During the summer of 1776, while other men were meeting in Philadelphia, a group of men were holding frequent meetings to attempt to organize a church for the isolated but growing community of "Pond Town".  Their efforts were finally brought to fruition on September 4, exactly three months after the affixing of the Signatures to the Declaration of Independence.

The first services were held at the local tavern, Squier Bishop's Inn. For the next 49 years, with frequent gaps when there was no ministerial leadership, the small congregation continued to worship in that building. In June of 1825, the Masonic Lodge of Winthrop (Temple) laid the cornerstones of two churches. On June 7th the brethren marched from their hall to the site of the new Congregational Church located on what is now upper Main Street. On the 25th they repeated the Ceremony at the Methodist Church From that year until 1904, this building was the home of the Congregational Church. During the first few months of the Civil War a new minister was called to serve the church. Shortly after his arrival, he gave an address outlining what he saw as the needs of the church and community. It was his vision that a "Chapel or Vestry" be built in the center of town. This was done in 1861 and is the present building of this Congregation. At the turn of the Century there was considerable concern about the two buildings. Plans were laid for the complete renovation of the "Vestry" including the construction of a steeple, raising the building and installing a meeting room and kitchen beneath, and making an addition to the rear of the building. With only minor changes, the building remains in this condition today. This work was completed and a service of rededication held in 1904, at which time the large building on Main Street was sold. All three buildings which have housed this congregation are still standing and in use today.

For the first 30 years of the life of this church, there were frequent changes in Pastoral leadership in spite of the difficulty of procuring the services of clergy in this remote section of then Massachusetts. In 1807 a call was extended to Rev. David Thurston. In accepting this call, he began one of the longest and most fruitful ministries of the nineteenth century in this area. During the first year of his ministry he organized a Church School, the first in Maine and possibly tile first in New England. He served for many years as the head of an organization which fostered this movement across the state. He was also a widely known preacher much in demand for addresses on special occasions. His fame was matched by his strong views and strong personality. It was these characteristics which led to his resigning the pulpit of this church in 1851. In those antebellum years churches all over the country were debating the issue of slavery, an obviously moral question. Mr. Thurston was unalterable in his opposition to the "peculiar institution" and was vehement in his demands upon the church to follow his views. This irreconcilable position caused the church to ask for and receive his resignation. In recognition of the long years of faithful service and great achievements, the large marble tablet was erected in the church sanctuary.

In more recent days, the church in 1967 voted to become a part of The United Church of Christ. This was an emotional step as it created fear among many that the church would no longer be independent. Time has laid to rest this issue and removed the fears. The church has also been the recipient of a large legacy from Alice Keening. This has enabled us to consider a major renovation project which is now being brought to reality and hopefully will he completed by the time of our Bicentennial in 1976.
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 EARLY HISTORY, (1776 to 1806)
(From the manual of the Congregational Church of Winthrop as revised April 18, 1949)

OF THE 264 Maine Congregational Churches listed in the 1947 Year Book, the Winthrop Church is the 23rd oldest, having been organized on September 4, 1776, with 27 Covenant members. It was the first Congregational Church to be organized within the present limits of Kennebec County

The settlement of Winthrop was first known as Pond Town, and had been begun in 1765 or 1766 about a decade before the organization of the Church. The plantation included the territory of what became the town of Readfield in 1791, and a part of Wayne. Pond Town became incorporated as the town of Winthrop in 1771. At a town meeting held in May of that year a committee of three was appointed to obtain and pay a preacher. Thurston Whiting preached considerably prior to 1776, and was invited to settle but declined. Jeremiah Shaw preached in 1776, and was preaching in town at the time the Church was organized. He, too, was called as Pastor and declined the call, as did Zaccheus Colby who followed Mr. Shaw as preacher Later there was only casual preaching by Mr. Whiting, Rev. Ezekiel Emerson of Georgetown, by a Mr. Sweat, and possibly others, till 1782. On January 2, 1782, the Rev. David Jewett became the first settled Pastor, his service of Installation being held in the barn of Squire Bishop. The Pastor died fourteen months later, and for seventeen years the Church was without a resident minister.

In 1779 the town voted to divide the territory into two parishes by an east and west line, this being the beginning of the division of the town into the two towns of Winthrop and Readfield. A meeting-house had been begun by the town in 1774, but was never finished, so that services were largely held in private homes. This unfinished house was sold in 1774, and the town voted to build a meeting house for both parts of the town.  That in the south part of the town, Winthrop, was not finished even as late as 1800.   In this year, the town having refused to act any longer in ecclesiastical affairs, a poll parish, known as the First Congregational Society of Winthrop, was incorporated by the legislature with the consent of the town To this society the town turned over the meeting house on certain conditions, one of which was that it should still be used as a Townhouse. In 1806 the Society was dissolved, the house reverted to the town, which continued to use it as a Townhouse until 1854. In 1800, an orderly succession of Pastors was begun by the ordination of Mr. Jonathan Belden on August 27.

                                         LATER HISTORY (1804 to Present) (1945)

IN 1806, the Rev. David Thurston was called as minister of the Church and served until October 15, 1851, during which time he was one of the leading Ministers in the territory. He established what is believed to be the first Sabbath School in New England in 1808, and took an active part in the politics of the Church and State throughout New England. He was a leader of the Temperance and Anti-slavery movements, the latter being the eventual cause of his dismissal since it caused a "division" among the people of the Parish. He was affectionately known as "Father Thurston," and a tablet to his memory still adorns the rear wall of the Church Sanctuary.

In 1824, work was started on a third meeting house, for the first time called a church, and it was dedicated on August 10, 1825. This building still stands on upper Main Street, having been converted into apartments after the Church moved to its present location in 1904.

In 1860, a vestry was built in the center of town at a cost of $1200, This was for many years used for the Sunday evening and mid-week services of the Church, as well as for its social events. In 1904 this vestry was raised and fitted with stained glass memorial windows. On Sunday, April 5, 1905, it was dedicated as the new Sanctuary of the Church at appropriate services conducted by the Rev. A. K. Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin was also ordained into the Christian Ministry on the same day, only to resign as the Church's pastor four clays later to accept a larger pastorate. This building, in which the Church still worships, is the fourth that it has occupied during its 171 years. Its interior was completely remodeled and redecorated in 1945 at a cost of $3400, the design being the creation of Mr. Harry Cochrane, noted Church architect from the neighboring town of Monmouth. Many memorial gifts, recorded elsewhere in this manual, have added immeasurably to the beauty of the Sanctuary through the years.

The Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary on Monday, Sept. 4, 1876, with services in the Church at two o'clock in the afternoon under the leader-ship of the Pastor, the Rev. Warren F. Bickford. A festival was held in the evening at the Vestry.

The 150th Anniversary was celebrated in conjunction with Old Home Week in the summer of 1926. Mrs. Murray Stanley was general chairman of the Town Celebration, and the Rev. C. F. Sargent, the Pastor of the Church, delivered the Historical Address at the morning service on August 8.

When the redecoration was completed in 1945, the Church was rededicated at a service held on Sunday, November 18, at 430 in the afternoon. The Rev. Harry Trust, a former pastor of the Church (l914-1918), and President of the Bangor Theological Seminary, delivered the sermon. The Pastor, John H. Alexander, led the people in the Litany of Rededication; and the pastors of sister Churches in the Community participated in the service.

On March 18, 1895, the Church voted to become incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine.

Since its organization in 1776, there have been four major revisions of the Church's Constitution, By-Laws, and Statement of Faith and Covenant. Each of these has been made in an effort to keep the Church in accord with the times and in conformity to the practice of the Congregational Churches throughout the land. The first of these changes was made in 1826, the second in 1875, the third in 1895, and the most recent on March 7, 1947. Each of these changes has been recorded in a special booklet, of which this manual is the most recent.

To the date of the publication of this Manual, April 18th 1945, the Church has had 910
Members officially unite with the Church. At the present time there are 123
Members, of whom 82 are residents of Winthrop. There are 42 men and 81
women.

At the present time, the Church is organized according to the Constitution and By-Laws printed in this Manual, In addition it has a Church School with an enrollment of 90 and an average attendance of 65. There is also a very strong Ladies Social Circle, which has through the years been one of the major mainstays of the Church, contributing loyally to its financial support. There are three youth organizations: the Junior High Boys Club for boys over 10 years of age; the Pilgrim Fellowship for High School young people; and the Phi Theta Epsilon Sorority for girls 10 to 14. The Church also co-operates with other churches in providing weekday moral instruction in the public schools as authorized by the laws of the State. There is in addition a club composed of the young married couples of the Church which meets monthly during the winter months In addition to these, several Girl Scout troops regularly use the Church Vestry, as well as other Community organizations.
 
 

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                         The 100th Anniversary observance of erecting the present building

                         Anniversary Supper  …. Saturday, October 15, 1960
                        Anniversary Service . . . .   Sunday, October 16, 1960
 
 
 

                                     Interesting Items from the Old Records

            First mention of erecting the present building was made in a letter from Samuel D. Bower dated December 5, l859. In accepting a call from the Church he wrote: "  . . I would also add that I think my usefulness in the community would be much enhanced by the erection of a vestry as a suitable place for holding conferences and other social meetings . . . This work from what I have  known of the feelings of your people will doubtless be accomplished."

            The Ordination of Samuel D. Bower took place October 17, 1860.  The  record
            includes the following comments "He begins his work in Winthrop under very favorable circumstances. The people have evidently been preparing to receive him. Some $2000 have been expended in that preparation. The sheds, the fences, the walks - everything about the meeting house seemed  to put on a new face and to be wearing a smile for the new pastor.  A fine vestry has been erected which contains besides the usual room an apartment in which the ladies meet and a study for the pastor . . ."

            Remodeling the chapel was first contemplated on July 21, 1903.  The clerk’s record reads as follows:  "Art. II.  Under this article there was an informal discussion on the  matter of selling the church building and enlarging and remodeling the chapel.  Voted that the Business Committee be instructed to see what can be done towards selling the Church and purchasing land near the Chapel."

            The Meeting House was sold November 5th, l904 for $1000 after a previous offer of $800 was rejected. In Preparation for selling the church, deeds to the pews were secured from members of the church and parish. One such deed reads in part as follows: " . . . I do hereby remise, release, bargain, sell and convey and forever quit-claim unto the said Cong. Church of Winthrop its successors and assigns forever, all my right, title, and interest in and to a certain pew in the  Cong. Church.  To Wit - Pew numbered sixty nine (69) … Also my right, title and all interest in and to the said meeting house and lot on which it stands as was granted by The First Parish and Society by their deeds Of warranty.

            The vote to remodel the chapel was taken September 14th, 1904. "Specifications …  prepared by the architect …  were read by the clerk. Voted to accept the plans . . . and that the Chapel be re-modeled this fall.  Voted that the Business Committee . . . be authorized to purchase the necessary piece of land (7 x 40 ft) in the rear Of the Vestry lot of Mr. Parsons."

            The first item of business at the meeting of September l4, 1904 was this: Voted that it is the desire of the Church that the pastor (Rev. A. K. Baldwin) shall take no part in any football game this season.

            Thanks to the Universalist Church was voted December 28, l904 "for their kindness in allowing us the use of their house of worship during the past weeks."  It is presumed that the remodeled church was ready for occupancy at that tine, three and a half months after the vote was taken to remodel the original building. The Universalist Church was located toward the rear of what is now the A & P Store parking lot.

             The "new Church" was first referred to in the records of the Annual Meeting held January 9, 1905. "The pastor next spoke on the matter or placing a window in the new church as a memorial to Mrs. Sarh Reed Wood, a benefactor of the Church, and Mrs. Lizzie Kelly and Mrs. J. H. McIlroy were elected a committee to raise funds for that purpose.

            The dedication of the remodeled church was held in conjunction with the ordination of the pastor, A. K. Baldwin.  Following the ordination in the afternoon, came the dedication ceremony in the evening.  The date was April 5, 1905.  The program included these items:

Prelude                                       Mrs. L. E. Jones, Organist
                                                   Levi Ronald Jones, Violinist

Contralto Solo                            "The Golden Threshold"
                                                   Mrs. Ronald C. McIlroy

Prayer of Dedication                  Rev. Chas. Harbutt

Address                                      Rev. E. L. Marsh, Waterville
"Normal Evangelism in the Modern Church

Jonathan Whiting                 Amos Stevens               Sara Floyd

Elias Taylor                         Ebenezer Davenport      Abigail Stanley

Joseph Stevens                    Joseph Baker                Sarah Delano

Nathaniel Floyd                   Gideon Lambert             Abigail Hall

Samual Frost                        Nathaniel Stanley           Dorcas Baker

John Chandler                       Josiah Hall                     Susanna Smith

Pease Clark                          Ransford Smith              Mary Stevens

Thomas Allen                        Mary Taylor                  Anne Hall

Jonathan Davenport               Elizabeth Stevens           Susanna Lambert