The First Congregational Church of Wiscasset was founded 250 years ago on Aug. 6, 1773. As part of the 250th celebration, the church is offering weekly historical snippets about the church and its early years. The 250th celebration will culminate in a weekend of events including an organ concert by Joel Pierce at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 9 followed by a tea, and a celebration Sunday church service at 10 a.m. on Sept. 10 followed by a reception. Visitors are welcome at all weekend events. Please visit this historic church any Sunday, at 28 High St., Wiscasset. For more information, phone the church office at 882-7544.  

We hope you enjoy the following historical article:

Reverend Thomas Moore: Our First Minister 

“Reverend Thomas Moore was born in Bolton, Massachusetts on June 21, 1746. The Reverend Mr. Moore was not a very powerful or popular preacher, and he was felt by many to be an unfortunate choice as the church’s first minister. For a number of years, the question of discharging him came up at the town’s annual meeting.

“One of the great problems with the ministry of the Reverend Thomas Moore was the fact that he did not keep any records concerning the formation of the church. At least none got into the book kept for that purpose by the town clerk. The names of the first members received into the fellowship as well as the records of marriages, baptisms, and deaths are non-existent.” Record keeping was not always a priority to ministers. 

“On Jan. 26, 1791, Thomas Moore was finally dismissed as pastor by the parish and the church. He was never again settled in any other community as a minister. Reverend Thomas Moore died on May 13, 1795 at the age of 49 and was buried in the Ancient Cemetery on Federal Street in Wiscasset.”

Taken from Harold W. Tucker’s self-published book, “Ye Olde First Parish, History of the First Congregational Church.” Part of Hal Tucker’s book was taken from Fannie S. Chase’s book entitled “Wiscasset in Pownalborough,” published in 1941.