The Republican journal., 1908-09-03
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ISLE AU HAUT'S CHURCH.
Its Semi-Centennial Fittingly Observe

It's 0cml-StulcuuIdA l. 1lLAASAy opoCINSo.
The writer admits being an en-
thusiast as regards Isle au Haut, an
ardent admirer of its scenery and a re-
gard for it's people resulting from
many visits to the island in past years.
The little church has long been a
feature in the landscape, standing out
by itself, facing the Thoroughfare and
with a mountain in the background.
The islanders have just been celebrat-
ing the semi-centennlal OF tins little
Union church, built half century ago
by the combined efforts OF Rev. Joshua
Eaton, IA graduate of Bangor Theologi-
cal seminary, and Mrs. Lucretia 7. H.
Turner mother of c. d., A. J. H. and
L. c. Tuner, prominent residents at
the Thoroughfare. The church had its
beginning in the home of some of the
early settlers. Englishmen visited this
locality and made settlements before
the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth rock.
Martin Pring came hither from Bris-
tol in 1908, and in 1904 Cbamplaln sail
ed through these waters. The highest
point on the island bears his name. In
the middle of the last century the home
of John Turner and his wife, Mrs.
Lucretia p. H. Turner, was the scene
ladies' sewing circle that met i'll this
home was the beginning of the church.
Money for building the meeting house
was raised by kev. Joshua Eaton and
Mrs. Turner, the former soliciting
funds in many towns and cities along
the coast of Massachusetts, and the
latter in Maine cities and towns.
The meeting house was nearly com
pleted before the winter of 1857 set in,
and for 81 years its white spire has been
a landmark visible to SeafarerS many
miles distant.
The seven original members of the
church were Captain and Mrs. John
Kempton, Mrs. Lucretia p. II. Turner,
Mrs. Hannah Turner, Mrs. Olive Tur-
ner, Mrs. Abigail Turner and Mrs.
Betsy Turner. There have been ~ ad-
ditions since the church was organized.
The North church OF Portsmouth, n.
H., sent a communion service in June,
1858.
Rev. Mr.. Eaton's labors extended
over period of II years. Rev. j. P.
Hallowell, Baptist minister, served
as pastor in the early 70's.
The founder of the church. Mrs. Lu-
cretia P. H. Turner, died March 8, 1894,
aged 81 years.
In the summer of 1895, simple form
was adopted for the admission of new
members, .since which a number of
young people have united with the
church. Bylaws were adopted in 1897
and officers have been elected regularly
since that time. Mrs. Elsie S. Turner,
who united with the church iii 1888,
and has been clerk many years, died in
1901. and Miss Harriet A. NJ Turner
has served as clerk ever since.
M. o. BaltZer, the present pastor, is a
graduate of Bangor theological semi
nary and senior of Bowdoin college.
He has aroused much enthusiasm among
the younger members of the church and
organized ball team, which plays once
a week with the college boys of the
Point Lookout club. An athletic field
day is to be held the last of the month.
The fair and festival of the ladies'
sewing circle, held in Revere memorial
hail. was the most important social
feature of the semi-centennlal. Mrs.
John G. Turner is president of this So
ciety Mrs. George F. kenngott Of
Lowell had charge of the handsome
decorations.
Sundays exercises included a sermon
by Rev. Charles Harbutt, secretary of
the Maine missionary society; dedica-
ton of a window in memory of Mrs.
Lucretia p. II. Turner, and addresses
by Samuel Dickson CT Philadelphia,
Rev. Charles F. Robinson of Milford,
n. H., and Rev. George F. Kenngott of
Lowell, Mass. The church was deco
rated by Mrs. Kenngott with ever
greens, spruce trees, ferns and cut flow
ers. Mrs. Kenngott is the daughter of
Mr.. Kennedy of Boston, who establish
ed lobster canning factory at the
Thoroughfare many years ago, and
from girlhood has spent the summer
here, and has love for the place equal
to that of the native-born. She has a
cottage just south of the old factory,
built out over the waters of the Thor
Oughfare,