The towns of Foxcroft and Dover were opened to settlement about 1805, families arrived, saw mills erected, farms cleared and of course these early pioneers had their religious beliefs to sustain them during hardships. While the Congregational church was fully organized on December 30, 1828, the real church had its birth some 10 years previously in the conversion of Mrs. Nathan Carpenter. There was no established minister at the time, but partly through Mrs. Carpenter's influence several people in the town met occasionally and were ministered to by Rev. John Sawyer from Garland.  In the spring of 1814, Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. William Mitchell united with the Garland Congregational Church, which had been organized four years previously. They rode horseback to Garland some 10 miles south, to attend these church services. These two women became the nucleus of what was to be called the Congregational Church of Foxcroft and Vicinity.

Originally meetings were held in the log house of Abel Turner.  Joel Pratt read the sermon and Deacon Carpenter read the scriptures and offered prayer. In 1816 or 1817, Mrs. Carpenter held a Sabbath School in her home, said to be the first Sunday School north of Bangor.

In 1822 at a town meeting it was voted to "settle a minister" and to "receive a minister on trial".  At a later meeting that year, Rev. Thomas Williams was settled as the minister on condition that he was to have the public lands that had been reserved for the first settled minister in Foxcroft.    He was installed Jan. 1, 1823 and he resided in the house presently located on the right side of the road on Outer Park St. just beyond the Blacksmith Shop Museum.

Just prior to his installation, the Garland church met on December 27, 1822 and voted that "connection between the 20 members of the Garland church who resided in Foxcroft, Sangerville, Guilford and Dover exists no longer" and they were separated from that church.  Three days later on December 30, 1822, the church, afterwards known as the Congregational Church of Foxcroft and Dover, was organized.

The first church building erected was on Lincoln St., located approximately across the street from John Arnold's and formerly Martha Schwarz's homes. It was destroyed by fire Jan. 15, 1835 the day after it was dedicated. The door lock from that church is the only surviving relic we have today.

The second meeting house was located on North St. on the site of the former A & P store.  This too burned, Oct. 21, 1850, together with bass viol, flute, cushions, lamps, Sunday School library, etc. - the loss of the building placed at $2000 with no insurance, and the contents valued at $600. The Academy was used during the winter and the Courthouse from early spring until our present church building was completed. Members traveled over the state to collect funds, there were over 200 subscriptions, the largest sum being $4.00 - the smallest 2¢; and a large number of subscriptions were below one dollar.   

Nathaniel Chamberlain was contracted to furnish all materials, work, stone work, give the building three good coats of paint, furnish and hang a bell of not less than 1000 pounds, put on blinds, put in two stoves with funnel, build a chimney, a front platform and steps - contract not to exceed $2,550.  The present building was dedicated Oct. 22, 1851.

Throughout the years extensive repairs have been made.  The original belfry was removed and the present spire was built in 1877.  The Chapel was erected in 1876, largely through Deacon John G. Mayo's generosity.

The first was bought from William McComb in 1882 and was located on the site of the former Maine Central R.R. station on SummerStreet.  The house was later moved to Edes Avenue and is the home of the late Raymond Goodwin.  Later the apartment house across from Mayo Hospital on West Main St. was used as a , then the white house next to our parking lot, and finally the present residence was purchased in 1944.

Early records contain much that would be unthinkable today.  Deacons were responsible for settling many grievances of members.  Their meetings were held to act on charges of slander made against a person; falsehoods made against a sister; charges of heresy; even disputes of land.  They acted as judge and jury in cases of fornication; and even absence from church attendance was summarily investigated.

But there were good reports in the records too.  Average attendance at church and Sunday school in 1850 showed an average of 190 in the congregation and 120 in Sunday School.

During the first 100 years the church was known as the Foxcroft & Dover Congregational Church. In 1923 following union of the two towns in 1922, the name was changed to Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church and in 1961, we joined the United Church of Christ movement, as it is known today.

In June 1927, the church became incorporated.  In 1930, it seemed desirable and necessary for the Universalist Church to unite with the Congregational Church and the Universalists met with us in our sanctuary. We were known then as the Community Church. However, many of the Universalists were never in sympathy with the union and it was dissolved in 1936, and the Universalist Church resumed services.

Over the span of years, there have been 25 ministers. During the first century or more in the life of the church, it was customary to hold morning and evening services, and mid-week prayer meetings. As time passsd, distractions made their inroads on attendance, particularly the Sunday evening and mid-week services. It was finally voted in 1928 to discontinue the Sunday evening service and that young people's meetings be held in their place. A great many laymen have given of their time and talents over the years to keep this church growing, to provide for spiritual and social betterment of the community.  Through the efforts of both laymen and clergy, their labors and prayers have served the church loyally and well, which is evident by the consistent growth of membership and the additions to the building to accommodate this growth.

Much, much more could be related about the interesting history of this church.  We hope its service will continue to be an inspiration to all and you will find it meets your needs for a church family and church home.

Madelyn C. Betts

November 3, 1991