Durham Congregational Church

Durham Congregational Church

Interest in religion and desire for regular religious services found expression much before 1775 in Royalsborough (as Durham was then named). The first recorded service of Congregationalists was held in the home of O. Israel Bagley, on February 23, 1774. Later that month a search was undertaken for a suitable site, and a plot consisting of nine acres was purchased at $2 per acre. Trees were cut, and work begun clearing a space for a burial ground. However, because of the Revolutionary War, it was not until 1782 that the Town of Royalsborough undertook the actual construction of its meeting house.

In 1790 Rev. Jacob Herrick (formerly an Adjutant in the Revolutionary War) came from Beverly, Massachusetts, the first ordained Congregational minister to settle in Durham. He continued to minister to his people until his death December 18, 1832. The Rev. Mr. Herrick has been described as a slow and somewhat tedious-in-delivery kind of preacher, but a most excellent pastor. Following his death, services were held for a time only irregularly. Other denominations, most notably the Methodists and the Friends (Quakers), were beginning to attract strong interest and local support by this time.

A second Congregational Church structure was erected in 1845, near the Durham-Freeport town line. In 1853, this structure was moved to Southwest Bend (across from the Grange Hall) and became familiarly known as the Little Brown Church. Beginning in 1919, this structure was the place where annually thereafter, former pastors and members and friends gathered to renew their acquaintances and to be revived in spirit by the fervent preaching and inspiring music and singing. This event drew large congregations and outstanding leaders in many different fields for many years. The church records, and those of other Durham historians (notably Everett S. Stackpole) reveal the profound interest and the intense religious zeal shown by the people through the years.

In 1935, the Little Brown Church was destroyed by fire. For about a dozen years thereafter, a small group of “covenant members” kept the faith, holding services in their homes, and hoping that one day they might again have another church structure in which to worship. In 1947, this group of “faithfuls” and a few new young families, appealed for assistance. And once again, as had happened back in 1790, they looked toward Freeport for leadership. At the suggestion of the Conference Minister in Portland, Freeport’s Rev. Leslie Craig met with this small but eager group, and arranged for regular services to be held in the Union Church (later to become the Town Hall). A year and a half later (1949) this group decided to take steps immediately to procure funds and a location for the present Congregational Church structure.

After a lot of solid work and earnest response, the new church was completed and dedicated in September 1951. It was free of debt six years later. By then the adult membership had increased significantly, as had the Sunday School. During the ensuing years, it became evident that the time would come when the one-room Sunday School would need to be expanded. A building fund was started, and in January 1976 the Congregation voted to proceed with the building expansion program.

The times have changed since Durham first incorporated as a town, and so have the philosophies of the people; but there is a solid belief among this people that churches and dedicated workers for the propagation of the Gospel are needed as much as they were 200 years ago. With the other presently active churches in this community, it is the intent and determination of the people of Durham’s Congregational Church to see to it that the Truth, Hope, and Love of God are proclaimed and exemplified in this, our tie, as has been done in the past 200 years. Services are held each Sunday (except in July) at 9:30 am, at the church at Southwest Bend. Sunday School classes are held during the school year, also at 9:30 am on Sundays.