Written by Marie Jainchill and Judy Simpson
It must have been a summer day of high celebration. After the first service: perhaps a picnic, fiddle music and the laughter of children carried away by the strong breezes that blow from Islesboro in midsummer late in the afternoons. It was July of 1869 and Thomas Jefferson Drinkwater had finally finished his mission—building the Northport Baptist Church— much with his own hands.
It took 20 years to build the church. Its first congregation under Pastor W.O. Thomas waited. Building was slow with the tools of the day and lantern light only. Skilled carpenters were hard to find. The weather was severe. It was only four years after the Civil War.
The church land was next door to the Arvine Wales Family on Saturday Cove Road. The Wales family took the long journey from Massillon, Ohio, every summer. They made a gift of the steeple and bell. The bell traveled all the way from Ohio. You might ask, “How did they get it here in 1869?”
A century later, growing up in Northport, some remember the graduations, small weddings and Sunday school lessons— the sound of the bell before morning service and the tale of the baby elephant who walked up to the church from the Hildreth Estate on Shore Road. Children in the neighborhood would follow the elephant down to the Cove and back home. It was the
1950s. Someone remembers that he was dressed with ribbons and bells, even a brightly colored elephant blanket for birthday parties at the Wales’ home.
Isn’t this how we tell our stories: through a moment and place in memory? And in this way, we preserve anecdotal history; we pass it down orally until someone remembers to write it down.
Today, some 155 years later, the remaining members of what is now named The Northport Community Church want to donate the church to the Town of Northport. A vote will be held on June 17 at the Annual Meeting.
For all who call Northport home, “What would you like to see this church to become?” Imagine its future, now that you know something of its past. Should it remain a church? Do we make it a historical museum? Could we turn it into a community center open for special events? Perhaps a Christmas festival? A summer place for art and music celebrations or an Octoberfest?
Express your own ideas. Let us hear your thoughts. We want to hear your voices before the vote. Please send your responses to James Kossuth: [email protected].
We plan to hold an open house in May to give people a chance to see the building and walk the property themselves.
We thank you in advance for your ideas, our best Judy and Marie.