Historical Outline
1789 The town of Penobscot (which at that time included Castine) votes funds for a church.
1790
Church construction begun on the “Castine Common Church” despite controversy over its location within Penobscot.
1796
Castine is incorporated as a town. The new town funds the completion of the church building as the “Meeting House of the First (Congregational) Parish of Castine,” The building also serves as the Castine Court House.
1798 Reverend William Mason is installed as the first minister. Over the next two decades, Rev. Mason moved the theology of the church toward Unitarianism.
1820
Maine becomes a state, separating from Massachusetts.
An Ecclesiastical Council meets to form a new church, separating from “Mr. Mason’s Society,” to pursue “Less liberal views” in matters of faith.
The “New Trinitarian Society” and its 15 initial members meets at the Court House on the Common (now the Witherle Library site).
1828
John Crosby becomes pastor of the new church at $600 per annum.
1829 On Main Street land purchased from Joseph Bryant for $146, the “First Trinitarian” or “Second Congregational” or “Orthodox” or “Fancy” or “Congo” or simply the “Main Street Church” is built, and is dedicated on October 6. Pews are auctioned to aid funding of the construction.
1832
This is a busy time for Castine. The Unitarian church is renovated, making it smaller but adding a new belfry.
1844
The Methodist Chapel is built on Court Street.
The Main Street Church adds congregation, pews, and decorative frescos on the ceiling and behind the alter with a remarkable “trompe l’oeil” perspective.
1867
In this year and the next, the Main Street church is substantially reconstructed. The entire building is raised nine feet, and a basement is excavated a further three feet to provide a full vestry floor. A 120-foot steeple is added. The two-door façade is altered to one center door with high central and flanking windows. The sanctuary windows are enhanced, and unique stained glass windows, many given as memorials, are installed. The project cost was $12,000. It is believed that the organ was also installed at this time.
1872
A dangerous fire breaks out on a cold, windy day (November 30, Sunday, at noon) due to a stove/furnace malfunction. Through the quick, dramatic effort by many in the town, the fire is finally brought under control, and the church is saved. The ceiling of the vestry is substantially charred. Repair costs were $1,200.
1876
Women begin to take part in church meetings.
1878
The Samuel Adams House (103 Main Street) is given to the church as a parsonage by the Adams family. Samuel Adams was a deacon of the church for decades, and many of the Adams clan contributed much to the business, social, and spiritual life of Castine during the 19th century.
1890
An “Archback” four-face clock is purchased for installation in the steeple base. Supplied by E. Howard of Boston, this instrument will become the town clock. This is an elaborate brass and cast iron pendulum clock, with hand-wound weights that are drawn up weekly. It sounds hours with an outside clapper on the church’s bell.
1896
The sanctuary of the Main Street church receives a substantial redecoration and refurbishment. A popular pressed-tin decoration is installed over the entire ceiling and walls, covering the frescoes. An entirely new set of pews is installed, curved with wood finish instead of the squared, white box style. Additional stained glass windows are also installed.
The “Book and Thimble” club was organized by ladies of the church, growing over the years into a social success. The club manages social events, and evolves into missionary work. This was the predecessor of the Dr. Mary Cushman Circle, which continues its substantial work today. Dr. Cushman, a daughter of pastor Cushman (serving 1885 – 1901) was a pioneer in medical missionary work for 30 years, establishing a hospital in Angola.
1906
The State of Maine incorporates churches, and the name of the Main Street church changes from “Trinitarian Society” to the “Trinitarian Parish,” then to the “Trinitarian Congregational Parish” church.
1943
The Methodist church on Court Street at the Town Common is demolished.
1947
From 1947 – 1951, the former Methodist Parish of Castine and the Trinitarian Parish brought their congregations together in federation, initially known as the “Trinitarian Parish Church-Federated of Castine.” All activities were consolidated at the Main Street church.
1950s
The Book and Thimble Club is renamed as the Dr. Mary Cushman Circle.
1967
From 1967 to 1970, clergy representing the four protestant congregations in Castine: Episcopalian, Unitarian, Congregationalist, and Methodist (the federated pair) came together to function as the “Interchurch Parish.” This ecumenical effort was partially based on the need to account for scarce pastoral resources. Pastor Mervin Deems became its regular minister, performing the respective tires of service in each of the three churches.
1971
The Episcopalian element of the Interchurch Parish withdraws to return to their own services in the Episcopal Chapel on Perkins street. At the Main Street church, a stained glass window is installed in memory of the Rev. George Patterson (serving as pastor 1907 – 1915) by his family.
1980
The Unitarian element of the Interchurch Parish returns to its own church services at their church on the Common. This essentially ends the Interchurch Parish initiative.
1991
A substantial renovation project focuses on the vestry and kitchen, reinforcing the sanctuary floor and installing a new concrete vestry under-floor (through 1994).
1993
The town clock, out of operation for a decade, was completely restored and enhanced with an automatic weight-winding mechanism.
1997
A new Rogers organ is installed and dedicated by Gerald Wheeler.
1998
(to present). Several improvements are made to the church:
The steeple was strengthened, lightning arrestors were installed, and the weathervane was refurbished.
The sanctuary floor was completely rebuilt, and a music platform was constructed to accommodate a newly acquired piano.
Former neighbor Mrs. Jean Cass grants the church a plot of land immediately behind the church, enabling the construction and planting of a garden and activity area.
