Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-20
History Of East
Winthrop Church

VII OullS -, 1oCf ILLS CHURCH VI -
ganization observed its 10th ami
versary. At that time Mr.. J. f.
Brainard prepared q historical sketch
of the church building which our
program committee considered wor-
thy of repetition on this occasion.
And through the Kindness of the
author We are able to give it in part
THE organ now in use is the one
placed in the church by Mr.. Parlin
in 1854. The following agreement
will show the reasons why the house
In which we are assembled was
built: This may certify that we, the
subscribers, having a desire to pro-
mote good society and the cause of
religion, do think it expedient to
erect house for public worship in
the east part Of Winthrop and the
calculation is to set the house be-
tween the Roy. Josiah Eoughton's
and Benjamin Packard's, to be built
of wood. 45x55 feet, with n belfry
and cupola. said house to be COM
pleted by the first of November, 1923,
the payment to be made one-h half by
the first of January, 1928 and the
other half in one year after. We do
covenant and agree to take and pay
for the number Of shares set against
our names, each share to be fifty dol
lars if said house is erected it shall
be binding to all intents and pur-
poses, otherwise null and void.
Signed, Benjamin Perkins, Thomas
Filebrown, Luke Perkins, Enoch
Wood. Thomas Lancaster, Benjamin
Packard, Samuel Merrill, Eben Blake,
David Eastman. Alden Packard,
John Packard, Caleb Jackson. Joel
White, Moses White, John Richards,
Slas Parlin, Oliver Foster, Elias
Whiting, Zenas Cary, William jane
son, Samuel Shaw, Simeon Cary,
William Thongs, James Brainard,
Aaron Easily, jonathan Whiting,
Elijah Packard, Reuben Smith. Dam
lel Coy, Jonas Packard, William
Richards
Fifty-nine shares were taken by
the above. Jonas Packard contract
ed to build the house for three thous-
and dollars. The material was
gathered from various places, the
Tour pine posts that support the bell
oeck coming from the town of Leeds.
Inc house was completed, dedicat-
ed and the pews We're sold at public
auction, Nov. 10, 1928, the sale
amounting to three thousand. seven
hundred and thirty nine dollars.
VIII endeavor to give you a penpic-
lure or this house as it stood out in
boIq relief on that November day.
1t was painted white and had two
rows of windows, "a lights each. SX10
glass, around it, ten on each side, six
on the north end and two on the
south end (Which lighted the gallery
stars and the recesses under them).
IN The vestry, over the entry were
TWO windows besides a peculiar one
N the center. There were three doors
mat opened into the vestibule and
over each. on the outside, was a fan
SNAPPED blind. On three sides of the
lower, below the bell-deck were
e,ock faces, painted black, but no
LUCK was ever placed inside.
Inc spire was very irregular in
outline, somewhat resembling the
congregational church at Winthrop
,t image at the present time. The bell,
ie nrst and only one west Of the
!Aennebec at that time, was a great
.usututlon. AS its silvery tones rang
S Sut and echoed far and wide from
aintop to hilltop, penetrating the
homes Of the village with it's cheering
t.eiooy, each and all felt a thrill Of
10y ana pride and involuntarily re-
S Spd in feeling to it's animating
s ev,ce. Who shall say that the in
ausnce OF that church with its spire
III Snu Dell in advance of such buildings
AZ villages Of the size of this has not
az tnese years tended to a higher CIV
iAauon, and more devoted state Of
therein. --- >''O IVA AVN -
4, Inc first public occasion on which
"hc DELL was ring was in FehrIla nv