Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-11-05
Second congresatlonaI Church.
ONE WAS ORGANIZED IN PARIS, But
EXISTED ONLY A FEW YEARS.
n, R., n. O. rD,yer o. New York,

i (By Rev. H. O. Thayer Of New York;
i The centennial anniversary Of the Con
gregatioual church at South Paris ha
furnished to tho members and to th
public BY Rev. Mr.. Cranes address OK
oellent outlines of the church's history
II 10 an appropriate time 10 add psg
to the religious history of the town b!
notice Of second Congregational Churcl
existing for time.
II can be presumed that very few per
sons are now living who ever knew the
fact of such an organization. One
might dare to say, at perished and lefl
no sign" Some notices Of It possibly
are preserved In the publications Of
home mission societies, or reference 70 J,
10 the Christian Mirror, but that IL
doubtful.
The aim in gathering this church wa
to meet the needs of people In the north
part OF the town In similar manner az
the south part then enjoyed. 1t was
formed at North Paris, or by the name
for a, long time current, "The Harbor,
and often "Sucker Harbor," in view
of the ishy products of the local stream.
A little hamlet was beginning about the
outflow stream from Moose Pond and Its
mill power, and there was evidently ex-
pectation that q considerable village
would grow up there in ensuing years.
The existing Congregational Church
was situated at the extreme south OF the
town, mile or two from the Oxford
line. The new as was proposed would
be at the extreme north, about the same
distance from the Woodstock line, and
some nine miles at the shortest routes
between them. Plainly 1t was felt to be
hardship for church goers to live six
to ten miles from place Of regular Sab
bath worship. There were strong mo-
tives to create q new convenient reli-
gious center. Naturally there would be
strong hope that increase OF popula-
ton would justify the plan and make q
growing church. So persons In the
north part of the town, already Congre-
gationalists or inclined to that faith and
order, united in church relation.
The only means which have to de-
termine the time when this North Paris
church was formed is record Of dis
missal OF members from the South Paris
church to unite with the new body.
This entry was in 1929; my notes do not
show the month, but 1t will be suffice
to regard that year as the date OF the Or
ganization.
From South Paris, then and long after
colloquially called 1.-THE Cape" three
bers we're dismissed to the fellow
ship of the new Congregational body.
By curious popular linguistic pushing
of the seashore fifty miles inland, one
could say that the Cape gave of Its
strength to build up the Harbor. These
members were Bella Wyman, Abigail Pain,
Joanna Stearns. Others already members
or subsequently, added were, Seth Fobes
and wife, Jacob Gurney and wife, Mrs.
Pain, Nancy Durell, Mrs. - Durham.
Mrs. Wyman. I do not feel certain res
pecting the list, as one or two names
may have been duplicated by my sources
of information; also some name or
names may have been forgotten.
The new church was constituted in
due form by a small Congregational
council; 1t was composed of Rev. Joseph
Walker of South Paris, Rev. Samuel Sc
wall, of Sumner, Rev. Philip ~ Greeley
of Turner. The customary sermon was
preached by Mr.. Sewall. The council
convened and the services were held In
the schoolhouse at North Paris. The
time is believed to be in the month of
June. Indeed this must have been the
place for subsequent religious meetings,
except in part at the houses OF members,
or perhaps occasionally in another school
house. No meeting house was ever built.
Seth Fobes and Jacob Quincy were Its
only deacous. 1t Is assumed records
were kept bnt nothing whatever 10
known of them. Nor is anything defi-
mite known regarding the religious SER
vices held by this little band during .
dozen years, but 1t must be believed
that in their loyalty to their church thus
planted and to the aims of Its formation
they maintained meetings with COM
mendable regularity, sustained by their
own efforts; occasional preaching by some
one can be presumed, certainly at times
by Mr.. Walker, who would be stand
ard friend of their feebleness and
would not fail to afford them the priv.
leges now and then Of q sacramental SER
vice.
Itseems that the desired enlargement
of the church did not come; then death
took some from their number; also Dea-
con Quincy removed from town. The
time came when to disband seemed rea-
sonabls, even imperative. The remnant
returned to the South Paris church. Its
records show their reception in 1912,
which can be taken as the date of the
of the organization.
A large part Of these Items OF the
brief history Of this transient church
came to me from Mrs. Joanna Stearns
(Mrs. William), who at the time was the
last surviving member of the little COM
pany which united In this Christian en-
terprise.