Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-20

For several months Workmen have
been busy working on the exterior and
interior of the church and today 1t
stands ready for its rededication and
one of the best equipped and with as
pretty an interior as any church in the
vicinity. Among the improvements and
repairs there has been a new roof, the
auditorium has been thoroughly re-
novated. the ceiling handsomely fres-
coed. new furnishings have been
placed in the chancel a new carpet laid
in the auditorium and many other
much needed repairs and improvements
made. A beautiful memorial window
given ir memory of c. 2. and Fidelia
Carter former members of the church.
has been placed in the front of the
! church over the entrance and others
/ will be given later. The interior is one
l Of great beauty and rcstfulness ana
| Ill who have labored so faithfully for
it cannot but feel amply repaid as they
view the result of their work.
Il was particularly fitting that the
4 work or renovating the church should
take place at this time for this year
| marks the centennial of the organlza-
ton and the observance of today was
not only rededication but also cele-
bration of the Tooth anniversary of the
church. Rev. Arthur G. Roberts, the
lpastor. who came to the church about
la year ago. has been very active in
1.-The work of renovating the church and
he has been enthusiastically aided and
supported by the members of the
| .nurch and parish.
| Something Of the early history OF
| he church cannot tail to be of interes:
at this time.
One hundred years ago last June
elder Isaac Chase of Thomaston mad.
brief visit to Belfast and met the
] lew Bartists then residing here. tc
talk over the matter of gaining fol
themselves denominational privileges
He advised establishing a church ani
this vas done on June 10. 1909, the
organization being composed Of severa
who had been members OF Baptis
churches elsewhere. and of two convert
who were baptized by Elder Chase
'"Ihe principal motive for doing thi
Z was the religious condition of the com
; munity which for new place was
i. immoral as most any place Wrot
' Deacon James McCrillis several year
: afterwards. according to Williamson
> History of Belfast. The members pre-
scented a petition in 1910 to the Legls
!; lature for Incorporation, the petitio
dated Belfast, in the county of Han
:. Geek and Commonwealth of Massachu
SETS Having no regular place fc
&: worship and only occasional preachin
!. the church remained for years almos
i; stationary and in 1920 an ecclesiastic;
council was called and it was vote
|. that the church had lost it's "vivibility
new church was thereupon forme
with II members.
nj The records commence April 10. 1872
and from that time continue unbroke
to the present time. One of the ear
VI pastors was Elder John Wagg, WI
4 remained with the church for abol
n two years and was succeeded by Ed
n Joshua Eveleth. Up to this time tt
n meeting had been held in scfoolhous
u en- both SIDES of the river, that is
East Belfast and Belfast, but in Is
the old West Westinghouse was pu
chased and used for public worshi
From % to 81 the church was wit
| out regular pastor.
In 1880 the cause of temperance w
"a heginaing to pc agitated through 4
~ country and the church unanimous