The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-10-12
METHODIST CHURCH
IN MAINE
There Are Now 1890
Churches lii the World
Rapid Rise Of the Denomination In
This State.

1t was more than sixty years after
John Wesley planted the seed of
Methodisms before the denomination
was introduced in the province of
MAINE, and not until some thirty
years following the advent of Phillip
Emoury, who came from Ireland and
began preaching the word of Wesley
at New York city was the conference
held at Lynn, Massachusetts, and
Elder Lee appointed to travel
through this province.
In connection with the establish
ment of the church in America, 1t is
true that John and Charles Wesley
came over from England and landed
in Georgia in the early part of 1888,
but there was little If anything left
remindful of this visit shortly after
their return to England within a few
months.
1t was in September, 1893, that Ell
der Lee came to Maine and the first
sermon he preached was at Saco, on
September 10, and this was the first
methodist sermon ever preached in
the State. Elder Lee went as far as
Castine, then up the Penobscot to
Bangor, thence to Hallowell on the
Kennebec, thence through the settle
through Portland to Massachusetts
again. This tour occupied several
months, as Elder Lee preached al
most every day. After thus viewing
the country he thought it advisable
to form a circuit on the western side
of kennebec river, extending from
Hallowell to Pennington. This he
called "Readfield circuit" and Elder
Phillip Wager was Immediately ap-
pointed to labor in it. The whole of
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and
Maine then constituted one district
called Boston District" of which Mr..
Lee was presiding elder.
Under the ministry of Mr.. Wager a
class was gathered in Monmouth
about the first of November, 1894, and
another at Readfield. These were the
first ever formed in Maine. On the
18th of the December following the
Lords supper was administered by
the Methodists for the first time in
Maine. This event took place at Read
field. 1t was administered again at
Monmouth on the 9Th of the same
month. After this classes were fire.
quently formed in different towns on
this circuit.
The next circuit formed in Maine
was called Portland circuit. 1t ex-
tended as far north as Paris and
Norway Elder Wager was appointed
to travel this circuit, and Enoch
Nudge and Elias Hull were appointed
to Readfeld In October, 1895, class
was formed in Portland, and the first
quarterly meeting in the State was
held in Portland in December follow
ing. In the same year Joshua Hall
was sent to Penobscot by the New
London conference, and a circuit was
formed called Penobscot circuit, in
GLIDING a large territory on both
sides of that river from its mouth
upward.
In 1886 it was found eXpedient tC
form a circuit near the mouth of the
nennebec, called Bath circuit
Methodist ministers had preached il
this vicinity Tor nearly three years
but the number of adherents haC
hitherto been small. Ibis new cir
cult comprehended all the towns neal
the mouth of the kennebec river Oh
both sides of it, extending as far east
as Union, but the preacher appointed
20 me care OF the circuit was tC
spend most OF his time in Bath. Dur
ing the same year a new circuit was
formed among the upper settlements
on the same river, and called Ken
nebec circuit, the name OF which Was
later changed 10 NorrldgeWoCk. A
that time the members In the severa
societies in Maine amounted to oo1
having among them SIX preachers
regularly travelling.
AT the annual conference i'll 1887 i
Was found eXpedlent To divide boston
district, and to constitute the seyera
clrculIs III Maine into district b3
themselves, OF which kev. Joshua
Iayior was appointed presiding cider
III the year loUY more than 4OS
members were added to the severa
societies, the circuits of Boothbay
Georgetown and Industry established
in the Kennebec District, and the
name of Union circuit changed Il
that of Penobscot
During the next three years twenty
five preachers labored in the severa
societies At the close of 1872 the
total membership in Maine was 1850
In 1913 Boothbay and Georgetown
circuits were united and called
Pittston circuit, and in 1914 a new
circuit was formed in the Portland
District and called North Yarmouth
circuit, including the town of thai
name and Freeport, while the Vienna
circuit was formed In the Kennebec
District.
In 1918 the only change was the
establishing of the Bath circuit with
in the Portland District In 1919 the
name of Gray was mentioned IN the
minutes as part of circuit witt
Buxton, and the year succeeding, Il
was established as a circuit by itself
and covered the territory formerly
included in North Yarmouth circuit
At the same time circuit was an
nexed to the Kennebec District, call
ed Exeter circuit, and the connection
was dissolved between Norridgewoch
and Unity circuits, and also between
Penobscot and Orrington, and Hamp
den and Union circuits.
In 1920 Kennebec District was di
vided and a third district formed
called Penobscot district, of which
Rev. Benjamin Jones was appointed
presiding elder. The same year Ar
undel circuit was established ant