The Oldest Church in Maine Is an Amazing 194 Years Old

Religion is centuries old and for those centuries, people have sought places to gather and worship. For many, churches have been houses of worship that have served as a calming presence. They have served as sanctuaries. As the United States grew, settlers established a presence in communities throughout each state. They built all types of buildings, like churches.

Let’s take a look at the oldest church in Maine. It’s an amazing 194 years! We’ll go through the facts of when it was built, the location, and the wildlife in the area. 

Location

The First Congregational Church and Parsonage is the oldest church in Maine. It was built in 1730, an amazing 194 years ago. The church is located in Kittery Point, ME, which is near the border between Maine and New Hampshire. Europeans who traveled by sea first settled in Kittery Point, which would be part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1623. It was only 30 years later that they established the first congregation in Kittery Point. Today, Kittery Point has a population of 1,012.

When Was It Built?

The First Congregational Church and Parsonage was established as a congregation in 1653. Nearly 70 years later, a parsonage was built, followed by a new church. The older church had burned down in 1728. Moreover, William Pepperrell, who was a member of the church, helped pay for the church and parsonage. A few years later, the church decided to build a cemetery for members, which now contains the graves of many of Kittery’s leading residents. The grounds today contain a church, a parsonage, and a cemetery. There were several remodels throughout the years. 

Major Events

The oldest church in Maine has had a storied history. Here are a few major events that happened throughout the years.

• The sea crew of the Hattie Eaton were all lost at sea in 1876. Also, the congregation put up a grave marker to commemorate those who perished in the sea.
• The church has been remodeled several times. Most notably in 1840 with Greek Revival-styled architecture.
• In 1872, the church building was moved to where it sits today, and in 1910, a new parsonage was built, which is now used as a community gathering place.
• On December 18, 1978, the entire complex of the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Wildlife

Wildlife in the area surrounding the First Congregational Church and Parsonage is abundant because of the forested nature of Maine, but also its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Land mammals that you see frequently are bobcats, coyotes, and also fisher cats. You can also see black bears and moose if you’re lucky. As for marine animals, you can spot whales, dolphins, and seals. There are also crabs, lobsters, and other invertebrates in the depths of Kittery’s seas.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the oldest church in Maine is the First Congregational Church and Parsonage. Located on the border between Maine and New Hampshire, the First Congregational Church and Parsonage is an amazing 194 years old. Furthermore, the church has seen a lot of history in the past 194 years and will continue to see much more. Walking through the halls of the church, imagine yourself transported back to the 1700s when the church was built and America was still a series of 13 colonies.