Church, was organized at the barn of Shepherd Hawk, on the place where M. R. Wilbur now lives, on June 3, 1826. Four ministers were present at the meeting for or- ganization, viz .: Jonathan Clay, Andrew Hobson, Z. Jor- dan, and Clement Phinney.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
Clement Phinney,
Charles Walker, Jr.,
Sarah Phinney,
Rebecca Newcomb,
Samuel Lewis,
Polly Gray,
Abigail Lewis,
Betsey Fernald,
Phebe Lewis,
Polly Wardwell,
Seth Carsley,
Sally Willard,
Harriet Carsley,
Eunice Dawes,
Benjamin Rich,
Betsey Springer,
Nancy Sanborn.
This church had no meeting-house for more than ten years after its organization, and services were held at school- houses, and at such other places as were available. The church records state that services were held at the "Harrison Meeting-house," which must have been the town house, as the old town records refer to this house in several places as a meeting-house.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
In 1836, the meeting-house now standing on Maple Ridge was erected by this society, and the dedication was on September 15th, of that year, a four days meeting being held at the time, at which the following ministers were present and took part: John Stevens, A. Rollins, Clement Phinney, A. Wheeler, and J. Moor. The society continued to wor- ship in this house till 1871, when it was deemed expedient to move to Harrison Village, on account of the greater part of the members living in that vicinity. The meetings were held for a time in the Congregational Church, and then in Gray's Hall, till the completion of the new meeting- house at the village. The Free Baptist Church at this place was built in 1871-2, and was dedicated in February, 1872. Nearly four hundred different persons have been identified with this church since its formation. The old house on Maple Ridge has been unoccupied since the church removed to the village, except as occasional services have been held by some of the resident preachers.
PASTORS.
Clement Phinney,
J. C. Osgood, Stephen Hutchinson,
Joseph Phinney,
E. G. Eaton,
James Libby,
George W. Whitney,
David Libby,
C. M. Swett,
E. H. Hart,
Orin Bartlett,
E. C. Cook,
George W. Howe,
W. P. Curtis,
L. W. Raymond,
J. F. Harriman,
John L. Smith,
E. Z. Whitman,
Sidney Wakely.
METHODIST CHURCH AT BOLSTER'S MILLS.
This church was organized in 1841, with the following members :
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Stephen Waterhouse, Lydia Waterhouse, Jonathan Stiles, Jeremiah Stiles, Mary Stiles, Sally Stiles,
Phebe Knight,
Johnson Knight,
Elizabeth Knight,
Merrill Knight,
Laurana Fisk,
Eleazer Sawyer,
Hiram Richardson, Dolly Richardson,
Dorcas Walker, Abram Lombard,
Joseph Green,
Lydia Green,
Dennis Lovewell,
Alvin Rice,
Catherine Hanson,
Dorcas Hall,
William Twombly, Alice Twombly.
PASTORS.
Alpheus B. Lovewell, William A. Stuart, John Batchelder, Thomas J. True,
W. N. Richardson,
Levi Eldridge, Gershom F. Cobb, F. C. Ayer, C. Mugford, E. Gerry, M. R. Hopkins,
Benjamin Foster,
Beulah Britton,
Hannah Fogg, Jonathan Wardwell, Samuel Wardwell, Betsey Wardwell, Benjamin Stevens,
Sarah Stevens, Ruth Cobb, Bathsheba Chute,
Rebecca Knight, William Brackett, Sally Brackett, Susan Brackett,
Abram Green,
Elizabeth Dunham,
Jemima Stone, Hannah Shedd,
James Hanson,
Thomas Jackson,
Nancy Turner,
Joseph Milliken, F. J. Soule, J. W. True, E. K. Colby, Asa Green,
S. Ranks, J. Downing, L. B. Knight, John Gibson, S. B. Brackett, Leonard B. Green,
Sylvester D. Brown,
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
Delano Perry,
Cyrus Purington,
Alva Hatch,
W. B. Eldridge,
Nathan D. Senter, Lewis,
Joseph H. Snow,
B. F. Fickett,
Charles W. Abbott,
D. A. Tuttle,
John Robinson,
Thomas Whiteside.
The Methodist meeting-house at Bolster's Mills, was erected in 1841, and has within a short time been thorough- ly repaired, re-modelled, and modernized. Services are held regularly each Sabbath, this society joining with the South Harrison society in the maintenance of a preacher. It is the only religious society in that part of the town, and includes parts of Harrison and Otisfield. Though small, it contains several earnest workers.
SOUTH HARRISON METHODIST CHURCH.
This society is older than the one at Bolster's Mills, having been organized in the early years of the town's history, but, unfortunately, little is positively known in regard to its history, as the records were totally destroyed when the church was burned in 1883, and the living members have but few private records that can be referred to. It is known that the lot for the church was bought of Major Jacob Emerson, who was a leader in the society, and for many years a zealous member of the church. The meeting- house was erected in 1836, and stood a little distance to the westward of the present edifice. For many years there was quite a flourishing society, and among the members were Maj. Jacob Emerson, Col. Amos Thomes, Stevens Ingalls, Moses Fogg, Jonathan Lakin, Henry L. Buck, Ezra T. Ingalls, Benjamin Strout, Capt. Benj. Foster, Benjamin Foster, Jr., Amos P. Foster, Artemus Woodsum, and many of the members of their families. Deaths and removals,
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and the inroads of other societies, weakened this church organization very much, and the climax of its troubles came in October, 1883, when the meeting-house was destroyed by fire, together with all of the contents, including the records and library, the fire evidently being the work of an incendiary.
The feeble society, left without a home, and apparently unable to build another, struggled along as best it could for nearly twenty years, part of the time joining with the Christian Church in union services at the house of the latter society, and part of the time holding services in the school- house, which the town allowed them to occupy. At length, some of the leaders made a determined effort towards the erection of a new house, and by the aid of many out- siders, and the M. E. Conference, the present edifice was completed so that it was dedicated on October 2, 1902, Rev. Roscoe L. Greene, the son of a former pastor of the church, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The house is small, but it makes a very comfortable home for the little society, which, though small, succeeds by earnest effort in maintaining regular church services.
SOUTH HARRISON CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This was the last religious society to be organized in Harrison and was brought into existence largely through the efforts of Rev. G. T. Ridlon, who for many years labored in Harrison, preaching regularly for some time at the Old Calvin Baptist meeting-house, and having, if we mistake not, a regularly organized society there for a time, known as the First Christian Church of Harrison. His preaching at South Harrison caused a lively religious re- vival, and created such an interest that it was thought best
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to create a new church organization, quite a large number having signified a desire to enter into such a society. On May 5, 1870, the Second Christian Church of Harrison was organized, having the following
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
John Johnson,
Ellen W. Wetzler,
Lovisa Johnson,
Moses W. Page,
Charles W. Foster,
Georgia M. Page,
Abbie L. Foster,
Benson M. Davis,
Daniel Thompson,
Nancy Emerson,
Eunice A. Thompson,
George W. Lewis,
Eliphalet W. Davis,
Frances D. Lewis,
Marietta Davis,
Henry W. Lewis,
David Fogg,
Ella A. Harmon,
Maria Fogg,
Jennie S. Lewis,
Peter W. Jordan,
Ezekiel Lakin,
Addie Adams,
Elizabeth E. Lakin,
Clark Lewis,
Josiah Lakin,
Almedia Lakin,
Cyrus K. Foster,
Thomas P. Lakin,
Mary E. Foster,
Elizabeth Harmon,
Annie M. Lakin,
Edmund P. Carsley,
Clara E. Lewis.
The next move was to erect a church edifice, which was shortly done. It was quite an undertaking for the small society, but the members took hold in earnest under the inspiring leadership of Mr. Ridlon, and pushed the work with all possible dispatch, the house being completed so that it was dedicated on January 3, 1872. The building is now standing, opposite the residence of Daniel Thompson, and has been unoccupied for several years. Mr. Ridlon con- tinued to preach for the society for a time after the erection of the house, and was followed by James M. Hodgdon, and Zebulon Knights, as regular pastors. But the interest began to subside, and members died and moved away, to such an extent that the church organization became inert after a time. It was once re-organized in accordance with
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the provisions of law, but the material was not sufficient to maintain a live society, and there has been no attempt to hold a church meeting for several years.
Of the six meeting-houses now standing in town, four are occupied regularly each Sabbath, there being three regular pastors, one of whom is a resident of North Bridg- ton, the Congregational societies of the two villages joining in maintaining religious services, the same as they have done much of the time since the early days of the town. Two meeting-houses have been unoccupied for many years, and a third empty church edifice was burned at the village in the great fire of last year, and the lot has been sold to the Public Library Association.
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