Unitarian Church. Kennebunk, Maine B195

Unitarian Church. Kennebunk, Maine B195

The Unitarian (currently the First Parrish Unitarian-Universalist) Church, Main Street, Kennebunk, Maine First Parish has a rich history that extends back to the roots of this community. Our congregation dates to 1750 and built its first church on the Kennebunk River. The church was rebuilt on the current site in 1774 and expanded in 1803 including the tower and steeple. A landmark today, it was for many years the center of government and social life in Kennebunk. The building housed not only Kennebunk’s first church but also the original town hall and library. It has served as a hub for activities and community groups throughout its history, a tradition we carry on to this day. Paul Revere Bell Thomas Eaton designed the building with a bell tower and steeple in the front. In 1804, he installed a 1,017-pound bell made in Paul Revere's foundry. The cast inscription on the bell reads: Revere & Son Boston 1803. The bell hangs from a headstock (a large wooden wheel & structure) and is swung by hand via a pull-rope, which extends to the front vestibule. Children love to help ring it before services. The bell is connected to the clock and also strikes the hour of the day. E. Howard Round-Top Clock A clock was first installed in the church tower in 1859, and then replaced with the E. Howard Clock in 1883. For many years it had been disabled due to multiple problems. A project team was formed and charged with rebuilding and repairing all the time-keeping mechanisms and bell-ringing apparatus to bring it back to life and regular use. Now fully restored, the clock has the same level of reliability as it did when first made. It requires regular inspection and cleaning. In addition, the clock's room in the tower has been improved to shelter the mechanism and to keep the floor structure from shaking when the bell strikes the hour. The clock team expects it to last another 100 years. Hook & Hastings Organ The First Parish organ was installed in 1900. Resisting all suggestions to modernize it, the congregation has cared for this fine tracker instrument, and it has become a pilgrimage site for organ purists visiting Maine. In 1985, a complete restoration was accomplished by David E. Wallace, organ builder. Space was found in the original design for 12 oboe pipes which had never been installed. These new pipes now bring our instrument to its fullest power and balance, much to the excitement of all who play and enjoy its sound. https://www.uukennebunk.org/p/our-meeting-house