Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-26
CLINTON
Church Anniversary
Observed SUNDAY

the Free Baptist church Sunday
morning to attend the opening SER
vice of the celebration of the 35th
anniversary of it's organization. The
services were opened by violin
solo by Mrs. Maude Hovey: Mrs.
Vera Lincoln, organist. anthem,
Jesus Lover of My Soul" .inno-
vacation, Rev. f. f. Longlcy: Lords
prayer; responsive reading. Psalm
A.; hymn; scripture reading. Dent.
VIII. 10. Rev. Longlcy: history Of
Clinton Village Free Baptist Society,
Rev. Sidney Wakely. a former pas
tor; scripture reading. pastor: hymn:
sermon. Rev. George Hanlin of Lew
iston: closing hymn. Faith of Our
Fathers. The choir consisted Of
Misses Hazel Hopkins. Frances
Crockett. Martha Holt. Maude Heron,
Madelyn Harding. Mrs. Mabie Hard
ing. 4. NJ. Eliridge, Rev. Longiey.
Mrs Hovcy and Mrs. Harold r. Bean
violins, +. Fl. Moulton. trombone.
Church History
The movement for worship. ac-
cording to the Free Baptist church,
began in Clinton in 1887, when those
of that denomination who lived in
town, arranged preaching services
in the Union church at Z. NJ. Nov.
Is, 1887. This was addressed by
Rev. G. w. Colby Of Corinna and fol-
lowed by a series of evangelistic ser
vices. conducted by Rev. S. Colby
and e. d. Newell OF Oakland. Suf-
flcient interest in the movement led
to petition being presented to the
WaterVIle Conference for the or
ganization OF church. This was
q fNf.i nC lot r,.x,
who came to town and organized the
Clinton Village Free Baptist church
on Feb. 20, 1883. The council con-
sisted OF Rev. f.. G. Page. L. d. New
ell. |. y. Bates, G.. c. Haines and f..
Galusha. At the executive session
Rev. \. ID. Dodge and G.. w. Colby
We're added. or this body Rev. 3.
ID. Newell is the only surviving
member The membership of the Or
saniZation thus formed consisted of
IA, but four of whom are now living:
Mr.. and Mrs. \. w. Kimball. Albert
W. Waldron and X. F.. Eldridge.
These We're in the congregation at
the morning service on Sunday.
Rev. Albert ID. Dodge was one Of
the most active in the movement for
the foundation of the new church and
on April I, 1883. he WAS chosen as
y
the church with devotion and was
active in all civic and community af-
fairs during his residence in town.
Services for worship were held in the
Union church, but in the summer Of
IS plans were perfected to erect Il
church building. The committee
consisted Of William Lamb, r. G..
Gcral and j. p. Lewis. The lot was
donated by William Lamb. The cor
nerstone was laid with appropriate
ceremonies on August 20. 1883. The
church was opened for service on the
last Sunday of the year with a scr
mon by Rev. T.. q. Page Of Oakland.
Dedicatory services were held Aug.
"a. 1889, one year after the corner
stone was laid. The total cost of the
building was $3S32.4l and it was ded-
icated free from debt. This was con-
sidered quite remarkable in view OF
the size Of the membership which at
the time of the dedication numbered
IS. Non resident friends assisted in
the work by gifts OF money and fit
tings for the church, among the latter
being fine bell from Mrs. G. II.
Taft OF Whitinsville, Mass; a chan
delier from j. T.. Lamb of Auburn;
Bible from Mrs. l.. Brown of Benton:
q silver communion service from Will
liam Lamb: fine pulpit from Mr..
Lamb. r. w. Gerald, Il. T. Foster,
Simon Baker.
AS is often the case -. ~;milar move
mcnts. the work Of the women looms
large in the formation of the Clinton
Village Free Baptist church. And
never were found more faithful helpers
than those who formed THE Circle
which was organized Januarw IL. 1855.
with IL members. The membership
was increased the first year to 33. ana
during that year $214.74 was raised. At
the time of the dedication one year and
seven months later the circle" was
able to furnish pulpit furniture Eek
cepting the altar. the organ, carpet
and chairs and scttees for the vcstry.
This circle has given freely of its scrv-
ices whenever help was needed. until
1914, when the organization was al
lowed TO Lapse. In 1916 the Phlathea
class was organized. This has mem
bership Of As and carries on practically
the same work as the Ladies' Circle did
in former years. A ladies' society
known at the Willing Workers is also
active at present. 1t is ready to as
sist in sewing for needy families or
to render aid wherever it may be pos
sible.
The first Sunday school was organ
lied in 1892 and has been maintained
with ever increasing membership and
interest. The classes are nearly all or
Eanized classes with splendid attend
ance.
Young peoples societies have been
organized from time to time during the
Of the church but at present
there is no active organization.
The pastors have been Rev. A. D.
Dodge. five years: l.. S. Williams. four
years: Il. z. Whitman. three years; Sid
ney Wakcly six years ttwo pastor
ates): +. 3. Foster. three years: j. L.
Smith. one year: J. L. Sanders. two
years; H. G. knight. four months; Fl.
II. Hathaway, four years; E. E. Long