Part 25 The Methodist Church is formed: Effects nationally, statewide and locally
Before and after World War I many church leaders of several denominations took on a pacifist sentiment. The Methodist Church had been divided in America into four major bodies’ The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Protestant Church, The Methodist Episcopal Church, South and the African American Methodist by the effects of the Civil War. Even earlier the more evangelical arms of Methodism had split, but in the year 1922 were rejoined within their own framework. All of these constituencies advocated pacifism, but were certainly interrupted when America had entered World War I.
Having seen the devastation and destruction of the “Great War” many church leaders and members advocated for a world that would never go to war again. A great hope and desire that we all know was superseded in its destructive power of property and lives only a few short years later.
One of the major causes that the various Methodist bodies took up was the cause of abstinence. Not exclusively, but with a great deal of enthusiasm against the evils of alcohol, Methodists were among the leaders that led this nation into the pronouncement of Prohibition. While alcoholic beverages had been around since time immemorial it seems that certain religious forces felt unsafe in the 1840’s by the cultural practices of certain refugee groups that also seemed to be of a different religious persuasion. These refugees from hunger were thought to imbibe more heavily because of their plight. Several states then prohibited the making, delivering or partaking of alcohol. One of the leaders of this movement we have already discussed was Neal Dow of Portland, Maine. Eventually proposed on December 18, 1917 and ratified by Congress on January 16, 1919 the Prohibition Amendment, Number 18, prohibited the manufacture, sale and transporting of “intoxicating liquors” anywhere in the United States. This went into effect one year to the day after the ratification. The impetus at this time was that many felt that “The War” had changed men and that alcohol would make them dangerous to others, especially women. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was very active in the state of Maine in supporting this. Many good Methodist women and later men were active members of this organization not excepting members of Peoples. Even after prohibition was lifted by the passage of Amendment 21 the remnants of prohibition remained in many Maine towns until well into the 1950’s, often due to the efforts of the WCTU. At the time that this episode in Peoples history was being written, November of 2004 recent local elections in some of the small towns of western and northern Maine still were successfully voting down permission to sell liquor within the confines of those locations.
Doctrinal disputes took on the characteristics of “spiritual politics” in this same period. Division within the administrative arms of the Methodist bodies and within churches was often hot and divisive. Liberal, Fundamentalist and Neo-orthodox camps were formed and much argument pervaded conference discussions. Episcopacy was one of those areas of controversy that was especially difficult for the Methodist Protestant Church to swallow since they had never operated under that type of organization. There also was continued controversy over what was called the “Central Jurisdiction” even after merger occurred in 1939. The “Central Jurisdiction” was that arm of the Methodist Church that had been known as African-American. This segregationist policy showed that Americans and yes, Methodists, were not ready in some parts of the country to consider everyone equal. Central Jurisdiction was the only jurisdiction that was not based on geographic lines. This separation that was authorized at the onset of the Methodist Church did not come to an end until 1967 when the merger between the Methodist Church and the United Brethren took place. We will include more about that merger in a later part of this history.
While the Methodist churches were merging in 1939 with still unresolved issues, the Evangelical United Brethren Church was formed in the early 1950’s after more than 20 years of negotiating. One of the practices that was questioned before this merger occurred centered on the ordination of women. The United Brethren had accepted ordination of women since 1889, but in order for merger with the Evangelical Church that right of ordination was rescinded. Obviously in the civil rights activities of the 1960’s and before merger with the Methodist church, not only the ordination of women, but also their right to ascend to the episcopacy would have to be allowed.
These changes that were taking place in the administrative structure of the church nationally and beyond were influenced by the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Not exclusively American, the depression was felt worldwide. The cost of the First World War, punishment to the defeated nations, and the struggle of moving from a war time economy to a peacetime economy had a resounding effect on trade, society and politics.
Some nations struggled at the hands of others as the storm clouds of war loomed over the world landscape. The discovery of “nations without” around the world led to an increase in missionary work overseas as well as the poverty stricken areas most prevalent in America. Local churches raised goods, money, and food to help those in greater need in spite of the fact that most folks were suffering in ways they had never experienced before.
The national merger of Methodist elements in 1939 had an immediate impact on Methodism in Maine. One of the first accomplishments of the Maine Conference had a major effect on the emphasis on youth. Junior High Youth even before Senior High saw change through its organization at a camping session held in East Waterboro in 1939. Interestingly the group was named “Metchuwana”. In time the camp that was eventually bought and purchased on Lake Narrows in Winthrop, in 1947 later carried that same name minus the T. A Camping Commission resulted for all Methodist camping experiences in Maine and in time the experiences provided opportunities in the out doors year round for all ages, young and old.
In order to have a conforming name for all youth groups within the merged bodies of Methodism the name ” Epworth League” was dropped in favor of Methodist Youth Fellowship. Epworth League had been used as a name in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but not in the other arms of Methodism.
At a special meeting of the Maine Conference held in the same year it was voted to close the Eastern Maine Seminary. That institution had been the primary educational institution
of learning for Pastors “down east” until this time, as Kents Hill or the Wesleyan Seminary was the principle location for training pastors in western Maine until about that same time. For pastoral training it seemed that Boston University’s School of Theology was becoming the primary choice for Methodist training in the New England area.
Ladies Aids Societies had their conversion to Women’s Societies of Christian Service (WSCS) in 1945.
A much-needed Pension fund was established for the entire Maine Conference in 1948 and a companion fund for Camp Development was established at this time as well.
Reverend Alfred Ives was appointed in 1951 to become the Youth Director of the Conference. Reverend Ives was well known and some years later finished his pastoral placements at First Church in South Portland. He also was the father of two well-known pastors of later years. Christopher Ives served a number of churches in central and southern Maine and Cliff Ives after serving at a number of locations became the Bishop for the West Virginia Conference.
As an aside the conference records show that in 1961 among pastors of Peoples Church in South Portland, Charles O. Perry 1930-38, the father of Elsie Hoyt, passed away. Lawrence Porter, 1949-53 and later a district superintendent retired from the ministry. F. William Schuster who would be pastor from 1996-99 was entering his first year of ministry.
In the next edition of this continuing history we will back track to look at the impact of World War II on South Portland and the need for Peoples to move its base.
Before and after World War I many church leaders of several denominations took on a pacifist sentiment. The Methodist Church had been divided in America into four major bodies’ The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Protestant Church, The Methodist Episcopal Church, South and the African American Methodist by the effects of the Civil War. Even earlier the more evangelical arms of Methodism had split, but in the year 1922 were rejoined within their own framework. All of these constituencies advocated pacifism, but were certainly interrupted when America had entered World War I.
Having seen the devastation and destruction of the “Great War” many church leaders and members advocated for a world that would never go to war again. A great hope and desire that we all know was superseded in its destructive power of property and lives only a few short years later.
One of the major causes that the various Methodist bodies took up was the cause of abstinence. Not exclusively, but with a great deal of enthusiasm against the evils of alcohol, Methodists were among the leaders that led this nation into the pronouncement of Prohibition. While alcoholic beverages had been around since time immemorial it seems that certain religious forces felt unsafe in the 1840’s by the cultural practices of certain refugee groups that also seemed to be of a different religious persuasion. These refugees from hunger were thought to imbibe more heavily because of their plight. Several states then prohibited the making, delivering or partaking of alcohol. One of the leaders of this movement we have already discussed was Neal Dow of Portland, Maine. Eventually proposed on December 18, 1917 and ratified by Congress on January 16, 1919 the Prohibition Amendment, Number 18, prohibited the manufacture, sale and transporting of “intoxicating liquors” anywhere in the United States. This went into effect one year to the day after the ratification. The impetus at this time was that many felt that “The War” had changed men and that alcohol would make them dangerous to others, especially women. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was very active in the state of Maine in supporting this. Many good Methodist women and later men were active members of this organization not excepting members of Peoples. Even after prohibition was lifted by the passage of Amendment 21 the remnants of prohibition remained in many Maine towns until well into the 1950’s, often due to the efforts of the WCTU. At the time that this episode in Peoples history was being written, November of 2004 recent local elections in some of the small towns of western and northern Maine still were successfully voting down permission to sell liquor within the confines of those locations.
Doctrinal disputes took on the characteristics of “spiritual politics” in this same period. Division within the administrative arms of the Methodist bodies and within churches was often hot and divisive. Liberal, Fundamentalist and Neo-orthodox camps were formed and much argument pervaded conference discussions. Episcopacy was one of those areas of controversy that was especially difficult for the Methodist Protestant Church to swallow since they had never operated under that type of organization. There also was continued controversy over what was called the “Central Jurisdiction” even after merger occurred in 1939. The “Central Jurisdiction” was that arm of the Methodist Church that had been known as African-American. This segregationist policy showed that Americans and yes, Methodists, were not ready in some parts of the country to consider everyone equal. Central Jurisdiction was the only jurisdiction that was not based on geographic lines. This separation that was authorized at the onset of the Methodist Church did not come to an end until 1967 when the merger between the Methodist Church and the United Brethren took place. We will include more about that merger in a later part of this history.
While the Methodist churches were merging in 1939 with still unresolved issues, the Evangelical United Brethren Church was formed in the early 1950’s after more than 20 years of negotiating. One of the practices that was questioned before this merger occurred centered on the ordination of women. The United Brethren had accepted ordination of women since 1889, but in order for merger with the Evangelical Church that right of ordination was rescinded. Obviously in the civil rights activities of the 1960’s and before merger with the Methodist church, not only the ordination of women, but also their right to ascend to the episcopacy would have to be allowed.
These changes that were taking place in the administrative structure of the church nationally and beyond were influenced by the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Not exclusively American, the depression was felt worldwide. The cost of the First World War, punishment to the defeated nations, and the struggle of moving from a war time economy to a peacetime economy had a resounding effect on trade, society and politics.
Some nations struggled at the hands of others as the storm clouds of war loomed over the world landscape. The discovery of “nations without” around the world led to an increase in missionary work overseas as well as the poverty stricken areas most prevalent in America. Local churches raised goods, money, and food to help those in greater need in spite of the fact that most folks were suffering in ways they had never experienced before.
The national merger of Methodist elements in 1939 had an immediate impact on Methodism in Maine. One of the first accomplishments of the Maine Conference had a major effect on the emphasis on youth. Junior High Youth even before Senior High saw change through its organization at a camping session held in East Waterboro in 1939. Interestingly the group was named “Metchuwana”. In time the camp that was eventually bought and purchased on Lake Narrows in Winthrop, in 1947 later carried that same name minus the T. A Camping Commission resulted for all Methodist camping experiences in Maine and in time the experiences provided opportunities in the out doors year round for all ages, young and old.
In order to have a conforming name for all youth groups within the merged bodies of Methodism the name ” Epworth League” was dropped in favor of Methodist Youth Fellowship. Epworth League had been used as a name in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but not in the other arms of Methodism.
At a special meeting of the Maine Conference held in the same year it was voted to close the Eastern Maine Seminary. That institution had been the primary educational institution
of learning for Pastors “down east” until this time, as Kents Hill or the Wesleyan Seminary was the principle location for training pastors in western Maine until about that same time. For pastoral training it seemed that Boston University’s School of Theology was becoming the primary choice for Methodist training in the New England area.
Ladies Aids Societies had their conversion to Women’s Societies of Christian Service (WSCS) in 1945.
A much-needed Pension fund was established for the entire Maine Conference in 1948 and a companion fund for Camp Development was established at this time as well.
Reverend Alfred Ives was appointed in 1951 to become the Youth Director of the Conference. Reverend Ives was well known and some years later finished his pastoral placements at First Church in South Portland. He also was the father of two well-known pastors of later years. Christopher Ives served a number of churches in central and southern Maine and Cliff Ives after serving at a number of locations became the Bishop for the West Virginia Conference.
As an aside the conference records show that in 1961 among pastors of Peoples Church in South Portland, Charles O. Perry 1930-38, the father of Elsie Hoyt, passed away. Lawrence Porter, 1949-53 and later a district superintendent retired from the ministry. F. William Schuster who would be pastor from 1996-99 was entering his first year of ministry.
In the next edition of this continuing history we will back track to look at the impact of World War II on South Portland and the need for Peoples to move its base.
posted by Arthur Tordoff | 6:04 PM
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