The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
ST. LAWRENCE STREET CHURCH
BY THE PASTOR, REV. A. H. WRIGHT.

This shall be written for the generation to come;
and people which shall be created, shall praise
the LOrd.-PSa. CHI r. V.
The request of our city fathers that an historical
statement respecting the rise and progress of this
church should be prepared for insertion in the
records of Pertland's Centennial Anniversary is
graceful recognition of this church an important
institution of the city, and as bearing vital rela-
ton to its Social moral and religious welfare.
Churches are the citys most valuable and per-
manent safeguards against the prevalence of ig-
norance, Immortality and unrighteousness, and
without them city would not be fit habitation
for civilized man.
Portlands debt to these religious organizations
cannot be estimated. They have trained thou
sands of her sons in Christian virtues and pre-
pared them for the high and sacred duties of en-
lightened citizenship.
Among these, the St. Lawrence street Congre-
gational church has existed for twenty-eight
years. Its history is now written, not for your
ears only, but ''for the generation to come" We
design to speak of its origin, its pastorates and
progress, and of its mission.
Its origin. Providence decreed that it
should be Independent in its origin, and begin its
infant life without the fostering care of any mate
rial church. Two attempts had been made at the
suggestion of the Rev. DIR. Carruthers one in
1858, the other in 1885, by the Second Parish
church, to form Congregational church on Mum
joy Hill. They both failed, and we barely escaped
the honor of becoming the legitimate child of this
venerable and prolific mother of churches.
The st. Lawrence street church had its origin in
an household prayer-meeting, began in 1857. In
that year Ward One had at least 5000 inhabitants,
and a population of 1000 crowned this Hill There
was but one church existing in this dense popula-
@pe er There was
families, representing different churches met in
these neighborhood prayermeetings. There were
formed and cemented those social ties and spirit
ual bonds which afterward found expression in
the communion of this church. There were the
fathers and mothers who were the founders of the
St. Lawrence street church. Prominently among
them, Leading spirit in this enterprise, was Mr..
william Curtis. Associated with him were Daniel
Randall, Edward Waite, Washington Griffin,
Luther V. Shaw, James V. Poor, William Beau.
mont and Simeon Skillings These eight Christian
Of worship on Munioy Hill. They had no idea of
forming church.
body purchased the present site of our church for
$24O0, giving their private bonds for that amount
ms mouse was speedily erected and was dedica-
Congregational Chapel. The organization of a
Congregational church followed on February 10.
1858, with % members
1.-THE pastorates and progress of the church
The first pastor Rev. Edward p Thuring. was
called February %. He was installed and entered
upon the full duties of the pastoral office in the fo
lowing September. His pastorate continued four
years, during which time the church increased to
ITO members.
In March, 1858 the church adopted its creed
ana government and elected Arthur Libby, James
V; Poor and Edward Waite as its first deacons.
From September 1862 until April 1865, the
Rev. John IL. Mardough, was the acting pastor of
the church. This was the war period and the
tideof removals could not be stayed Mr. Mar
dough resigned in April, 1865 and was succeeded
by Rev; Samuel Morrison, who was installed on
the 25th Of the following October This pastor
ate was OF even shorter continuance After two
years service Mr.. Morrison withdrew on account
OF i'll health, and the church was pasOrless until
october, 1868. Meanwhile the work prospered,
and when Rev. Rufus X. Harlow began his iabors
here IN october, he found many Young neonle
ready TO be gathered into the church. Mr. Hsr-
low served the church one year, and his health
falling he was compelled to decline the urgent
the close of 1869. "
Then for the third time the church was bereaft
OF its minister, and remained without a pastor un-
til Rev. A. II. Wright was called on December
~, dSa9: during tnls lnterregnum the desk was
supplied for the most part by the Rev. Elijah KEEL
logg OF HaTpswell. Mr.. Wright began his abors
Win the cnurch January /, 1871 and was in
stalled on the 10Th of the following April During
us i t lot nearly l6 years the church has
thore tldn coupled It's membership. 1t has paid
the remnant OF its old debt $1,000: has repaired
ana improved It's house of worship to the cost of
nearly $4,000 The debt incurred for this work
Ms ipy Pig IL l9So marked revival fol
the church at one communion. Religious inter
est also prevailed Ill an unusual degree i'm fine
years OF 1867. In 1882 new form of admis-
s sion WIN new covenant was adopted, containing
the Apostles Greed as a working confession Of
Ialth In this year occurred another revival
among the young, and society Of Christian En-
deayor was formed in the church.
On February 10, 1883, the twenty.ffth anniver-
Sary OF tne church was observed with appropriate
services. In 1884 new and complete church
manual was published which haSlgreatly added 10
the working power Of the church.