Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church History
Prospect Harbor, Maine
by Pastor Tracy Reeves - 1991
In the year 1900 the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Prospect Harbor Maine, feeling the need of a house of worship, bought a piece of land. Captain E.A. Over gave the members another piece of land. They then proceeded to raise money by collections. Mrs Elizabeth Hamilton gave the first five dollars and Charles Vansaw gave the stone for the foundation of the church. The group was also able to obtain a loan from the Methodist Church. Over the years many willing hands provided the funds to repay this loan and make many improvements to the church.
In 1904 the church was finished but for pews and a pulpit at a cost of $2,250. Rev. Wallace Butler was the first pastor.
In 1943 the Methodist Society purchased the Henry Hamilton Store and made It into a workroom for the sewing circle. Today, this building is for sale but continues to house the Sunday school and provide work space for crafters preparing for the annual July church fair.
The Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church is one of the meeting houses mentioned in Margaret Henrichsen's book "Seven Steeples". This book describes the experiences of the Rev. Henrichsen after she became pastor of the seven churches which are the background for her book
In 1981 the original granite block north wall of the church foundation had deteriorated to the extent that it was replaced with a modern brick wall. In removing the old wall, the 1903 cornerstone material was found and photographed. This material was a zinc wrapped bundle about the size of a shoebox containing church documents and other timely papers which were unfortunately pretty well deteriorated by moisture. After examination, the materials were replaced in the new wall.
Within the past twenty year's the church has been given a parcel of land just to the south of the church by Captain Galen Seavey. The church was also able to make an exchange with Ned Barron (neighbor to the north) for a parcel of land directly to the rear of the church. It is hoped that an addition may be built onto the church in the near future to house a Sunday school, accomodate church functions and update the church's current facilities.
The Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church continues to be a vital congregation and is now part of a three point charge known as the Schoodic Circuit which is being served by a student pastor, Tracy A Reeves
This history was written by Tracy A Reeves with the aid of documents written by Glen Dalton, the Ellsworth American, the Bangor Daily News, Jonas Crane and unsigned documents.