The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-21
HISTORY OF METHO,
DIST CHURCH
Has For a Long Time
Been In Existence
Continued from January :. 1879

came Rev. DR.. F. A. Leitch to as
sumo the pastorate made vacant here
These two gentlemen exchanged pas
torates, DR.. Leitchs previous charge
having been at Old Orchard. This
was in 1904. From all accounts DR..
Leitch seems to have been a stirring
man and an active worker. 1t was
through his efforts that the Brother
hood of st. Paul, a mems organization
was formed here, in which many citi-
zens took active part While he was
here a vested choir was also formed
with Mrs. w. H. Emery as director,
while the Layman's Bible League was
also organized by DR.. Leitch. For the
first time in the history of the Cen
tenary church the same minister in
the person of DR.. Leitch was retained
for five years. He went to Auburn in
1910. From certain records we are
enabled to inform the readers of this
sketch something of this mans work
in Skowhegan by noting that during
his stay here he performed sixty-siX
wedding ceremonies. During his pas
torate, the membership of the church
was considerably increased. Forty
three persons were baptized thirty
one Joined the church by letter and
forty-one were taken in on probation.
Owing to explosives being used at
the time of the Hotel Oxford confa-
grafton the windows of the church
were badly shattered. This necessi-
tated the installing of new glass at
least, consequently movement was
started to purchase memorial win
dows, which met with generosity on
the part of many interested in the
church and society. AS the result in
1909 ten windows were obtained. In
the tablets of these are seen names
of some of the old and prominent
members of the church, who had given
their love and service to the Kingdom
of God, in the denomination Of their
choice Among these names are noted
those of; Henry Plummer; Paulina
Potter; Mary French Gaylord; Gen.
Isaac Dyer; Edith Stevens Noyes; Jo-
sic French Smith; Daniel B. Ross and
Ellen Ross Priest; John s., Josie A,
and Frank B. Cushing; William B.
and Rachel Smith. The Epworth
League also has a window.
Succeeding Rev DR.. Leitch came
Rev. Frank L. Hayward who came
here from Auburn, where he had been
pastor of the High ST Methodist
Church He began his pastorate in
April, 1910. Mr. Hayward was born
in Washington Co. and took his A. B.
Degree in 1885 at Wesleyan Univer-
sity, Middletown, Conn. He had occu-
pied charges in numerous states be-
fore assuming this charge. During
his stay there was a substantial in
crease in membership, and aside from
his church work in Skowhegan he
conducted services at the Clinton
Hinckley Church. He resigned in
November, 1911, to accept a charge
in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. One of
the events of interest to occur during
the month of November, 1911, was the
reception rendered to M. Gerry Plum
mer in the Church vestries. 1t was
arranged as a farewell to this young
man who had been prominent in the
Methodist Church and Y. NJ. c. A.
work and who had accepted a pasto-
rate at Bingham. Rev. Mr.. Hayward
has once been in Skowhegan since his
removal west and is now pastor of
Methodist Church in Wautoma, Wis.
From November, 1911. until April
1912, the church was without settled
pastor Rev. w. ?. Lord, who is a
minister in Portland Church.
preached for a time and Rev. Arthur
Craig now of Fairfield, was often the
speaker.
The next regular minister was the
present incumbent Rev. Horace G. Nc
Glauhin. who with Mrs. McGlaufln
have won a warm place in the hearts
of their parishioners. They came here
from Lewiston. the present year OF
1914 making the third of their resi-
dence in Skowhegan.
Under the direction of these work
ers. the Centenary Church has pros
pered and there has been a substat-
tial increase in membership. The
most notable Improvement within the
church structure. since their comii
has been the Installing Of new pipe
organ at the cost ~ about $1,000
Minor repairs. such as attending to
the foundations. walks. etc. have also
been completed. these incidentals hay
ing cost IN the neighborhood of $1,000
upon both church and parsonage.
The present officers 81 the society
are. Trustees \ - Lamb. president,
r - Packard. treasurer Adelbert \
Porter. secretary. Charles YOUNG }
u Grundy. : = Emerson. A = Dyer.