Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-12
METHODISM in AUGUSTA
EIGHTY YEARS AGO

AS the Methodist conference is now n
session in Augusta it may he interesting
to take retrospective view OF the
time SO wears ago. when the Augusta
church was but class forming par
of the Fairfield and Sidney circuit
which embraced the towns of Fairfield,
Bloomfield, Watervillc, Sidney and Au-
s-usta while in 1850 Readfield also was
included. The writer has an old church
record ard class book containing the
reports of Quarterly conferences, names
of official members and members in full
and ION trial" of the circuit above mem
Toned for the years 1S36-lS3S; then after
a lapse of three years the records are
continued from 1871 to 1851. with a re-
yised list OF the members on Fairfield
circuit dated 1855 and signed by Theo'
dore Hill. Although so old the penman-
ship is still clear and legible and pc
rusal of the book reveals many very in
teresti.-;- facts.
The Fairfield and Sidney circuits were
sometimes recognized separately but
seem for the greater part OF the time
to have been united under the name Of
Fairfield and Sidney circuit. IN Fair
field which was the stronger part of tn.
circuit, numerically, there were at the
time Of the earlier records two churches,
one at Fairfield meeting house. now
Fairfield Center. where the parsonage
was located and one at Fairfield Corner.
or "Eye's Corner as it was often
called. on the River road. The Sunday
services were held at the two churches
alternately. There was a class at Ken
dalrs Mills. as the village of Fairfield
was then called. but the church was not
built unit! 1899 There were seven
classes in the town Of Fairfield with a
total membership of 179. and a class Of
10 members in Bloomfield. now merged
with Skowhegan.
On Sidney circuit 50 years ago are
mentioned the church at Sidney Center
and the Sidney South meeting house,
while IN 1913 and 1874 quarterly confer
ences were held at Sidney Corner.
There were three classes in Sidney with
a total membership of 63. two classes in
Waterville, numbering "a members, and
one class in Augusta containing q
names.
1t may be of interest to quote some
extracts from the old records, the spell
ing being copied literatim.
Fairfield. July 18th. 1887.
The first qtrly. meeting Conference on
Fairfield and Sidney cts. was held at
Nye's Corner so Called in Fairfield ana
Conducted as follows:
4th. Chose john Clifford. Stephen
Nye and Nathl Stedman to Estimate
the Expences OF the preacher, who re-
ported as follows. viz
House Rent, S.
Fewil, 800
Table expences. - on
$1,000
9TH Voted to except the report"
At the End Quarterly Conference held
at Sidney. Nov. 4th. 1897, it was ~ oted
that the Stewards proceede forthwith
to collect and pay to the Preacher the
amount awarded him.
AT a Quarterly meeting heA at Fair
field Meeting house April 80 1912. it was
Voted to resolve ourselves into Mis-
sionary Society in compliance with an
arrangement Of the Committee of the
parant Society called the Weekly Cent
Collections.
AT an adjourned quarterly Confer
ence Holden at Fairfield Meeting house
July 10, lA5- it was Voted that we re-
quest three Preachers to he Appointed
on Fairfield Corcuit the next Conferen nee
year, one to Labour & be supported in
Fairfield & Bloomfield. one TO La bour <
be supported in Sidney a. one in Water
vile Village to Labour and be supported
in like manner"
HeElan Nickerson. =, f.
In 1873 it is recorded THE report OF
the Committee of ''stimates was re-
ceived as follows: Whole claim for
br. Gerry 35S Dollars The above renort
was adopted
IN 1917 the estimates were iternized.
Quarterage. 282.Go. Table Exnenses
sS.N, Fuel I:.o0, Tray. EXP I5.co Housa