First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
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Première église paroissiale Unitarienne Universaliste

Kennebunk, Maine

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The Museum in the Streets®

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Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021

1. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church / Première église paroissiale Unitarienne Universaliste Marker

This church was built in 1772-1773 on land donated by Colonel Joseph Storer, to house the congregation originally located at the Kennebunk Landing. The church was enlarged by Thomas Eaton in 1803 and the bell tower was constructed. The bell was cast by Paul Revere and Sons in 1803 originally cost $452. It is one of only 23 Revere Bells still in existence. The first clock was installed in 1859 and the present clock and faces in 1883. The original ear-of-corn weather vane was made of iron and wood in 1804. It was a sign of prosperity. It was taken down and replaced with an exact replica. The original can be found at the Brick Store Museum. The steeple was removed, repaired and re-installed in 2003. The E. Howard "Round-Top" clock was restored in 2009.

Cette église est bâtie en 1772-1773 sur un terrain offert par le Colonel Joseph Storer pour y abriter la congrégation installée à l'origine au Kenneunk Landing. En 1803, l'église est agrandie par Thomas Eaton, le clocher est ajouté et la cloche est coulée par Paul Revere et Fils pour la somme de $452. C'est l'une des 23 cloche Revere à avoir servécu. En 1859, la

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première horloge est installée et, en 1883, on ajoute le cadrans que l'on peut voir aujourd'hui. En 1804, on installe la girouette en forme d'épis de maïs, en bois et fer forgé, symbol de prospérité. On la remplace par une réplique à l'indentique pour conserver l'original au Brick Store Museum. Le clocher est démonté, réparé et remis en place en 2003. L'horloge « arrondie » (round-top) est restaurée en 2009.
 
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 10.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Kennebunk, Maine, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
 
Location. 43° 23.268′ N, 70° 32.24′ W. Marker is in Kennebunk, Maine, in York County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 1) and Summer Street (Route 9A/35), on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 Main St, Kennebunk ME 04043,

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 14, 2021

2. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church / Première église paroissiale Unitarienne Universaliste Marker

United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Southern Maine Coast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brick Store Museum Block / Les Bâtiments du Brick Store Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennebunk, Maine (within shouting distance of this marker); A Memorial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Sgt. Christopher Coffin (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); The Nathaniel Frost Home / La Maison de Nathaniel Frost (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennebunk.
 
Also see . . .  Our Meeting House. First parish's site includes some articles on its history, which can be found here. (Submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.) 
 
Additional commentary.
1.

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About First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
Prior to the merger of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations in 1961, First Parish UU Church was Unitarian.

    — Submitted November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 599 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.