History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 25

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 25

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In 1873 the present parsonage, No. 219, Cumberland Street, was purchased at a cost of five thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars, and furnished at a cost of four hundred and six dollars. Over five thousand dollars towards this purchase, has been paid by the Ladies' Aid Society. The Ladies have also a Dorcas Circle, organized in 1832, which has donc a large amount of charitable work. The women have formed about two-thirds of the church membership, from the beginning, and the success of the church has been, to a large extent,

Pine Street Church, Portland, April. 1876.

245

PINE STREET CHURCH.

due to their services, in the Snuday school, and social meetings, in spiritnal, social, financial and charitable work.

Chestnut Street Church has been the mother of at least five churches. and has licensed twenty ministers of the gospel. The gifts of her members, for charities, during her history, amount to over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. She has had upon her roll, from the beginning, 4400 names ; 151 members have been received during the last two years. The present number of members is 570, and 55 members on probation ; officers and teachers in Sunday school, 58; scholars, 576 ; value of church, $50,000 ; parsonage, $6,000 .- 1886, J. W. Bashford.

PINE STREET CHURCH, PORTLAND.

The Pine Street Church was the outgrowth of the progressive Methodism of Chestnut Street Church. In a Quarterly Conference of Chestnut Street Church in 1843, a movement was started to establish meetings in the westerly part of the city. Samuel R. Leavitt, Stephen W. Eaton, Benjamin Perkins, Stanley Covel, and Walter Hatch volunteered their services for this purpose. The use of the Ward-room in Brackett Street, was obtained, and prayer and class- meetings were held, with encouraging results. In the course of the year a Sunday school was organized, consisting of seventy-five, under the superintendence of S. R. Leavitt.

The next year a missionary appropriation was secured, and Rev. Henry M. Blake was appointed prcacher in charge. Through his. faithful labors, the interest continued to increase.

In the meanwhile, a Board of Trustees was appointed by the Chestnut Street Quarterly Conference, consisting of Eliphialet Clark, Charles Cobb, Gideon Foster, Ira Brett, Benjamin Perkins, Stephen W. Eaton, Samuel R. Leavitt and Thomas Starbird, and negotiations. were commenced for the purchase of a site for a church, resulting in securing, on very advantageous terms, the lot on which the Church stands, on Pine Street.

The next year, nnder the pastoral charge of Rev. Stephen Allen, a separate society was organized, consisting of about one hundred. members transferred from Chestnnt Street Church, and measures were. immediately taken to build a house of worship. The building was. completed, and the new church dedicated, August 8, 1846; the dedicatory sermon, by Rev. Charles Adams. A large congregation gathered in the new church, and under the labors of faithful pastors, the society continued to prosper.

246

SUDDEN DEATH OF THE PASTOR. A SINKING DEBT.

In 1858-9, under the pastorate of Rev. S. F. Wetherbee, the church was enlarged and thoroughly reconstructed, internally, and a new organ purchased, leaving on the society, a debt of fifteen hundred dollars. A sinking fund was raised by subscription, sufficient to pay thic debt in six years, as was supposed. The church continued to be served by faithful pastors, and revivals were of frequent occurrence.

In 1864, Rev. Henry M. Blake was appointed preacher in charge. He was the first pastor in 1845. Though in feeble health, and depressed by the death of his wife, which occurred a few years previously, he entered upon his duties with carnestness. The house in which he boarded, was burned in his absence, together with his clothing, books, papers, and treasured mementoes of friends, and also the Church Records. Hc continued his labors with great faithfulness. On Sabbath morning, January 15, 1865, while on his way to the church, he was scen to fall in the street. He was borne into a house near by, and, in a few minutes, he had passed on to the " General Assembly and church of the first born." Hc had been, many years, an uncommonly earnest and faithful pastor. His sudden departure was a great loss to the church ; and the remaining part of the year was a period of trial and perplexity. Several prominent members died during the same year.

In 1866, Rev. S. F. Wetherbee was again appointed to Pine Street Church. With much labor and care, he reproduced the church records, so far as was possible. During this year, the great fire occurred, which destroyed a large part of the city. Though no member of Pine Street Church, was left houseless, many lost their shops or stores, and suffered in their business.

It was found that the sinking fund established seven years previously, had proved fallacious. The debt, instead of being extinguished in six years, had become a sinking debt, of nineteen hundred dollars. The society felt justified in making the payment of this debt, the special object of their centenary subscriptions.

On the last Sabbath of October, 1866, the subject was presented to the congregation, and in one hour, pledges were secured to the amount of twenty-two hundred dollars. A condition of spiritual prosperity followed this generous giving. About seventy were received during the year, into full membership, and about sixty on probation. The society continued to prosper, receiving large accessions until the church became inconveniently crowded.

Early in the year 1872, the question of a new church edifice, began

247

NEW CHURCH ENTERPRISE. LIBERAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.

to be agitated, meetings of the Parish were held, and a vote passed to commence building, as soon as fifteen thousand dollars could be obtained in reliable subscriptions. The Ladies' and Pastors' Union rendered efficient service.

During the year 1873, the enterprise of building a " free church " took shape. At a meeting of the Trustees, May twenty-fifth of this year, it was voted to build a new free church of brick, upon the old site, provided the lot be found large enough for a building to accommo- date eight hundred people, and at a cost not exceeding thirty thousand dollars. The society was encouraged by continued spiritual pros- perity.

In the Fall of this year, a subscription paper was started in the Board of Trustees ; the President of the Board, F. A. Smith, leading with a very generous sum ; the other trustees following most liberally. A public meeting was called. The people responded with enthusiasm, and the success of the enterprise was assured. Hon. William Deering, then a member of Chestnut Street Church, pledged five thousand dollars. A Building Committee was appointed, and the work was soon commenced. Great care was taken to make the building, in all its appointments, as complete as possible.

On the 19th of November, 1875, the vestry was finished and dedicated. During the time while the church was being built, the State Street Congregational Church gave the free use of their church and vestries. This friendly offer was gratefully accepted.

On the 18th of April, 1876, the church was dedicated. Sermon by Rev. R. R. Meredith of Boston, in the afternoon, and by Bishop Simpson in the evening. Bishop Haven and a large number of preachers were present. The occasion was one of rare interest. This important enterprise was accomplished with the utmost harmony, and in a manner highly satisfactory.

The church continued to be served by able preachers and was greatly prospered. In 1879, under the pastoral care of Rev. C. J. Clark, one hundred and forty were received on Probation ; eighty of whom were received in full connexion before the close of the year.

In 1881, Rev. D. W. LeLacheur was appointed to this charge. A disagreement occurred between the pastor and the Ladies' Society which involved the church in serious strife. Mr. LeLacheur was not returned to Pine Street charge the second year. His friends, comprising a large proportion of the society, together with a large part of the Sunday school, seceded, and established a

248

SESSION. INSUBORDINATION OF D. W. LELACHEUR.

separate meeting on Vaughan Street, and Mr. LeLachcur became their pastor.9

Mr. LeLacheur was charged with iusubordination and was judged guilty, by a Committee of the ensuing Conference, properly constituted, and was suspended for one year, "from all ministerial services and church privileges." Iu defiance of church authority Mr. LeLacheur declared himself withdrawn and continued to act as pastor of Vaughan Street Independent Church.

This needless strife has been a serious injury to the church, and a grevious scandal. There . is blame somewhere. The Quarterly Conference may have erred in its action. But for an individual pastor to set up his judgment against the constituted authorities of the church, of which he is a minister, is rebellion ; schism is a poor remedy for ehureh troubles. Mr. LeLaeheur has continued to act as pastor of the Vaughan Street Church till the present time, and has quite a large following. It is to be hoped that this serious breach may be healed.

In 1882, Rev. J. M. Williams was trausferred from Wilmington Conference, appointed to this charge and continued to render aeeeptable service under serious disadvantages, for three years. In 1886, Rev. C. J. Clark was appointed to Pinc Street Church.

ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS.

Members, 232; Probationers, 20; total, 252; value of Church, $37,000; value of Parsonage, $4,500; Officers and Teachers in Sunday School, 31; Scholars, 304.

CONGRESS STREET CHURCH, PORTLAND.

In the year 1851, measures were taken, under the sanction of Chestnut Street Church, to build a house of worship in the easteru part of the eity. The first class aud prayer, meeting was held in the summer of the same year, in the house of Solomou Davis, at 51 Monument Street, eondueted by Samuel R. Leavitt, for many years a prominent official member of Chestnut Street Churel, who still survives in a green old age.

In the same year, a ehapel, with seats for three hundred, was built at the corner of Congress and St. Lawrence Streets, upon a lot donated by Dr. Eliphalet Clark. The chapel was dedieated by Rev. George Webber and opened, for services, under the eare of Rev. Eaton Shaw,

9 The action of Bishop Andrew in declining to reappoint Mr. LeLacheur to Pine Street Church, was in accordance with a vote of the Quarterly Conference, and was approved by the Presiding Elders.

249

CONGRESS STREET CHAPEL AND CHURCH.

till the next ensuing Conference, when Rev. W. F. Farrington was appointed preacher in charge, and an appropriation of one hundred dollars was made from the funds of the Missionary Society.

Mr. Farrington was reappointed the second year. Fifty-five members of Chestnut Street Church, living in this part of the city, took their certificates and were organized into the "Congress Street Methodist Episcopal Church." Snch was the spirit of revival, that in less than three years, it became necessary to enlarge the chapel, to accommodate the increasing congregation.

The Sunday school prospered, and, notwithstanding some disagree- ments and loss of members, the society continued to increase in numbers and ability. until it was deemed necessary to provide more ample accommodations for public worship. The present convenient and comely church was completed and opened for use, in the year 1868. Dedicatory sermon by Rev. W. McDonald. A heavy debt was carried for several years, as a discouraging burden. At last a plan of annual payments was adopted and vigorously worked, under the pastorate of Rev. E. T. Adams, until October 8, 1885, when the society held a grand jubilee over their deliverance from debt. The present pastor is Ezra Tinker.

Statistics, 1886 : On probation, 37: Members, 273; valuc of Church, $30,000; Officers and Teachers in Sunday School, 38; Scholars, 283. E. T. Adams and E. Tinker.

FALMOUTH CIRCUIT.

Falmouth Circuit was formed in 1802. The limits of the circuit were quite indefinite. It seems to have included Portland and adjacent towns and all the territory of Maine west of Portland. During 1802-3, the name of Portland does not appear in the minutes. The society in that place was small, and probably considered of little importance. In 1805, Portland re-appears, and ever after holds its place. The same year, also, Scarborough Circuit was set off. In 1807, Conway Circuit seems to have been set off. In 1815, Buxton Circuit was formed, until at length, Falmouth Circuit is divided up, till nothing is left of it.

The preachers in charge of Falmouth Circuit, in 1802 were: Asa Heath and Oliver Hall. Subsequently, the circuit was served, in succession, by Alfred Metcalf and Dan Perry, Philip Munger, David Stinson, Samuel Thompson and Caleb Fogg, Samuel Hillman and John Patten, Enoch Jaques and Caleb Currier, Joel Winch, Ebenezer

250

WEST END.

Blake and Benjamin Bishop, Philip Ayer and Daniel Fillmore, Jonathan Worthen and JJohn Paine, John Lindsay, John Adams. In 1815, Buxton Circuit appears in the place of Falmouth.

WEST END, PORTLAND.

A class was formed, at West End, many years ago. A union with the Congregationalists, for some years, prevented the growth of Methodist interests.

In 1875, Rev. J. Gibson, the preacher in charge at Woodfords, held religious services at West End, resulting in a revival, which formed the nucleus of a church. In 1876, this place was connected, with Woodfords, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. A. Strout, who organized the society at West End. A Sunday School was established under the superintendency of Winfield Waterhouse, Superintendent. A new class was formed, Augustus Berry, leader. A second class was formed, Warren Harmon, leader. Thirty were received into full membership by profession and by transfer. The meetings were held in " Harmon's Hall." Meetings have been continued with varying success, until the present time, under the care, in succession, of E. W. Hutchinson, W. F. Holmes, P. Jaques, J. Gibson, J. Plummer, (a local preacher, ) and R. H. Kimball, the present pastor.

Through the efforts of the ladies of the society. under the action of J. Gibson, as pastor, a lot was procured for a church, at a cost of four hundred dollars. The growth of the city in this direction, affords promise of future increase in this locality. The society is still feeble, needing help for the present, in sustaining Sabbath worship. Statistics, 1886 : Members, 22; on Probation, 4 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday School, 10; Scholars, 40.

PEAK'S ISLAND, PORTLAND.

About the year 1825, Stephen Bennet, a Methodist local preacher, commenced preaching on Peak's Island and other Islands in Casco Bay. Dr. Caruthers, also, visited the islands and preached about the same time. House Island was connected with Peak's Island as one charge. Mrs. Trefethen and Eliza Lincoln of House Island were. the first converts, under the labors of Father Bennet.

About the year 1838, under the labors of an evangelist, a great revival swept over the island, and nearly all the inhabitants were converted. Mr. Bennet had the pastoral care of the people nearly thirty years. He organized a church, but the records are lost.

The first class Icader was John Stirling of House Island; the

251

CHAPEL AT WOODFORDS.

second, Robert F. Skillings, who still holds this office. Preaching services were first held in a dance-hall, which served as a place of worship till 1861, when a church was built.

In 1860, Peak's Island became a Conference appointment. W. N. Richardson, preacher in charge. Since that time, the place has been constantly supplied and the society has been gradually gaining in numbers and ability. The present pastor, J. B. Lapham. 10

Statistics : Members, 39 ; Probationers, 5 ; Officers and Teachers, in Sunday school, 15 ; Scholars, 105 ; value of church, $3,200.

WOODFORDS .- CHAPEL .- CLARK MEMORIAL CHURCH.

The church at Woodfords like several others in Portland and vicinity, is the outgrowth of Methodist enterprise in Chestnut Street Church,-the mother of churches.

In the year 1853, or about that time, a Sunday school was organized at Woodfords by Henry C. Lovell and John Russell, members of Chestnut Street Church in Portland. This led to the establishment of a weekly prayer meeting. As a result, a religious awakening in the community ensued. Preachers from Portland came out occasionally and preached ; conversions followed these labors. Encouraged by these indications, the services of Rev. W. McDonald, then acting as tract-agent, were secured, and preaching services were held in the school house on Ocean Street.

Mr. Lovell, about this time, removed to Woodfords, and with generous assistance from Dr. E. Clark of Portland, a chapel was built ; Dr. Clark and Mr. Lovell giving the land, and generously aiding with money. The chapel was a plain building, costing twenty- one hundred dollars. The burden of the enterprise fell largely upon Mr. Lovell.

In October, 1855, the services of Rev. S. H. Hyde, then a student in the Biblical Institute, was secured as pastor. The society was organized at this time, as a separate charge, and was supplied with preachers from Conferences ; but the growth was slow. The unpre- tending chapel could not, successfully compete with the more inviting church accommodations, soon furnished in the vicinity, by other elegant churches.

From 1870, for five years, the charge was left to be supplied. In 1876, Rev. J. A. Strout was appointed to "West End and Woodfords," and continued in charge three years, when compelled,

10 From Rev. J. B. Lapham.

252

CLARK MEMORIAL CHURCH.

by ill health, to retire from the work of the ministry. He settled at Woodfords and entered into business.

Mr. Strout urged the building of a church, and was heartily encouraged by Dr. E. Clark, who had become a resident at Woodfords. The new church was commenced under the pastorate of Rev. E. S. Stackpole, who rendered efficient service in carrying the enterprise to a successful consummation. The church was completed and dedicated in July, 1882. It is a remarkably commodious and tasteful structure, costing about ten thousand dollars, Dr. E. Clark contributing largely towards it ; Rev. J. A. Strout also being a liberal contributor. In August, 1883, a debt remaining upon the building of two thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars for money advanced, was generously relinquished by the generosity of Mrs. Nancy Clark, widow of the late Dr. E. Clark. The society, in grateful memory of this extraordinary liberality, have, by vote, named the building the "Clark Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church."

Also, through the generosity of Mrs. Clark, a lot of land has been given for a parsonage and a generous gift of money has been received from Mrs. Sarah A. Thomas for the same object. A comfortable parsonage was built through the active exertion of the pastor, W. F. Berry, during the year 1885, which affords a pleasant home for the pastor and family.

Statisties, 1886, Woodfords and East Deering : Members, 85 ; Probationers, 8; value of Church, $12,000; value of Parsonage, $3,000 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday School, 13; Scholars, 95.11

11 From sketch by Rev. F. Berry.

253

POLAND CIRCUIT.

CHAPTER XX.

POLAND. JESSE LEE, 1793. QUARTERLY MEETING. FINANCIAL ACCOUNT, 1797. STEWARD'S BOOK. T. MERRITT, 1800. POLAND CIRCUIT, 1802. THE EMERY FAMILY. MINISTERS AND MINISTERS' WIVES FROM POLAND CIRCUIT. BOW- DOINHAM CIRCUIT. TRUE GLIDDEN. T. MERRITT. CHURCH BUILT, 1847. PROMINENT MEN. DURHAM CIRCUIT. WONDERFUL QUARTERLY MEETING. GREAT REVIVAL EARLY MEMBERS. METHODIST CORNER. THE SOCIETY INCORPORATED, 1810. MEETING HOUSE BUILT. BATH. JESSE LEE, 1793. FIRST CLASS, 1796. P. WAGER. ELIAS HULL. R. SEARLE. R. YALLALEE. T. MERRITT, 1800-1. MRS. MCLELLAN. LITTLE CLASS. REVIVAL, 1816. J. WILKINSON. MEETING HOUSE, 1820. A FACTION WITHDRAWS, 1842. BEA- CON STREET CHURCH BUILT, 1852. NEW CHURCHI BUILT, 1869. HEAVY DEBT. DEBT PAID, 1883. PHIPSBURG. T. MERRITT. M. B. Cox. MEETING HOUSE AT " DRUMMORE." WEST BATII. RICHMOND. J. YOUNG, 1835. UNION CHURCH, 1846. CHURCH BOUGHT, 1853. CHAPEL BUILT, 1885. C. HOUDLETTE.

POLAND CIRCUIT.

Poland Circuit is rich in historic interest. Methodism found in this region a favorable soil for its propagation and growth. Poland was at first included in Portland circuit, and does not appear in the minutes till 1802.

Jesse Lee visited the place in 1793, and preached in the house of Nathaniel Strout, now owned by James Dunn, Esq., who married a daughter of Mr. Strout. Three men were converted under this first Methodist sermon : Nathaniel Strout, Josiah Dunn, and William Davis, whose families became identified with the subsequent history of the church.

The large kitchen of Mr. Strout's house, was the preaching place for many of the early itinerants who came that way. There, Joshua Soule and others preached. There, it was deemed fitting, that Bishop Peck should preach in the place hallowed by historic associations, when in 1880, he made his Episcopal pilgrimage through the State. Some of his aged hearers remarked, that Joshua Soule stood on the very spot where Bishop Peck was then standing.

The earliest records extant of a quarterly meeting at Poland, are contained in a book of records recently found by Dr. W. B. Lapham in Norway, from which the following extracts are taken. The records are not in exact chronological order :

254

QUARTERLY MEETING AT POLAND, ACCOUNT.

" Quarterly Meeting held at Poland, August 22, 23, 1797." COLLECTIONS.

DISBURSEMENTS. Jesse Stoneman.

Portland,

Falmouth, $3.40

To Ist Quarter, $6.05

Haise's

" 2d Quarter, 3.50

Wd. Rowe's,

" 3d Quarter, 9.60

Lewistown,

" 4th Quarter, 26.76

Poland, 10.00

- Peter Jayne, 3.00

Hebron, 5.86

Phillip's Gore,

Otisfield, 3.08

Gray,

Buxton,

Saccarappa,

7.33

Collections for 1797-8.

By Bro. Finegan :

Ilebron,

$2.50

Do. Finegan, 5.93.5

Phillip's Gore, 1.55

Otisfield, 1.47

By Bro. Snethen :

Buxton,

2.41.5

Poland and elsewhere, 4.00

Q. Meeting, 2.00

$13.93.5

Second Quarterly Meeting, holden at Hebron, February 14, 15, 1798.

Collections by Bro. Snethen :

Saccarappa, $1.56

Woodward's, 1.30

Widow Roe's, 1.28

By Expenses to Bro. Finegan, 1.50

Bro. Davis', 0.63

Emery's,

2.14

" Hayes',

0.76

By Bro. Finegan :

Presents,

0.60

Phillip's Gore,

1.53

Gray, 5.00

Bro. Hill, 2.33

Bro. Baker, 3.08

Collected at Q. Meeting, 5.81

$26.02

Surplus,

$26.471

$26.47

1 The financial records of the Quarterly Conferences, continued in about the same style, with quite frequent omissions, to 1867.

By Expenses, Bro. Snethen, $8.00

By Quarterage to Bro. Snethen, $12.05

By Quarterage to Bro. Finegan, 12.05 By Expenses to Bro. Snethen, .87

255

RECORDS OF QUARTERLY CONFERENCE.

" Steward's Book for Portland Circuit, August, 1797 :

"Stewards,-Phillip Caldwell, Asa Robertson.

" Moses Emery, junior, of Poland, chosen Steward of the money matters, in Asa Robertson's stead.

" Jeremiah Small of Falmouth, Steward for the members in society, etc.

"James Lewis of Gorham, a local preacher, was chosen Steward of the Baptisms, in Phillip Caldwell's stead. Falmouth Quarterly Meeting, August 29-30, 1801. Moses Emery resigned, October 24, 1803.

" Jeremiah Small and James Lewis belong to that part of the circuit now called Falmouth."

In the year 1802, the circuit, heretofore called Portland Circuit, was divided into two, called Falmouth and Poland; this book belonging to the latter.

"Stewards of Poland Circuit : Josiah Dunn and John Caldwell."

The above extracts are historic notes rather than records. They are valuable since they explain the reason why Portland disappeared from the minutes, in 1802-3.

" Nicholas Snethen, assistant, John Finegan helper were sent to Portland, from Wilbraham Conference, the nineteenth of September.

"When we came to the circuit in October, the state of religion was very low, there being no apparent revival in any part of the circuit. Since we have been upon the circuit, we have labored under many discouragements. We have received, on trial at Otisfield, October, 1797 : Mr. Cobb, Samuel Knight. At Gray, November 6, 1797, John Lunt. Turned out, at Gray, Sara K. alias C .- for breach of rules ; at Presumscot, Mary W .- for immoral conduct."

The above extracts were evidently notes made by one of the circuit preachers. (No date given.)

EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE OF POLAND CIRCUIT.

" This book contains an account of the proceedings of the Quarterly Conference of Poland Circuit in its Quarterly meetings from time to time. It is to be lamented that for a number of years, after this. circuit was formed, no particular attention was paid to taking down and preserving the minutes of the Quarterly Conference. Conse- quently many interesting circumstances can not be here inserted.

" At every future period, it is hoped that all proper care will be

256

PROMINENT FAMILIES IN POLAND.

observed that in all needful cases, reference may be had to the proceedings of the previous Conference. Joshua Soule."

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History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 25

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888 Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146