In what ways does our sanctuary enrich your worship experience? Its stunning and awe-inspiring wooden architectural designs combined with the gorgeous stained glass windows combine to remind me of God’s overwhelming love and beauty that abounds within us and around us. Feeling small, but safe, within its warm (if the furnace is working!) and overwhelming embrace reminds of the mighty omnipresent God I worship. I am sure that you have favorite spots in our sanctuary to which your eyes are drawn during your quiet time before or after church, during a hymn or another part of the service.  This month we continue our celebration of the 178th anniversary of the dedication of our beautiful sanctuary on March 18, 1846 and also admire our 1843 clock that has reclaimed its place in our sanctuary.  Our sanctuary archive display includes a photo of our third Meeting House in which we presently worship as well as photos of the repairs that enabled our clock to be rehung in our sanctuary.  Church bulletins from April of 1924 and 1974 are included in this article.  Be sure to read them to learn some interesting facts about life 100 years ago and 50 years ago as well as to read a short, but informative, church history contained within the 1924 bulletin.

This historical summary below was written by Chester A. Clayton, Church Historian, and included in our March 1984 church newsletter.

In our archives, I found this short history about our 1843 clock.  “Sometime about 1968, John Dodge, member, was given the clock.  He gave in return a 12” telcron (sic) clock.  The old clock was taken to John’s Topsham shop where he displayed it in his shop window.  Cal Morgan of Brunswick repaired it about 1969, and because of its historical value, insisted that it be returned to the church.  The clock might be a Simon Willard.  Willard was the father of American clockmaking and the inventor of banjo clocks.  These were used by the railroads because they kept such accurate time.  Simon’s son-in-law learned the craft from Simon and became so good his work sometimes carried the Willard name.”

Below are some photos of our sanctuary as it is highlighted by the sun.

(Click on the images to see an enlarged version)

April blessings to you all!