Church and Family History Research
Assistance
for Primitive Baptist Churches in the State of Maine
Click here for: A Sketch of Early Primitive Baptist History in Maine
CHURCHES (COUNTY):
KITTERY (1682)
The Kittery Church was organized on September 25, 1682, by the
assistance of Elder Isaac Hull, of Boston. The following persons
were recognized as a church in gospel order at that time, viz.,
Elder William Screven, Humphrey Churchwood, Robert Williams, John
Morgandy, Richard Cutts, Timothy Davis, Leonard Brown, William
Adams, Humphrey Azell, George Litter, and several sisters.
Late in 1696, the pastor, William Screven, and 28 members of the
Kittery congregation, immigrated to Charleston, South Carolina.
Near this time, two groups of settlers came to Charleston, one from
southern England and one from Scotland. The Baptists among these
groups were soon drawn into William Screven's church. By 1708 he
reported that the membership numbered 98 (in South Carolina).
BOWDOINHAM (SAGADAHOC)(1784)
The Bowdoinham Church was organized in 1784, and was the oldest
church in the Lincoln Association, which in 1812 consisted of 51
churches. This church united with the Maine Old School Baptist
Association in 1841. Early records of the church were destroyed by
fire at the home of Hiram Campbell before the Civil War.
Worship services were held at a school or in homes, for many years.
In 1884 the church obtained a deed for land from John S. Gray, and
erected a meeting house, which was completed in 1886.
Pastors (beginning in about 1862) included Elders John A. Badger,
Leonard Cox, Zacheus M. Beal, and Arthur Warren.
FIRST WHITEFIELD (LINCOLN)
The First church at Whitefield was organized in 1789, and had 96
members in 1812, according to Benedict's History. At that time the
church was part of the Lincoln Association.
FIRST SIDNEY (KENNEBEC)
The First Church in Sidney was organized in 1791, and Elder Asa
Wilber was a member in 1811, at which time the church was a member
of the Bowdoinham Association.
JAY (OXFORD)
The Jay Church was organized in 1799, and the Old School Baptist
Church at Jay was formed by members who withdrew on account of the
mission system being practiced, probably in about 1826 or 1827. The
Jay Church was listed as a member of the Cumberland Association of
Maine in 1811, with 88 members. Deacon Thomas Macomber, and his
son, Elder Joseph Macomber (who was ordained here in about 1812),
Winchester Macomber, and others of their families, were among those
who withdrew and held with the Old School Baptists.
NORTH BERWICK (YORK)
North Berwick Church, at North Berwick, York County, Maine, was
organized May 31, 1804, with 55 members, at the town hall. Elder
Henry Smith was chosen moderator and Elder William Batchelder clerk
of the presbytery. Elder Nathaniel Lord, a zealous pioneer minister
in this area, was chosen as the first pastor, and served until
August 1831, when age and infirmity compelled his retirement. Elder
Philander Hartwell then served the church as pastor from April 1832
until May 1844. Elders Daniel Whitehouse and Purington supplied the
pulpit at intervals until June 1847, when Elder Richard B. Toby was
chosen pastor. Elder William Quint was invited to occupy the pulpit
in March 1850, and in October 1851 he took the pastoral charge,
which he held until his death in January 1892. Elder F. W. Keene
served as pastor from 1893 to 1919. The church held membership in
the New Hampshire (later called York) Association for several years
after it was organized, but withdrew during that epochal period of
conflict over the innovations of the modern mission system. The
only meeting house owned by the church, and the parsonage, were
built in April 1852. This building is still well kept. The church
is referred to locally as the Oakwoods Church.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
SECOND WHITEFIELD (LINCOLN)
The Second Church at Whitefield was organized in 1809, and was also
part of the Lincoln Association in 1812. It was received into the
Maine Old School Predestinarian Association by 1832.
PALERMO (KENNEBEC)
The Palermo Church was organized in 1805, and was a member of the
Lincoln Association in 1812. It became a member of the Maine Old
School Predestinarian Association in 1839.
BOWDOIN
The Bowdoin Church, in Bowdoin, united with the Maine Old School
Baptist Association in 1849.
NEW PORTLAND
SOUTH GARDINER
NORTH ANSON (1839)
North Anson Church was organized June 8, 1839, by brethren who
withdrew from the Anson Church on account of the corruption of the
mission system therein. Deacon William Quint, and others, were
among the charter members.
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