USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 76
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"South Orrington" first appears in the minutes in 1852, and then as " Mill Creek, "supplied by Joseph P. French, then a local preacher. South Orrington, as a charge first appears in the minutes of 1853.
In 1862, South Orrington and North Bucksport were united, as. "North Bucksport charge "
In 1865, "South" and "Centre" were again united.
The records show that the largest number gathered into the church. was in 1854 and 1855, though there were some converts in 1853, '56,. '57 and'59. The largest number uniting with the church by baptism, at. the Centre and South Orrington was, in 1876 and 1878, during the pastor- ate of Daniel M. True (who died February, 5th, 1880, in Brownville .- Editor). He was a minister much loved, few more so. The pastor- from 1873 to 1876, was successful in gathering to the church, by conversion and baptism. There were some additions in 1879, '81, '82: and '83.
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CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
All ministers are spoken of kindly, and "I have heard nothing said of any preacher, who has served this charge, either harsh or unkind. All have sowed good seed, and left a good influence."
CALAIS AND MILLTOWN. BY REV. J. F. HALEY.
(Brother Haley says : I send you material, which, I trust, will help . you in writing a history of the church in Calais and Milltown. I ehaneed to find a little book written by a Universalist clergyman of Calais, and as it was intended to be sold in Calais, it ought to be quite generally eoireet .- Editor.)
(76.) "Wesleyan Methodist church, St. Stephen, New Brunswick," has the honor of being the oldest on the river above St. Andrews. Its founder was Rev. Dunean MeColl, who, in many respects, was one of the most remarkable and influential men that ever dwelt in the St. Croix Valley. His name is interwoven with all the early life of St. Stephen and Calais. He was many years a soldier in the British Army, from which he resigned in 1783, and afterwards married a zealous Methodist lady, a most excellent woman. There was no religious society in St. Stephen, where he resided. He invited a religious gathering at his house, the last Sunday of November, 1785, and then and there the King St. Methodist church of St. Stephen was born. Mr. MeColl, not pretending to preach, led the devotional exereises.
In January, 1786, after long and severe mental struggle, he felt sure that he was ealled to preach, and from that time till the close of a long life, he continued to break the bread of life to perishing men. He made many eonverts in Calais and St. Stephen, and the eonverts ealled themselves Methodists, and felt that they belonged to the ehureh of Christ.
Mr. MeColl, though a true Methodist, never submitted to the eireuit regulation of his denomination. His only home and parish was in St. Stephen, though he often preached in Milltown and Calais. But, after his death, in 1830, his society received ministers by appointment and is now a leading Methodist church of New Brunswiek.
For more than thirty years after its first settlement, Calais had no religious society, or regular Sabbath meeting. A few of the more religiously inelined attended ehureh in St. Stephen. Mr. MeColl had - a fair audienee in Calais, but, with a few individual exceptions, religious interest was very cool, for which Mr. MeColl was somewhat
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to blame. He evidently wished to do all the preaching, and whenever there was talk of organizing a society in Calais, he strenuously opposed : but. after much controversy, in the autumn and winter of 1815, the Methodists of Calais and Robbinston had preaching on alternate Sabbaths by a clergyman of their own faith and choosing, but some of the brethren still crossed the river to attend church, and Mr. McColl denounced the new minister, who went away.
But he left a determination among the people to have a meeting and preaching of their own, and Providence favored them.
In the latter part of the cold and gloomy year 1816, Rev. Thomas Asbury, a Methodist, from Great Britain, came to Calais and preached whenever he found opportunity, and notwithstanding Mr. McColl said many severe things against him, he continued to preach, and the half famished people flocked to hear him. He was an enthusiastic, dramatic, and pathetic speaker, and many of the hitherto undevout people were startled and thrilled by his vehemence. A sweeping revival ensued. His meetings were frequently scenes of wild excite- ment. Children cried, women wept, and under the intense excitement, even strong men fainted. Many were hopefully converted, and some twenty persons were baptized. It was the first baptism of adults in Calais. On a bright Sunday morning, as the tide was coming in, the candidates knelt in a row, facing the river. Mr. Asbury, walking between the candidates and the stream, took water therefrom in his hands and performed the rite by sprinkling.
Immediately a church was organized, of thirty-six members, among whom were the Brewers, Hills, Knights, Pettigroves, Lambs, and others of the best people in Calais. This was the first church in Calais. A class was organized, which has been perpetuated to the present time.
A meeting-house being now needed, Stephen Brewer, Esq., a mem- ber of the church, moved a building, formerly used as a store, to Main, ncar Downes Street, which was fitted for worship, and is said to have been comfortable and convenient. Subsequently it was moved to Hinckley Hill, where it was used as a church and school-house till 1838.
Mr. Asbury preached to the society about two years.
In July, 1818, the Wesleyan Conference of New Brunswick sent Rev. Mr. Newell to preach in Calais and vicinity, who did good ser- vice. He appears to have been a quiet, thoughtful, pious and scholarly man ; but not a great preacher. While here, it is said, he wrote a biography of his deceased wife. If the tradition is correct, this was
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the first writing for the press done in Calais. In 1821 Mr. Newell retired, and Rev. Ezra Kellogg took his place. He remained about two years, and appears to have been a man of solid worth and healthy influence .- (Conference minutes show as follows :- " E. F. Newell, 1818, St. Croix ; '19 and '20, located." " E. Kellogg, '23, '24, St. Croix," which appointments were, no doubt, from the New England Conference .- Editor.)
Thus the Methodist Society had a fair start, and being the leading society in the town, with apparently nothing to hinder its prosperity, it ought to have run a good race. But the flame of its enthusiasm soon died out. Some of its members became lukewarm. The hum of business awoke the people to a new ambition ; and there was earnest talk of building a Congregational church. The Methodist Society lost its prestige, and went into a decline that lasted more that twenty years.
Nothing further of importance transpired in the Methodist ranks in Calais village, till about 1845, though Methodism did not die out.
In 1827, Rev. Josiah Eaton, of Barre, Mass., settled in Milltown and preached in the " Red School-house," and in Baring. He after- ward preached in Pembroke and Dennysville. About 1840 he returned to Calais, and here spent the remainder of his busy and useful life. He died in 1853, and is remembered as a genial and reliable citizen.
In 1835-'6, there was a powerful revival of religious interest, the Methodists enjoying their full share of its benefits. Thus encouraged and strengthend, they determined to erect a meeting-house, and the Congregationalists and Unitarians seeming to be sufficient for Calais village, it was decided to build in Milltown, whereupon Peter Beedy and Leonard Pickens were chosen building committee, and the house was dedicated the latter part of 1836.
About 1840 the dormant society of Calais began to show signs of life. Its increasing membership, disliking to walk the distance to Milltown on Sunday, in 1845 that old cradle of churches-the Central school-house, on Main Street, near the foot of Church Avenue-was purchased and remodeled into a meeting-house.
Determined this time to secure permanency, the society-June 6, 1846-was legally organized a corporate body, and during the summer the school-house was transformed into a church, at an expense of a little more than $350. As Luther B. Knight furnished most of the money and material, the edifice was named " Luther's Meeting-house," in which, for ten years, the society worshipped and prospered.
At a Quarterly Conference-probably the first held in Calais-
1
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August 21, 1846, the societies represented were Milltown, Calais, and South Calais. At a Quarterly Conference, August, 1847, the state of religion was reported very good in Calais ; but low in Milltown. At the Annual Conference in 1848, Calais and South Calais were united, as were Milltown and Baring, making two charges.
In 1849. Levi C. Dunn was licensed to preach. In 1851, the preachers present in Quarterly Conference werc W. H. Pilsbury, Presiding Elder ; C. H. A. Johnson, Milltown ; L. D. Wardwell, Calais ; J. Eaton and L. C. Dunn, Local Pastors.
In 1856, the Calais Society bought the Baptist Church on Main Street, paying $2,800. A revival followed, and a large number joincd the church.
Brother Haley then says : "Among other papers held by one of the present trustees is a deed of land for the purpose of erecting a house of worship for the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was given quite early in the history of Methodism in Calais. The locality is in the lower part of the town, and, I believe, no church was built there. The church society in the south part has been merged in the village society. The deed referred to was given by Francis Pettigrove to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being Thomas Asbury, Jones Dyer, Jr., James Sprague, Samuel Darling, Francis Pettigrove.
The names of trustees to whom the Baptist Church was deeded in 1856, were Charles Cottle, Wm. Pool, Joseph Hutchins, James Noble, George Turner.
The house just mentioned was remodeled in 1878-'9, at a cost of upward of $6,000, and was re-dedicated in 1879.
The society has come into possession of two pieces of property in recent years. Mrs Mary Gibson deeded her homestead to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1877, to be used for the purposes of the society. It has since been sold for $825. She was a most estimable member of the church ; whose memory is precious.
In 1872 Mrs. Sophia Knight deeded her homestead, situate in the central part of the city, to the trustees of the church. It was valued at something like $8,000. A part of which has been sold ; another part leased, and the house and a large portion of the land are still retained, and rented. The entire property is well invested, yielding a good income.
In July, 1885, the trustees purchased a centrally located lot, with buildings upon it, for a parsonage. The buildings are in excellent condition, making one of the best parsonages in the Conference ; its
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EAST BUCKSPORT. NEWPORT.
valuc being at least $2,000. Tlie society is harmonious, and is respected by all of the religious bodies in the city.
Under the blessing of God, and wise management, the Church of Christ will be strengthened in Eastern Maine, for many years to comc, through the influence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Calais.
In honor of the memory of Sister Sophia Knight, who, with her husband, in former years, did so much for the church, the church has been named the " Knight Memorial " Methodist Episcopal Churchi, Calais.
EAST BUCKSPORT. BY REV. H. W. NORTON.
(77.) In 1831, under the labors of a devoted school teacher, Phineas Higgins, a glorious revival was enjoyed, and so sweeping was the good work that there was scarcely a family in which from two mem- bers to the entire family did not become active workers in the meetings.
The following year, Rev. John Cobb (probably Jona. Cobb, Local Preacher-Editor), came regularly once a month and held religious service, and during the year a church was organized, the interest continuing through the year.
In 1842, under the labors of Joab Harriman, another season of revival was enjoyed, and quite a number of additions were made. In 1856 a church edifice was completed, at a cost of $3,500, Brother Doan Brown paying one-half, the society contributing the other half. Soon after a parsonage, and one acre of land very near the church, was purchased, costing $500, one half of which was contributed by the same Brother Brown.
(In 1855, Rev. Jos. P. French was the appointee to "Orland," which charge included East Bucksport, and, as the writer remembers, for a period of time, Rev. L. L. Knox, then Principal of the East Maine Conference Seminary, and W. H. Pilsbury, supplied Sabbath service alternately, in the new church. In behalf of East Bucksport it ought to be said here that very few societies, in a single generation, have suffered so much from inevitable decline of thrift, as well as from emigration and death, all apparently being beyond control or remedy .- Editor.)
NEWPORT. BY REV. C. A. SOUTHARD.
(78.) The first sermon preached by a Methodist minister in New- port, was in 1818, by Rev. John Whitney.
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HARMONY.
The first class was formed by Rev. Jesse Harriman, about 1845 ; Peter Judkins, leader ; and members : Sherborn Fogg, Lois Fogg, Peter Rowell, Belinda Severance, Joseph Pressey, Sarah Pressey.
The first house of worship was two-story, consisting of audience room and vestry, and built in 1834-'5. Belinda Severance has the credit of holding the fort when others were ready to give up.
HARMONY. BY REV. NATHAN R. TURNER.
(79.) Methodism in Harmony is interwoven with its earliest history.
Samuel Baker, a local preacher, settled on the north-west shore of Moose Pond, in Harmony, the year before it was incorporated ; and preached there, and in the regions round about, for many years, and formed the first Methodist class, whose place of meeting was at his house.
In 1818 there was a great revival of religion in Harmony, bringing under its power almost the entire population. Many of the converts joined the Methodist Church, which prospered more than twenty years, when its membership came to be diminished by deaths and removals ; and its interest and power declined till-had it not been for a few pillars, who were founded on the Rock-the cause would have become extinct. Among those who have " fought the good fight and kept the faith," under discouraging circumstances, are Gilbert Rhodes and Nancy, his wife ; Andrew W. Davis and Hannah, his wife ; Eli Merrill and Mary, his wife ; Amos and William Brown, John Page, James Laughton and Sister Nancy Hurd ; of whom some remain, as veterans of more than half a century ; but the greater part are fallen asleep.
From time to time God has blessed the labors of his people with revival and increase ; so that there is, at this time, a good Methodist element in Harmony.
The old charge. " Harmony, Hartland and St. Albans," has been broken up, and Harmony is now alone. For many years the Metho- dists have occupied the Union House, at the village, part of the time ; and the old Methodist house at Mainstream has been neglected, and finally deserted ; but within the last two years it has been well repaired, in which meetings are now held every Sabbath afternoon, and there is promise of a good work, which has already begun, and the church is praying that Methodism may come to be a saving power throughout all these regions.
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GUILFORD, SANGERVILLE AND PARKMAN.
GUILFORD, SANGERVILLE AND PARKMAN. BY REV. J. T. CROSBY.
(80.) In August, 1836, Sangerville and Guilford were set off from Dover Circuit, and called Sangerville Circuit, Rufus Day, Preacher, Elisha Streeter, Presiding Elder. There were two local preachers, William Withee and Oran Strout, residing within the limits of the circuit, which included Sangerville, Guilford, Parkman, Abbot, Monson, Shirley and Greenville. R. Day remained two years ('37, '38, R. Day, Dover, minutes). The charge now consists of Guilford, Sanger- ville and Parkman ; Guilford being the stronger of the three and the most methodistic.
FOREST CITY AND VANCEBORO. BY REV. L. BOSWORTH.
(81.) About the year 1860, a Mr. Hill purchased land on the shore of Grand Lake, erected a tannery and several cottages, and named the new settlement Forest City.
The first Methodist clergymen came from the neighboring Province of New Brunswick, and held regular services semi-monthly in a hall. A class was formed which met weekly in the village school house.
The lack of records renders it impossible to furnish statistics of the work accomplished by those who laid the corner stone of Methodism in Forest City.
The clergymen who supplied the field prior to the year 1879, were Revs. Crisp, Bell, Penney and Pepper.
In May, 1879, the Presiding Elder sent Rev. S. M. Small to supply, and' in July of the same year the Forest City Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and ten probationers were admitted to membership.
During the year 1880, a parsonage was built. Brother Small served as pastor two years, during which he performed good work for the church. During the pastorate of Rev. I. H. W. Wharff in 1881, carefully arranged plans were made for the erection of a Church building. In 1882, through the indefatigable efforts of Rev. J. W. Price, seconded by the members of the parish and congregation, one of the neatest houses of worship in the Bangor District was erected, which was dedicated March 7, 1883. The cost of the building was $3,500. Linneus M. Bosworth supplied in 1886.
The number of communicants is about twenty warm heartcd workers, who are endeavoring to sustain the church and extend its borders.
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LAGRANGE, BRADFORD AND ARGILE.
Brothers John E. Haley and Charles H. Vose are the pillars of the church. Brother George Fletcher is the genial class leader.
Perfect harmony prevails among the members. With a house of worship nearly complete in its appointments, the society is in a position to do a good work for the Master.
In Vanceboro', Methodists were the pioneers in religious work, holding the ground several years before the organization of any other society.
Rev. S. F. Page was the first pastor, who was followed by Rev. S. M. Small. The only place available for holding services was a hall, which was also nsed for other purposes. The need of a church building was much felt, but nothing was attempted in that direction till the summer of 1883, when, through the earnest efforts of Rev. J. W. Price, a small chapel and parsonage combined were built, at a cost of about $1,200.
During the year 1885, five adults were baptized and admitted to the church.
The society is small, and weak financially, but doing what they can, and due credit should be given for sacrifices made to extend the Redeemer's kingdom.
Vanceboro' is an important town, and the church has a great work to do, but the laborers are few.
LAGRANGE, BRADFORD AND ARGYLE. BY REV. ELI S. WALKER.
(82.) In Lagrange, there was occasional Methodist preaching as far back as 1830, but no class was formed till 1878, Benjamin Marsh, leader. A church was organized the same year by Rev. W. W. Marsh. There were no revivals or additions till 1885. The class now numbers twelve, Hosea Heal, leader.
There was occasional preaching at Bradford Corner in 1848. A class had been organized before that time ; leader, John M. Clarke.
Abont 1854, Elder Partridge, who lived in Hudson, came occasion- ally to preach at East Bradford, where a class of nine or ten members was formed from Christians there resident; Lewis H. Todd was leader.
A Methodist church was organized here about 1855, Elder Whitney being the first preacher. (Nelson Whitney, 1852, 1853. Lincoln. Minntes.)
Under the labors of Elder Browning, (Charles L. Browning, 1855, 1856. Patten. Min.) there was quite a revival, and twelve or more
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ORONO.
were added to the church, which was greatly quickened ; from which time, for a number of years last past, a few have been converted each year. All have not joined the church here, many of whom have moved away. The class now consists of thirty-five members, Lewis B. Randall, leader.
Rev. John Atwell, probably in 1819 or 1820, preached in Argyle occasionally. The first class was organized probably in 1830, William Foster, leader.
The first church society was formed about 1836. Since 1838, occasional seasons of revival have been enjoyed, with additions to the church, but many have moved away. The membership now numbers about twenty-seven ; leader, William L. Fresse.
ORONO. BY REV. P. J. ROBINSON.
(83.) The church at Stillwater originally was part of what was called Bangor Circuit, but in 1829, it was made a station, including the town of Orono.
The first Quarterly Meeting Conference was held August 1, 1829, at Sister Jameson's. There was no special reformation this year, though fifteen or more experienced religion, and the meetings generally were interesting.
In the Conference year, 1830, there were a few conversions. In 1831, nothing of special interest, except action taken to erect a meeting-house.
There was much interest in 1833, not only from the fact that some were converted, who have proved to be worthy members, Brother and sister Gordon being of the number, but also, that our meeting- house was raised, and finished, and the pews sold in June of the following year. In 1856, as in previous years, there were some conversions. During the year sister Ann B. Doe died in hope of a glorious immortality.
During 1836 and 1837, the village was visited by revival, excelling all the church had ever enjoyed. About one hundred were converted, and the parsonage was nearly completed.
November 1, 1837, Brother Charles T. Halley died happy in the Lord.
In 1838, some fifteen or twenty were converted, many of whom have backslidden or removed.
In 1840 there were about twenty conversions, some sixteen of whom were children, who have backslidden.
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DANFORTH, BANCROFT AND WESTON.
June 26, 1841, Sister Sarah Marsh (mother of Elijah, Benjamin and William,) died very suddenly. She retired in health and was found a corpse in the morning. . She was a mother in Israel indeed.
In 1841, a church trial caused much unhappy feeling in the church ; nevertheless, there were some interesting conversions in the village, and quite a number in other parts of the charge. At the corporation a class was formed, now numbering twenty-nine.
September 30, 1841, Brother Winthrop Allen died. He was a worthy leader and steward.
From 1842 to 1846, quite a number of probationers were received. In 1848 and to 1851, were years of some prosperity.
In 1857 and 1858 a large number were received on probation, a few of whom, one being Rev. Wm. W. Marsh, of precious memory, came into the church.
In 1867, the church, which had been a long time in a dilapidated condition, was thoroughly repaired and made neat and comfortable, and was re-opened Nov. 7, 1868.
During the year, Rev. John Atwell, a father in Israel, and sister Irene McPheters, died.
In 1872, the Annual Conference convened in Orono. It was a year of grand success, some fifteen being converted ; some of our best. citizens being included.
DANFORTH, BANCROFT, AND WESTON. BY REV. J. W. PERRY.
(84.) So far as can be ascertained, the first sermon preached by a Methodist on what is now Danforth, Bancroft, and Weston Circuit, was in 1833, by Rev. J. Lull, in a school house in Weston.
Some time prior to this date a small class had been formed, consisting of William Butterfield, leader, Mrs. William Butterfield, Samuel Springer, George J. Springer, Amy Springer, Robert Hench, Janett Haskell, Edward Haskell, Sarah McFarlen, and probably a few others. There was no Methodist preaching in Danforth till some years later. Topsfield, for some years, was made part of this circuit.
About 1835, a small Methodist church was formed, which, notwith- standing deaths and removals, has steadily increased till the present.
Meetings were held in school houses till about 1875, when a house of worship was provided and dedicated in Weston.
The society have bought a desirable lot in Danforth, where they hope, not long hence, to build a church.
In past years several revival seasons have been enjoyed, the most
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important of which was about 1871, while Rev. H. P. Blood was in charge of the circuit. John S. Springer entered the ministry from this church, who labored successfully while in the work. Of the members, male and female, worthy of special mention, were the Springer family, who were connected with this society from its beginning, and have always been among its leading members ; laboring earnestly to advance the cause of Christ. Other persons and families are entitled to much credit for the good work done for and in the church.
In some respects this has been one of the most important circuits in this part of the State. The village of Danforth, where the society intend soon to build a church, is having a rapid growth.
MONTICELLO. BY REV. D. B. DOW.
(85.) The first Methodist sermon preached in Monticello was by Rev. C. Andrews, in the fall of 1839, while Rev. B. Lufkin had charge of a circuit including Monticello, Littleton, Ludlow and Limerick (?) ("1839, C. Andrews, Weston." B. Lufkin's first Conference appointment was "1840, Pembroke," as per minutes .- Editor.)
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