The Church of Christ in Brunswick Maine

A Look Back in History

By Marjorie B. Libby

     This church building was built in 1878, at that time it was noted, “on the corner of Federal and Pearl Streets,” later named Jordan Avenue.  Previous to that time the Universalists had built a building on this site.  It was taken over by the Unitarians and in 1847 moved to another area, possibly either Pennelville or Mere Point.  Later it was sold to the Grangers and moved back into town where it is an apartment house on the corner of Union Street and Gilman Avenue.

     Records from the Penobscot Historical Society copied from the Telegraph are: “1875 Unitarian Society purchased land on the corner of Federal and Pearl Streets -- contract awarded to Waterville contractor,”6/7/78  “granite blocks from the Jay quarries set for foundation,”  8/30/78“many objected to the design of the building!”  10/4/78 “Henry W. Long-Fellow, Esq. presented to the new Unitarian church a Bible.”  The Bible was lost for years, but later found.  12/6/78 “dedication of the new Unitarian Chapel.  The cost of the building and furnishings, $5000.”

     Wheelers’ History speaks of the lack of preachers, and evidently both the Unitarians and the Universalists were back and forth in the building until the Pleasant Street church was built.

    Some time later the town purchased the building and named it Wheeler Hall in honor of the Wheelers who wrote the history of Brunswick.  It was used mostly as a recreation hall for the school, which is now the Hawthorne School.  One interesting bit of history is that the hall was once the site of a tonsil clinic with the mass removal of tonsils!

     The rear room, which is now a part of the apartment and preachers residence, was one large room with a kitchen.  This room was used by the school as the Domestic Science room.  Many young girls learned to cook and sew here.

     In 1929 the building was remodeled and two seventh grade rooms were       made.  Classes were held here until the new High School was built.  A ceiling was installed at the top of the lower windows and sliding doors were installed which rolled up.  Heat was supplied from a one-pipe furnace.  A large sheet of metal was installed in the middle door over the register. Heat, what little there was, was sent to either side of the room

               There were twelve large stained glass windows in the original structure.  These were replaced with sixteen windows of plain glass; the original windows have never been found.  The windows at the top of the present stained windows, which were from a chapel at the Veterans Hospital in Togus, are original as are the windows in the tower and along the front.

 An interesting feature of the original building was a large cover at the back door.  Wagons could drive up and leave persons at that door being designed to protect one from the weather.  This cover can be seen in the architects drawing which is on display.

The building became a target for vandals with much damage being done.  The Universalists then purchased the building since they had received an offer from an oil company to purchase their building.  This did not come about (the purchase of their building) and thus it became apparent that they could not use the building for church services.  The building was used by them as a Day Care Center operated by one of their members for a few years.

               The building was then offered for sale.  In 1948 Roy Lacy, a Church of Christ member, saw the empty building and thus a desire for a church here was born.