The "Then" photo is a vintage postcard circa 1920 of the First Church of Belfast located on Court Street. There is a small green space in front of the church with picnic tables and large trees.
First Church of Belfast is one of thirty locations on a historical self-guided walking tour of the Belfast. The tour takes one through the downtown, residential and waterfront areas, highlighting architecturally significant buildings and houses, notable people, historic events, and maritime history.
First Church of Belfast
Belfast was founded originally by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who
came in 1770 from Londonderry, New Hampshire and settled on a tract of land purchased from the heirs of General Samuel Waldo. Upon arriving they promptly built a meeting house and voted to tax themselves for "The Incorigement of a Gospel minister".
The settlers, however, soon suffered incredible hardships as a result
of the American Revolution. Their homes and crops were burned and laid waste, and they themselves were obliged to flee for safety. At the conclusion of the war resettlement took place and a large number of new people arrived, mostly of the Congregationalist denomination. In 1796, a Church Council, comprised of ministers from the neighboring towns of Bristol, Warren, Penobscot, and Hallowell, was called for the two-fold purpose of organizing a Church for the town and ordaining the minister to preside over it. On December 29, The First Church of Belfast, Maine was formally organized, consisting of seven members.
After some initial dissension the parish began to thrive and by
1818 decided to erect a larger building. Begun on June 13, it was ready for use, though still unfinished, in five months. The dedication took place on November 15, 1818.
Since its completion the church has remained virtually unchanged
externally with exception of the installation of the town clock which
was placed in the belfry in 1836. The present organ, a Stevens tracker instrument, was bought in 1848 and is considered to be a fine example of organ-building of its time.
The First Church in Belfast, is a distinguished Federal style church
closely linked with the city during most of its history.
Excerpts from NRHP Nomination Form