Samuel D Hanson School - Crescent Yearbook (Buxton, ME)

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6 THE CRESCENT But what of Maineis first religious services? The first Christian religious service conducted in Maine was in 1604 when when the French under De Monte visited Mount Desert. The first mass said in Maine was by Father Beard in October, 1611, on an island at the mouth of the Kennebec'River. ln 1607, the first Protestant religious service in New England was conducted by Rev. Richard Seymour at Popham, where a church was built. From these and other various meetings the settlers grouped together and erected the first rude churches in which tomworship their God, some of,which still stand today. , ' ln Lincoln County stand three old churches which serve as a perfect example'ef these great landmarks, each 9 center of activity for over a centuryaff one at Walpole, Alna and Waldoboro. For many years plans forpthe erection of aixmeeting-housenin Walpole were discussed but it was not until l772'that the plans materializ- ed. ln external appearance 't has been altered by the addition of blinds, so that new sur unded andihglgrhidden-by tall elm trees and clumps of lilacs. aiibresemofes an 655' wo and a half story dwelling house. There anasthree ent .fiwith aisles merging into the central aisle leading from each. The audience room is partitioned by moderately high walls into almost square pews with narrow, uncomfortable seats around three of their Galleries twelve feet wide hang from three walls, fitted up similar pews, and a long bench in front for the singers' wherein the old-time psalm tunes were droned out. Toweri al te of Me of ed r held forth in long prayer and the Hmeeting-houseu erected in etinghouse in Waldoboro erected Portland in 1721 and the hundr here and there over the entire Probably most interesting to l, high on the wall, hangs the formidabl longer so Alna in in 1775, d other state. us in th South Cenfregatienal Church on Tory Hill a e pulpit where rmon. This is ivee, the HOld the First Pari village churche the e story of t Buxton Lower UE seat, eve the sides. with r minis- typical German sh Church s scat the Corner which during the post quarter of a century has become,the most famous country church in New England, through the literary work of the late Kato Dounlass Within. A more peaceful scene could Ci, not be found. From the tending from the low he Mt. Washington. Buxton erected its bolfry the view is wide and varied, ox- ad of Agamenticus to the lefty summit of first rude church in 1744 and the first frame meeting house was dedicated in 1762. The first settled minister was Rev. Paul Coffin who preached sixty years and whos manuscript sermons are in the possession of the Maine Historica Association in Portland. The present edifice is the third one, erected in 1822. The place was made the subject of a church drama, HThe Old Peabody Pewn by Kate D. Wiggin. As a religious and literary shrine the old Tory Hill summer by hundreds of pilgrims and by summer tourists. . Surely the old Churches of Maine relics of the state's historical days impressive. Carolyn J. Woolcockf42 Chur many, ch is visited e of our friends ach and, ter- e 1 are hallowed places, and as they are numerous and deeply

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m, -r'-50 Af WWW fw , , ,o ' Q 'f',..........,- ,A V .-va ii ff. -- wer e .s s Eel! 5-'All i h :P ' X ' T154 iflififii iiifilfjigfg - , - 5 ff f' A ages- EJ! W :UL ' H 1 :se :sig sam g-'ig -g : I A 'A ,0' 1 , ll '. . 'Aa .-T-har--1- ,...l....-..........., C1 '51 ci: E. D1 .fO1'5UAi.S MAINE CHURCHES - It is true that the life of the past far surpasses the life of the present in impressive force and influence. There is a mysterious charm which hallows ancient objects and his- torical antiquities. There are, for instance, many venerable churches located at frequent points between Eastport and Kittery which abound in relics of the history of Maine. 'These large, gray hulks of churches, situated in hill and vale, over all our rolling countryside, stand as a true symbol of the pioneering spirit and courage of our puritanical ances- tors! Standing unaltered through the centuries, they seem to hold the touch that distinguishes New England as quaint, simple and religious-minded. Now throughout the cities have been erected many churches unsurpassed for architectural beauty, and splendor. From the old-fashioned village church one experiences a sense of reverence for things past and indomitable spirit of the ages, while from the modern churches one experiences a sense of awe, admiration and courage to face the future. Old and new, in village or city, the church stands as a bulwark against which time has no power and which guides us into the uncertain days of the future with a Reeling of reverence and the power to face our tasks,however difficult they may be!

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THE CRESCENT . MAINE HOUSES Often place that people feel that a small town is a they happened to be so unfortunate 7? dreary monotonous as to have been born and reared in. Actually, there are countless interesting ee and enjoy in a small place. Undoubtedly, never thought of the part houses play in the history of They can take their place beside things that towns take such as an important battle sight, an old Indian trail, things to S birthplace of some notable person. you have a locali pride in of the The most primitive type of house ever built by white people in America was the Plymouth Half House C1620-l65OJ. This small dwelling had a chimney on one end, oiled paper in one or twoi windows, a single door, and usually no floor. These were built of rough boards or logs, the chinks being filled with clay. Even the chimney was built of logs and lined with hard mud. From this type grew the New England Homestead ed the Cape Cod House. This was really anothe the end with the chimney of the Plymouth Half the chimney in the center C1650-17002. From C1700-l8OOD the Seventeenth Century existance. These had two and a half stories. often falsely call r room added to House thus making House came into Frequently around the country we see this type with lovely fan doorways. When the daughter of the house get married the old couple often built an it leaving the it was called, All of the extension on the back of the house and moved into large house for the newlyweds. The lean-to, as was added to all existing types of houses. se old houses had large chimneys and small window The very earliest windows had diagonal panes and were imported from England. Around Buxton and Gorham a person often sees the unequally divided windows with more panes of glass in the upper' section than the lowerg for example twelve over eight. There are many other combinations. Really old panes of glass can be distinguished by the waves which pass through it making it slightly muddy and often distorts objects when it is looked throught. The doors of these houses are very interesting too. Fan doorways and sidelights were very popular. Sea captains often made beautifully carved doorways while on their long adventurous voyages. Christian and double Christian doors were seen both inside and outside. The Christian door has four panels divided YY S. by a cross. The double Christian doors were believed to insure a double protection against witches. These are characterized by six panels divided by a cross with two arms. The lovely Georgian doors with their carved posts and scrolls across the top were most common in the south but are occasionally seen in the north. Frequently houses were built of brick. These were very sturdy often several layers of brick. The farmers often made their own bricks and spent several years in constructing their houses. ' Another very unusual type was the overhangg the upper story extended over the lower. A series of holes were built in the overlapping part in order to make it possible for the inmates to shoot down at hostile Indians who approached the door.