LB2018.10.28

LB2018.10.28

Head Tide Church - c. 1838 - Located on a hill overlooking the village, the Head Tide Church is a handsome rural Maine house of worship which exhibits a combination of Federal style, Greek Revival, and Gothic Revival elements in its design. The façade displays the outline of a Grecian temple front with its six pilasters and strongly accented triangular pediment. However the Federal fan motif appears above the two façade windows as well as in the center of the pediment. The influence of the Gothic Revival is felt in the two pointed arch windows on either side of the church and in the simple pinnacle at the top of each corner of the belfry. The interior features a tromp l'oeil window with draperies behind the pulpit. The Head Tide Church was established by members of the congregation of the 1789 Alna Meeting House who wanted a church closer to their homes at Head Tide. The building was dedicated on November 21, 1838. Parish scribe E. Merrill's entry for that date reports, "The new meeting house near the Head of Tide was this date dedicated to the service of God... The day was fine, the audience numerous and attentive, and the occasion of great interest." In April of 1839 a town agreement was made to hold worship at the Head Tide Church 3/4 of the time and 1/4 at the older Meeting House. After 1868 the new building was used most of the time. Although prosperous at first, it fell into decline. In 1913 it was reclaimed, rededicated, and incorporated into the Congregational Christian Conference. However, after 1922, public interest and support again lapsed, and the church deteriorated once more. In 1940, the Committee for the Restoration and Preservation of the Old Head Tide Church was created to care for the structure. For almost thirty-five years, this dedicated organization has worked diligently to maintain the church as a landmark and meeting place in which to have an annual address by a distinguished speaker. The group's greatest challenge came on July 9th, 1962, when the steeple was struck by lightning, which destroyed the belfry with its Revere bell and damaged part of the front of the building. Within a year the Committee had restored the church to its original appearance, and thus it remains today.