The First Congregational Church of Wiscasset was founded 250 years ago on Aug. 6, 1773. As part of the 250th celebration, the church is offering weekly historical snippets about the church and its early years. The celebration will culminate in a weekend of events including an organ concert by Joel Pierce at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 followed by a tea, and a celebration Sunday church service at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 followed by a reception. Visitors are welcome at all weekend events. Please visit this historic church any Sunday, at 28 High St., Wiscasset. For more information, phone the church office at 882-7544.  

We hope you enjoy the following historical article.   

                                      Document Found in Cornerstone 

Taken from the book written by Fannie S. Chase, Wiscasset in Pownalborough: While repairing the foundation, before erecting on that site a new church, workers discovered a sealed bottle containing a copy of the New York Daily Express, June 7, 1839; a copy of the Independent Chronicle and Boston Patriot, June 26, 1839, edited by Nathan Hale; and a letter of which the following is a copy:

“Greetings: This bottle with its contents was deposited this day, in the North East corner of the foundation of the new church, belonging to the first Parish & contains two newspapers, and this note.  In the southwest direction, 5 feet distance from this bottle is another, containing fruit which was gathered yesterday (July 1st) by me.” 

“Our village contains at present about 3,000 Inhabitants. There are three Meeting Houses, 1 Court House, Town House, 1 Bank, Poor House and Jail.  Five ships, 1 Barque & about 15 Brigs and Schooners are owned here. There are two Steam Saw Mills in active operation & 1 Foundry. We are 1 day in getting news from Boston 3 from New York & 12 from Savannah (Geo.).” 

“The Atlantic steamers have been in operation about 16 months running from Liverpool & Bristol (Eng.) to New York. Average passage out of New York 16 ½ days, home in 13 days. The cultivation of silk begins to attract attention. Thousands have already embarked in it but many doubt. Things look squally beyond the sea; in Europe, Asia & India. Spain is torn with civil dissensions as also are the South American Republics.” 

“It is with solemn thought that I write to a generation yet unborn: that when your eyes see this, mine eyes will be closed forever: the heart that now beats will then be still: the hand that now writes will be turned to dust…and naught will remain, save this scroll perchance to tell that I have lived and died. God bless you all.  Farewell.” – Alexander Johnston Jr. (1839)