ECCLESIASTICAL: The Clinton and Benton Register, 1904 Compiled by Mitchell & Daggett Kent's Hill, Maine: Published by the H.E. Mitchell Publishing Company 1904 pages: 14-16 ECCLESIASTICAL The settlers of Clinton early turned their attention to religious worship and a society was established soon after the incorporation of the town. The earliest form observed was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, which was organized about 1800. The charge of this circuit received the labors of the fathers of the conference, including Reverends D. B. Randall, James Farrington, Theodore Hill, Benj. B. Byrne and others. In 1866-7 the present commodious church edifice on Church Street was erected. Over $8000 more was expended in 1884 in enlarging and beautifying the buildings, erecting a chapel, and buying the parsonage. The present membership of the Clinton Church is sixty-five. The Benton M.E. Church is also considered part of this charge. The following is a list of those who served as pastors since the records have been preserved: Murthy, Hyram 1857 Hill, Theodore 1858 Harriman, Jesse 1859 Byrne, B.B. 1861 Wentworth, Lewis 1863 Blood, H.P. 1864 True, D.M. 1867 Winslow, G.G. 1868 Bray, C.H. 1871 Rich, J.A.L. 1873 Hanscom, S.L. 1875 Brown, Pascal E. 1878 Jewell, Wm. T. 1881 Springer, C.E. 1882 Baker, Jesse R. 1883 Thompson, Justin S. 1886 Brown, William L. 1888 Hills, Vinal E. 1893 Irving, J.H. 1895 Weed, J.A. 1898 Hanscom, Albert H. 1900 Day, James W. 1902 Luce, Albert E. 1903- The first church was erected in the village was the old Union church built about 1847 and jointly occupied by the Methodists, Congregationalists, and Universalists. The building is now rarely used, the Methodists having a new church home, while the members of the other societies have become scattered or died until the societies are nearly or quite extinct. FREE BAPTIST. This church society was organized in February 1888, with but 14 members. In August the corner stone of their attractive church edifice was laid and the church dedicated one year there-after. The church is located on Western Ave., and was built at a cost of about $4000. Rev Albert D. Dodge was the first pastor, serving for five years, when he was followed by Rev. L.S. Williams in 1893, Rev. E.J. Whitman in 1898 and Rev. S. Wakeley, the present pastor in 1901. It's present membership is about 70. A Baptist society was organized at Pishon's Ferry, about 1800 but it has never had an edifice of its own. The society worshiped in District No. 2 schoolhouse until Good Templars' Hall was built about thirty-five years ago, after which time services were held in the Hall for several years. The Second Free Will Baptist church of Clinton was organized in 1874 at Pishon's Ferry, with about fifty members. Until 1890 the congregation worshiped on alternate Sundays in Good Templars' Hall. On that date they erected an edifice near the ferry where they have since worshiped. Their pastors have been: Bates, I.N. 1874 (preaching alternately) Savage, Samuel 1874 (preaching alternately) Bates, I.N 1877 Savage, Samuel 1880 Haynes, Isadore (Miss) 1881 Given, L. 1882 Whitman, E.Z. 1883 Carr, Willard 1885 Page, E.G. 1889 Dodge, A.D. 1890 Page, E.G. 1891 Hill, Rev. Mr. 1894 Williams, L.S. 1896 Whitman, E.C. 1898 Wakeley, S. 1901 The Free Will Baptist Society at Morrison's Corner was organized in 1827. The early meetings were held in the district school house but a church erected in 1850 stood for over 50 years when it was burned. This society, as a society, has now become extinct. The Christian Baptist church at Woodsum's Corner, on the town house hill, is another of the ancient landmarks which tell us only of the zeal of our forefathers. For many years Benj. P. Reed served as pastor of this society. He was succeeded by J.A. Johnson and the Rev. Mr. Lang, who was the last regular pastor. NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents.

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