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

history, and High street was the mother church.
After much preliminary work, the new church
was organized March 18th, 1862 forty-eight of its
original fifty-eight members coming from High
street church. The nest had been stirred up in
no spirit of faction, but with wise and maternal
reference to normal development. And while the
f1edglings were pluming their wings for indepen-
dent flight the mother sheltered and supported
them.
The present edifce was first occupied in June,
1852, previous to which time social meetings had
been held in the High street vestry.
The first pastor, Rev. H. S. Carpenter, was in
stalled April 9th, 1853. His pastorate of four
years witnessed the large and steady growth of
both church and congregation. He was succeed
ed, after an interval of year ~and half, by the
Rev. G. L. Walker, whose ministrations continued
until i'll health compelled his resignation in Octo-
Der, 1867. The church remained without pas
tor until October, 1870, when the Rev. E. Y.
Hncks entered upon a pastorate of eleven years
the longest in the history of the church Mr..
Hncks was succeeded by the present pastor in
1888.
The church has been strong from the first Born
of the full, rich blood of noble mother, it entered
Immediately uponla career OF influence and useful
ness. The labors of faithful pastors have been
ably and efficiently seconded by the steadfast de-
votion of a notable succession Of deacons-such
as William Oxnard, John A. Balkan, Woodbury.
Davis and Thomas R. Hayes, whose memories are
priceless heritage and aninspiration.
There have been added to the 5S original mem
bers 35e by letter and $40 by profession, and the
present membership is 423.
Of the So original members but five are now
with us.
Two colonies have gone out from us. In 1893
% members were dismissed to form the Union
Church, and in 1873 16 members became the
nucleus of the Williston Church. The latter en-
terprise had grown out OF Mission Scnool sus -
tanned chiefly by the contributions and labors OF
our membership. In 1866 the Mission had Deen
formally adopted as child of the church, and be-
came thenceforth memorial to the sainted Wo-
man whose name it bears-the beloved wife OF tne
pastor, DR.; Walker The work of the Sabbatn
School had been supplemented by the employ
ment of lady visitor and the opening OF a sew
ing school, and in 1867 minister had been EN-
pyed under the Joint support OF the Name mus
this daughter Of the church developed IN stfehgth
and beauty.
tory of this church. The rules of government
originally adopted call for an annual contributor
for each of the leading benevolent societies; iHe
first collection for the Maine Missionary Society
was ordered by the church in February, 1929 1922
The scheme of benevolence has been mOullleu
from time to time with view to greater elncienicy'
The adoption of the system of weekly contilp99-
tons has largely increased the amount raiseu,
The total benevolent contributions for the last ve
years averages 5000 annually while for the pre-
ceding five years the average is but So, 062
From an early period the ladies of the chuTcGn
have been active in humane and benevolent worh VOTE
The missionary Sewing Circle, organized IN 1921,
did enthusiastic work for the soldiers during tne
war, and has since cared for many needy mlsslonfF
airy households having distributed the value u
about $1,000 in the last ten years. The Willstonl
Circle, now known as the Social Circle, organized
in 1870, raised for the Wiliiston Mission over
The Sabbath School, organized in june, 1907,
has been carried on by the cooperation OF many an
faithful workers. Many Of the members nave gu Oh,
tered the church, while its contributions have pee
widely useful Its records were burned IN do op1
put lts history Is imperishable The hlgheSt hon'-
berShlp reported was in 1SS5-332, ,.4,,or0,
Thus the God of Israel has been our fatn 1t;no
God and our God The record of these lllttlls
years may well move us to grateful praise 70
to new endeayOr