Brunswick First Parish Church is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture and has served as a meeting place for great Americans for centuries. The parish has been here since 1717, but this church was built in 1845 by the famous architect Richard Upjohn, well known as the architect of New York City’s Trinity Church. Walk up the small hill to the church, appreciating the buttressed tower and vertical wooden siding. Inside the church get a brochure for a self-guided walking tour of the building.
Sit in Pew 23. Here Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose husband was a Bowdoin professor at the time, had a vision of a slave suffering after receiving a beating from his master. That vision later served as the inspiration for Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a major work in the pro-abolition movement of the 19th century. Sit in her pew and feel the history in the wood. Look toward the pulpit and imagine the scores of abolitionists and literary luminaries who spoke in this church, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Look up to the soaring ceiling, a beautiful example of the masterful woodwork created in this lumber-dependent state. Walk around the edges of the church to appreciate the carvings in the pews and the balconies.
The church hosts events throughout the year. In July and August, enjoy Tuesday noontime organ concerts, which enliven the whole church. Both university students and professional music groups use the church for musicals, concerts and more, offering memorable experiences. Check the church’s calendar for opportunities to participate in Brunswick’s local community.
Brunswick First Parish Church is available for visitors during regular business hours on request. Upon arrival, knock on the door to the rectory for the doors to be opened. Pause to chat with one of the staff members. First Parish Church is located across the street from the Bowdoin College Campus, a 2-minute walk from Brunswick Station. Street parking is available, but spots fill quickly on Sundays and holidays.
