Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-11
.UNIVERSALISTS
OLD HOME NIGHT

The 10Th anniversary of the d1di-
cation Of the Cniversalist church in
this city was celebrated on Friday
evening with an Old Home Night
The idea is a new one for a church in
this section and was carried to a most
successful conclusion. There was
large attendance and many of the
old friends and parishioters We're
present. At the close of the exercises
refreshments were served and a So
cial hour enjoyed. The following was
the program: Music by the church o.
chestra; remarks by the pastor,
Rev NJ G. Folsom and the reading
of greetings from former living pas
tors Letters were read from ReFs-
Luther Mckenney. John Evans. ii.
G. Mann and Olaf Tannberg. \ p
ano solo by Miss Page was follow
ed hv "reminiscences, Mrs. S. y
HAYES speaking of the auxiliary. +.
Lewis Of the members Of the paSf,
and Charles O. Turner of the past. \
vocal solo by Mrs Atkins was mum
enjoyed Then came the subject OF
the church of today and tomorrow:
Lincoln Harlow spoke of the sun
day school; Miss Frances Perry Of
the Y. p. c. C. and w. c. Atkins Of
the church itself. State Supt. d. y.
Ball then gave a brief address which
was much appreciated and was fo'~
lowed by the singing of old hymns
and songs 4 brief history Of thu
Gardiner church would not be amiss
at this point.
Jniversaiism was first preached in
Gardiner about 1870. In the old school
house that stood on the common
Irazjllat S,reeter and Ellis Smith
held occasional service. soon COM
panv OF believers was gathered ana
a preaching station established. y
little later. committee headed ~
Parker Sheldon had the venerable
Rev. Hosea BallOu preach III me
Town house ono sabbath evening.
From this time on services were heiI
whenever possible. The movement
grew in numbers and power ana ii
1s35 a parish was formed, the rec
or0s Of which have unfortunately,
been destroyed In 1910 the society
was permanently re-orGanlZed aAh
the present articles Of government
formed. Many of the sisners of the
covenant were people of the best
standing in village and whose de-
scendants are among US today.
Several ministers supplied the par
isb hut no man was settled. The so
cietv felt the need of church edl-
fec and steps were taken to TINS eho'
resulting in the present bulldlhs'
which was dedicated Feb. !, 1919,
costing $500. 1t was a great victory
for the society.
The first settled resident pastor was
Rev. James p. Weston, A. NJ. man
Of unucual ability. He stayed seNcl
wears. The society grew III nuinoetH
and influence. He was followed oE
Rev. j. II. Hanson, a man VINO !at8f
became one of the great men OF me
denomination. Under him the society
con,taued to grow. The church was
packed with people and SUNDAY
s,.;,oo! Of 10 members fiourished.
During the civil war the church
took Il prominent part in the clVll
and religious life, but the war seem
ed to retard the movement Inc
church has had its ups and downs.
Sy;.cc will not permit any lensth|
&C count of the happenings. Various
ministers followed each other. Dur
ing the pastorate Of Rev Chas. \.
HARDEN, lS7.-1S79. the vestry was
built. Rev. Charles Nickerson had
the church thoroughly repaired.
While Rev. John Evans was paste,
fire did considerable damage 10
the property. The church vas re-dcc-
GRATED and vestry repaired. and the
parsonage bought
Today the church is prospering 1t
is ministering 70 about $50 families
A Y. l.. c. L. and Mission Circle
were organized in the autumn of
1917. The Ladies Auxiliary is pros
pering and increasing in numbers.
The Sunday school is thoroughly
alive, 1t has nearly doubled its mem
bership in the past year. New NOM
oers are constantly added TO the rot!
Twenty-Five new members joined The
church last Easter The church IS
constantly filling a larger place n
the life Of the community. The new
life. new families and new spirit
makes us hopeful of its future.