Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-03
LOOKING BACK

think many now living in Augusta,
especially those Of middle life and
more who were born in Augusta, cher
ISL the few old landmarks row stand
ing, perhaps memorials and reminders
OF efforts and ambitions Of parents or
grandparents. and would much dislike
to part vgrh any of them.
Attention has recently been called
to conditions existing about the old
North Parish church. standing just of
the East River road. now Riverside
Drive. on the cross road leading to
Church Hill. about two and one-haif
miles from the city proper.
This church was organized Deem
Der % and 20. 1929. at the home of
lothian Babcock, with services ad-
dressed by Rev. BENZ. Tappan, pastor
Of South Congregational church. Au-
gusta. and by the Rev Mr. Shepherd Of
Haliowen
The North Parish church building
was erected in 1882. II was dedicated
and regularly used as a place of wor-
ship by residents within an area Of
many miles, extending over the River
TcoA, SioSS I1d4 SuuECH f1lll EOdQ.
Among the charter members regis
tered in the early records of this
church were the names Of Fletcher,
Babcock, Church, Ingraham, Hewins.
Little. Wall and others to the number
OF "a members. Records are also pre-
served Of baptism Of infants and chill
dren in the church. most Of them now
not living. but their descendants now
well known citizens in Augusta.
This church was built with the
closed pews and oid-fa shioned gallery
for singers, the style Of which we are
reminded in Kate Douglass Virgins
"Old Peabody Pew"
It's first pastor was Rev Mr.. Under
wood. After more than 35 years Of
use, changes in home conditions and
other things caused the discontinuance
Of regular services, and after a time If
was used as high school tuilding for
youth, living, some Of them. several
miles away. This apd afterward an
occasional itinerant preacher were it's
only uses for a period of years proceed
ing the years 1se5-1sss. Then an in
terest seemed aroused for regular SER
vices in this building which had be-
come much out Of repair. Residents
for perhaps FIVE miles on the River
road. on the cross roads, and as MANY
miles On the Church Hill road, contrib
uted money. time and labor to its re-
pairs. Many young people eagerly
worked in entertainments, and enough
money was raised for thorough re-
pairs and painting
A student minister boarded in the
neighborhood during the summer sea-
son for several years. Much Of the
responsibility being carried by the
South Congregational church, which
also sent regular workers as Sunday
scnool teachers. Among these earnest
workers are remembered especially.
Miss Alice Harlow. who died several
years ago. daughter Of the late DR.
Harlow Others equally earnest were
Capt. Thomas Clark and Miss Anna
Potter
remember distinctly a young la
dies class numbering not less than
IL girls, each about 20 years Of age.
taught so conscientiously by the late
MISS Harlow. These now rniddIe-aeed
women. and the men once members Of
this Sunday school. many of them de-
scendants Of the charter members of
that church Of 1882. deplore the condi.
'ions OF this familiar landmark, and
with interest again aroused. stand
ready to assist church or CITY tn nro-
.ec' ana preserve this memorial Of the
life Of earlier times.
-ADDIE DANA HANKS