Chapter 5
Churches of Penobscot
Churches of Penobscot
In 1783, the reverend Isaac Case of Rohobeth, Massachusetts, ordained as a Baptist evangelist, came to the Majorbagaduce
territory and was the first Protestant minnister to preach in Penobscot. He was also the founder ot the First Baptist Church in Blue
Hill. As a result of this effort, other Baptist churches were erected throughout Hancock County. Although Reverend Case offered
an opoportunity for the settlers to worship, no serious consideration was given to the organization of a religious society until
several years after the incorporaton of Penobscot. In June of 1793, the first society was formed consisting of about fifty members.
Two years later, the Town voted to give the Reverend Johnathan Powers a call to become their first settled minister. He accepted,
and in June of 1796, the First Congregational Church society was established with fifteen members. However, since no church
buildings existed, services were held in private homes of members. Two years later, the town voted to give the reverend Jonathan
Powers a call to become their first settled minister. He accepted and in June of 1796, the First Congregational Church society was
established with 15 members. However, since no church building existed, services were held in the private homes of members.
The First Methodist to preach in Penobscot was Reverend Joshua Hall, in 1795. Mr. Hall was on a circuit ministry which
entended in Union, in Waldo County to Orono, in Penobscot County. We believe that he preached longer than any other
Minister of his denomination, having begun his itinerant work at the age of 19. He died at Frankfort, Maine, December 25th 1862
at the age of 94.
Church Construction
From that point on, church buildings of various denominations began to take their shape. It was recorded that the first chruch
built in Penobscot was that of Methodist denomination. It was erected in the year 1801 on Captain David Dunbar's farm at the
joint expense of Jeremiah Wardwell and Captain Thatcher Avery. Its location was on the east side of the Penobscot River. The
disposition of this structure is not know as of this publication.
(update 9/2004 *** The Wardwell / Avery Methodist Church was moved in the 1970's to property owned by H.O.M.E Inc.
on Orland Hill located near Route 1. This church can still be seen and is used by the organization.)
In 1823, the Baptist erected a church on the land of Daniel Perkins. We have no description of this building but we do know that it
was destroyed by fire in 1848 , the work of an arsonist.
In 1837 a Methodist Church was built in North Penobscot. Situated on a high hill, opposite the cemetery, it is the oldest religious
building in Penobscot, and its spire can be seen for miles away. It has survived the ravages of time but is in need of repair at this
bicentennial period. (update 9/2003 *** The North Penobscot Methodist Church was sold and removed from the top of the hill in
the late 1990's. Moved to North Blue Hill on Outer Union Street, Masons Hill, It was restored, than renovated with a large
addition and basement.
Another Methodist church was errected in 1844, and located in South Penobscot near the Brooksville boundary line. It was built at
a cost of $2000, under the direction of a committee consisting of Messrs. Pelatiah Perkins, Ezra Gray, and Alpheus Herrick. It no
longer functions as a church but did serve the needs of its members well into the twentieth century. The building still exists and is
now owned by Downeast Graphics Inc.
So. penobscot Church
In 1856, another Methodist church was erected at the head of the bay and dedicated in 1859. It stillstands in a reasonable state of
repair and has regular church services every Sunday, served by a Circuit Minister. It is recorded, in the diary of Hosea Wardwell,
that the proportion of this church to its height and width was very short, the steeple rising 100 feet above the sill. A severe gale
later blew the steeple down and was afterward replaced with one more in harmony with the size of the building.
The last chruch to be built in Penobscot was that of Baptist demonation. Its foundation was laid in June, 1899, and the building
was completed by Porter Staples at a cost of $4600. The first sermon was preached by Reverend Dunn of Portland, Maine on
December 27th, 1899. The bell, weighing 829 pounds, was rung on Christmas Day. Fourth-four members attended this initial
service. Known today as " The Chocolate Church " , it fondly remembers the Reverend Chester Smith, and Reverend Biolet Bagley
and Reverend John Bland with respect and affection for their outstanding contributions, as well as Percy Perkins, the longest serving
deacon, and Persis Mitchell, who served as the first organist. The church, in this bicentennial year is still actively engaged in
meeting many of the religious needs of the community.
territory and was the first Protestant minnister to preach in Penobscot. He was also the founder ot the First Baptist Church in Blue
Hill. As a result of this effort, other Baptist churches were erected throughout Hancock County. Although Reverend Case offered
an opoportunity for the settlers to worship, no serious consideration was given to the organization of a religious society until
several years after the incorporaton of Penobscot. In June of 1793, the first society was formed consisting of about fifty members.
Two years later, the Town voted to give the Reverend Johnathan Powers a call to become their first settled minister. He accepted,
and in June of 1796, the First Congregational Church society was established with fifteen members. However, since no church
buildings existed, services were held in private homes of members. Two years later, the town voted to give the reverend Jonathan
Powers a call to become their first settled minister. He accepted and in June of 1796, the First Congregational Church society was
established with 15 members. However, since no church building existed, services were held in the private homes of members.
The First Methodist to preach in Penobscot was Reverend Joshua Hall, in 1795. Mr. Hall was on a circuit ministry which
entended in Union, in Waldo County to Orono, in Penobscot County. We believe that he preached longer than any other
Minister of his denomination, having begun his itinerant work at the age of 19. He died at Frankfort, Maine, December 25th 1862
at the age of 94.
Church Construction
From that point on, church buildings of various denominations began to take their shape. It was recorded that the first chruch
built in Penobscot was that of Methodist denomination. It was erected in the year 1801 on Captain David Dunbar's farm at the
joint expense of Jeremiah Wardwell and Captain Thatcher Avery. Its location was on the east side of the Penobscot River. The
disposition of this structure is not know as of this publication.
(update 9/2004 *** The Wardwell / Avery Methodist Church was moved in the 1970's to property owned by H.O.M.E Inc.
on Orland Hill located near Route 1. This church can still be seen and is used by the organization.)
In 1823, the Baptist erected a church on the land of Daniel Perkins. We have no description of this building but we do know that it
was destroyed by fire in 1848 , the work of an arsonist.
In 1837 a Methodist Church was built in North Penobscot. Situated on a high hill, opposite the cemetery, it is the oldest religious
building in Penobscot, and its spire can be seen for miles away. It has survived the ravages of time but is in need of repair at this
bicentennial period. (update 9/2003 *** The North Penobscot Methodist Church was sold and removed from the top of the hill in
the late 1990's. Moved to North Blue Hill on Outer Union Street, Masons Hill, It was restored, than renovated with a large
addition and basement.
Another Methodist church was errected in 1844, and located in South Penobscot near the Brooksville boundary line. It was built at
a cost of $2000, under the direction of a committee consisting of Messrs. Pelatiah Perkins, Ezra Gray, and Alpheus Herrick. It no
longer functions as a church but did serve the needs of its members well into the twentieth century. The building still exists and is
now owned by Downeast Graphics Inc.
So. penobscot Church
In 1856, another Methodist church was erected at the head of the bay and dedicated in 1859. It stillstands in a reasonable state of
repair and has regular church services every Sunday, served by a Circuit Minister. It is recorded, in the diary of Hosea Wardwell,
that the proportion of this church to its height and width was very short, the steeple rising 100 feet above the sill. A severe gale
later blew the steeple down and was afterward replaced with one more in harmony with the size of the building.
The last chruch to be built in Penobscot was that of Baptist demonation. Its foundation was laid in June, 1899, and the building
was completed by Porter Staples at a cost of $4600. The first sermon was preached by Reverend Dunn of Portland, Maine on
December 27th, 1899. The bell, weighing 829 pounds, was rung on Christmas Day. Fourth-four members attended this initial
service. Known today as " The Chocolate Church " , it fondly remembers the Reverend Chester Smith, and Reverend Biolet Bagley
and Reverend John Bland with respect and affection for their outstanding contributions, as well as Percy Perkins, the longest serving
deacon, and Persis Mitchell, who served as the first organist. The church, in this bicentennial year is still actively engaged in
meeting many of the religious needs of the community.
No.Penobscot Methodist Church 1972
Penobscot's Chocolate Church
Bayside United Methodist Church
So.Penobscot Methodist Church
West Penobscot Methhodist Church