Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-19

his way, preaching to whomever would
hear him and combating the world on
every turn the flesh and the devil.
The success of these devoted and
God fearing men was due in great
measure to the peculiar circumstances
of the times. The people had been fed
upon the dry husks of Calvinism.
They were RECALLED with the gloomy
theories Of election" ''predestina-
ton and infant damnation' but the
Methodist told them of the Tree
grace" and represented COD not as an
avenging demon but as loving ana
merciful Father. Such change wis
pleasant to contemplate and though We
may realize the natural CONSERVATISM
of the early inhabitants, they were ul-
doubtedly glad to learn the good news
and eagerly grasped the opportunity OF
hearing more of 1t.
And so we find that a company of
men. women and children met at
Bowmans point at irregular periods
during the summer of 1900, whenever
the circuit riders could come to preach
TO them and that the congregation
which met at this building on every
Sunday are the successors of that
company of Il century ago. 1t would
be interesting to know who formed
that first congregation of a century
ago. but the names of only few of
the more prominent ones have come
down to us. Services were held at ir-
regular intervals for sometime until
the interest increased to such an ex-
tent as to justify the formation of
class, which was done in 1902. Imme-
diately afterwards an earnest endeav-
or was made to erect church build
ing which should accommodate the
growing congregation.
From a paper now in the possession
Of Mrs Frank Perry, we learn the
names of the pewholders in the church.
The meeting house was framed by
Hugh Cox, who owned the land on
which it was built. Twenty-six square
yards were sold for $50. The deed was
signed by Hugh and Perley Cox and
witnessed by William Springer and
William Church. The pcWholders were
Jas. Goodwin. Ichabod Plaisted. SamI.
Elwell Peter Grant. Ebenezer Church.
Augustus Ballard. Phillip Bullen, VIM.
Marshal, VIM. Griffin, Hugh Cox VIM.
Church. Moses Springer, Gershom
Cocks SIN. HOdgdon, Joseph Gldden,
Natl. Rollins, Sohutha blanchard. Jas.
Lowell. Jas. Winslow. Enoch Marshal.
Thos. cuts. William Springer. Thos.
Glddcn. Jas. Springer. Thos. Fillibrom,
and Jas. Springer.
In accordance with the customs of
the times. the plan of the church was
made and the position of the mem
bcrs and pews marked. The pcWs
We're then sold at auction. those in the
middle Of the church selling for
higher price than those in the rear or
galleries. The amount Of money thus
raised was $134S.
The situation Of the church was on
the river road ana the front door on
the side Of the porch now facing up the
present Bowman street. \ space one
rod in width was reserved for a right
of way from the road to the river and
this right of way is still maintained.
though the shipyards which We're the
cause Of the reservation have long
since disappeared.
The building was framed by Hugh
Cox ana is as solid today rs it was at
that time, for it is now standing on
Union street. Hallowcn. though no
longer used for religious services
At that time. people preferred free
dom rather than to have all the con-
veniences possible, so they did not fin
ish their church. but left it looking
very much like n modern barn. In
1872. the owners Of the building CON
ference by which it was to be held in
trust for the use Of the parish. A few
years later a stove was placed in the
house and the funnel was allowed to
pass through the window. square of
glass being removed for the purpose.
The glass that formed the windows
was brought from England.
The building served the parish until
1S2-When services in it We're discon-
tiued. The reasons for this action are
very apparent. The point was neither
ITallowell or Gardiner. While really IN
the town Of Hallowell. ii was SO far
away from the centre of population as
to make it inconvenicnt for the people
to come so far n distance to attend
church. The town of Gardiner, while
ldIluly SIfN lIlS, WAS Il MILO DcilW.
Furthermore, services Were.baing held
in Il sChOolhOusc situated on what is
now High street on the high land
across from what is now the Highland
Avenue school building. And finally.
during a spring flood. the church was
badly damaged by floating ice.
A bond Of union. more or less strong.
has bound the Methodist with the
Episcopal church. The Episcopal
church has always regarded the Meth
Odist church as n daughter whose re
turn was Il thing devoutly to be hoped
1t was. perhaps, for this reason that
the Methodsts made use of the old
Episcopal church. after their new cdi-
flee had been erected. The society
made use Of their buildings for two
years. during 1912 ana 1922, until the
completion Of their building, at the
junction If High and Winter streets
This building was used from 1922 to
November, 1928. Mr.. Richard Clay
built the house and informed Mr.. Hut
Crimson that he had given the house
to the Lord and the key to Father
Plaisted." During the years 1927 and
1928. the present building was erected.
This building. enlarged and adorned, is
our present church.
The year Of 1919 is made memorial bic
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