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| Contributed Photo Bessie Gray, the wife of Rev. James H. Gray, is the namesake behind the Bessie Gray United Methodist Church in Caribou, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this upcoming week. |
Service to feature New England Conference Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
CARIBOU — Beginning on Sunday, Sept. 29, the Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church will launch a weeklong celebration of its 100th anniversary at its location on the corners of Prospect and Sweden streets in Caribou.
The church, which began in 1860 with six members meeting monthly in a schoolhouse in Lyndon Center, as Caribou was called at the time, grew significantly over the years and had numerous locations, including a parsonage and church on the corners of Sweden and Summer streets.
In 1911, under the leadership of Reverend James H. Gray, the decision was made to sell the old church and parsonage and build new. A one-acre lot on the corner of Sweden and Prospect Streets was purchased for $8,000. Work began on the church immediately and on May 4, 1913, the first service was held in the new building.
Over the course of the last 100 years, the Bessie Gray Memorial Methodist Church, named after Rev. Gray’s wife, has seen many changes in the size of its congregation, which is currently 322, and in renovations to the building. The original breathtaking stained glass windows remain intact, as does the parsonage, which was once the residence of A.V. Goud, a well-known Caribou merchant.
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| Contributed Photo The congregation of the Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church in Caribou were joined by dignitaries, seated in the balcony, during the ceremony marking the church as a national landmark held in 1996. |
The church was declared a national historic landmark in 1995. Many community events take place at the church, including its annual chicken barbecue in the summer, an Easter breakfast and harvest supper.
The public is invited to help the church celebrate its 100th anniversary. Following is a list of scheduled events.
• Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m. — Ecumenical hymn sing with Margaret Cyr and Susan Clark providing leadership. Refreshments will be provided.
• Monday-Friday, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m. — Church open house with guided tours of the building, light refreshments, viewing of historical memorabilia, artwork, handcrafts, old photographs and 1912 cookbook. There will also be a viewing of the play “Bessie” on DVD.
• Saturday, Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m. — Potluck dinner for the entire congregation and honored former pastors and guests.
• Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. — Open to the public, a dramatic presentation of the life and ministry of Jesse Lee, who was instrumental in bringing Methodism to Maine. Retired Methodist pastor Reverend Phil Polhemus of Meredith, NH will portray Lee.
• Sunday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. — During regular morning worship, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, resident bishop of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, will be the guest preacher. Devadhar will be introduced by Reverend Dr. Pat MacHugh, the northern district superintendent. Gray Memorial pastor Reverend Dr. Thomas Bentum and Gray Memorial lay leader Kathleen Forbes will lead the service along with the chancel choir directed by Margaret Cyr and organist Susan Clark. Former pastors of the church are invited to attend and will be introduced by Forbes.
Following worship services, the entire congregation will gather outside of the church for a group photograph similar in setting to one taken in 1913 of the original congregation at the Prospect Street location.
• Sunday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m. — Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar will preach and lead the rededication along with Rev. Bentum and Kathleen Forbes. The service will include greetings from Caribou area churches, the ministerial association, former pastors, district clergy, civic leaders, legislative representatives and Bessie Gray Memorial representatives. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
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| Contributed Photo In 1996, State Representative Julie Robichaud, center, presented Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodisst Church pastor Reverend Lynn Josselyn with a legislative sentiment to mark the church’s registry as a national historic landmark as church members Leo Kieffer, far left, and Roy Doak look on. |
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| Contributed Photo This group of ladies were members of the Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church during its early years of existence. |
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| Contributed Photo The Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church parsonage, shown here in 1913, is located next to the church on Prospect Street. It was originally the home of Caribou merchant A.V. Goud. |
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| Contributed Photo Before it moved to its current location on the corner of Sweden and Prospect streets, the Methodist Church in Caribou was located on the corner of Sweden and Summer streets. This photo shows the church and parsonage. |
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| Contributed Photo From left, front, Ruth Bennett, Kay Kelley, Ms. Doak, Erla Watson and Kay Webb; back, Janet Chandler, wore their best hat for a ladies tea held at the Grant Memorial Methodist Church in Caribou in the mid- to late- 1980s. |
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| Contributed Photo The 1949 Gray Memorial Junior Choir members were, from left, front, Roderic Anderson, Garfield Boutilier, Sandra Johnson, Delcia Bradford, Sandra “Penny” Ross, Pamela Johnson, Bernard Ross and an unidentified member; back, Jean Ross, Ellen Hale and Melba Brewer. |
