The Somerset reporter., 1890-09-25
The Congregational Church

The Congregational Church |
INTERESTING ExERctsEs ON REoPENISG.
The Congregational Church on Island
Avenue which had been closed for two
months for repairs was opened for pub
lie service Sunday last, with exercises
specially adapted to the occasion. morn |
Ing and evening, conducted by the pas
tor, Rev. A. J. Racklif, assisted by the
pastors of other churches In town, and
listened to by large audiences.
Rev. MIR. Rackliff gave very interest
ing historical sketch Of the church OF
which we give q brief abstract;
The first settlement made north OF Win
slow, with the exception Of two OF three
families that had located at what was
called Sebssticook, WAS made In l77l In
what WAS afterward Gale | Bloomfield.
From that time settlers came In rapidly
and within five years, during the time OF
our Revolutionary war, the settlers, who
were mainly Congregationalists and Pres
byterians, formed themselves into 3
Presbyterian society though without
church organization. They engaged Rev.
he continued their pastor until 1888. He
was succeeded by Rev. Nathaniel Whitta-
ker Of Salem, Mass. He was an English
man by birth, a man Of commanding per-
sonal appearance and of decided ability
as a preacher. 1t was during his minis
try that the FIRST meeting house was built
in 1888, In the lower part Of the town OF
Bloomfield. 1t was also during his minis
try that the church was formally organ
lied. 1t was at frst a "Presbygational"
church, as 1t had the Congregational
church government yet with a quasi con-
nection with the Salem Presbytery. That
connection was not formally severed I'M
til Jan. 1870.
DR.. Whitaker was succeeded by Rev.
Jonathan Calef who was pastor from
1898 to 1901. An interregnum Of seven
or eight years followed after which Rev.
John Gaylord became pastor. He was an
impulsive man and somewhat indiscreet
In his public utterances. Dissatisfaction
arose and he resigned In 1912.
After this the church was more FORUM
ate in its choice Of pastors. In 1914 Rev.
| Fifield Holt became pastor and served un-
| til 1880, when he died beloved Of all his
people. During his ministry the second
house Of worship vas built on what ID
known as Baptist hill. 1t was erected In
1925. A Sunday school was also organ.
lied in the second year OF Mr.. Hollis pas
torate, only thirty -six years after the first
Sunday school organized by Robert
Raikes.
Mr.. Holt was succeeded by Rev. Geo
H. Hathaway who was pastor from 1873;
to 1860. Mr.. Hathaway Is still living a
Los Angeles, Cal. Mr.. Hathaway was I
man of scholarly attalnments and an abl'
preacher. During his ministry the church
was divided. Twelve members were dis
missed at their own request and unitini
with few from other churches, formed
the Skowhegan Congregational church, M
Hathaway's being known as the Bloom
field Congregational church. This nev
church had q separate existence until 1860
In that year Mr.. Hathaway resigned, ant
the two churches came together In frater
nal relations once more and united In tn
choice at Rev. Temple Cutler who at tina
time was pastor of the Skowhegan brancl
Of the church. During Mr.. Cutters min
istry the present church edifce wa
erected and dedicated on Christmas 1862
The other pastors of the church are .
follows Rev. +. E. Sturgess, who ha
Just been called to Smith Bakers churcl
In Lowell, was pastor from l86869. Rev
Webster Woodbury. 1S70.l88l, and h
was succeeded by Rev. A. j. Racklif, tn
present pastor.
The address closed with a reference t.
the inspiration that comes from the mem
DRY of past achievements. The beginning
of religious work 10 this county takes u
back to time when Maine was a wilder
ness; when the American colonies ha,
hardly recovered breath after thei
struggle with the mother country; to
time when George III was on the thron
OF England and Louis XVI on the thron
Of France; before the great Napoleon ba
won his fame. In fact this church who's
house of worship was open to us las
Sunday has existed one eighteenth OF TN
whole time since the birth of Christ.
The address was delivered In the even
ing and WAS listened to with marked at
tention. The services closed with YER
appropriate selection by the choir an
which was unusually well rendered. Tn
people of Island Avenue church are EVIL
IDENTIFY happy to be once more in thei
"'Tf16S III" edd22} te mas truly ueeu s.eau, "a.
proved by the process it has undergone
during the few weeks past. Ne,
windows of cathedral glass have take
the place Of the old ones; the walls an
ceiling have been frescoed in artist
style with .harmoniously blending color
and pleasing design the heavy chands
llers which aforetims gave forth the din
light OF kerosene lamps have given plac,
to electric ceiling rehectors. onelof /
lights in the centre and two of light
each near either end, and they light tn,
auditorium, the pulpit, and the or. an lof
perfectly.
The vestry is also lighted by &C ligh
ceiling reflector, the snail vestry and tn
PASTORS room each by a 2 light electro
lier.
This Society are to be congratulate
upon having one of the plessantest an
most convenient church edfices In East
ern Maine.