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| Then |
This is the
third installment of a series on the history and unique heritage of Windham,
then and now.
Over
its nearly 275 year history, Windham Congregational Church has occupied at
least three separate locations, all on high points of land. Whether for
protection, circumstance or perhaps a closer talk with thee, the church
buildings were constructed on two separate hills (each named Anderson) and on
Windham Hill. The denomination holds a distinctive place in the town’s rich
history and proud heritage.
Local
historians record the full or partial construction of no fewer than five
churches between 1743 and 1834. In addition to their pioneering spirit,
Windham’s early settlers needed certain essentials to achieve their goal of
carving a prosperous township out of a barren wilderness: Shelter, food,
clothing and (yes, an essential) spiritual nourishment.
Two
of the original 63 land grants were set aside for religious purposes. Under
conditions set by the governing body of Massachusetts in the mid-1730s, the
Proprietors had to “. . . erect a convenient meeting-house (church) for the
publick worship of God,” and provide a lot of land for a “. . . learned
orthodox minister.”
Attempts
to construct a church atop Anderson Hill, off present day River Road, were hindered
by hostilities related to the French and Indian Wars. The partially framed
edifice was torn down and the timbers used to help construct a fort to protect
the early families. Under the pastoral guidance of Rev. John Wight, a 1729
graduate of Harvard College and the township’s first minister, the first
services were conducted inside the fort.
Early
records indicate Rev. Wight was highly respected and remembered for his
dedication and loyalty to the needs of the infant settlement - a devotion that
impaired his health. Wight died in the fort, leaving behind a congregation that
grew from seven to 25 members during his tenure.
It
would be nearly ten years before another minister would lead the parish. In the
meantime, hostilities with the French and Indians had ended. Rev. Peter
Thatcher Smith, also a Harvard alumnus, was ordained in September, 1762. He
preached in the fort until his dismissal in 1790. During Smith’s pastor-ship,
two attempts were made to construct “. . . a decent place for the worship of
God.” Both were taken down for unknown
reasons. Finally in 1795, a meeting house described as, “. . . a very fine
edifice for the times,” was built on what was then known as Peter Anderson’s
Hill; near the present-day intersection of Webb and Chute Roads.
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| Now |
The
impressive structure was 50 feet long, 40 feet wide, and two stories high. Upon
entering, the visitors’ attention would first be drawn to the elaborately
decorated pulpit, perched high above floor level, replete with color and
pageantry. The lofty lectern was draped with scarlet cloth, a velvet cushion to
support a thick, tattered Bible, and tassels dangling from all four corners.
Above the minister’s head, an elaborately carved panel was suspended from the
ceiling. Known as a “sounding board,” it acted as an early amplifier,
projecting the preacher’s words over the full extent of the sanctuary and
beyond.
The
front hallway featured a glass display case in which the town clerk posted the
names of those planning to marry. Called a “publishment box,” it was said to
have attracted much attention from the locals.
Like
other churches of the period, no means of heating was allowed within its walls.
At best, a slab of
soapstone, heated from home, or a so-called “foot stove” was
the only means of warming comfort allowed, even in the depths of winter.
The
building served Windham’s Congregational community for almost 40 years, until
1834 when construction began on a new church on Windham Hill. The abandoned
building was then used for various public purposes until 1861 when it was
partially de-constructed and moved over snowy roads by several teams of oxen to
a location on the west side of River Road near the Westbrook line; and then converted
into a large barn (pictured here some time before 1959). Many features of the
old, formidable church remained, including portions of the original post and
beam construction, a wide door and hardware formed by an early blacksmith. Several
families used the old, renovated structure well into the 20th
century. In 1959 it was razed, the ancient timbers sold and the property
cleared to make way for power lines.
The
newest, and sometimes referred to as the 5th Congregational Church
building, was completed in 1835. It was described as “. . . a convenient,
well-finished church, with steeple and bell, being the first bell on any church
in Windham.” Current church historian Laurel Parker says the bell was cast in
Boston by a former apprentice of Paul Revere. The new meeting house was of post
and beam construction with Greek Revival, Federal and Gothic features. The
steeple is Italianate. A new spire and a weathervane were added in 1885. Long
admired for its unique architectural features, the iconic, early New England
building earned the church an appearance in a 1935 edition of National
Geographic Magazine. A carillon, played from the organ, was installed in 1964
with speakers in the belfry.
Instrumental
in the construction of the new church was Rev. Jonathon Lee Hale (the 7th
settled minister), who did not live to see its completion. One of his
successors, Rev. Luther Wiswall, is credited with attaining the church’s
greatest prosperity to date. He served for 40 years in the mid-19th
century, leaving his home next door to the parish. It would become the
parsonage of the First Congregational Church of Windham. The front hall closet
once served as a Windham post office.
Among the many artifacts of the church’s
storied history is a pair of eyeglasses worn by Rev. Wiswall.
In
1972, the church was re-named Windham Hill United Church of Christ,
Congregational. The church is currently ministered by Rev. Sally Colegrove and
is supported by over 200 parishioners.
Church
leaders honor the church’s history, acknowledging the past and recognizing long
time members during Founders’ Day - celebrated yearly. Members of the Sunday
School recently painted a time-line of church history in the Faith Education Hallway
of Fellowship Hall, located behind the church.
Windham
Hill U.C.C. raises funds and participates in numerous social and charitable
causes, local and worldwide; including support for the Windham food pantry, the
Root Cellar of Portland, which helps the homeless, Food & Fellowship for
seniors and others, gift boxes for service members and local families,
especially during holidays, E-waste collection and the international Heifer
Project, which distributes live animals to third-world countries.
