History

Methodism in South Portland, then part of Cape Elizabeth, began as early as 1800 when Samuel Snowdon 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.