Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-30

MAINE LANDMARKS.
Ancient Buildings Still Standing in
Thomaston and Freeport.
RI. Old Church on the Hill and the
Jameson Tavern.

-, the mecca of many pilgrimage,
e the "old church on. the HILL in the
.ou, of Thomaston. Hallowed by the
hanediction of eminent preachers In
.so davs when ThomastOn was a part
~ the Massachusetts commonwealth,
nd eacred with memories of Gen.
Henry Knox, first secretary OF war,
tbie famous house of worship is now
an unpainted structure. whose walls
ara weatherbeaten and reaching the
noint where they must soon crumble
into decay unless preventive steps
are taken
pelieious services were discontinued
.bere some 40 years ago and with the
eYception Of repairing the roof on the
sorthern side, in order to protect the
...strv little has been done in the way
~ maintaining the permanency of the
structure.
The plastering has fallen from the
roof and lime dust half an inch in depth
had been permitted to accumulate on
the old fashioned pews, when citizens
went there this week. Some of the
eoor timbers have become decayed and
n was apparent that if the building
we're to be saved the fate which befell
tho Knox mansion, Montpelier"
something must be done at once.
The people of Thomaston have never
ceased to deplore the fact that Mont
nelier was allowed to vanish from ex-
istence and are fully determined that
tho Knox church shall be rescued from
times ravages.
This meeting house is located on the
hill west of Mill river, and is the old-
est house of worship in this section of
what was then the district of Maine.
The money to build it was raised by
subscription. General Knox subscribed
$40 and the glass, providing that it
should be built in 1875.
Three days were occupied in erecting
the frame. Men came from all the ad-
joining towns to contribute their aid,
while teams of all kinds We're present.
There was everything to eat and drink,
ardent spirits being included under the
latter head. A troublesome thing was
to erect the steeple and place it in posi-
ton. but it was accomplished.
The pulpit was set up high, with a
sounding board over it to throw the
speakers voice down to the audience.
There was gallery on the east side
and one at the opposite end from the
pulpit for the singers. The house was
occupied by different denominations,
being first called the town or Congre-
gational Westinghouse.
In 1897 General Knox purchased a
bell of Paul Revere of Boston of
Mi 70 nd -
the parish. This was for many years
the only bell in this region that called
the people to worship. In 1922 this bell,
having become disabled, was sent to
Boston, where it was recast by Paul
Revere. and his famous name stamped
upon It:
Paul Revere-1S22"
At this time the house was called
the North parish the meeting house
that was erected in South Thomaston
In 1896 being known as the South par
ish. The latter was burned in Febru-
ary, 1885,
In 1898 the Congregationalists sold
their interest in the Thomaston house
to Hezekiah Prince. who bought it for
the Baptists. In 1S49 the lower part of
WV MUSE WAS quilt over, ana by vote
the name was adopted First Baptist
meeting-house of Thomaston.
When it is taken into considera ton
mat this meeting-hou in which Cen
erai Knox was so largely interested,
contains the only bell that for years
used to call the people to worship in
tnis section of Maine, and bears the
name Of Paul Revere, the structure be-
comes In the highest sense historic.
It's age, the connection with it of the
close friend of Neutrality-suspicious.
Knox, the country's first secretary of
war ana of the navy-the name of Re-
we're upon the bell, the memory of the
hardy, God-fearing people who have
Worshiped in it-these are things that
iehuer the building landmark, and
plead for its preservation.
"hen Freeport celebrated the CEN
shhlal OF its birth in 1889 the old
Jameson tavern was one of the princi-
pa' attractions, being one of the most
.laoorately decorated buildings in the
town. ~