Editor’s note: The church history that appeared in 1984 as part of the 125th anniversary edition of the Aroostook Republican and News has been updated by Bobbi Pelletier, church secretary.
In 1860, the Rev. Mr. Truwin preached in the school house at Lyndon Center, as Caribou was then called. There were only six members and they held one preaching service a month. In 1864, the preaching service was changed to the village school house and a Sunday School organized during the pastorate of Rev. E.P. Ray, who lived in Fort Fairfield. The next pastor was Rev. Elbridge Dunn, who lived in a rented house in Caribou. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Whitney and it was during his ministry that the Union Church on South Main Street was started. Four years later a parsonage was erected and its first occupant was Rev. A.W. Anderson and his bride.
Contributed photo
The Gray Memorial Methodist Church as it appears currently.
The Union Church had been used by different denominations and, in 1885, during the pastorate of Rev. J.H. Irvine, the Methodists withdrew from it and worshipped in the Grange Hall. A lot and lumber for a new church were secured and this was completed while the Rev. C.H. Leverton was pastor. The old parsonage was sold and a new one built during the ministry of Rev. M.W. Newbert. By 1894, during the pastorate of Rev. C.H. McElhiney, the membership had increased to 150. Then followed additions and improvements to the church building and in 1902 the East Maine Conference was entertained there. During the five years’ pastorate of Rev. F. Palldino, the parsonage was moved from the lot beside the church to the corner of Sweden and Summer Streets.
In April, 1910, Rev. J. H. Gray was appointed to the Caribou church, and in 1911 it was decided to build a new church, as the work had greatly increased. The old church and parsonage were sold and the lot on the corner of Sweden and Prospect Streets, with the residence of A.Y. Goud, was purchased. Work was immediately begun on the new church, and on May 4, 1913, the first service was held in the new building. A tower clock was the gift of L.J. Pendell, the editor of the “Aroostook Republican.”
The Gray Memorial Methodist Church was fittingly dedicated by Bishop J. Hamilton on November 15, 1913. At that time the membership numbered over 300.
In 1941, the church entertained the Maine Annual Conference while Rev. David Hickland was pastor. Bishop Bromley Oxnam presided.
Further improvements were made on the church during 1946 when a divided chancel was installed, together with choir stalls, a new altar rail, a pulpit and lectern, and altar and a reredos. Rev. Philip Lush was pastor at this time.
In 1955, a new lighting system was installed in the church and the pipe organ overhauled. Just prior to this a new garage had been built at the end of the parsonage while Rev. Victor Musk was the minister.
Rev. George Budd came to this pastorate in 1956, and in 1961, a sprinkler system was installed in the church. In 1962 and 1963, considerable repairs were made to the church parsonage and the vestry was painted. The present membership is 600.
Rev. Daniel Harlan was assigned to the pastorate in 1964. Building improvements included renovation of the church parlor and the addition of the Lombard Memorial Library. The revised editions of the Methodist hymnal were purchased and dedicated. During these years the membership increased to 700.
Rev. Wiswell was granted a leave of absence, for health reasons, during the months of April, May and June of 1984 and he rested at his cottage in Pemaquid. He returned June 24 for his last preaching service and then moved to Waldoboro where he was assigned to the Methodist Church there.
The parish was well-served by Rev. Richard Hopkins during Rev. Wiswell’s absence. He and his wife Doris lived in the parsonage and carried on the ministry of Gray Memorial until the arrival of Rev. Walter Webb in July 1984. During Rev. Webb’s presence at Gray Memorial until mid-1989, some major projects took place or were planned – a major update to the church’s kitchen and renovations to the aging organ.
In mid-1989, Rev. Maurice (Marty) Nason and his wife Joy came to Gray Memorial. During his ministry from 1989-1992, the church’s organ did receive the much needed repairs and the congregation decided to install an elevator in the church to alleviate access concerns for the handicapped. Upon Rev. Nason’s departure, Rev. Richard Hopkins filled-in for approximately six months before a new pastor was named.
In July 1992, Gray Memorial welcomed its first female pastor, Rev. Lynne Josselyn, bringing quite a different “vitality” to the church’s atmosphere. Her love of music inspired the formation of a few instrumental groups that performed during worship services – a children’s group, an intergenerational group, a hand bell choir and a contemporary worship band.
The closure of Loring AFB in September 1994 severely impacted church membership, but as other businesses opened on the former AFB, some new people came through the doors. In 1995, the church and parsonage were entered into the National Register of Historic Places in the State of Maine.
In October 1996, Rev. Josselyn started leading a Contemporary Worship service on Sunday mornings, the first such worship service north of Bangor. Gray Memorial was one of several area churches to band together to establish and support the Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry, which opened in April 1997. Rev. Josselyn continues to serve on the Board to this day. In 1998, Gray Memorial purchased the Soderberg property next to the parsonage and after much deliberation, decided to raise the building instead of undergoing a costly renovation. The property more than doubled the existing parking capacity. In May 2004, a Prayer Shawl Ministry began at Gray Memorial – members create prayer shawls and scarves for anyone in need of prayer.
Rev. Josselyn retired in June 2005 after serving Gary Memorial for 13 years.
In July 2005, Rev. Anna Beach and her husband Ken were welcomed to the church. She started her ministry here by having “listening days” on the parsonage porch, encouraging church members to share time with her as she got to know the church, its purpose and its people. In early 2006, plans to create a Memorial Garden behind the parking lot area near the parsonage were started. The land was prepared, stone walkway and stone wall were completed and bulbs & shrubs were planted before the snow came that year. The garden flourished in 2007 and was awarded first place by Caribou Garden Club in their judging of church gardens. The garden is open to anyone wishing to sit and enjoy the peaceful scenery. Gray Memorial has participated in the Caribou Cares About Kids parades for several years and in 2008, was chosen as the winner of the non-profit entries. Rev. Beach is retiring in June 2008 to Whetstone Pond in Blanchard, Maine. The Rev. Thomas Bentum has been assigned to the Caribou church and will assume his pastorate in July. He will be joined by his wife Deneane and their three children, Peter, Hannah and Beckah.
Gray Memorial United Methodist Church is an important fixture in Caribou. The church’s steeple contains what is considered the “Town Clock” and is part of the 150th Anniversary logo.
