South Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Kennebunkport, Maine

 

Gathered in 1838

In 1838 seventy members "in good and regular standing" sought to be "dismissed along with the pastor" from First Church, which was founded in 1730 and still stands one and a half miles up North Street. The new congregation, comprised of eleven men and fifty-nine women, moved into a pre-existing structure on the banks of the Kennebunk Rivier.

Built in 1824, the exterior of South Church looked very much as it does today, with the exception of the portico, which was added in 1912. In the early 19th century, architects were seldom employed in such remote areas. However, carpenters often used manuals and examples of other churches in addition to their own experience gained from working the large shipbuilding yards. One of these yards, operated by David Clark, was on the grassy plot between the church and the river.

At the time it was built, the interior of South Church was open with tall box pews, a two-story pulpit, wide galleries or balconies on three sides, with the organ and choir in the rear. The cupola, restored in 1991, is designed after the style of Christopher Wren and has the original 1824 Aaron Willard clock with its unique wooden face.

By 1843, due to a severe drop in membership, a dividing floor was installed, the sanctuary remaining on the lower floor. By 1875 the move was made upstairs with new, smaller pews installed, and in 1881, frescoes were added to the sanctuary area. The open downstairs was improved in 1879 by the addition of a stage for popular events, from temperance lectures to Bohemian Bell Ringers.

The most notable addition is the 1899 installation of the memorial windows commemorating our charter members. The chancel area was redone in 1956, and the lower level remodeled in 1969. An Allen organ was installed in 1984, and replaced in 2005 with the current Noack pipe organ.

Over the years, thirty ministers have filled the pulpit, with residence from six months to thirty-four years. The church membership has varied between forty-two and a current figure of three hundred forty.

History of South Church