Church celebrates 125th anniversary

BROWNVILLE JUNCTION — On Nov. 23, 1890 a small group of people gathered in “the schoolhouse which was then north of Rolfe’s Brook” for the first Episcopal service ever held in Brownville Junction. On Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. the congregation of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church will hold a service in recognition of their long history in Piscataquis County.

Early records were destroyed in a fire in January 1899, but a relatively detailed history of those early days when the development of the railroad brought many Canadians, many Anglicans, to the area was compiled by Susan Lewis in 1933.

This first service held in what was then the town of Henderson was conducted by the Rev. Harry Hudson, a curate of St. John’s Church, Bangor, who came to the remote community for several years to offer Episcopal services. When he was present there was a morning service and then a “Gospel service” in the afternoon. Sometimes Rev. Hudson was able to remain in the area for a few days to make pastoral visits. Some people in town were not happy that all the services provided were Episcopal and records show that people would have the opportunity to invite a minister from another denomination to hold one service monthly if they chose to.

At this time there was no church building available so services were held at the schoolhouse, in a railroad car or, if there was no empty car available, in the waiting room of the railroad depot.

At the Diocesan convention in 1891, $400 was promised from the Diocese once the congregation had raised $100 toward the construction of a church building. It appears that once this Episcopal congregation was established, funds were raised quite quickly as records report that “on December 6, 1891 the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Henry A. Neeley, D.D. came for the ‘opening of the new Church.’”

At some point the name was changed from St. John’s to St. John the Baptist and in the 1930s the basement was in need of repair as the soft sand in which it was built endangered the building. The extensive repairs allowed use of the basement as a Parish Hall with much of the labor and furnishings being donated by members of the congregation.

The church has been open and active since those early services. While the congregation remains small, St. John’s has maintained Episcopal services on a regular basis since its beginnings in 1890. The 2 p.m. service on Sunday, Nov.  22 will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Kevin Holsapple, vicar of the church, and all are invited to attend. During this service a new stained glass window given in memory of the Bradeen and Cunningham families will be blessed. Refreshments will be served following the service.

It is hoped that many will join the congregation for this special event.