History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 49

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780

USA > Maine > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland Co., Maine > Part 49

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).

Under the ministry of Rev. Henry Cox, who was a man peculiarly adapted to the work, the present fine church edi- fice of the parish was erected. It was commenced in 1856, and was dedicated July 8, 1857. It contains 190 pews, and with the site cost about 850,000. It is one of the finest church edifices in the city.

CONGRESS STREET METHODIST CHURCHI.

In 1851 the First Methodist Church sent out a colony to establish a new church on Munjoy Ilill, in the midst of a growing population. Dr. Eliphalet Clark donated a beau- tiful lot of land on the corner of Congress and St. Lawrence Streets, on which a convenient house was erected in the summer of 1851, sufficiently large to seat 300 persons, and free of debt. The church was dedicated by Rev. George

182

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

Webber, and Rev. Eaton Shaw appointed by the Conference for the new society till the next annual meeting. A large congregation was gathered, and a Sunday-school of about 40 scholars organized. Rev. W. F. Farrington was ap- pointed to take charge of the society by the Conference, and 55 members from the old church were dismissed to form the nucleus of the new organization, which rapidly increased, as well as the congregation and Sunday-school, till the capacity of the house was exhausted. It now became necessary to enlarge the house, and an addition was made to it at a cost of about $1060.

The number of church members in 1864 was 175, with an attendance at the Sunday-school of 200. The parish raised that year $400 for benevolent objects, in addition to current expenses. We mention among the ministers of this church subsequent to Mr. Farrington, Rev. William McDonald, Rev. C. C. Mason, Rev. A. J. Church, Rev. B. Foster, Rev. George Webber, Rev. HI. B. Abbott, Rev. Samuel Roy, Rev. Ezekiel Martin, Rev. Abel W. Pottle, Rev. William II. Il. Pillsbury, Rev. C. B. Pittelando, Rev. C. W. Bradlee, Rev. William M. Sterling, and the present pastor, Rev. A. S. Ladd.

The present beautiful church edifice of the parish was erected in 1868. It stands upon the highest part of Mun- joy Hiil, and the top of its spire is the highest object in the city.

ALLEN MISSION CHAPEL.

On Locust Street there was, until quite recently, an in- stitution known as the Allen Mission Chapel, belonging to the Methodists. Its motto was " Feed the hungry, clothe the naked." Under the management of Capt. Cyrus Stur- devant this place became one of the headquarters of the temperance reform. While we write this the chapel is being taken to pieces. Much good work and many charita- ble deeds emanated from that old wooden structure. Many of the hearts who carly supported it are in the grave, but there are a good number living who can testify to the benefit received through its humble ministrations.

BAPTIST CHURCHES.

THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY

organized in Maine was at Kittery, in 1682, but the per- secution was so great at that time, on the part of the gov- ernment, that in about a year afterwards the minister, Mr. Sereven, and the greater part of his church, went to South Carolina and established themselves on Cooper River, near where Charleston now stands. No further movements were made by persons of this persuasion for more than eighty years. In 1767, Rev. Hezekiah Smith, of Haverhill, eamc to Maine and formed a society at Berwick. At the same time he extended his visit to Falmouth Neck, but without any visible results. In 1771 he came here again and preached to a few persons at John Burnham's house, but no society was at this time gathered.

Rev. Ilezekiah Smith was born at Long Island, N. Y., April 21, 1737; was graduated at Princeton College in 1762. lle formed the first Baptist society in the county of Essex in 1765. He always preached without notes, having a fine command of language and being a gifted

orator as well as a man of excellent character and great personal influence. He died at Haverhill, Nov. 5, 1805.

No further attempts were made here to form a society of this order for many years. In 1796, Benjamin Titcomb, Thomas Beck, and four or five others began to make re- ligious inquiries, which resulted in their separation from the places where they had usually worshiped, and they met together for social worship at the house of Mr. Titcomb. Their exercises were carried on by prayer, singing, and reading a printed sermon; this service they soon found cold and formal, and no additions were made to their number. They then substituted reading and explaining the Scriptures for the sermon, and after the services they conversed freely on their religious experiences. Their number now began to increase, and the private room became so crowded that in the beginning of 1799 they held their meetings in a school-house in Union Street. A short time previous to this, one of their number had been baptized and admitted to the Baptist Church in North Yarmouth ; the subject of baptist now carnestly engaged their atten- tion, and their inquiries into the Scriptures were particularly directed to this subject, which resulted in their conviction that baptism by immersion was the true form. In the space of eighteen months nine persons were baptized by immersion, and the society was visited by members of the Baptist persuasion.

About this time Benjamin Titcomb was baptized at North Yarmouth, and joined the church there, and in January, 1801, received the approbation of that church to preach. The society now hired the third story of the brick building on the corner of Union and Middle Streets, and in the month of March, 1801, those who bad been bap- tized met together, signed articles of faith, and agreed to unite together in church fellowship. For their regular organization they invited a council composed of the churches of Brunswick, North Yarmouth, and New Gloucester, which assembled in Portland in July, 1801, and proceeded to constitute the persons who had before associated together " as a church of Christ." These per- sons were Thomas Beck, Betsey Beck, Edward Carleton, Ruth Wheeler, Sally Tukey, Thankful Butman, Lois Owen, Eleanor Riggs, Moses Cross, and Mary Titcomb. Thomas Beck and Edward Carleton were chosen deacons July 21, 1802. Deacon Carleton died in 1825, and Dea- con Beck in 1830, aged seventy.

In September, 1801, Benjamin Titcomb* became the first pastor of the church. In June, 1803, the first meet- ing-house was erected on Federal Street ; it was removed in 1811, and a large and convenient church erected on the same site, to which a tower and a bell were added in 1831. In 1804, Mr. Titeomb removed to Brunswick, and was sueceeded by Rev. Josiah Converse, who was ordained Oct. 21, 1807, and was dismissed at his own request in 1810.

Rev. Caleb Blood took pastoral charge in May, and continued till his death, March 6, 1814. The pulpit was then supplied by occasional preaching till November, 1815, when Rev. Thomas B. Ripley commenced preaching, and

$ See Itistory of the Press, in this work.

LITTLE

HENRY B. HART.

IIenry B. Hart was born in Portsmouth, N. Il., in 1805. IIis father being in moderate circumstances he received only a common-school education, and was apprenticed to Mr. John Abbott, a tanner and wool-puller. By his faithfulness and industry he won the regard of his employer, and after serving out his time was engaged by him as foreman. He remained in this position some five years, carefully saving his earnings till, having accumulated the sum of three hundred dollars, he determined to start in business for himself. Selecting Port- land as a promising field of operations, he came here in 1832, and, in company with Mr. Lefevre, commeneed the wool-pull- ing business. This connection was of short duration, how- ever, and in 1836 he formed a partnership with his brother, under the firm-name of II. B. & II. MI. Hart, and for thirty- five years they carried on the business at the same place, be- coming known all over the State as the leading house in that line. IFis business life was marked by no sudden grasping of fortune, but by a steady application and a careful prudence which resulted at length in a handsome competence. But, above all, his business life was marked by a stainless integrity which held the esteem of all who came in contact with him. Being found worthy, he was called to many positions of trust, and many affairs, both of a publie and private nature, were confided to him. IIe was a member of the city government, us councilman and alderman, many years, and was an active member of the school committee till illness compelled him to retire. He took great interest in public matters, and was one of the most active political workers in the city. An carnest Whig, and afterwards as carnest a Republican, he gave to his party a large measure of his time, and effort, and money, and was representative in the Legislature.

Ilis energy found seope in many ways outside his own private business. He was a leader in everything in which he became interested. Ile was at the time of his death director in the First National Bank, the Portland Savings Bank, the

New Brunswick Steamship Company, and the Forrest City Sugar Refinery, and was connected with nearly all the manu- facturing and transportation companies of the city.

From its organization he was identified with the Free Street Baptist Church, and a large share of its continued prosperity is due to his unceasing labors and contributions. As its deacon and representative he was known through all the religious circles of the State, and was honored by the denomination with the position of treasurer of the convention and trustee of Waterville College.

In his private life, however, and among his most intimate friends, his peculiar characteristics were best known and most esteemed. Those who knew him best valued him the highest. He was one of the most unselfish men that ever lived. Not only was he ready to give his money, but a far greater gift,- he never grudged his time, his strength, or his personal con- fort to assist another. His home was ever open to the stranger, his hand always stretched out to the needy, and amid the press- ing demands of his own business he always found time to attend to the elaims of others. Of him it could be said, as of John, " I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame; I was a father to the poor."

It was this kindly, sympathetic disposition that endeared him to his friends. ITis carnestness and activity sometimes pushed him into opposition with others, but though he might ditl'er from them he had only kindly feelings towards them, and was ready to be friends even with those who had wronged him. He was a good man, and faithful in every station he was called to occupy.

lle was married, in 1828, to Sarah Hill, of Portsmouth, who still survives him, and had three children, all living at the present time,-Ilenry A., who is carrying on the business, under the firm-name of Hart & Co .; Sarah E., married to Mr. A. Little, and Alice E., married to Mr. Holman Melcher, both prominent merchants of Portland.

183

CITY OF PORTLAND.

was ordained in July, 1816. Ile continued to minister to the church till 1828, being a very able and successful preacher. During his ministry 219 persons were added to the church.

Mr. Ripley was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Thresher, Jr., who was ordained Dec. 17, 1828, and remained fifteen months. Nov. 3, 1830, Rev. George Leonard, of Salem, was installed. The society was deprived of his services by his death, which occurred in Worcester, Mass., Aug. 12, 1831. It was not until September, 1832, that his place was supplied by Rev. John S. Meginnis, who was ordained on the occasion of his entering upon the pastorate, Pres- ident Wayland, of Brown University, preaching the ser- mon. The church in 1830 numbered 230 members, 389 having been received from the date of organization. Rev. Mr. Meginnis resigned in 1837, and was succeeded by Rev. James T. Champlin, who was ordained May 5, 1838, and continued till 1841. He was followed by Rev. Luther F. Beccher, in October, 1842, who closed his labors June 7, 1849. Rev. Jacob R. Scott settled over the church in September, 1849, and served it as pastor till April 4, 1853. The next pastor was Rev. William II. Shailer, installed March 19, 1854. Dr. Shailer remained pastor of the church till July or August, 1877, a period of twenty-three years and a half, and- was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Thomas D. Anderson, Jr., who was called October 10th, and installed Nov. 22, 1877.

THE FREE STREET BAPTIST SOCIETY

was formed by a secession from the First Baptist Society in 1836. The withdrawing party purchased the theatre build- ing on Free Street the same year, and converted it into a convenient church, which was dedicated Aug. 11, 1836. In 1856 the building was enlarged and greatly improved, both as to comfort and beauty, a tower being erected at one angle and a tall and graceful spire at the other, at an ex- pense of about $15,000.

The first pastor of this church was Rev. Thomas Lin- coln, who was ordained to the work of the ministry Jan. 1, 1837. He resigned Oct. 25, 1841, and was succeeded in February, 1842, by Rev. L. Colby, who served the church till June, 1844. In November following, Rev. J. S. Eaton became pastor. He retired from the pastorate in 1855, and ceased from his earthly labors, very much lamented, in 1856. In March, 1855, he was succeeded by Rev. George W. Bosworth, D.D., who continued till Rev. J. C. Stock- bridge, D.D., was installed, who was his successor about two years, when Rev. A. K. P. Small was called and set- tled over the church. Mr. Small was pastor about seven years, and was followed by the present pastor, Rev. James Me Whinnie, in January, 1875.

The number of members of this church in 1863 was 317.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF PORTLAND.

In 1822 the few Catholics residing in Portland petitioned the Rt. Rev. John Cheverus, bishop of the diocese of Bos- ton, to make them a visit, with a view to taking steps to supply their religious wants. The diocese of Boston then embraced the whole of New England, but it has since been divided into six ecclesiastieal subdivisions or dioceses.

Bishop Cheverus lost no time in placing himself in com- munication with the Catholics in the town, and appeared in their midst early in the spring of 1822, remaining several days. Before his departure, he organized them into a con- gregation ; said mass each day, and was rewarded in addi- tion with having brought two converts to the number while he tarried.

Bishop Cheverus was a native of France, and returned to that country in 1823.

From this time till very nearly the close of the year 1827 the Catholics of Portland were regularly visited at stated times by the Rev. Dennis Ryan, who was charged with the spiritual guidance of a Catholic congregation at Whitefield, Lincoln Co., and occasionally by the Rev. Father McNamee, a missionary priest. Within this period the Catholics re- ceived frequent accessions.

In the year 1827 they had increased in strength sufli- cient to warrant the attendance of a resident clergyman, and the Rev. Charles D. Ffrench, of the Dominican Order of Monks, was assigned by the bishop to the charge of the congregation. Bishop Fenwick, who was the successor of Bishop Cheverus, and who was consecrated in November, 1825, arrived in Portland in the month of September, 1827, accompanied by the new pastor, who was placed in charge of the flock.

Father Ffrench was a convert, and a descendant of a dis- tinguished Irish family, and at this time had a brother in possession of the title of bishop in the " Established Church," in the western part of Ireland.

Down to the arrival of Father Ffrench the public re- ligious services were held in a room at the house of one of the Catholic families of the town. On his assuming the duties of pastor a larger room was hired on an upper floor, in a building on " Hay-Market Row," now known as Mar- ket Square, in which all assembled for divine service ou Sundays, and other festivals of the church. Before his return to Boston, Bishop Fenwick confirmed some adults and children in this building.

It was while worshiping in this place that the conversion of Mr. J. M. Young, printer, editor, and lawyer, of the town of Shapleigh, York Co., occurred. Ile studied for the ministry, and in due course of time was ordained priest, and some years later was elevated and consecrated bishop of the important sce of Erie, Pa.

From Portland Father Ffrench attended missions in the neighboring State of New Hampshire at fixed times, and in his absence the catechism class and the devotional exercises for the congregation were conducted by Mr. John Crease, a gentleman of very considerable genius and scholarship, well known, and who will be remembered by the oldest citizens of Portland. In this duty Mr. Crease was faith- fully assisted by Mr. Young. Mr. Crease was foreman in the publication office of the Messrs. Edwards, who conducted at that time the Daily, Weekly, and Tri- Weekly Advertiser in Portland.

In the year 1828 a movement looking to the erection of a suitable church upon some available situation in the town next received the most earnest consideration of pastor and people, for which purpose it was decided to open a sub- scription list and make an appeal to their co-religionists in

184

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

Boston, which awakened a responsive sympathy in that city. Their undertaking had been crowned with success so far that in a year later a site was selected in a location at the lower part of State Street, deemed less liable than at other points to array the prejudices of the intolerant against its acquisition by the Catholics. A proposition was made for the purchase of the lot from its owner, John Fox, Esq., father of the Ion. Edward Fox, present United States Judge for the District of Maine.

Mr. Fox, in the face of considerable opposition, in March, 1830, conveyed the lot to Father Ffrench, gracing the deed with a generous subscription towards building the church.

As soon as materials could be collected, work upon the building progressed. It was a plain brick structure with two gables, and was so far advanced towards completion that it was occupied about the Ist of November, for divine service. Early in this month, Bishop Fenwick visited the congregation, remaining over two weeks, preaching and ad- ministering the sacrament of confirmation to a number of children and adults: The strength of the congregation at this date did not fall far short of 200; but it was not till the month of August, 1833, that they witnessed the dedi- cation of their church to the worship of God, under the special patronage of Saint Dominic, by Bishop Fenwick, assisted by the Revs. Fathers Ffrench, McNamee, and Wiley, of Salem, Mass. At this period the parishioners numbered nearly 300, and nothing of special publie interest happened until 1839, when the devoted Father Ffrench took leave of the congregation for a visit to Ireland. IIe was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Patrick Flood, who, in 1841, transferred his charge to the Rev. Patrick O'Beirne, who was also succeeded, three years later, by the assignment of the Rev. James Power.

In 1846 the Rev. James Maguire was appointed pastor in the succession at Saint Dominic's, and in the month of August, this year, the bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Fenwick, died in the sixty-fifth year of his age. lle was succeeded by Rt. Rev. John Bernard Fitzpatrick, D.D. Bishop Fitzpatrick was born in Boston, in 1812; he studied his theology at the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris, and was there ordained priest in June, 1840. Soon after his return to the United States, on the application of the Bishop of Boston to the Iloly See, he was consecrated, at George- town, D. C., Coadjutor Bishop of Boston, in March, 1844.

At the date of Father Maguire's assuming the charge of the church the worshipers had increased to nearly 1000 souls. The following year, called " black '47" by Irish writers, was filled with evil forebodings to the people of Ireland. The potato crop, upon which, the peasantry mainly relied for their sustenance, was totally destroyed by rot, and a famine plague spread abroad over the land, and those who could fled, terror-stricken, from their country, as if from a charnel-house. A steady stream of immigration began to flow towards these shores, which continued for a few years unabated. Portland received her quota in propor- tion to the inducements offered for the attraction hither of manual labor ; and owing to this influx. Father Maguire found the seating capacity of this church, in 1848, entirely inadequate to the growth of his congregation, and sought

relief in the ercetion of an addition, constructed on to the rear of the church. This enlargement sufficed only for a time. In the following year his physical powers began to give way, and in the month of January, 1850, this zealous priest passed to his eternal reward. The body was removed to Boston for interment, there being no con- secrated burying-ground in Portland.

The brief interval which elapsed, preceding the appoint- ment of a successor to Father Maguire, was alternately filled by the Revs. James O'Rielly, S. A. Mullidy, John McCabe, and Ambrose Monahan.

Rev. John O'Donnell having been assigned to the charge next, entered upon his trust in the month of March, 1850. Very soon the question of a further increase of sittings in the church came up, for since the improvement, made in 1848, more than 500 had been added to the congregation, which was yet too poor to undertake the construction of a larger edifice. To overcome the difficulty, two public ser- vices-masses-were held ; but even this remedy was but temporary, as he was obliged, finally, to build a large wooden addition to the brick-work in the rear, provided with a basement, which was converted into a vestry-room, while the upper portion was thrown into one large room, connecting in the rear of the altar with the church, the floor elevated some forty feet above the dais. In this apartment, sep- arated from the sanctuary by an open lattice-work, the children and youths assembled for divine service at the same time that the adults assisted thereat in the church. In this room, also, the Sunday-school classes were brought together.

With the growth of the church came also the responsi- bility of the poor, to alleviate whose wants the priest found no difficulty in founding a permanent Catholic benevolent society from the men and women of his congregation, who at stated times made the distributions of clothing and pro- visions at all seasons when needed ; nor did this indefati- gable pastor neglect to provide intellectual food for such as desired to avail themselves of the advantages of sound, healthy reading matter. The "Young Catholie Friends' Society" was established, with a library rising above 700 volumes. Thus was this priest ever found moving about with tireless activity, promoting the welfare of his congre- gation, and strengthening their influence in the community, till, in a short time after, he was transferred to another field of labor, where he has acquired the friendship and confi- dence of Protestants as well as Catholics.

In 1853, Pope Pius IX. promulgated a bull erecting the city of Portland into a sce. The limits of the new diocese embraced the States of New ilampshire and Maine. The Very Rev. Father Caskery, Vicar-General of the Arch- diocese of Baltimore, received the appointment of Bishop of Portland, which was declined by him on account of ill health. An interregnum of almost two years took place before a second appointment was made, when, on the feast 'of the Annunciation, 1855, Father Bacon, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, in Brooklyn, N. Y., was designated, and on the 22d day of April, same year, was consecrated bishop in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City. About the close of the following month the Right Rev. D. W. Bacon, D.D., accompanied by Bishop Fitzpatrick, of Boston; the

EPISCOPAL RESIDENCE AND KAVANAUGH SCHOOL.

ST. DOMINIC'S CHURCH, RECTORY, AND SCHOOL.

CATHEDRAL, PORTLAND, MAINE.

Everfs & Peck, Pubr's.

185

CITY OF PORTLAND.

Rev. Fathers O'Beirne, of Roxbury ; Daly, of Concord; and Bapts, of Bangor, arrived at Portland, and was welcomed at the depot by the pastor of St. Dominic's, the Rev. John O'Donnell, who was joined by Fathers Putnam, of White- field, and Patchenin, of Eastport.

Bishop Bacon was born in New York, in the year 1814; he received his theological education at the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal, completing the course at St. Mary's College, Baltimore, where he was ordained priest in De- cember, 1838, by Archbishop Eccleston.

Ou the 3Ist of May, 1855, the imposing ceremonies of the installation of the new bishop took place in the presence of a large assemblage of the citizens. The presence of two bishops, and so many priests of the Catholic Church, arraycd in full canonicals, was an event never witnessed in Portland before, and, of course, crowds were attracted hither. The Bishop of Boston delivered the charge of the congregation, and the new see, in a discourse of pure and effective elo- quence, terminating with an admirable exhortation to his hearers. Ile was followed by the Bishop of Portland in a peroration which, for its depth of tenderness, purity of dietion, and beauty of delivery, has seldom been surpassed, coneluding most paternally with his benediction to all. The solemn lligh Mass was then taken up and chanted to the close. The ceremonies concluded, dinner was served at the parochial residence to the bishops, clergy, and invited guests from the distinguished personages of the city.

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.

History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 49

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 780

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780