USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The history of Portland, from its first settlement: with notices of the neighbouring towns, and of the changes of government in Maine, Part II 1700-1833 > Part 26
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In 1830, the second parish having become so large as not to be conveniently accommodated in their house of worship, and many of the members living at a remote distance from it in the upper part of the town ; a number of them held a meeting in December to take into consideration the expediency of forming a new society and erecting another church at the west end of the town. The plan met with general approbation, and committees were raised to carry the design into execution. In the following January a lot of land was purchased in High-street, and the handsome and commodious build- ing now occupied by the society was erected in the ensuing season.1 The society was incorporated under the general statute, February 11 1831, by the name of the " High-street church." In Septem- ber a church was formed consisting of 27 male and 37 female mem- bers, set off from the second and third congregational churches, who were organized as a separate church by an ecclesiastical coun- cil. The house was dedicated in January 1832, on which occasion a sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Tyler, and prayers were offered by Rev. Messrs. Cummings and Cox. In February the society invited Rev. Willard Child of Pittsford, in Vermont, to take the pastoral charge over them, but he declined, and in June following the Rev. George C. Beckwith of Andover received a call to be their minister, which he accepted, and was installed August 8, 1832.2
1 The corner stone was laid by Albion K. Parris, May 28 1831, after some appropriate remarks by him, and an address by the Rev. Dr. Tyler of the sec- ond church. Several coins of the year were deposited beneath the stone, and a silver plate bearing the following inscription. "This corner stone of the High Street Church in Portland, was laid by .Ilbion K. Parris, May 28th, 1831. Building Committee, Nehemiah Cram, Win. Wood, John A. Smith, Mason Greenwood, Oliver B. Dorrance; Nathan How, Superintendant. Par- ish Committee, Henry Goddard, John Bartells, Eben Steele. Ezekiel Day, Treasurer. William Cutter, Clerk. Building Contractors, Ebenezer Wilson, Master Mason, Eli Webb, Master Joiner." . The building is constructed of brick, with one course of long windows; it is 24 feet by 68; the front pre- sents a beautiful pediinent supported by six wooden columns of the Dorie order, surmounted by a belfrey, and a short spire. The whole cost of the building was 815,000. The parish have procured a bell, and an excellent or- gan made by Edwards of Gorham, which cost $1400.
? The introductory prayer on this occasion was offered by Rev. Mr. Riggs of Gray, sermon by Rev. Dr. Edwards of Andover, consecrating prayer by Rev. Mr. Chapin of Pownal, charge by Rev. Mr. Johnson of Saco, right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Dwight of the third parish, address to the church and society by Rev. Dr. Tyler, and concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Pomeroy of Gorham.
240
Methodist Society. [P. II.
These are all the congregational societies which have been estab- lished here ; we shall now endeavour to present a brief view of those of other sects which now divide the town. The first in order of time is the Methodist society.
The first Methodist sermon ever preached in Maine was at Saco Sept. 10 1793, by Elder Jesse Lee of Virginia. He had been principally instrumental in forming the societies of this order in the New-England States, which he commenced in Connecticut in 1789. At a conference held in Lynn in 1793, this zealous disciple of Wes- ley was appointed to travel through Maine. In a tour of several months in this State, he went as far east as Castine, and preached almost every day to such collections of people as he could draw together. A circuit was immediately formed on the Kennebec called " Readfield Circuit," and a preacher sent to them.1 The Portland circuit established in 1794 was the next, and in 1795 a class was formed in this town, and in December of the same year the first quarterly meeting held in the State, assembled at Poland. Elder Wager was appointed the travelling preacher in this circuit. On Elder Lee's first visit here he preached several times in the second congregational meeting-house ; subsequently he preached in the court house and sometimes in a private house in Essex-street. The first society was organized by Elder Wager in 1795, and consisted of six persons. They struggled along through many difficulties and with a slow progress for nine years, at the end of which time the number of members had increased to but eleven.2
In 1804 however, their prospects began to brighten, Major Daniel Ilsley purchased and presented to the society, the house which had been previously occupied by the episcopalians, which was removed to Federal-street and soon filled by a respectable congregation. This was the first house of worship which the society had owned. The Rev. Joshua Taylor now became the stationed preacher, and the church which at the commencement of Mr. Taylor's ministry consisted of but eleven, increased in two years to sixty-four. In 1808, the society having become so numerous as to require larger
1 Elder Wager was appointed preacher ; the next year Enoch Mudge of Lynn, one of the first fruits of Elder Lee's preaching at Lynn, was sent to Readfield.
2 In 1797 the persons who had associated together, were received into the Methodist Episcopal Church as one of the united societies.
241
Baptists.
C. 12.]
accommodations than the old house afforded, made arrangements for the erection of a more spacious one. Trustees were chosen to superintend the concerns of the society according to the discipline of that order, and a year or two after, the house now used by the society in Chestnut-street was erected, and on the 17th of February 1811 was dedicated by Rev. E. Kelby.1 The society kept on steadily increasing ; in February 1821 they became incorporated. Twice the house in Chestnut-street was enlarged, and at length it became necessary to furnish still more room, when the society with great spirit and unanimity erected the neat and handsome brick church on the corner of Pleasant and Ann-streets in 1828. Both these houses are well filled, and the society is in a flourishing condition.2
Baptists. The first Baptist society organized in Maine was at Kittery in 1682, but the persecution was so great at that time on the part of government, that in about a year afterwards, the minister, Mr. Screven, and the greater part of his church went to South Carolina and established themselves on Cooper's river, near where Charles- ton now stands. No further movements were made by persons of this persuasion for more than 80 years. In 1767, the Rev. Heze- kiah Smith of Haverhill, came to Maine to propagate the views of the baptists, and contributed to the formation of a society in Berwick. At the same time he extended his visit to this town, but without any visible success. Mr. Deane was earnestly solicited by one or two persons to invite Mr. Smith to preach in his pulpit, but he declined doing it. In 1771 Mr. Smith came here again and preached to a few persons collected at John Burnham's house. If any effort was made at this time to collect a society here, it was wholly unsuccessful.3
' The trustees were Wm. Waterhouse, Thomas Delano, Wm. True, Thomas Runnels, Samuel Homer, Lemuel Gooding, and Thomas Dodge.
2 The following table will show the progress of this society in the State. In 1795 members 318, stat. preach. 4, 1822 members 6,524 stat. preach. 41
10, 1831 13,478 66 91 1800 1,197, .'
1816 3,464, 27
This does not include the local preachers, who are as numerous as the sta- tioned preachers ; the latter are supported by voluntary contributions. The Maine Annual Conference of this connection is composed of all the travelling methodist ministers in the State.
In 1832 a newspaper was established in Portland under the auspices of this society, called the " Maine Wesleyan Journal," the first number of which was issued January 12th of that year.
3 Mr. Smith was born on Long Island, New York, April 21, 1737, graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, 1762, and died at Haverhill, Nov. 5, 1805. He gathered the first baptist society in the county of Essex in 1765. He al-
242
Baptists. [P. 11.
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 religious inquiries, which re- sulted in their separation from the places where they had usually worshipped, 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 experi- ences. 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 baptism now earnestly engaged their attention, and their inquiries into the scrip- tures were particularly directed to this subject, which resulted in their conviction that baptism by immersion was the true form. In the space of 18 months, 9 persons were baptized by immersion, and the society was visited by ministers of the baptist persuasion.
About this time Benjamin Titcomb was baptized at North Yar- mouth, 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 had been baptized 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 Port- land in July 1801, and proceeded to constitute the persons who had before associated together, " as a church of Christ :"" the following
ways preached without notes, and by a fine command of language, a strong and rich voice, an ardent and persuasive manner and a thorough knowledge of human nature, he acquired great influence in the denomination of which he was an ornament and support. In all the relations of life he was highly exemplary ; I can well remember the kindness of manner with which he has often patted me on the head and taken me upon his knee ; the impression of his open and amiable countenance will never be effaced from my memory.
1 The persons who had associated together as a church were Thomas Beck, Betsey Beck, Edward Carleton, Ruth Wheeler, Sally Tukey, Thankful But- man, Lois Owen, Eleanor Riggs, Moses Cross and Mary Titcomb. Thomas
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243
Baptists.
C. 12.]
September, Benjamin Titcomb was invited to take the pastoral charge of the society.
In June 1803, the first meeting-house was erected in Federal- street ; this was one story high, it was removed in 1811, and the large and convenient church now occupied by the society was erec- ted on the same spot.1 At the time the first house was built, twenty- nine persons had been admitted to the church, of which one had died. In 1804, Mr. Titcomb moved to Brunswick and relinquish- ed his pastoral care over the society. He was succeeded by the Rev. Josiah Convers who was ordained October 21, 1807, and at his own request was dismissed in 1810. In May of the same year, the Rev. Caleb Blood took the pastoral office, in which he continu- ed until his death, March 6, 1814 .? The pulpit was supplied by occasional preaching until Nov. 1815, when the Rev. Thomas B. Ripley commenced preaching to the society, and was ordained July 1816.3
Mr. Ripley was very popular and successful as a preacher ; dur- ing his ministry of 12 years, 219 persons were added to his church, of which 55 were the fruits of his first year's labour. Mr. Ripley's connection with the society terminated on occasion of some unhap- py disagreement in 1828 ; in March of that year he tendered a resig- nation of his office which was accepted. He left the society with the deep and lasting regret of many of its members, to whom he had endeared himself by the practice of those virtues which adorn a man and a christian ; his truly catholic spirit and amiable deport- ment extended the circle of his friends wide beyond the precincts of his parish.4
Mr. Ripley was succeeded by the Rev. Ebenezer Thresher jr. of Providence, R. I. who was ordained Dec. 17, 1828. He held the office but 15 months, when the connection by mutual consent was dissolved. On the 3d of November 1830, the Rev. George Leon-
Beck and Edward Carlton were chosen deacons July 21, 1802. Deacon Carl- ton died in 1825, and Deacon Beck in 1830, aged 70.
1 A handsome tower was added to this house and furnished with a bell in 1831.
2 Mr. Blood when he died was in the 60th year of his age, and 38th of his ministry. He was deeply lamented by his society and friends.
3 The Rev. Dr. Baldwin of Boston preached the sermon. The society was incorporated in 1820.
4 Mr. Ripley is now settled in Bangor.
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244
Christians. [P. II.
ard of Salem, having accepted the invitation of the society, was installed ; the sermon and address to the pastor were delivered by the Rev. Rufus Babcock of Salem. Mr. Leonard's services were peculiarly acceptable to his people, but in the midst of his useful. ness, they were suddenly deprived of them by his death, which took place in Worcester, Mass. Aug. 12, 1831. Ilis remains at the request of his widow were brought to this place, and funeral solemnities were performed over them at the meeting-house, and were followed to their final resting place by a large portion of the church and congregation.
It was not until more than a year afterwards that Mr. Leonard's place was supplied. Rev. Mr. Stow of Portsmouth was invited to become their pastor, but declined. In Sept. 1832, the Rev. John S. Meginnis the present minister, having accepted the invitation of the society, was ordained, on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Way- land, President of Brown University, preached the sermon. The whole number of persons who had been received into this church from its organization to Oct. 28, 1830, was 389, of whom 230 then remained, 61 having died, and the remainder 98, having been dis- missed to other churches, or excluded from their communion.
Christians. A society was established here in 1810, which has borne the several names of Christians, free-will baptists, and the union society. Twelve persons on the 11th of January united themselves together and mutually agreed to drop all party names and to resume the ancient name of Christians, by which the disciples of Jesus were known in the times of the apostles. They adopted the most liberal principles, admitting to their communion professed christians of all denominations. Having no formulary or creed, and under no eccle- siastical government, they take the scriptures for their sole rule of faith. Many of this society here and in other places having separa- ted themselves from Calvinistic baptist societies, and giving to their members the election of baptism by sprinkling or immersion, they have often been called free-will baptists. The society here first uni- ted under the preaching of Elias Smith, who was formerly a Calvin- istic baptist preacher, and who has acquired some celebrity as an itinerant preacher. His people did not embrace all the tenets of that singular man, but felt themselves at liberty to receive what they
1 Mr. Meginnis is a native of Pittsburg, Penn.
C. 12.]
Christians. 245
approved, and to reject what they believed to be error. He contin- ued with them about a year, when he moved to Philadelphia.
Elder Samuel Rand was soon after invited to take the pastoral care of the church and congregation ; under his judicious and lib- eral administration the society increased and flourished for many years. After the methodists moved into their new house, this society occupied the old episcopal church until 1817, when they purchased the old court house, which they moved to Court-street and made of it a neat and convenient house of worship. In 1827 their society had increased so much that they required more spacious accommodations, and in that year they erected the large and convenient house with a tall and graceful spire, now occupied by them in Casco-street. A bell was procured by a general subscription, and the town placed a clock in the tower. The house was dedicated Oct. 18, 1827. The society was now highly flourishing and gave promise of increas- ing numbers and usefulness. But unfortunately in 1829, a division took place, which produced a separation of part of the parish and the formation of a new society. The seceders erected in 1830 a neat meeting-house in Temple-street, called the " Christian Chapel" and settled Elder Shaw over them, who continued to be their min- ister until 1833, when he was succeeded by Elder Tobey.
Mr. Rand remained with the society in Casco-street until his death, which took place Oct. 10, 1830.' The Rev. Charles Morgridge, their present minister, took charge of the society as successor to Mr. Rand in 1831. At the time of the separation above noticed, the church consisted of about 300 communicants, about half of whom seceded. The seeds of this division had been some time maturing throughout the whole of this denomination ; one part being much more strict than the other, were desirous of introducing narrow rules of discipline, and of excluding instrumental music from their churches, and even unconverted persons from taking part in the singing. It is . also the opinion of this party that their ministers have no peculiar privilege or authority in church discipline, but that any member may
1 Mr. Rand was born in Chester, N. H. Sept. 17, 1784; he joined the soci- ety of Christians in 1805, and commenced preaching in Gilmantown, N. H. in 1807. He received ordination in Portsmouth in 1809. During the 20 years of his ministry in this town, he acquired the friendship and esteem of persons of all denominations, who formed his acquaintance, and was a useful and faithful minister. While connected with this society he baptized 325 persons.
31
246
Universalists. [P. 11.
improve his gifts, as they term it, as he has inclination and oppor- tunity. They objected to Mr. Rand that he took too much lead in the meetings, and thought any other person should have as much lib- erty to speak as the minister. The liberal party have taken pre- cisely opposite views of these subjects, and while they wish to be free from the trammels of creeds and ecclesiastical authority, they are desirous of having their meetings conducted by a regular preacher.
The oldest society in the christian connection, was formed at Portsmouth, N. H. in March 1803. The brethren professed to renounce all impositions of mere human authority in matters of faith and conscience. A similar movement, not by concert, was made about the same time in other parts of the United States. The mem- bers composing this connection have been variously estimated at 25,000, 30,000, and 150,000 communicants, with 200 or 300 min- isters, and from 1000 to 1500 churches. The more correct esti- mate seems to be 150,000 communicants and 1500 churches.
Universalists. The society of Universalists was established and incorporated under the act concerning parishes, in 1821. The same year they erected their house of worship on the corner of Pearl and Congress-streets, which is finished by an elevated spire ; it is con- structed of wood one story high, with long windows and without side galleries, is 75 feet in length and 44 in width. It cost $6000, and was dedicated August 16, 1821. A bell was furnished for the tower, by subscription, weighing 1236 lbs.
In August 1821 the Rev. Russell Streeter took the pastoral charge of the society and continued to discharge its duties until May 1827, when at his request he received a dismission.1 In July following he was succeeded by the Rev. John Bisbe. The society was in a flourishing condition under the preaching of Mr. Bisbe, who was a talented and popular minister ; but they were doomed to a severe disappointment by the sudden death of their pastor in the midst of his duties and his days, March 8 1829 .? After this, until the sum-
1 The installation services were performed by Rev. Mr. Ballou of Boston, and Rev. Mr. Streeter of Portsmouth. Mr. Streeter is a native of Vermont, and is now preaching in Shirley, Mass.
2 Mr. Bisbe was born in Plympton, Mass. in 1793, was graduated at Brown University, and commenced the study of law in the office of judge Morton of Mass. Before completing his studies, he was attracted to the study of divin- ity, which he pursued with great ardour, embracing the doctrines of the final restoration. In 1824 he was settled in Hartford, Conn. from which place he came here on the invitation of this society.
1
C. 12.]
Swedenborgians-Roman Catholics. 247
mer of 1831, the pulpit was principally supplied by Rev. William I. Reese, but the health of his family not permitting him to remain, he was dismissed at his own request, and the Rev. Menzies Rayner, the present minister, was invited to supply his place. He came from Hartford, Conn. and took charge of the society in Sept. 1831.
Swedenborgians. A small society of Swedenborgians has recently been established in town. In the winter of 1824-25, Dr. Timo- thy Little having met with the writings of the founder of this sect, became deeply interested in them and was convinced of their genu- ineness and truth. He led some others to their perusal, and in the following year, he, with three others, held regular meetings on Sab- bath evenings to read and converse upon the doctrines of the New Church. Others successively attended the meetings, until the num- ber had sufficiently increased to induce them to hold their services in public, which commenced in June 1829. On Sunday August 21, 1830, twelve persons received baptism and were constituted a soci- ety in the New Jerusalem Church. Since that time, although the number of the professors has not increased, yet more now attend upon the public services than at any former period. Their meetings are held in the vestry of the Methodist church in Cumberland-street, and are conducted by prayer, reading selections from the bible and the works of Swedenborg ; and Dr. Little, who is the leader of the service, occasionally preaches a discourse written by himself. They have occasional visits from regular preachers of their order, who officiate to the society.
Roman Catholics. The number of emigrants, especially of the Irish nation, having become considerabl . numerous in town, they felt a desire of enjoying in this their adopted country, the religious consolations of their beloved church. As soon as their situation and wishes were made known to the Rev. Mr. Cheverus, the late amia- ble and accomplished Bishop of Boston, he came here in 1822 and established a society under the patronage of the Roman See. The society was small and poor ; they held their meetings, until 1828, in a room in Hay-market row, and were visited every year by Bishop Cheverus, until his return to France.
A small brick church was erected in State-street four or five years ago, under the direction of the society, by subscriptions collected in Boston and other places, which were liberally aided by the protes- tants of this town. About $1400 have been expended upon it, but
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. 248
Mariners' Church. [P. II.
it is not completed, the poverty of the society retarding the work. It is contemplated to call it the Church of St. Dominic, but it will not receive its name according to the usage of the Roman church until it is finished ond dedionted.
They have no regular preacher ; they belong to the Diocese of Boston, which comprehends all New-England, and are under the immediate care of Rev. Charles D. French and the Rev. Mr. McNama, whose mission extends from Dover in N. H. to Eastport in this State. Before Mr. French came here in Sept. 1827, they were occasionally visited by the Rev. Dennis Ryan of Whitefield, in the county of Lincoln. The Rev. Benedict Fenwick, the pre- sont Bishop of Boston, has made three visits to this part of his charge, one in 1827 and two in 1830 ; in the last he remained four weeks, preaching four Sabbaths and administering confirmation and other ordinances. The society at present consists of about three hundred persons, most of whom are natives of Ireland or their de- scendants.1
Mariners' Church. The number of religious societies in town at the commencement of 1833, was fourteen, as follows: four of con- gregationalists, two of methodists, two of christians, one episcopalian, one baptist, one of friends, one universalist, one Swedenborgian and one Roman catholic-each of which except the Swedenborgians is accommodated with a convenient house of public worship. Beside these there is a society for the purpose of providing religious instruc- tion for seamen, incorporated in 1827, by the name of the trustees of the mariners' church.
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