The Portland daily press., 1870-12-02

This ancient hall located on Free street has
been thoroughly renovated and put in perfect
repair. The walls have been newly painted,
handsome pulpit desk added, and comforta-
BILE settees will accommodate the worshippers
The Second Advent Society have hired it and
will dedicate it for divine worship next Sun
day afternoon. Prof. Hastings of Boston is
expected to take part in the services on that
occasion. This hall is rich in historic memo
ries. 1t was built in 1898 and was the proper
ty of the late Noah Harding. 1t was after
wards destroyed by fire, rebuilt of brick in 1919,
the first building being constructed of wood.
When Maine was separated from Massachu-
sets in the year 1920. in commemoration of
this event, and in this hall, grand ball was
given in honor of the formation of the new
State and here were assembled the sons and
daughters of the early commonwealth, attired
in the elegant costumes of that day, SO much
more brilliant and dressy than those of this
period Beneath this roof dined General
Lafayette in 1926 And here it may not be inn
proper to state that thu General was a guest of
Gov. Paris during his stay, and in the eve
ming OF the day on which the public dinner
took place the Governor gave leveee, and as
his carpets were injured by the free and en-
lightened citizens owing to a severe rain storm,
he petitioned the Legislature to make good
the damage Inflicted by muddy boots. When
the General left town the Governor would mt
escort him out of the city because it was the
Sabbath. Here also the Fourth of July din
ners used to be served either to the Federal
lists or Democrats Many of the most noted
clergy of eye olden time' have preached the
gospel in this hall to devout and earnest con-
gaegations, among them Lorenzo Dow The
drama long held sway within these walls. In
the early part of the century the love of coed
acting was as keen, if not keener in Portland
than at the resent day. Hither came Mr.. and
Mrs Powell, Mr.. and Mrs. Jones and Mr..
McKenney from the old Federal St. Theatre in
Boston in 1894, and on October 9TH of that
year brought out "The "Lyar" and "Modern
Antiques" in tn old building on India street,
the first theatrcals recorded in the city, and in
loO0 they were plea sed to get into Union Hall
with its superior advantages. The company
was so much encouraged they kept on until a
law was passed, through the efforts Of the
straight laced, forbiddiug theatrical nerform.
ances, but in 1920 old Union Hall was acain
the scene of the same company's triumphs and
in 1880 the Free st. Theatre was built for So.
600 Mrs. Powell was a very celebrated ac
tress, lady of high culture and refinement
and courted by society. Mrs. Pelby and tb,
Gilbert family we're also among the theatrca
attractions of the times.
The aristocracy OF the day held their assem-
blies in this hail. and in fact SO fruitful is tn
theme that columns might be devoted to tn
scenes this old hall has witnessed in connection
with the bellies and beaux of the early part 0
the century.
In 1852, when the society of st. Luke's wa
first organized, they worshipped in this hall
Bishop Southgate, now rector of lions churcl
New York, officiated. DR.. Alexander Burgess
also preached here for some time, and the Tn
ion Church Society, over which Rev. II. D
Moore was pastor, held services for a long peri
oa in the old building. After this the hall wa