The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

1854 This was the end of the first movement to
build up Second Uniyersalst church in the city.
A second attempt was made in the winter of
1866. This was when the First Universalist
Parish moved from the old church, corner of Con-
gress and Pearl streets to their new church on
Congress Square. few individuals friendly to
the cause, seized the opportunity, purchased the
Pearl street church and commenced services
anew under the pastorate of Rev. B. NJ
Atwood now D. D., and continued until the great
fire which left the church in ruins and made des-
olate the homes of many OF those connected with
the parish.
After the fire and upon due elaboration it was
decided not to rebuild but to sell cut and dissolve
few friends, however, still believing that there
was sufficient material for two Universalist
churches in the city made purchase of the land
solved.
A third movement was then inaugurated. A
frame building was secured from the Methodists
on Munjoy Hill and moved to present site of Kav-
anagh school, the lot at that time belonging to
the city. The Pearl street lot being deemed too
narrow for a full sized modern church was sold
for $4,000 and after much delay, discussion and
canvass the Thomas lot, corner of Congress and
India streets was secured, the majority of those
location then to be had. This purchase was eff
fected in the spring of 1869 and the work on the
building was in reasonable tune begun. The
with appropriate ceremonies and in accordance
with Masonic honors and usages. After many
severe struggle, numerous disappointmeuts and
reverses, with any amount of discouragements,
the structure was so far completed as to Justify
dedication, which ceremonies took place in the
autumn of 1871. Previous to this time Rev. Geo.
w. Bicknell had received and accepted call to
become the pastor of the struggling society He
was installed into the pastoral Office at the same
time that the church was set apart to the service
of the one God and Father of all.
There was large debt to begin with, too large
for the ability of the friends to carry Although
extra efforts were put forth by parish, pastor and
Ladies' Aid, the debt would increase and the use
fitness of the parish continued to be greatly I'M
paired. The parish was unfortunate in assuming
burden it could not carry or throw off. After a
passionate OF some seven years, Rev. MI. Bcknell
resigned his charge in Portland.
The Rev. G. A. Hayden, then of Gardiner, came
to the vacant pastorate and began work, but the
friends were not able to meet current expenses
and pay the interest as it piled up around them.
This state of things continued until February,
1881, when the creditors felt obliged to close the
doors of the church and offer the property for SALE
The parish was not inclined to bid for its repur-
chase. So a few individuals, six in number, still
full of faith in the project OF establishing second
UniverSalist Society, embarked in the enterprise
of getting the property into their own hands, that
it might not be diverted from the cause for which
it had been set apart. The lamented Ex-Governor
WaShburn encouraged these gentlemen In their
efforts and furnished substantial aid. In October,
1881, the church was secured by these private
parties, and soon thereafter what had been known
as the India Street Parish was dissolved, and thus
endeth the third chapter of the scenes enacted to
secure Second UniverSaliSt Society in our city.
fourth effort was made in connection with a
new organization named the Parish OF the Church
of the Messiah This new society was completed
according to the forms of law, Oct. IL, 1881, and
began its career with an enthusiasm that promis-
cd success from the very start. Under the exist
ing order of things the debt has steadily grown
less 1t was at first $1o000 it is at this date re-
duced to S4 100 with increasing facilities for its
speedy extinction.
The Rev. G. A. Hayden was continued as pastor
for some two wears under the new organization in
connection with the Deering parish. He was fol
lowed by the Rev. II. S. Kellerman, who, on ac-
rount of i'll health served the society for only
few months. The present pastorate was begun
the LIST of October, 1884 less than two years ago.
The outlook at the present time is encouraging,
and all the friends are full of hope. There
are something more than 30 families claiming
connection with the parish. There is a church
nearly 800 enrolled with an average attendance
of over 200.
The ladies of this parish have the credit of
doing a vast amount of hard work and of produc-
ing marvellous financial results. 1t is the banner
parish of the State among Protestant churches,
so far as known, in the amount OF money 1t
realizes from the work that is done.
The way is now made clear, 1t is fully demon
strated. that two large and well to do Unversalst
churches can exist in the beautiful thriving and
cultured city of Portland. And it is also made APP
parent in the midst of this centennial celebration,
as we stand in the light of these last years OF the
nineteenth century, that the truths of the father
hood of God, the brotherhood Of men, and the
immortality and final blessednesS of all souls are
more prevalent in the earth than ever before.