Methodist Church Records. Maine.

Church records normally contain membership, baptism and marriage records along with church board, quarterly conference records and occasionally other records of the church.
For many other churches, historical files are kept with miscellaneous materials, often histories or clippings about the church.

Alfred. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 3]

Preaching began in 1826, and four years later was on a circuit with Shapleigh, becoming a station in 1832, with a church constructed in 1834. In 1914 the Alfred church was paired with Sanford, and Alfred was closed by 1931.

Trustees records, 1879-1925.

Documents on parsonage sale and title.

Andover. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A5]

Historical: Classes began in 1869, and the church was established in 1870 with the appointment of Rev. Ira G. Sprague as pastor. The last regular appointment was in 1910, with work of the church declining over the next few years. District Superintendent Rev. D. B. Holt reported in 1916 that “our parsonage property at Andover has been sold and the proceeds of the sale turned over to the Conference Trustees. There is a movement under way for the sale of the church. This marks the complete ending of our work in that place. It seems far better that the half a dozen Methodist people there go in with the community movement that is in progress.”

Scope and Content: The records cover the period 1869 to 1913. The two books contain lists of pastors (1870-1899, 1900-1910), probationers (1869-1896, 1900-1902), members (1869-1892, 1892-1900, 1900-1910), baptisms (1882-1898, 1901-1913), marriages (1887-1896), and funerals (1894-1898). There are no adminstrative or Quarterly Conference records, and no record of any Epworth League or similar activity by the congregation.

Extent: 2 vols.

Access: No access restrictions.
Limitations: None.
Provenance: Purchase, 1999.
Cite as: Andover (Maine) M.E.C. Records, New England Conference Commission on Archives and History.
Processing: Stephen P. Pentek, March 1999.

Arrangement: Most entries are chronological, with membership lists primarily in alphabetical order.

Book One: 1869-1899

List of pastors, p. 21, 1870-1899

Church Officers, p. 24-33, 1887-1898.
Baptisms, p. 41-43, 1882-1898
Probationers, p. 51-55, 1869-1896.
Members, p. 71-117, 1869-1892?
Members, p.118-133, 1892?-1899.
Marriages, p. 170-173, 1887-1896.
Funerals Attended, p. 178, 1894-1898.
Revised List of Members, p. 191-195, 1892? “For correct list, see p. 118”).

Book Two, 1900-1913.

List of pastors, p. 1, 1900-1910.

Official members, p. 2.
Members, p. 10-81.
Probationers, p. 90-91, 1900-1902.
Baptisms, p. 142-143, 1901-1913.

Arrowsic. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 1]

Began in 1852 as Georgetown and Arrowsic Circuit, at times included Westport and Woolwich. Temporarily closed Spring 1942, church abandoned Oct. 6, 1955.

1 v. 1852-1912, 1936-1941.

Quarterly Conference records:

Georgetown and Arrowsic: 1852-1853.

Arrowsic and Wesport: 1855.
Georgetown, Westport and Arrowsic: 1856-1858.
Woolrich, Westport, Georgetown and Arrowsic: 1858-1860.
Woolrich and Arrowsic: 1861-1862.
Westport, Woolwich and Arrowsic: 1863.
Georgetown, Westport and Arrowsic: 1863-1882.
Georgetown and Arrowsic: 1882-1912.
Arrowsic: 1935-1941.

Envelope: Pastor’s Reports: 1900, 1938-1940.

Envelope: Trustee’s minutes: Spring 1942.

Envelope: Ladies’ Aid Society annual report and financial statement: 1935, 1937-1939.

Clark’s Mills. [CH-ME A1 Box 5]

This church was dedicated in the fall of 1903, debt-free, due to the generosity and leadership of Mr. C. F. Clark. Membership diminished in the 1930s, and the church requested inactive status in 1942, but was never re-opened.

Record book, 1904-1940.

  • Pastors, 1904-1912.
  • Official Members, 1904-1914.
  • Membership, alphabetical, 1904-1932.
  • Probationers, 1904-1926.
  • Marriages, 1906-1934.
  • Baptisms, 1904-1914, 1926-1929, 1939-1940.

Cooper. Cooper Circuit. [CH-ME C6]

2 v. 1830-1861.

Quarterly Conference minutes: 1830-1861.
Steward’s collections and disbursements: 1831-1858.

Damariscotta. Damasriscotta Mills Station. [CH-ME D25]

“This Church was disjoined from Sheepscott and constituted as a separate charge by the Conference of May 1858.”

1 v. 1858-1891.

Baptism: 1858-1889. Note from April 1859: “There were several baptized in the early part of the conf. year whose names were not recorded.”
Marriage: 1859-1863.
Membership: 1858-1871, 1873-1878, 1878-1888, 1889-1891.
Probationers: 1858-1866, 1875-1889.
Class lists: 1858-1866.

East Poland. Empire Grove Camp Meeting Association.

See Local Methodist Organizations listing.

Eliot. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME E4]

Photocopy of original, which was returned to the church in 1987.

6 v. 1827-1919.

Baptism: 1837-1858, 1852-1861, 1865-1897.
Marriage: 1864-1897.
Membership: 1827-1896.
Historical record.
Quarterly Conference records: 1827-1919.

Georgetown. Methodist Episcopal Church.

See Arrowsic. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 1]

Harmony. Cobb Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church [CH-ME A1 Box 1]

Begun in the 1830’s, a new church was built in 1915. The church was closed in 1935.
Record book does refer to older record book, which is not here.

1 v. 1839-1935.

Pastors, 1839-1936.
Official members, 1912
Members, 1893-1936.
Probationers, 1910-1931.
Marriages, 1909-1935.
Baptisms, 1910-1935.

Hartford. Methodist Episcopal Church [CH-ME A1 Box 2]

1 v. 1923-1941.

Official treasurer’s records, 1923-1941.

Hiram. [Unprocessed]

Kennebunkport. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME K4]

Classes began as early as 1816 under Rev. Leonard Bennett, in what what then called Arundel. The Arundel Circuit included Kennebunkport until 1833, when a meeting house was planned, being dedicated in 1834. The church was closed in 1941.

Record book, 1867-1941.

Includes material copied from earlier record books.

History, 1816-1897.
Probationers, 1849-1926.
Baptised children, 1921-1922.
Full members, undated.
Probationers, 1926-1933.
Class records, 1867-1873.
Members (alphabetical), 1826-1933.
Official members, 1820-1909.
Pastoral and statistical records, 1820-1931.
Baptisms, 1850-1940.
Marriages, 1867-1941.

Maryland Ridge. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 5]

This church began in 1856, built a parsonage in 1867 and a church in 1870. The church was closed in 1943. Maryland Ridge is a section of Wells.

Record book, 1856-1943.

Pastors, 1856-1935.
Official Members, 1856-1887.
Membership, alphabetical, 1856-1888, 1888-1891, 1891-1910, 1910-1930, 1930-1943.
Baptisms, 1912-1917.
Probationers, 1856-1883, 1888-1931, 1924-1936.
Marriages, 1888-1937.
Baptisms, 1856-1939.
Deaths, 1905-1935.

Newry and North Newry. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 5]

Newry was part of the Bethel Circuit starting in 1851. A church was built in Newry near the Hanover line, in the later 1800s, and eventually became center of the Newry Circuit, which included Upton and Erroll. Mostly filled by supply pastors, the church closed in 1908. This record book covers both Newry and North Newry from 1897-1909, and lists only 15 members, 8 marriages, and one baptism.

Record book, 1897-1904.

There is a reference to an older book, which we do not have.

Pastors, 1898-1900.
Official Members, 1909.
Membership, alphabetical, 1897-1909.
Probationers, 1897.
Marriages, 1899-1903.
Baptisms, 1902.

North Auburn. [Unprocesssed]

North Palermo. Methodist Episcopal Church [CH-ME A1 Box 2]

Listed on title page as China and North Palermo. Flyleaf says it contains only records of living members as of 1909, and that old records are in the hands of Frank A. Wood, secretary.

1 v. 1890-1912.

Pastors, 1890-1913.
Official members, 1892-1911.
Members, 1909-1912.
Probationers, 1912.
Marriage, 1909.
Baptisms, 1908-1912.

North Yarmouth. [Unprocessed]

Portland. Congress Street. [CH-ME P7C7]

“The Methodist Church on the Hill” was organized in 1851 by some members of the Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The original chapel was replaced by a new church in 1868, with major renovations sn 1922. In 1970, the church was paired with Chestnut Street, with the Congress Street church being closed in 1973 and sold the next year.

Box 1.

  • Official Board Records, 1851-1869, 1878.
  • Official Board Records, 1883-1887.
  • Official Board Records, 1887-1891.
  • Official Board Records, 1892-1895.
  • Official Board Records, 1895-1899.

Box 2.

  • Official Board Records, 1913-1923 .
  • Official Board and Quarterly Conference Records, 1923-1928.
  • Official Board and Quarterly Conference Records, 1928-1942.
  • Official Board and Quarterly Conference Records, 1942-1957.
  • Trustees’ Minutes, 1851-1899.
  • Parish Meeting Records and Incorporation, 1856-1880.
  • Recording Steward’s Quarterly Conference Records, 1877-1886 .

Box 3.

  • Membership Book, 1851-1899
    • History, 1853.
    • Members, alphabetically, 1851- (22-65)
    • Members, alphabetically, (69-113)
    • Members, alphabetically, 1861-1866 (115-130)
    • Members, alphabetically, 1866-1875 (133-156)
    • Members, alphabetically, 1875- (159-181)
    • Members, alphabetically, (185-210)
    • Members, alphabetically, 1888- (213-235, 239, 259, 261)
    • Marriages, chronologically, 1881-1897.
    • Probationers, chronologically, 1861-1899.
    • Baptisms, 1851-1899.
  • Membership Book, 1899-1919
    • Pastors, 1902-1917.
    • Official Members, 1902, 1914.
    • Probationers, 1899-1918.
    • Members, alphabetical, then chronological, 1899-1911.
    • Members, alphabetical, then chronological, 1912-1919.
    • Baptisms, 1899-1919.
    • Marriages, 1899-1919.

  • Membership Book, looseleaf, 1920-?
  • Envelope of historical materials
    • Historical notes, 1851-1899.
    • Newspaper article on 1923 re-dedication.
    • Sample bulletins, 1906, 1912.
    • Conference Journal information on closing.

Portland. Elm Street. [Unprocessed]

Scotland. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME E4]

Photocopy of original, which was returned to the church in 1987.

Bound with records of Eliot Maine Methodist Episcopal Church.

1 v. 1878-1911.

Quarterly Conference records: 1878-1911.

South Standish. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 3]

Standish Corner first appears in 1847 on a circuit with North Gorham. A church was built in 1849, briefly with its own pastor, but mostly on a circuit. The Standish church was abandoned in 1875 and sold in 1886, with members going to South Standish. South Standish built a church in 1826 and probably developed the church in Standish Corner. These record books are from South Standish, although the membership book includes records from the Standish church. The Standish church disappears from Conference records in 1902, but Trustees records show repairs to the church and parsonage through 1911.

Trustees records, 1883-1911.

Record book, 1853-1900.

Members, 1853-1864, 1876, 1877-1884.
Trustees, 1869.
Probationers, 1883-1888.
Marriages, 1889-1890, 1899.
Members, 1890, 1897.
Probationers, 1897-1899.
Baptisms, 1851-1897.

South Waterford. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 5]

First preaching in this area was in 1802 as part of the Poland Circuit. A church was constructed in 1818 at Mutiny Corner, near South Waterford village. The church was on a circuit with Bridgton and Sweden from 1829. A new church was built in 1835 closer to the town, but it burned in 1844 and was re-built. A parsonage was bought in 1850. The church was on a two-point charge with Sweden when it was discontinued in 1905.

Record book, 1848-1905.

Members, 1848-1861, 1862-1897, 1897-1905.
Baptisms, 1854-1897.
Marriages, 1892-1897.
Receipts, 1851.
Donors for tent, 1867.
Donors for pipe organ, 1870.
Donors for parsonage.

South Windham. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 4]

Worship services were held from Dec. 1910 to April 1911 in the Free Baptist Church, which then rented the church to the Methodists. The society was formed in 1911. At the end of 1918, the Baptists requested the church back under terms of the lease, and members went to School Street, Gorham. In 1920, the South Windham society disbanded.

Offical Board records, 1911-1920.

Record book,

Prefatory history.
Pastors, 1910-1918.
Offical members.
Members, 1911-1919.
Probationers, 1912-1918.
Marriages, 1911-1918.
Baptisms, 1911-1918.

Quarterly Conference book, 1911-1915.

Envelope.

Correspondence with the Baptists on the termination of the lease.
Quarterly Conference reports, 1913-1918.

South Standish. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 3]

Standish Corner first appears in 1847 on a circuit with North Gorham. A church was built in 1849, briefly with its own pastor, but mostly on a circuit. The Standish church was abandoned in 1875 and sold in 1886, with members going to South Standish. South Standish built a church in 1826 and probably developed the church in Standish Corner. These record books are from South Standish, although the membership book includes records from the Standish church. The Standish church disappears from Conference records in 1902, but Trustees records show repairs to the church and parsonage through 1911.

Trustees records, 1883-1911.

Record book, 1853-1900.

Members, 1853-1864, 1876, 1877-1884.
Trustees, 1869.
Probationers, 1883-1888.
Marriages, 1889-1890, 1899.
Members, 1890, 1897.
Probationers, 1897-1899.
Baptisms, 1851-1897.

West and North Paris. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 4]

Classes started in North Paris in 1812, and shared 1/4 of a Union Church built in 1829. A Paris Circuit was started in 1830. West Paris started in 1867, and a church was constructed in 1878. West Paris federated with other local churches in 1923, and then in 1930 the North Paris church federated with the Baptists. The West and North Paris charge was declared abandoned in 1944.

Record book, 1826-1939.

List of pastors, 1836-1939.
Official members, 1912-1918.
Members, 1878-1937.
Probationers, 1908-1932.
Marriages, 1908-1938.
Baptisms, 1916-1937.

Envelope.

Articles of Agreement, 1930 Federation with the Baptist Church.
Quarterly Conference reports, 1938-1944.

West Sullivan. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 2]


Note on title page: “These records are … not for West Sullivan alone, but for all parts of Sullivan Charge, which at this time is our pastoral charge and one unit… Old records are in possession of G. W. Ash, East Sullivan.”

1 v. 1892-1914

Quarterly Conference, 1892-1914.

Westport. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 1]

See also records for Arrowsic.

1 v. 1886-1934.

Pastors, 1908-1920.
Members, 1886-1917.
Probationers, 1887-1915.
Baptisms, 1914-1931.

Wiscasset. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME W5]

Begun in 1818 with influx of Methodists, first received a local preacher in 1826, and a full-time pastor in 1828. The society incorporated in 1858. By 1935, membership had dwindled to 20 and a licensed preacher was to be assigned, but was left “to be supplied.” The church became inactive and in 1947 was officially closed.

3 v. 1818-1934.

Book:

Pew plan, 1835.
History, 1818-1828.
Quarterly Conference Reports, 1828-1893.

Book:

Pastors, 1911-1928.
Members, 1878-1933.
Probationers, 1911-1929.
Marriages, 1911-1920, 1928-1934.
Baptisms, 1911-1912, 1920, 1930-1934.

Annual Meeting minutes: 1857-1872. Includes: By-Laws of the Methodist Episcopal Corporation of Wiscasset, Maine: 1858.
Envelope: Petition for Incorporation, 1858.

Woolrich. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME A1 Box 1]

Began in 1852 as Georgetown and Arrowsic Circuit, at times included Westport and Woolwich. Temporarily closed Spring 1942, church abandoned Oct. 6, 1955.

1 v. 1852-1912, 1936-1941.

Quarterly Conference records:

Georgetown and Arrowsic: 1852-1853.
Arrowsic and Wesport: 1855.
Georgetown, Westport and Arrowsic: 1856-1858.
Woolrich, Westport, Georgetown and Arrowsic: 1858-1860.
Woolrich and Arrowsic: 1861-1862.
Westport, Woolwich and Arrowsic: 1863.
Georgetown, Westport and Arrowsic: 1863-1882.
Georgetown and Arrowsic: 1882-1912.
Arrowsic: 1935-1941.

Envelope: Pastor’s Reports: 1900, 1938-1940.

Envelope: Trustee’s minutes: Spring 1942.

Envelope: Ladies’ Aid Society annual report and financial statement: 1935, 1937-1939.

Yarmouthville. Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-ME Y25]

Sometimes called the Yarmouth charge, the church was formed in 1894, and a church constructed in 1899. Membership dwindled in the 1920s, and the church was closed in 1928.

Record book, 1894-1907.

Probationers, 1893-1907.
Membership, 1893-1907.
Baptisms, 1894-1904.
Marriages, 1894-1904.

Record book, 1903-1927

Pastors, 1925.
Membership, 1893-1927.
Probationers, 1903-1927.
Marriages, 1904-1927.
Baptisms, 1904-1927.

Quarterly conference, 1894-1919.

Quarterly conference form reports, 1904-1908.

Quarterly conference form reports, 1920-1926.