The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-28
MAINE TOW ms.
Alfred.


THE ANCIENT CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
HOUSE.
For over a century the central object on a
slight elevation in Alfred village. has been
the Congregational meeting house. Its ear
ly history is so intimately interviewer with
the early history of the town that it has ain
especial interest not only to the present in
habitants, but to an ever increasing number
who once had their homes in this pleasant
village, but are now scattered far and wide.
Many of them sent loving tokens of remem-
brance in the shape of substantial aid in the
recent Improvements.
John Holmes, one OF Names first United
States Senators, Judge Daniel Goodenow,
bury, hon. William G. Allen, father of Hen
wv. Allen, an associate justice of the Su-
preme Judicial Court of New York, George
W. Rogers, William G. and Alvah Conant,
are among the widely known men who were
regular attendants here, but whose descend
the first structure served as place of wor-
ship; then 1t was taken down and rebuilt on
the same spot, many of its massive timbers
having been utilized in the present church
building, which has stood, with slight modi-
ffi NstIo tor ffty.dve years. The parish
the old meeting house rather than build
new one. although the expense would be
nearly the same. Under the supervision of
Messrs. Fassett &c Tompson, architects, of
the citizens have placed fine tower clock,
while above 1t all whirls the regilded arrow
vane on its gun barrel, first wrought out and
presented by our former village blacksmith,
James Griffin, who has long ago gone to his
rest. The traditional white paint has given
nlapp Tn a soft pnlnr MI inn 70
the eye.
On the inside all seems changed. The pas
tors platform has been enlarged, with the
choir gallery at his right, and his room and
one for the Sunday school library at his left,
with symmetrical arches over all. The walls
and ceiling are tinted in rich cslors- while
cherry pews, with new cushions and carpet,
ad0rn the main body of the house. In the
rear Of the pulpit is placed a large and beau
tiful rose window, given by Mr.. r. o: Co
memory of their father and mother. the late
Alyah Conant and wife; while Mr.. William
+. Hall of BrOOkline, Mass, has put in a
memorial window on the northeast side, for
his father and mother, the late DIR. Abiel
Hall and wife; Mrs. F. o. Dame of Boston,
Mass, proposes to insert one in memory OF
her grandparents, Deacon George w: Rogers
and wife, and their son, the late Thomas
Rogers, and his sister, Miss Harriet Rogers,
LOT many years leading members OF this
ShuiCu. luo lulIu Wl0u0W vi luc odLuc
side will soon be filled in memory of Mr..
Rufus Sayward and wife, by their descend
ants: On the southwest side, the central
window Is occupied as a memorial of Will
lam q: Conant and wife, presented by their
son, Mr.; William III. Conant of Portland,
VINO has been most efficient helper by con-
tributing literally, as we'll as interesting
otners IN identifying the old church build
ing and there Is also on this side memori-
a. window IN memory OF the late William
Appropriate exercises for the dedication of
the cnuIch were held Wednesday, Feb, 10. at
which Rev. George Lewis of South Berwick.
former pastor preached very able and ap-
proprlate sermon. Rev. ID. b. Sewall of South
Berwick, Rev. j. B. Emerson and Rev. #. M
Davies of Biddeford and Rev. Mr. Rogers of
Lyman also took part in the dedicatorY exer-
cises. Supper furnished by the ladies in the
town hall and a social evening service in the
church, at which the pastor of
the Baptist church Rev, Alfred Chin.
man and Rev. Walter Canham of the Meth
odist and B. c. Jordan one of our best
church workers spoke words. of .congratu-
lation and encouragement closed the ex-
ercises of dedication. The above improve
ments represent nearly, If not quite $4,000,
and it was especially gratifying to learn