A HISTORY OF THE CANAAN UNION CHURCH

October 18, 1958

 

Since early days we have been blessed with donations of money, time, and effort on the part of many persons. We have records of church property that go back to 1832. According to the history a devoted group gave freely of time and energetic effort, to plan, construct, and beautify this noble building in which we are privileged to worship God in our own way.

 

When we look at the past, it becomes evident that our forefathers anticipated a large and generous congregation, but due to the fact that many old records have been either lost, or destroyed, it is beyond our power to report the names of the founders. Dating from the first plans up to the present day, there has been an exceptionally large amount of faithful workers.

 

The original Church building was situated nearer the edge of Route 2, but later was moved to the present location.

 

Many families have been active in church improvement and welfare, and I would like to mention the following:

 

RICHARD HARRIS FAMILY

Richard Harris was an expert carpenter and gave the hand-made bookcase, Mabel, his wife, and their only daughter Shellie were very active, and it was Shellie, who later became Mrs. Walter Farnham, who gave the offering plates in memory of her Mother and Father.

 

HARRY B. HARRIS FAMILY

Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been active for many years, and have given of their time in counseling and guidance. Harry B. Harris re-decorated all pulpit furniture in memory of his wife, Merle L. Harris.

 

MOSES F. FURBER & MRS. FURBER              

Untiring servants of Canaan Church. The nameplate on the front of the build­ing was made by Mr. Furber and painted by Mrs. Furber. At one time they purchased 14 lbs. of putty and repaired broken windows. For years they served as custodians; building fires, mowing lawns, and keeping the interior clean. The cement walk leading to the church was one of Mr. Furber's successful projects being financed by the town people, the plans drawn by Mr. Mansfield of the State Highway Commission, and landscaped by Wallace Brewer. The mother of Lillian Reed gave the shrubs at the corners of the building. The Memorial stones and the plaques commemorating the service of those who gave their lives during World Wars 1 & II were made possible by gifts of the townspeople. At the dedication service Mrs. Bertha Furber and Mrs. Merle Harris unveiled these stones. Seventy-six men from this town served in these conflicts. Ralph Jewell, of Waterville gave the wood-burning furnace and the electric organ in memory of his Father and Mother respectively. The Morrill Sisters gave the pulpit lamp in memory of their parents.

 

Mrs. Hiram Bearce gave the Pulpit Bible. During a patriotic service in the church, the Foster Libby Camp Sons of Veterans Auxiliary, presented the American Flag. The Kaus We-Like-It Club was responsible for the installation of the e1ectric lights and the metal ceiling.               Oliver S. Dow made and presented the Cross.

 

Mrs. Bragg, mother of Winifred Moody gave the Union Sunday School banner which she had sewed.

Percy H. Williams donated twenty-five dollars to buy paint for the north and of the church building.

The choir robes were obtained by the sale of Christmas wreaths that were made

by local women.

 

The older hymnals were given in memory of Fred D. and Louise B. Nelson. Lillian R. Purrington gave the Christian Flag.

Henry Crowell periodically gave support to church welfare by his contributions of sums of money.

The piano was given as a memorial for George A. Maxfield, by his wife, Ola A. Maxfield.

Rev. A. R. Swanson, and others donated a sum of money with which the picture that hangs behind the pulpit was purchased. Dr. Marian Strickland gave the impressive portrait of our Saviour and the little children.

 

During the years we have been blessed by the persons who have seen fit that the work of the church in Canaan shall so on. The following persons have included the work of Christ in their wills and have left bequests to aid in the benevolent program of the church.

 

Addie Nason

Roscoe Nelson

Edith Maxwell Thomquist

Mabel Gardner

Lillian Purrington

 

Special mention is here by noted to Mr. Judson A. Jude for the expert legal service concerning Canaan Union Church.

 

The last entrance was dated Oct. 18, 1958. It is now Feb. 22, 1968 and the Union Church of Canaan has received much financial aid to promote its welfare. I have been lax in recording many outstanding contributions of time, talents and service. Dedicated church members have been tireless in their efforts to improve the church building. The Lillian Purrington Trust fund furnishes an annuity sufficient, to

cover most of our operating expenses. To name some: Heating, Lighting, Janitor and snow removal in winter.

 

To the best of my ability I will enumerate some of the bequests. Thru the efforts of interested people an organ fund was established. A committee was appointed. The Ralph A. Jewell memorial organ was turned in toward a modern Hammond Electric Organ. New chairs were purchased for the choir at this time under guidance of the organ committee.

 

The Board of Deacons installed a railed, raised platform for Choir presentations. It was about this period that we converted our wood burning furnace to oil. An oven was build by the Somerset Oil Company. Harold L. Gower donated the burner. The oil is purchased from Somerset Oil Company, and they assume responsibility far maintenance.

 

During this period “The Friendship Circle” was organized by dedicated church ladies.  They have given freely of time, talents, and financial aid.  About the time when we had interior repairs on the belfry, the Board of Deacons were obliged to curtail expenses for a short period of time.  The interior of the church was redecorated and the Friendship Circle gave us financial aid for its completion.

 

Ernest Chatfield and son Ronald built the Sunday School tables and benches. Ronald donated the repository for the organ memorial book. Ernest donated the ornamental rack for periodicals beside the inner door. The charity box was still more his handiwork. Mr.& Mrs. Ernest Chatfield gave the candle lighter.

 

The new Hymnals were purchased about this time and the Board of Deacons with the assistance of Walter Farnham installed racks on the back of the pews. At this time new Hymnboards were placed in the Sanctuary.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Jewell gave the Communion silver, and Cabinet in memory of his Mother, Mrs. Susie E. Jewell.

 

Pastor Leland Booker and wife Bertha gave the Pulpit Bible, the portrait of The Savior at the rear of the Pulpit as well as an outdoor Bulletin Board and mural. The Friendship Circle gave the church a beautiful Bulletin Board now mounted on the outside of the church building. Pastor Robert Merrill gave $100 of his salary and the Friendship Circle the balance for outdoor permanent lighting. Harold L. Gower donated the picture of Christ which hangs on the wall in the entry. In the summer of 1967 The Board of Deacons assisted by the Friendship Circle gave the steeple a new carpenter job and painted the entire exterior.

 

The writer has only the best in mind; please forgive him if he has overlooked anything that should be included here. He wishes to thank Mrs. Bertha Furber for the assistance that she has given so that this report could be made as complete as possible and that all donations, gifts, and bequests might be noted.

 

May I also add that the Workers in church welfare today are just as praise­worthy as those of an earlier time.

 

Leland L. Jewell