Downtown in Portland in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist
Portland Maine Freedom Trail
Photographed By James R. Murray, August 6, 2016
1. First Parish Church Marker
First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist 425 Congress Street. A memorial plaque inside First Parish honors Prentis Mellen. Pews within the church are marked for the abolitionist Fessenden and Thomas families.
In 1832 William Lloyd Garrison spoke here to 2,000 people on his first Maine anti-slavery tour. In 1842 First Parish was the site of a pro-slavery riot when radical abolitionist, Stephen Symonds Foster, was nearly murdered for criticizing the churches' and New England's role in promoting, perpetuation and profiting from slavery. Women helped to defend him.
Erected 2007 by Maine Freedom Trail. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Maine, Portland Freedom Trail, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 43° 39.503′ N, 70° 15.486′ W. Marker is in Portland, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Congress Street and Temple Street, on the left when traveling north on Congress Street. Marker is on the street in front of the First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Asa Clapp / Asa William Henry Clapp / Mary Jane Emerson Clapp (within shouting distance of this marker); Hack Stand of Reuben Ruby (within shouting distance of this marker); Portland Maine World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Portland Maine Spanish War / World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away); Portland Maine World War I Marker (about 400 feet away); Portland Maine Korea and Vietnam Memorial (about 400 feet away); Portland Civil War Monument (about 500 feet away); Elm Theater Mask (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Additional commentary.
1. About First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist
Prior to the merger of the Unitarians and Universalists, First Parish Church was historically Unitarian.
— Submitted November 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed By James R. Murray, August 6, 2016
2. First Parish Church Marker
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 10, 2021
3. The plaque for The Honourable Prentiss Mellen, LL.D. inside the church
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 510 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 3. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
