Church History

In 1690 James Stancliff, an English Stonecutter, became the first person to cross the river from

Middletown and settle on the east side of the river. By 1710, nine additional families joined him

and a Church Society was formed. On October 25, 1721 the Rev. Daniel Newell was ordained

and our church was formed. The new church became the Third Church of Middletown in the

newly formed Society of East Middletown.

In 1767 the town name of East Middletown, was changed to Chatham and on June 21, 1841

Portland was born and the first town meeting was held in our second meetinghouse. Our third

and present church building was built in 1850, originally a Gothic structure, 70 feet long by 39

feet wide. The fellowship hall and kitchen were added in 1955, and in 1988 an office and

meeting rooms addition was created.

On January 27, 1961 the church became affiliated with the United Church of Christ.  In 2013 our

congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming Church, welcoming everyone to

participate in the life, sacraments, missions, and work of our community of faith. The church has

had 25 settled ministers throughout its history and celebrated its 300 th Anniversary in 2021.