North Alfred Baptist Church Observes 100th Anniversary

Alfred, Aug. 7.—The 100th anniversary of the building of the North Alfred Baptist Church was observed with elaborate centennial services Sunday afternoon after a dinner had been served in the neighboring schoolhouse by members of the North Alfred Community Club. The Centennial Sermon  was preached by the Rev. Edwin B. Dolan. Melrose Highlands, Mass.. and other preachers taking part were the Rev. T. L. Brindley, district secretary of the United Baptist Convention of Maine. the Rev. Samuel M. Thompson, Old Orchard Beach. the Rev. Lester R. Norton, and the pastor. the Rev. Harry W. Palmer. A history of The organization of the church society was read by Malcolm W. Roberts. The church had its inception when a group of the neighbors of James Bean met in his blacksmith shop August 18, 1844, and voted "that it is expedient to have a church organized here in Alfred Gore." On August 29 of the same year 12 members of the Waterboro Baptist Church after having been dismissed, organized the North Alfred Church. They were Jotham Jewett. Thomas J. Goodrich. Henry Bean, Thomas Ricker. Archibald Smith, Jr., Phenders H. Ricker, Suzan Jewett, Eliza Marshall. Saliv Roberts. Mercy Gile,  Mary Jewett. Lydia Goodrich. The first pastor, was the Rev. Frederick Morton and meetings were held in a school house until 1847 when the present church building was completed at a cost of "$700. During the century since then the church has had 25 settled pastors and has had regular services with -the exception, of some brief periods. The edifice is remarkable for its six big window of 45 panes each. The old school house with its cupola and bell stands well back from the road south of the church. It was built in 1872 and bears a sign on the gable facing the road, "District No. 5, 1872." The people of North Alfred, as the North Alfred Community Club, have restored the interior for use as a social center and are planning to paint the outside red with white trimmings. On Sunday Mrs. Kale Allen Pinkham of Cape, Porpoise who taught here BO years ago. was an honored guest. Besides many residents of North Alfred who went to school-in Hi Is building, also present on Sunday were former pupils Frank B. Miller. Quincy. Mass.; Fred E. Russell. Kittery; Mrs. Carrie Gile Douglass and Mrs. Eula Russell Martin. Gorham: Mrs. Doris Roberts Main. Kittery: Miss Cora J. Gile. Brookline. Mass.: Mrs. Ina Dame Gould and Miss Gertrure Gould. Danvers. Mass.; Roy L. Robinson. Belmont. Mass.; Henry Stone, Ashland. Mass. Mrs. Ida Gile Clark, Rochester. N. H., Mrs. Lizzie Bean Robinson. Mrs. Mabel Roberts Ranker. Mrs. Mildred Stone Hobbs. all of Springvale. and Mrs Edna Roberts Hutchins of Sanford. The original Council of the North Alfred Baptist Church comprised members of the Baptist churches in Alfred. Waterboro. Lyman. Kennebunk and Shapleigh. Its affairs are now handled by Deacons Wilbur G. Roberts and John E. Roberts, Clerk Mrs. Leland H. Gile, Treasurer John T. Hall, and the Rev. Harry W. Palmer. Th. M.. Waterboro. Invitations to the Centennial Services were sent to all former members. pastors, and pastors' widows by the invitation committee. Mrs. Leland H Gile and the Rev. Palmer The history committee was made up of Mrs. John T. Hall. Miss Lula Roberts. Mrs Thomas G. Hall and Malcolm W. Roberts. Other committees: Dinner. Mrs. George L.. Roberts. Mrs. Malcolm W. Roberts, Mrs. Carl E Hanson. Mrs. Harold R. Hall, Mrs. Jerry A. Gile. Mrs. Frank Daney, Mrs. William Schllpp. Mrs James E. Brlggs. and Mrs. Clarence Hartford; reception, Wilbur G. Roberts. John E. Roberts. Leland H. Gile. Miss Cora J Gile. Mrs. J. B. Ranger. John T. Hall; traffic. Allen Gile, William Horsfall. .Glenn F. Mooers; music, Mrs. Glenn F. Mooers. Mrs. Ransom E. Gilkey; decorations, the junior. choir and Mrs. Gilkey. Ushers were the Messrs. George L., Paul, and Malcolm W. Roberts.
(Source: Portland Press Herald, Portland, Maine, Friday, August 08, 1947, Page 14 submitted by Janice Rice)