USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 37
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This arrangement gave a new impetus to the Methodist movement, and, in spite of the opposition, which was still continued, there was increasing interest and membership and soon the congregation became too large for the hall, and the first steps were taken towards building a church. The work was pressed with much earnestness and in November, 1884, a fine church costing $2,500, was finished and dedicated by Rev. E. T. Taylor of Boston. Wesleyan Hall was still used for social meetings.
In 1832, Kennebunkport was made a station.
After the opening of the church in 1834, the congregation was large. A Sunday school and missionary society were organized. The church prospered.
The store, including Wesleyan Hall, being sold in 1860, the society was without a suitable place for social meetings. The following year under the pastoral care of Rev. J. B. Lapham, the services of Mr. Charles Nichols, an Evangelist, were secured to assist in a protracted meeting. A powerful revival was the result. A movement was therefore, commenced to provide a vestry, by raising the church sufficiently for a basement story.
379
CAPE PORPOISE.
Stephen Ward, Enoch Cousens, Samuel Gould and others leading off generously in this enterprise. The audience room was changed and improved, an organ procured. The whole work was completed in about six weeks, and all expenses paid.
In 1882, under the pastoral charge of Rev. K. Atkinson, the inside of the church was thoroughly reconstructed, finished in the most approved modern style and furnished with a new pulpit and furniture.
Captain Bourne gave a new reflecting chandelier ; E. Cousens and S. Luques, Esq., assumed the responsibility of building a graceful spire, and Samuel Gould, Esq., furnished a good bell. The work was all accomplished, and all bills paid during the pastorate of Mr. Atkinson.
The great depression of the ship building business, upon which the people of this place largely depend, has seriously affected the society, and has caused a decrease of membership by removals. The church, however, is in a healthy state. More than five hundred names have been entered upon the records of the church, since its first organiza- tion.
Statistics, 1886 : Members, 103 ; on probation, 18 ; value of church, $7,000 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 8 ; scholars, 60.21
CAPE PORPOISE.
Cape Porprise is a part of Kennebunkport. There is a considerable village in this place, having a fine outlook upon the ocean, and affording a pleasant resort in the summer for sea-side visitors.
The Methodist society at this place was, at first, included in the Kennebunkport charge and continued in this connection till 1853, when it was made a separate charge under the pastoral care of Rev. K. Atkinson. The house of worship was built in 1857, the dedication occurring April thirtieth.
The society began with twenty-eight members and fifteen probation- ers. Cape Porpoise has remained a separate charge to the present time, with the exception of 1879, 1880, and the present year, when it was united with Kennebunkport.
The house of worship has been repaired the present year at an expense of five hundred dollars. The society at present is under the pastoral care of Rev. J. Nixon. .
Statistics, 1886 : Members 36 ; on probation, 7; value of Church, $2,000 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 13; Scholars, 147.22
21 From sketch by Rev. S. F. Wetherbee.
22 Rev. J. Nickerson.
380
KENNEBUNK CENTER.
WEST KENNEBUNK AND KENNEBUNK DEPOT.
The first Methodist sermon preached in Kennebunk was in this place in 1816, by Rev. Robert Hayes, upon invitation of Captain Isaac Downing.
The first class was formed in this place in 1818, by Rev. John Adams. The class was composed of six persons, Jeremiah Cousens, lcader. This class increased in numbers, but there was only occasional preaching till 1839, when the place was included in a Mission Circuit. In 1842 it was made a separate charge called Alewive, from the name of the stream flowing through that part of the town.
The church was organized with sixty members, S. M. Emerson, preacher in charge. The meetings were held in an old building purchased and fitted up for that purpose.
In 1846, the present church was built, during the pastorate of Rev. F. A. Soule.
The organization of other charges in the vicinity, so reduced the membership that it ceased to be a Conference appointment in 1866, though Israel Downing, a local preacher, residing in the place, has rendered valuable service in keeping up the religious meetings.
As the village at Kennebunk Depot increased, Methodist meetings were established at that place. Israel Downing, before mentioned, became deeply interested in the religious welfare of the people and largely through his efforts, a church was organized in 1868, consisting of twenty-five members. The next year a house of worship was built. Mr. Downing was the first pastor, and he still continues an earnest supporter.
Since 1869, the preachers successively have been : J. H. Pillsbury, C. W. Blackman, J. Cobb, E. K. Colby, W. B. Bartlett, D. Perry, W. F. Marshall, K. Atkinson, R. H. Kimball, S. F. Wetherbee, the present pastor.
Statistics, 1886 : Members, 45 ; on Probation, 4; value of Church, $2,500 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 10; Scholars, 75.23
KENNEBUNK CENTRE OR SACO ROAD.
This place, though in Kennebunkport, has always been associated with the churches in Kennebunk, in consequence of their near location. Kennebunkport Center, in 1840, formed a part of Kennebunkport Mission.
23 From letter of Rev. S. F. Wetherbee.
381
KENNEBUNK VILLAGE.
The first house of worship was built in 1841. In 1843 a parsonage was built. the whole property being valned at $1,700.
In 1847. the name was changed to Kennebunk, and two years later, to Kennebunk Center, and was united to Kennebunk village.
In 1857, the house of worship was destroyed by fire, but was promptly re-built, and dedicated by Rev. C. C. Cone. This society owes its origin largely to the earnest preaching of Rev. John Adams, in that part of the town, and has always been known as the " Saco Road Church."
The society became so reduced by deaths and removals, that the chapel was closed and was fast going to decay.
In 1882 Rev. True P. Adams was appointed to Kennebunk, and having no preaching service in the forenoon, he had the old Saco Road Chapel opened and commenced regular Sunday service again. The people rallied. repaired the building, and meetings have been held there regularly ever since, with a good congregation.24
KENNEBUNK VILLAGE.
There was no organized Methodism in Kennebunk till many years after the Unitarians, Congregationalists and Baptists had become well established.
Kennebunk, Kunnebunkport and some ontlying appointments were for some years included in one circuit, and regularly supplied by preachers from Conference.
Kennebunk village was, for many years, included in the Kennebunk Center or "Saco Road" charge.
In 1854, there was preaching in the village, in York Hall. In 1855 and 1856 the preaching was in Washington Hall, by Rev. John Cobb, preacher in charge. During that year a revival occurred and a considerable number of persons were converted.
In 1858, Rev. R. H. Stinchfield was appointed to Kennebunk Centre which included the village. Through the active exertion of the pastor, a church was built that year, at the village, at a cost of $4000, and preaching has been continued therc till the present time.
The society at the Centre, consisting of people in a rural neighbor- hood continued to decline. Some of the members nnited with the society in the village till at length the Centre was abandoned as a place of public worship.
24 Rev. S. F. Wetherbee.
382
MARYLAND RIDGE.
In 1864, Miss Sarah Burnham, a devoted member of the church in the village, died, leaving by legacy a valuable house and lot for a parsonage, also a fund for repairs.
In 1870, '71 and '72, during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Strout, the church was painted, a bell hung in the tower and a furnace provided.
The Kennebunk village ehureh, from its organization, has been served by preachers from Conference, and has been fairly prosperous.
Statisties, Kennebunk and Kennebunk Center: Members, 66; on probation, 19; value of Church, $4,000 ; Parsonage, $1,200 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 12 ; Seholars, 82.25
MARYLAND RIDGE.
Maryland Ridge, ealled in some old histories Merryland Ridge, is in the town of Wells.
No records are extant of regular preaching in this place previous to 1854. The people, of whom many were ehureh members, attended different meetings in adjacent localities. About that time, the old meeting house was fitted up for religious serviees, and was oeeupied a year or two by an Adventist preaeher.
In the spring of 1856, many of the people being dissatisfied with the doetrines of that seet, a general meeting was held for the purpose of deeiding what denomination should be selected to hold meetings. There were Congregationalists, Baptists, Christian Baptists and Adventists in the parish. The question was amieably diseussed, and by a unanimous vote the Methodist denomination was chosen, and an application to the Maine Conferenee for a minister was voted. As the Conference was not to meet till July, the service of Rev. Joseph C. Strout, a local preacher, was providentially seeured till Conference. Mr. Strout was pursuing his studies with his brother, Rev. W. H. Strout, then stationed at Alfred. A revival eommeneed and continued through the summer.
On the 5th of June, the same year, Rev. U. Rideout, then stationed at South Berwiek, eame and organized a elass of eleven persons, four in full eonneetion and seven on probation.
At the ensuing Conference, Maryland Ridge was recognized as an appointment, and Mr. Strout was engaged as a supply, and was appointed to the same charge in 1857. From that time this eharge
25 Sketch by Rev. C. F. Parsons.
383
OGUNQUIT.
was supplied mostly by local preachers, till 1869, when Rev. J. W. Sawyer was the preacher in charge.
Mr. Sawyer immediately began to agitate the question of a new church. Being a practical architect, plans were readily prepared and the enterprise was commenced and well under way, when he was called from his earthly labors by death, to "the house not made with hands." But so well had he laid the foundation, that the building went on without interruption, and was dedicated August 20, 1870. It was then said to be " the prettiest rural church in York county ;" a comely monument to the memory of the pastor, through whose earnest labors and skill the enterprise of building was commenced and carried to so successful a stage.
Maryland Ridge, from that time to the present, has been supplicd most of the time by preachers from Conference. Two or three times it has been connected with Ogunquit.
EXTRACTS FROM DAIRY OF REV. J. C. STROUT.
" May 18, 1857. A Methodist Sunday School organized, the first ever holden on Maryland Ridge."
" Aug. 3, 1857. The first Methodist baptism ; three baptised by Rev. F. C. Ayer, of Berwick."
"Dec. 2, 1857. The first Quarterly Meeting. The little church enjoyed that first Love Feast wonderfully. Rev. W. F. Farrington, Presiding Elder ; he and Bro. S. Pierce held mectings here three days. Blessed meetings they were."
"Dec. 31, 1857. First Methodist watch-meeting, at the house of Bro. Shadrach Littlefield, called by one brother, one of old Paul's meetings."
Names of First Class : Moses Littlefield and wife ; Mrs. Julia Ann Littlefield, Captain Hiram Low, Mrs. Huldah M. Littlefield.
Probationers : Elijah C. Williams and wife, Mrs. Jane Williams, Persis Littlefield, Sophia A. Littlefield, Mrs. Mary Littlefield.
Statistics, 1886 : Members, 55 ; on probation, 29 ; value of church, $2,000 ; Parsonage, $1,000. (1885) Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 10; Scholars, 30.26
OGUNQUIT.
This is a small village on the sea coast, in the south-western part of the town of Wells.
26 Mrs. Sarah M. Kimball. Rev. A. Cook.
384
YORK AND SCOTLAND.
In February, 1874, Rev. Oliver S. Pillsbury, a local preacher, commenced preaching in a hall in this place, to a few people who had been holding mectings for some time without a preacher.
Mr. Pillsbury soon formed a class, and a house of worship was built the next year, which was dedicated December 2, 1874. Mr. Pillsbury was appointed to this charge the next year. There was some revival interest during the year.
In 1876, Rev. D. M. DeHughes was appointed to this place, but left before the close of the year.
Since that time, the following preachers have been appointed in succession to this charge : Thomas Hillman, W. P. Merrill, Isaac Lord, S. T. Record, J. H. Snow and H. F. A. Patterson.
The Methodist society in this place is made up mostly of persons who were formerly members of the Christian denomination.
A heavy debt upon the church has been a serious burden and discouragement.
Statistics : Members, 30; value of Church, $4,000; Officers and Teachers in Sunday School, 13 ; Scholars, 55.
Jesse Lee, on one of his journeys to Maine, passed a night at Ogunquit, and was entertained at Mr. David Maxwell's house. Mr. Maxwell invited in his neighbors, and Mr. Lee preached to them the first Methodist sermon in Wells. Mr. Maxwell, though a staunch Congregationalist, was much pleased with the sermon. 27
YORK AND SCOTLAND.
From the History of York County, published in 1880.
Methodist Churches.
A Methodist society was formed at Cape Neddick school house, May 18, 1822, consisting of John Norton, Moses Brewster, Henry Talpey, George Phillips, Oliver Preble, Jonathan Talpey, Timothy Ramsdell, Richard Talpey, Obadiah Stover, Samuel Welsh, Hannah Clark and George Norton, and a certificate served on the clerk of First Parish of the above named fact, in order to exempt them from payment of ministerial tax to said parish ; but there is no record that this society was ever embodied in a church or as a distinct society any great length of time. They united with the Baptists in building the meeting house in 1823, and in the differences that arose as to the control of it, they probably went to pieces, and some of their number united with the Baptists.
27 H. F. A. Patterson.
385
YORK.
Some years previous to 1829, Methodist preachers had filled appointments iu York. In November of this year a class was formed consisting of seveuty-three members, by the preachers ou the circuit, J. Spaulding and Gershom F. Cox. Meetings were held, some times at school houses aud at other times at private houses about the neighborhood. February 28th, 1831, they were incorporated into a legal society. As they grew in strength, efforts were made towards building a meeting-house. A proposition to lease a piece of ground of First Parish for that purpose was made to that society, but rejected. The judicial court was removed from York in 1833, aud the use of the court house reverted to the First Parish. At a parish meeting in this year, the use of the court house was granted to the Methodists for four mouths. provided " they do uot disturb the peace or interrupt any other religious meetings," the temperance society having the privilege of holding meetings there Sabbath evenings whenever they may order or direct. A piece of land was finally secured, and the. present church was built in 1834.
From the " History of the Church," as found in the Church Book. 1830. The earliest records of the church at York show that at a Quarterly Conference held at the court house September 12th, 1830, G. F. Cox, preacher in charge, Jeremiah Brooks, Francis Plaisted and John Norton were chosen stewards, and the Conference adjourned and met formally on October 31st. The preachers present were J. Spaulding, G. F. Cox.
A considerable class, however, was formed in November previous, consisting of twenty-six members at first, and at the close of the year amouting to seventy-three; fourteen of whom were in full connection. By whom the class was gathered, the present records do not show.
February 28, 1831, at a meeting of the official board, it was unanimously voted that the members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and such as chose to unite with them, be incorporated into a society. At the same meeting Joseph S. Clark, Jeremiah Brooks aud John Perkins were chosen a committee to draft a constitution for a Sunday school. At the same meeting a committee was chosen to estimate the expense of building a house of worship, and see what could be done, and to report at a future meeting.
March 9, 1833, seven persons chosen trustees. Solomon Brooks, Joseph S. Clark, Francis Plaisted, Jeremiah McIntire and Alexander Dennett were chosen a building committee.
25
386
YORK. SCOTLAND.
1833 and 1834. Land purchased ; house of worship raised August 30 and 31, 1833, and dedicated October 15th, 1834. Sermon by G. F. Cox, from Danicl 2 :44.
1846 and 1847. Land purchased for a parsonage. Brother Lord pastor.
1847 and 1848. During the two years of Brother Lord's ministry at York, a lot of land was purchased and "a very good parsonage erected, together with shed and stable," at a cost of five hundred and thirty-five dollars, Brother Lord doing a large part of the labor of building. 28
1882 and 1883. Brother G. C. Andrews preacher in charge. During the year, extensive repairs made upon the church edifice at an aggregate cost of cight hundred and fifty dollars. Revival meetings held in the winter and spring of 1883, resulting in the conversion of ten or twelve persons, eight of whom united with the church in full.
1885 and 1886. The old parsonage property was sold for nine hundred dollars. Land for a new parsonage donated by Henry Moulton and G. W. S. Putnam. A new parsonage completed and furnished, valued at $3,000.
Statistics, 1886 : Probationers, 8 ; Members, 85 : value of Church, $3,800 ; Parsonage, $3,000; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 12; Scholars, 74.
SCOTLAND.
The Methodist church of Scotland was probably gathered about 1830. In this year, Conference sont Rev. George Webber to preach to the people in this section. Meetings were held in the school-house and some religious interest aroused. The meeting-house was built in 1833. Owing to weakness of the society, preaching has not been continuously sustained.29
Scotland was connected with York as a circuit. York appears in the minutes for the first time in 1830, G. F. Cox and G. Webber, preachers in charge. These two places seem to have been embraced in one circuit till 1841, when Scotland was set off and appears in the minutes, as a charge by itself, but, subsequently, was connected with York till 1860, when Scotland was again a separate charge, and continued by itself till 1873, when it was connected with Eliot.
In 1880, Scotland disappears from the minutes. Like many other
28 Mr. Lord was a carpenter by trade.
29 History of York County.
387
SOUTH BERWICK.
rural societies, the church in that place, became enfeebled by the death or removal to other places of its members, and unable to support public worship.
SOUTH BERWICK.
In the year 1826, the Congregationalists abandoned their house of worship at Yeaton's Mills, and moved to the village of South. Berwick.
The people interested in the old church, after supplying themselves; for some time, in 1828, secured the services of a Methodist preacher,. Rev. Nathaniel Ladd.
In the year 1829, Rev. Paul C. Richmond was appointed to this circuit. He preached in the old church, and in school houses and private houses. Under his earnest labors, a revival occurred, which. spread on both sides of the river, as well as at South Berwick village, and as a result, over one hundred were added to the Methodist church. During several succeeding years, the society declined in numbers and ability.
In 1836, Rev. George D. Strout, the preacher in charge, removed the Sabbath meetings from the old church to Masonic Hall, in the village. There were but three male members of the class in the village. There were, however, several women of influence and untiring zeal, who rendered efficient aid in the religious work. There was a revival this year, which added over sixty members to the church. Mr. Job Emery sold the society a lot of land for a church, when it was impossible to purchase a lot for this purpose of any other person.
Andrew J. Webster was this year reclaimed, and became a member of Maine Conference in 1843.
A church edifice was commenced this year (1836), but the society was small and poor, and the enterprise moved slowly. The ladies of the society, however, rendered valuable aid, and outside friends came to the rescue, and in 1838, during the pastorate of Rev. Levi S. Stockman, the honse was completed and dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was by Rev. G. F. Cox.
During the next two years, under the pastorate of Paul C. Richmond, a series of revival meetings was held, resulting in an extensive awakening throughout the town and vicinity ; one hundred were received on probation, in the Methodist church.
In 1840, under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Butler, a parsonage was built. The society was served by faithful pastors for several years, without marked results.
:388
BERWICK.
In the year 1849, near the close of P. C. Richmond's third term at this place, a temperance lecture was delivered in the Methodist church, by Rev. John Lord. The next morning the church was in ruins, by the torch of an incendiary. A new church was soon built, under the labors of Rev. John Moore, and dedicated the next year, the parsonage being sold and the avails appropriated towards the new ·church.
The society, though of moderate ability, continued in a fair state .of prosperity, under the care of preachers appointed from Conference.
In 1866 and 1867, during the pastorate of Rev. C. W. Morse, the house of worship was enlarged and improved, and a basement vestry built, at a cost of twenty-seven hundred dollars.
During the pastorate of Rev. H. B. Mitchell, in 1872 and 1873, the Methodist society at Salmon Falls, New Hampshire, being abandoned, united with the South Berwick society, and the remaining debt upon the church was paid.
In 1878, '79 and '80, under pastoral care of Rev. G. F. Cobb, a debt which had accrned for repairs, was paid. A revival also occurred, and thirty-seven converts were baptized by the pastor.
During the pastoral term of Rev. E. W. Hutchinson, 1883, '84 and '85, the Ladies' Circle purchased a more eligible site for a new church, and a subscription was started for building the church, but the enter- prise was interrupted by the sudden death of the pastor, in the beginning of the third year of his pastorate.
In 1886, Rev. I. Luce was appointed to South Berwick, and immediately rallied the society to a renewed effort, and by earnest and persistent labors, the object has been accomplished.30
Statistics, 1886 : Members, 117; on probation, 13; valne of church, $3,600; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 16; Scholars, 115.
BERWICK.
The earliest Methodist labors in Berwick, were about 1811, when a class was formed, and for several years the society was under the charge of the preacher appointed to Norway Plains, New Hampshire.
Berwick was subsequently connected with South Berwick, but was supplied most of the time, for several years, by local preachers.
In 1837, a plain chapel was built, which was burned before it was ready for use, and rebuilt the same year.
30 This sketch, excepting the last sentence, is by I. Luce.
389'
ELIOT.
In 1838, John W. True, colleague of Paul C. Richmond, had charge of the society at Berwick, while Mr. Richmond devoted his labors to South Berwick.
An extensive revival occurred, which added largely to the society ; the number at the close of the year was one hundred and sixteen.
In 1853, the chapel was repaired, and again in 1873.
In 1876, this house of worship was removed to the river opposite to Great Falls, where a village had grown up, and the house was reconstructed. This is a much more favorable location, and the society has grown much in numbers and ability.
Statistics, 1886 : Members, 142 ; on probation, 6 ; value of church, $5.000 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 20; scholars, 135.31
ELIOT.
The first Methodist sermon preached in Eliot, was by Rev. George Pickering, July, 1826, in the house of Capt. Elisha Goodwin.
Soon after this, Rev. Shipley Wilson preached in the wood-shed and cider-house of Capt. Goodwin. This rough audience room was resorted to, the better to accommodate the large number of people assembled.
The first class was formed by Rev. P. Crandell, March 17, 1827, consisting of Capt. Moses Paul and wife, Ebenezer Bartlett and wife, Alice Bartlett, Mary J. Bartlett, Sarah J. Paul.
The first house of worship, which is still occupied, was built mostly by members of the Congregationalist parish, with no intention of building a Methodist house of worship, but to provide for themselves a more convenient place of meeting, the Congregationalist meeting- house being four miles distant. This enterprise was organized in the bar-room of a tavern, by men evidently not very loyal to their own church.
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