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 250th 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:

The district of Maine (which would not become a state until 1820) seemed to be free from the narrow prejudice of the Bay Colony Puritan religion, but it was the law in Massachusetts that every incorporated town should maintain a minister of the gospel and a teacher of a public school. While worship was the primary activity within our first church, it was used for town meetings and also as a courthouse.

In 1773, the General Court of Massachusetts divided the town of Pownalborough into two precincts or parishes. The East Parish, which is the area now comprising Wiscasset, organized itself by electing officers and calling a minister, Thomas Moore.

Worship in those days centered around preaching, and sermons were lengthy and scholarly. Prayers were long, and worshipers stood during prayers, sometimes for as long as an hour. There was no heat in the church.

Completing a look at the 18th century church, we know that in 1792, the town meeting voted to sell seats, “pews,” on the lower floor of the meeting house, in order to purchase a bell and build a steeple.