Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-20

its mournful requiem for the denart-
ed until 1t became cracked. when II
was exchanged for the present ono
which Is not considered so fine a
tone. -
AS we entered the vestibule there
were to be seen on each side stairs
which led to the galleries, and on The
north side small door which opened
TO the space under the pulpit. There
were two doors which opened to the
audience room, the pulpit being be-
tween them, which by the way, was
a nigh one, taking eight steps to its
PLATFORM. The pews. which had
doors 10 them, faced the south. On
three sides of the house was a GAL
iery. On the north side it was built
ON the circle. Around this circle
were Two rows Of seats for the sing
ers' the back one being raised above
tne 'front.' The galleries were sup
ported by eight pillars. The only
carpeting in the house was two mar
row strips on the prlpit stairs,
There was no means Of heating the
building, for the idea of a warm
church had not then been conceived,
For nearly ten years after this house
was Quilt, the congregation used to
SIT through two services on Sunday.
ana they were by no means short,
without any means Of warmth, ex-
cept some Of the elderly sisters would
nave what was called a foot stove,
winch was a tin box enclosed by a
wooden frame about ten inches
square, and in this box would be
placed a basin of live Goals, taken
from the large open fireplaces, In the
immediate vicinity of the church.
This kept them warm for some time,
The congregation during the noon
hour, which atSthat time was not 'ta-
Ken up with a Sabbath school, would
go to the houses in the immediate
vicinity but most of the men and
boys would congregate in Uncle Ben
Jamin Packard's bar-room, which
was kept well warmed for the &C.
casion, where they would discuss
whatever seemed to be important at
the time.
The time came when the subject of
warming the house was agitated.
There was much discussion. on the
matter, some considering it sacrilig-
ious to put a stove into the house of
God. They held that the love of our
Heavenly Father as we were in His
House ought so to warm our hearts
that our physical bodies would not
suffer from cold. However a stove
was at last procured and placed in
front Of the pulpit. the pipe running
over the broad aisle out through the
north window. 1t was observed that
some of those who were opposed to
its introduction were among the first
to seek the genial influence of the
fire radiating from the iron box
stove.
w. H. Parlin, Esq, having built a
pipe organ. by an invitation of the
proprietors, he in 1854 placed it in
the gallery where it still remains to
give forth its harmonious music to
the touch. a memento of his skill and
the generosity of his heirs.
One of the most important meet
inSs after the house was dedicated
that was ever held in it was when
the Maine Baptist Convention was
organized in 1924. A few earnest
workers came together, knowing that
in union there was strength, and form
ed an organization that has been a
blessing to the state. Its first mem
bers here all passed over the river.
Its name has been changed. but still
the good work goes on. and it will
never be known in this world how
ili1hE llCIN z aSSII UIOu6Hl W
Christ through it's influence. From
1885 to 1916, East Winthrop was not
ed for its singing school. At the
close of the term they would hold an
exhibition, which would take place in
this house. Many would come from
adjoining towns. Another notable
gathering occurred in June 1S45,
VI hen the same society which was or
ganized here twenty-one years be-
fore met in it again. A returned
missionary from Burmah who had
brought with him a converted native
who was to be present and speak in
his native tongue. Curiosity was
awakened and the largest crowd that
ever collected met at this house.
The subject of remodelling this
house was discussed many years be-
fore any action was had in regard to
it. In the spring of 1858 an associa-
ton called the repairing association
of the Baptist meeting House was
formed, composed of the following
individuals, viz: w. II. Parlin, Fran
els Fuller, Horace Parlin, S. w. Par
lin, Charles o. Foster, J. E. Brainard,
Geo. b. Whiting, w. c. Hopkins,
Chas. T.. Whiting. F. A. Fuller, Isaac
Wadsworth, Elias Whiting, David
Carsill, Samuel Jackson, Gancelo
White. Sullivan Kilbreth and Eben
Packard. This association gave a
bond to the proprietors that they
would take the pews at an appraisal,
repair and remodel the house accord
ing to q specified plan, cancel all bills
and take what could be realized from
the sale of the pews. w. H. Parlin,
c. o. Foster and Francis Fuller were
chosen a committee. David Cargill
did the work by contract. The out
side of the house is the same now as
when completed in 1858. On the in
side, the back tier of news has been
the platform lowered, a
new pulpit set procured and the walls
papered. The cost of repairs was
$1,5S3.94. The house was rededicated
August S, 1868. In the afternoon. of
the same day the pews were sold at
auction. The whole expense to be
covered by the sale of the pews was
$2,446. Fifteen of the members gave
their shares toward erecting a vestry
on the meeting house lot. This ves-
try was built in 1869, and has been in
use up to the present time. The
building constantly needing repairs
and the church was large enough for
all needs, 1t seemed wise to abandon
the vestry and to remodel the church
so as to have all the rooms under one
roof. In August 1912 meeting Of
the church and society was called,
and Mr.. Brainard offered to give ST.
900 if the church was divided as we
now see it and in accordance with a
plan proposed by him to the repair
committee Of 1858, Of which he is the
only member now living.
His pledge was received with great
enthusiasm and the meeting voted to
undertake the work.
On February 5, 1913, the church
was again rededicated with 'appro-