Old Jerusalem

The 17th Century

The history of the First Parish Church of Portland is directly linked to the founding of the city of Portland and to the earliest settlers of this area. Portland was originally called “Machigonne” by the native people who first lived here. In the fall of 1632, George Cleeve and Richard Tucker settled near the junction of what is now Fore and India Streets in Portland and established a fishing and trading settlement. They called their settlement Casco.

Like many of the men and women who joined them here, they were coarse, practical, sturdy, and fiercely independent. As one historian of the era notes, “the men who emigrated were from the nature of their circumstances the most active, hardy, daring, bold and resolute spirits, and probably the most mischievous also.” This historian suggests that the earliest settlers of Portland, Maine had a strong dislike of authority and had a difficult time fitting into normal society.

In a short period of time, individuals and families hoping to eke out a living joined Cleeve and Tucker. By 1640, it is estimated that nine families were living in the vicinity. In 1658, the Massachusetts General Court incorporated the various settlements of this region as the town of Falmouth, including present-day Falmouth, Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Westbrook.

It was very apparent that Falmouth was too remote for the enforcement of either Massachusetts civil or ecclesiastical laws. The population was too sparse to gather under one roof for religious purposes. Also, no municipal government functioned during these years; the town was repeatedly admonished by the Massachusetts General Court for not choosing representatives, organizing a school, or settling a minister. This situation persisted until the town was destroyed by the Wampanoag Indians in 1675 during the first Indian War, King Philip’s war.

The first minister of record to preach here was a Calvinist minister, Reverend John Thorpe. Unfortunately soon after arriving in 1659, it became apparent he did not adhere to the gospel he preached. His shortcomings included addiction to strong drink, extreme profanity, and a foul disposition. In 1661, he was forbidden by court order to continue preaching.

Tragedy followed the next Calvinist minister called to Falmouth. In 1674, the Reverend George Burroughs arrived to preach in the town’s earliest meeting house. Two years later, Burroughs fled to Boston with a large group of his parishioners after Falmouth was destroyed during King Philip’s war. Still in Boston on November 25, 1680, he accepted a call to preach at Salem Village. This settlement had the reputation of being one of the most faction-ridden communities in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Burroughs’ efforts to avoid any involvement in the long-standing feuds earned him the condemnation of all factions; and, by the spring of 1683, he resigned.

By the spring of 1685, he had returned to Falmouth. It is generally assumed that Burroughs enjoyed the rough, precarious life of this frontier community. As before, an attack by the Wampanoag destroyed the community and ended his ministry at Falmouth. Early in May 1690, he fled to Wells, Maine, with his family. On April 20, 1692 a warrant was issued at Salem Village for his arrest on a charge of witchcraft. Protesting his innocence, Burroughs was taken by force to Salem and was tried, convicted, and ultimately hanged on August 19, 1692.

The 18th Century

Early in the eighteenth century, settlers began to return to Falmouth. The community again took shape and in 1719 the new town of Falmouth was incorporated. The outbreak of Lovell’s War (the fourth Indian war) in 1721 interrupted the return to normal domestic pursuits. During this time the Reverend Jonathan Pierrepont, army chaplain and surgeon, was called to the garrison and to the citizens of Falmouth. In April 1723, the people of Falmouth voted to dispense with his services due to a lack of funds, but hired him back a few months later and he continued to preach until December 1725.

The poverty of the citizens prevented them from building a house of worship until February 1720, when they voted to build a meeting house. Due to lack of funds, nothing was done until the next year when a tax was imposed for the purpose of purchasing building materials. In July 1721, a site was chosen on the north corner of Middle and India Streets, and in February 1724, the rustic structure was clapboarded. Finally in 1726 the windows were set and glazed, the glass a gift from Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire; The interior was completed in the spring of 1728.

In 1724, the congregation called the Reverend Thomas Smith to preside over their church. He found, in his words, “about 56 families, such as they were, most of them very poor… And some that were soldiers, that had found wives on the place, and were mean animals.” Perhaps his impressions of the people of Falmouth are why he pondered for nine months whether or not to accept a position as minister of First Parish. Finally, in March 1727, he accepted. The town agreed to pay him an annual salary of 70 pounds and to give him payments from the collection box. Also, they agreed to pay Major Samuel Moody ten shillings a week to board him, to build him a house, clear and fence three acres for his use, and supply him with firewood. This was generous considering that his salary was 1/3 of the entire town budget. His ordination took place on March 8, 1727. After his ordination he wrote in the record book of the church, “We are the first church that ever was settled to the eastward of Wells. May the gates of Hell be never able to prevail against us.”

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