Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-05-23

Deacon CrOcKett Is preparing q hiStoiy
of the churches in the Oxford Baptist
Association, and the sketch which he
gave on this occasion is the one which
he has prepared for that history. 1t
tells in full and very effectively the story
of the South Paris church. A few facts
from it are condensed in what is given
below.
For nearly one hundred years the old
church on Paris Hill was the only Bap-
fist church in this part of the town.
There were always some Baptist families
in South Paris, and desire for church
here was frequently expressed. This
was especially the case during the
pastorate of Rev. Mr.. Ventres on Paris
Hill, in the eos, when some went so
far as to select site for church build
ing in the southeastern part of the vii
lage, near where Laurin Whitman now
lives. Some of the Baptist families soon
after moving away from the village re-
duced the numbers, and the agitation
for a church was suspended for some
years.
In 1888 the business of the Paris
Manufacturing Co. was moved from
Paris Hill to South Paris, and with it
came number of Baptist families. The
movement for a church was renewed,
and gained strength from the offer of a
friend to give $4,000 for a church
building.
The field was duly investigated by the
state convention, and though consider
able difference of opinion existed, the
church finally became fact. The meet
ing for organization was held at Henry
F. Morton's, May 10, 1885, and church
was organized with twenty mine men,
bers, nine males and twenty females.
Early in June preparations for build
ing were begun, and the work was
actively carried forward. The building
was dedicated Feb. 10, 1886, Rev. A. K.
p. Small, ID. D., preaching the sermon.
The cost of the building, which was in
excess of the first estimates, was about
$4,000, and it was dedicated practically
free from debt.
Rev. j. +. COchrane, pastor of the
church on Paris Hill, who had been very
active in the work of establishing this
church, became its first pastor, in con-
to reside on the Hill.
A Sunday School was early organized,
and has been most useful adjunct,
serving as a nursery to the church, and
furnishing a large proportion of the
additions TO its membership.
In July, 1856, Mr.. Cochrane resigned
his pastorate to enter upon the work of
| foreign missions. Some months later
Rev. Gideon Mayo accepted call from
the two churches, and remained about
| two years, living on Paris Hill. At the
close of his passionate it was decided that
| it was for the best interest of both
churches that each should have pastor,
and they have since maintained separate
pastorates.
In July, 1899, Rev. Thomas j. Rams
dell began his labors with the South
Paris church, and was ordained the
following October. His passionate con-
tinued for twelve years and half, until
1902. During that time there were add.
ed 1856 members, 1875 of them by bap'
tism. The vestry in the basement was
finished, at cash expense of about $500
in addition to large amount of labor
which was contributed. The care of the
debt created was assumed by the ladies'
circle.
After Mr.. Ramsdel's departure, the
church depended for some months upon
supplies, Rev. Harry Taylor being here
much of the time Rev. Ii. S. Pinkham
became pastor in August, 1902, and con
tinued until Feb. l, 1904. During his
pastorate "A were added, 30 by baptism
Following Mr.. Pinkham's pastoratt
the church for a time again depended
upon supplies and candidates, until Rev
j. Wallace ChesbrO became pastor Jan
/, 1905.
During the twenty years of the life Of
the church, 2S2 names have been placed
upon its roll, III of them by baptism
Its present membership is 1877.
The church has been quite liberal il
the matter of giving. Since its organ
ization its contributions for mission:
and benevolent purposes outside of it
own field amount to total of "a, 1872. IL
an average of 1886 81 per year.
Following Deacon Crockett's pape
attention was directed to other depart
ments of the church work. Henri.
Fletcher, superintendent of the Sunday
School, sketched the growth ant
progress of that organization, which ha'
been continuously at work during tn
life of the church, and now has fourteen
classes, with home department ant
lcradle roll.