Methodism in South Portland, then part of Cape Elizabeth, began as early as 1800 when
Samuel Snowden held meetings in our area. The spread of the Methodist principles
excited opposition, and while town authorities denied the petitions of the Methodists to
become a society, the General court granted a petition for an act of incorporation in
1807. With their rights secured, the Methodists built a house of worship in 1808.
This plain frame building initially stood in Ferry Village, and was later moved by
raft and oxen to Barren Hill when it was clear that there was a need for a local church in
the western section of town. Later it was repaired and relocated and to Brown's
Hill, where it stood for a number of years. A new church building was built in 1866,
which is now known as First United Methodist Church. Jesse Dyer purchased the old
chapel and in 1869 it started on its journey to what is now the corner of Elm and Chapel
Streets. Sunday School was held, as well as services by the Salvation Army and the
Y.M.C.A.
In 1886, the Reverend Frank W. Smith began a social meeting one evening a week in
Pleasantdale. The attendants wanted regular preaching, and the chapel was thoroughly
renovated. A reopening service was held, and an application was made to the
conference for a preacher. F.W. Smith was appointed to Cape Elizabeth Depot and
Turner's Island (as this area was called). Reverend Walter Canham was appointed in
1890, and on April 16, 1891, Elm Street Methodist Episcopal Church was founded with
sixteen members in full connection and an additional seventeen probationary members.
The original building of the Elm Street
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The interior of the original Elm Street
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ground was broken on the current church building on September 27, 1897. The
chapel was moved to the adjacent lot to accommodate the construction of the new building.
The Cornerstone was laid during the service on Sunday, October 10, 1897, and
contains the Hymnal and the Methodist Book of Discipline that were used in the ceremony as
well as a picture of the old church, a Y.P.S.C.E. (Young People's Society of Christian
Endeavor) topic card for the year, historical sketches of the church, a report from the
Church Improvement Society, and a report from the September 30th meeting of the Ladies
Aid. Early in the year of 1898 a contract was made with Spence, Moakler & Bell
of Boston for stained glass windows. Nearly all of these were contributed by people
as memorials, or by classes in the Sunday School. They were installed in January
1899. The first religious service held in the church was a class meeting on March 2,
1899.
The chancel of the sanctuary was remodeled in 1937 for the addition of a Hook &
Hastings organ. Originally built in 1884, the organ (Opus 1209) was previously used
in the High Street Methodist Church in Auburn. To match its oak finish, a new
pulpit, lectern, altar, and altar rail were added. The Memorial altar features a
hand-carved representation of a torch suggesting life and truth. On the pulpit is a
carving of a cross with rays emanating from it. A new Education Building was
consecrated on September 28, 1958. The upper room of the Parish House was dedicated
as Myrtle Lord Hall in 1963.
The cornerstone cut at 100 Elm Street by A.H.
Small
Construction of the current building with the
original chapel behind it.
The sanctuary after the Hook & Hastings
organ installation, 1937.
In 1995, the interior of the church was restored. There was a
discovery of a stained glass window which was broken during World War II. Because of
the war, the glass had not been available to repair the window. It had been covered
up for the past fifty years. Also during this time, a wall stencil pattern was found
behind a bulletin board that once surrounded the sanctuary, but had been painted over.
It was copied and reproduced on the walls, adding to the beauty and uniqueness of
the church. On October 1, 1995, the church was rededicated.
Throughout the years, Elm Street United Methodist Church has had many
active groups, such as the Methodist Adult Club, the United Methodist Men, the United
Methodist Women, the Missionary Circle, the Adelphian Circle, the Dalphon Circle, the
Thalia Circle, the Fluffernutters, the Women's Society for Christian Service, the Men's
Club, the Junior High Youth Group, Senior High Youth Group, and many others.
Information from "The History of Elm Street
United Methodist Church, 1897-1997: 100 Years of Ministry", 1997. Images from
"The History of Elm Street United Methodist Church", produced by South Portland
Community Television, 1999.
