Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-09
ATHENS

One of the most important religious
events to occur in Athens for many
years is now being consumated by
means of which the two religious or.
CARNATIONS. the Methodist and Baptist
churches will no longer be divided but
will be one church. The Baptist men,
bers are to unite with the Methodist
church and the old time Baptist denomi-
nation will accordingly BECOME extinct
in the community. A conference was
held last Saturday evening which was
presided over by Rev. c. o. Luce. the
district Superintendent Of Method st
churches with an attendance of six
Methodist members and seven Baptist
memte s. and everything pos lille to be
done by the churches toward the i'm
portant step was completed. Officials of
the two denominations higher in au-
thority will now complete the plans
necessary for the withdrawal of the
Baptist members from their church and
their uniting with the Methodist. The
majority Of the old time Baptist men,
bers will take this step and it is under
stood that none of the members rad;-
cally oppose the plan. The Methodist
parish on the other hand is greatly
plea ed to have the influx of new mem
berS into their church organization and
it is felt that much brighter prospects
are ahead for religious work in the
community than has been possible for
some time. Both churches have about
the same number of members. but the
Nf1<I, s-x oh, 80, -,
League appeared to have rather the
larger number Of younger followers
Rev. B. H. Johnson. a former pastor of
the Baptist church will come to Athens
to supply during the month Of August
and arrangements will be made later
for settled pastor. Mr.. johnson is
now located at Cherryfeld. 1t is felt
that the. expenses of one minister and
one church can be much more readily
bodies They will worship as formerly
in the somewhat historic Union church
in the village. This edifice which Is one
OF the attractive old-fashioned white
painted type was moved to its present
location from another part of the viii
lage many years ago. 1t was built as 4
Union church and was supported by the
Congregational. Christian. Baptist and
Free Baptist churches in it's earlier
days. Eventually the Congregationalist
went in with the Methodist Society
which was formed about 30 years ago
with five members. Sarah Bailey, Flea.
nor H. Holman. Susan knights. Sarah
Moody and Eliza Wade. The Christian
organization appears to have been
dropped and the two Baptist organiza-
ton became one. The First Baptist
church was organized here about GO
years ago. Rev. H. NJ. Tarbox and
Rev. H. w. Carr organized the church
which consisted o. Is members. Rev. ].
w. Carr was chosen pastor with Israel
Drew and Jonathan F. Morrill, as dea-
December and Rev. Samuel McKeown
succeeded him. remaining a year and
a half. Other pastors who followed
were c. H. Davis, J. p. Nelson, c. 5.
Frost, 1S76-7S: H. H. Acterian 1881
Geo. n. Howard, April 's2 to April 80;
Calvin L. Russell, December SO for
about two years and until his death; c.
L. Kirkla nd. Aug. '92 to Oct. '93; Virgil D.
Sweetland of Palmyra, August "a to the
tine of his death in November. 1902; J..
w. Vaughan. May '03 to April 'o5; B. H.
Johnson. April '05 to April 09: Howard
Mitchell. April 90 to April 10. Since that
time Rev. B. H. Johnson has preached
for part Of the time but for some time
there has been no settled minister. The
Methodist people since the departure Of
Rev. Mr.. Bradeen over a year ago have
not had a settled pastor. Rev. N. G.
Lyons was their first minister and sue
ceeding clergymen to serve the parisl
have been Wilson Lermond. NJ. S.
Preble. ]. E. Lombard. L. G. March. W,
E. Greene. John Loudfoot, H. F. Milli-
gan. Rev. Mr.. Kinney.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. E. Corson were in
Skowhegan Monday afternoon on BUSH
ness.
Funeral services for the late James
Taylor were held at his home in the
east part Of the town Saturday after.
noon last. Rev. George Merriam Of
skowheTan off1ciated.
The Methodist Benevolent Society
meets this Thursday afternoon with
Mrs. H. E. Skidmore
Mrs. Charles Dore. who has been very
i'll for some time. remains about the
same.
Mrs. Sarah Foss. who was at the home
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Ora Judkins during
their absence in Boston. is passing a
few weeks with Mr.. and Mrs. William
Foss.
Funeral services for the late Horatio
Tobey wG-e held last Friday at the To-
hey homestead. friends and relatives
gathering to pay their last respects to
the deceased. Rev. George Merriam Of
skowhegan officiated and among those
from out Of town attending were Sheriff
and Mrs. John A. Mooers of Skowheyan
and Mrs. c. W. Tarbell Of Nitro. West
Va. the two ladies being daughters Of
the deceased. Mrs. Frank Folsom of
Skowhegan. DR.. Campbell of Augusta
and DR.. and Mrs. F. c. Thayer Of Wat.
ervilie.