First Parish Meeting House

Before Gorham's settlers built their community, they had to position the cornerstone first. And as a result of a Puritan heritage in Massachusetts, the settlers' cornerstone was the Church. Therefore, the meeting house was a vital part of the community to such an extent that the absence of one meant the absence of a settlement and their right to the land according to the General Court.

Therefore, John Phinney held meetings in his house until an official structure made of logs was built in 1743 on Fort Hill. It was destroyed by fire during the French and Indian Wars and the meetings were relocated to the fort.

In 1798, a new meeting house, The First Parish Congregational Church, was built. It replaced the old 1765 meeting house, which hosted the first town meeting on February 18, 1765 with Capt. John Phinney as moderator.

1822 - A Revere Boston Bell, weighing 1228 lbs. was purchased for $500.00

1868 - Toppan Robie donated a clock from Boston valued as $550.00. Toppan Robie who became a wealthy retail merchant after settling in Gorham in 1799 was the treasurer of the First Parish Congregational Church. His son, Frederick Robie, was a highly reguarded governor of Maine from 1883 to 1897.

1848 - Spire added and side windows enlarged

1805 - "Red Stone Monument" stands next to USM's Child Care Center on the corner of Church and School Streets, a brick building which was once the Congregational Chapel in 1897. The following is carved into the red obelisk. "This monument was erected by direction and at the expense of this town, May 6, 1805. Gorham is one of the seven townships granted by Gen. Court in the year 1732 to the Narragansett soldiers. On a division of the property, among the original grantees, this town was assigned to Capt. Gorham and one hundred and nineteen others, and was then called Narragansett No. 7. Capt. John Phinney commenced the first settlement..........