Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-01-21
The Congregational Church and Society in
Ellswor

Regular religious service. we're resumed
in the Congregational church. Sunday. Jan.
II, 1886. after an interval Of six months,
during which time II has been closed for re-
pairs. As the interior has been greatly
changed and improved, it was thought prop
er that The exercise, should be somew ha;
after the character OF dedication OF the
house 10 the worship Of God.
IL this connection it will be interesting TO
briefly review the history OF this church and
society. which by several years constitutes
the oliest religious organization in Els
worth. In the early part Of the present CEN
turr there was IN active operation in Boston
home missionary society called the Chris.
tan knowledge Soeiety. 1t sent it. mis-
'iouaEies all over New England. and in fac,
at east vas supported by fund. contributed
from England.
nder tie auspices Of this socie, in tie
yehr 1910 Or thcreabout. Peter Nourse. born
IN Boul,or. Mas, graduate Of Cambridge
Mass College, and for several years chair
1'l'' % '''A' '"'''A''''"' "esaA Work IN
Ellsworth. In the YEAR lsl2 Congrec.
'''4' 20 a '"' ''i'a consisting oi we've
"'''''s N""h were me ia'e An
drew Peters and wife. and neaoou Samuel
Dut,on and wife. Over this church Peter
->"uF'e Was installed pastor oy council con
s's''hs al heN. MI bancroft, iather OF the
historian, "farson Fisher of Biuehll, Rev.
Nj. Mason OF Casline. and Blood Of Buck
sport These memorable exercises were held
IN barn
In the wear ISIS, Col. Jordan built a, h.
own expense the first Congregational meet
ing house, on the SITE where the present
church stands and gave the land and build
ing TO the .eciely resersIng out Of the thirty
or forty pevs, pew for each one Of his
eleven children. By the sale Of It's pevs the
society created fund, the income Of which
amounting 10 about one hundred dollars per
year, went 10 the support Of Mr.. Nour'e,
During HI. pastorsie and subsequently Mr..
Nouise added 10 his income BY teaching
school. The influence for good which This
cultured gentleman exerted in the commu-
nit, must have been inca.cuiabie. All who
met him and knew him With one voice testify
10 h. christian character, and he was loved
and reVerenced sy has generation, the last Of
which, sa, viii soon have been gathered
home
The fund above referred TO finally became
improved ana was used IN building the
present parsonage oil ihls society
inns church, though organized So Con
gfegsuonai' mad no creed.
In the 'pnng OF 1850. f'Fson Noursr te-
signed MS pasiorate on seeount OF falling
"eAi'h' Il i possioie''oo' 'ha' MS religious
views were ho' 10 sh'ite harmony win that
oil n'' c"ufch' since he 10 some extent syn
pA'AAed WIN Inc lhi'arIah form OF oe'iei.
""''N vas '"en oes'hh'n. 70 'Ake form ana
strength ~ New England H's successor
81 lie age OF - IS stu spared TO bless 'hi'
worn win hi' p'esehcs'h.ar ana dear 70 The
hear' oil every one
rev ~ oe"hi' iehhes was porn a. ines
ter y H., and graduated from Dartmouth
College and Ando'er Seminary. The fret
three years OF his ministerial life were passed
at Portland, IN charge OF The Seamen- Bethel.
tie vas settled over this church IN the year
1882 on saiarl oil sA hundred dollars
oi thi- sum AHdrew Peters and Samuel
Dutton paid one hundred aud fly dollars
each Ills congregation Was limited to
'nHty or forty hearers
The present church building VAS erected
IN The wear 1918. the building committee
consisting Of Thomas Robinson, Andre"
Peters and Samuel Dutton. When this
church was completed II va. in fact the
property of this committee. since the ten
thousand dollars which paid for ii came
entirely in the first instance from their
pockets. A day was appointed for an auc-
ton sale of the pews- The result TO doubt
rolled burden off the committee, for the
proceeds Of the pews paid for the church,
but not until Dea. Du,ton, after purchasing
his own rev ana presenting pew 10 each
of his children. bid j" FIVE or six pews which
otherwise would have remained unsold.
The memories Of Col. Jordan and Samuel
Dutton are also preserved in the service of
communion plate then IN use. 1t was orig
inslly purchased during the pastorate Of
Peter Nourse. by Col Jordan for the church,
and, as was supposed, given to the society.
But at his death it was claimed BY one of his
children as her properly. To settle the
question. Dea Dutton re-purchased 1t and
presented i, to the society. The necun;arv
r.,.. III. .., H.,
" pow NV o"' ''' 'a'ue
TO this church, by reason OF Its age, its hal
lowed associations, the loved ones to whom
il has minis,ersd i, that which the cunning
-:,..:.L
o' lne ''i'e'''''"h oouio i'o' oes''"'
coed in sonia A, the time Hancock Hall
-. hull, ,b;s x.. r,.osd b. -. n.;,,;..
which ha. since adorned tho wallis o. No,
ina, a. You may nls..e 70 think
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