The following is a brief history compiled and written by Charles and
Marjorie Elvin and Ernest Saunders for the Torsey Memorial Methodist Church
Sesquicentennial in 1987.
PART I: 1837-1937
Written for the Centennial anniversary, 1937 by John O. Newton
Under the date of September 4, 1835 in the “Book of Properties of the
new Meeting House of Kents Hill” we find a copy of a petition for incorporation
for the purpose of erecting a new Meeting-House in Kents ill. The petitioners
were John Jewett, John Haines, Jr., J.W. Adams, W.W. Woodford, Dudley Moody and
John A. Packard.
A warrant dates September 4 was issued, addressed to John Jewett,
authorizing him to call a meeting of the petitioners at the time and place mentioned
in the petition and was signed by David Wheelock, Justice of the Peace. On the 14th the petitioners met and
“proceeded to business” as follows: John Haines was chosen moderator; John Jewett,
Clerk; and David Wheelock, treasurer.
In addition to the six original petitioners eight other men were
accepted as members of the corporation: David F. Sampson, Charles Packard,
David Wheelock, W.C. Larrabee, A. Burnham, Henry Craig, Norman Nickerson and
Samuel Williams.
Article 12. Voted: To build a new meeting house
Article 13. Voted: To raise $2,500 for the purpose of building said
house and that it be divided into 100 shares at $25.00 each. W.C. Larrabee, A.
Burnham and J. Haines were made a committee to “sketch a plan for said house.”
On October 8 it was voted to build a house 46 feet by 64 feet – later changed
to 62 feet. It was further voted “that we have no side galleries but that the
frame be so constructed that galleries may be added if needed.” Joshua Packard,
Dudley Moody and David F. Sampson were made a building committee.
On December 5, 1835 it was voted that the building be dedicated on
January 12, 1837, with Rev. George Webber preaching the dedicatory sermon. On
this date, January 12, 1837, it was voted that the original proprietors choose
trustees to whom they would give deeds to the property to be held in trust for
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The right to sell the pews was reserved to the proprietors.
The deed specified that the house shall be open and free for the annual
“Exhibition of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary (Kents Hill School) forever, and
that said house may be occupied by all ministers of other evangelical
denominations when not wanted by the Methodists,[i] -- a
fine example of liberality considering the time, for Methodism net with no very
cordial reception on the part of other denominations in the early days in New
England. The records of the building of the church close with the meeting of
January 30, 1837.
About 1865 it was desired to enlarge the original building and in the
pastorate of Dr. Stephen Allen this was done at a cost of $1,800. As a student
of the Seminary I was puzzled over the irregular number of pews. Just why those
in the middle of the house were the 70’s was not clear until someone explained
that Dr. Allen cut the church in two and moved the south and back to make a
place for the new part.
Under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Charles Stone quite extensive repairs
were made. The old windows with their small panes of glass were replaced by
those of the present day and the interior redecorated.
In the pastorates of Rev. William Van Volkenbergh and Rev. Milan J.
Smith, the most extensive alterations of the century were made. The old pews
were removed, the present vestry was made and the organ installed and the
church redecorated under the direction of Harry Cochrane. The cost of
improvements at this time was about $9,000. It was at this time that the church
was named Torsey Memorial Church in honor of Dr. Henry P. Torsey who was for 38
years head of the Seminary and a great supporter of the Church. Also, a
beautiful stained glass window was placed in the front of the church in memory
of Dr. and Mrs. W.F. Morse, who were in charge of the conservatory of music in
the school.
PART II: 1937 ~ 1961
The Centennial celebration of October 2 and 3, 1937 was a joyous affair
opening with a banquet and after dinner program on Saturday evening. Sunday’s
activities included a re-dedication service and address by Bishop Charles
Wesley Burns, and afternoon service at the East Readfield Church (Jesse Lee), concluding
with a vesper service in charge of former ministers of Torsey Memorial Church.
Extensive improvement had been made in preparation for the Centennial. The
vestry had been refurbished, a new roof put in place, and the tower rebuilt. A
new century in life of the church had begun.
Still, with three other Methodists churches in Readfield, East
Readfield, the Methodist Chapel at Readfield Corner and Smith Memorial Church
at the Depot it was impossible to secure fulltime resident minister at Kents
Hill. It appears to have been a period of struggle for all the churches to cope
with a lace of interest and poor attendance, despite the fact that the students
at Kents Hill School were required to attend Sunday services. A faculty member
stood at the door with a check-off list! Weekend ministries were provided by
Rev. Gordon W.H. Buzza while serving the Winthrop Church and by Dr. Joseph D’Alfonso,
a professor of philosophy at Colby College.
Under the ministries of Alice M. Hart, appointed to Hallowell, Kents
Hill and Smith Memorial; and Rev. David W. Bell, serving Winthrop, Readfield
Corner and East Readfield a historic step taken in 1961 to unify the four
churches.
PART III: 1961 ~ 1967
The first move was to combine the three vacation Bible schools at the (Readfield)
Corner Vestry, now St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. In February, 1960 a circuit
committee recommended that union services be held at Jesse Lee Church in the
summer months. By September plans had formulated to continue that practice and
also use Torsey Memorial in the winter months, and conduct Sunday School
regularly at the Corner Vestry. It was an opportune moment to strengthen and
expand these small and struggling groups, however much they regretted the loss
of their individual identities. A new
future was opening. The clear vision and skillful leadership of Pastors Hart
and Bell had accomplished a workable union, certainly the most significant
achievement of the past 50 years.
It was apparent that a centralization of activities in one place would
be desirable. The Corner Chapel and Vestry were located at the central part of
the township, but after lengthy discussions of the problem of optimum location
it was decided in 1966 to select the Kents Hill site. A campaign was launched
to finance the renovation and enlargement of the building. Plans were drawn for
a basement area that would provide a large kitchen, rest rooms, and a meeting
hall with dividers to separate small classrooms for the church school. It was a
major feat, begun with excavations in September that required a sacrificial
giving $50,000 before the work was finished. While tons and earth and rocks
were being removed from beneath the jacked-up building and grading. Foundation walls,
a septic system, and a parking lot were being constructed, the congregation met
in the Chapel and classrooms generously made available by Kents Hill School.
Volunteers donated many hours of labor. The new Fellowship Hall was dedicated
June 25, 1967. At last the many program activities could be carried on under
one roof. Everyone was pleased and proud.
PART IV: 1967 ~ 1987
Further outreach was to broaden the fellowship. For eight years
beginning in 1970 the new congregation under the leadership of Rev. Stanley
Tanner and Rev. Kathleen Weed was to participate, at the request of the (New
England) Annual Conference, in a cooperative parish arrangement with other
United Methodist churches in the area. The ministers functioned in a team
pattern, sharing programs, unifying business procedures and encouraging joint
activities within the network of parishes. However, the experiment failed to
meet all the needs and hopes and it was terminated in 1978, though it was hoped
that some cooperative activities would continue. The church school flourished
in those years and the Tuesday school, an experiment in weekday religious
education, proved very popular.
During the last years of Rev. Kathleen Weed’s ministry a major
renovation of the church was initiated. The chancel, first built in 1878. Was completely
rebuilt to the beautiful form we now today. The sanctuary was repainted, new
carpeting and curtains added to enhance the new chancel and both to inspire
prayer and praise. The following spring saw a refurbishing of the parsonage
with all the labor provided by church members and friends. It was, therefore, a
heave blow, after all this work had been completed in 1980 and 81, to discover
that winter storms in 1982 had resulted in serious structural damage to the
roof and side walls of the building. One half of the roof was literally sliding
off! Once again weary but loyal members and friends rallied to the cause of
providing a safe and secure house in which they could assemble for worship,
study, and social programs.
One of the most significant events in recent times has been the
relationship developed between this congregation and an Evangelical Lutheran
congregation in Alsfeld, Germany. With the guidance of Rev. Walter Brown the
church received and entertained a visiting group in 1983, which led to a return
of more than 40 members of our church to Alsfeld the following year. This has
encouraged correspondence and personal exchange trips as friendships have
grown.
Now, in this year of 1987, under the leadership of our newest pastor,
George Darling, his wife and family, we pause to remember and give thanks for
the faithful people before us who have made their witness in this place, As
part of the people of God we pledge out faithfulness to what He would have us
be and do now and in the days ahead.
By Charles and Marjorie Elvin, and Ernest W.
Saunders, written for the Sesquicentennial anniversary, 1987
[i]
This was a continuation of Luther Sampson’s directions when he built the
original Methodist Meeting House on Kents Hill in 1800.
