SACO — Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church was the first Greek church established in Maine and had its beginnings in various rented halls in downtown Biddeford. The history of St. Demetrios is one of many that can be found in the book “Houses of Worship” recently published by the Saco Area Historical Society.

The book gives the history of 14 places of worship in Saco and Biddeford. In addition, it tells the story of Jacob Cochrane, who in the early 1800s preached in various fields and churches to about 2,000 followers in communities including Saco, Scarborough and Buxton through the Society of Free Brethern and Sisters. Cochrane and was an advocate of “spiritual marriage” with someone other than one’s legal spouse. In 1819, Cochrane was sentenced to four years of hard labor for adultery. Many of his followers joined the Mormon Church, which had a headquarters at a farm near the Buxton line.

The historical society began work on the project in 2007, contacting local churches to see if they would be interested in participating.  Representatives from each church conducted research ”“ using church archives, newspaper articles, local history books and interviews ”“ and then wrote the pieces.

Historical society member Roy Fairfield, who was also one of the book’s editors, said contributors were asked to write about the facts, and to avoid rumors and church politics. A team of seven historical society members edited the pieces and checked them for historical accuracy.

“It was a labor of love,” said Fairfield.

The editors were made up of people who had writing skills as well as a knowledge of local history, said historical society Member Sallie Huot, who was one of the editors, as well as the writer of the chapter on the history of Trinity Episcopal Church.

No changes were made without the approval of the writers, said Huot.

“We didn’t want to write it for them,” said Huot. “It’s their voice.”  

Huot said the historical society decided to do this project because it wanted to preserve local history for future generations.

“It represents a lot of work,” said Huot.

Huot said the most informative story to her was that of the Salvation Army, which had its beginnings in Maine in Saco. She said she enjoyed learning about its impact on the city. The Salvation Army once had a location on Main Street in Saco, but as interest in Saco decreased there and increased in Old Orchard Beach, the church made the move. In 1964, the building at 292 Main St. closed, and the Salvation Army continues to have a strong following in Old Orchard Beach today.

Anne Dobson, president of the Saco Area Historical Society, wrote the history of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford.

“I loved that there were editors,” she said. It was comforting to have people with a vast knowledge of local history reading the work, she said, and she was glad to have her work read by someone else to make sure it was clear.

One notable item about the history of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford is that it is a result of two churches merging. In 1958, a few years before the two churches merged nationally, the Second Parish Unitarian Church in Saco and First Universalist Church shared a minister.

Faced with declining enrollments, and dwindling money, the two decided to work together toward a common goal. The two churches merged completely in 1964, forming the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford, located in Saco.

“Houses of Worship” is available at the Saco Museum and Dyer Library, and proceeds from the book will go toward the Saco Area Historical Society.

Huot and Dobson will be using the book to teach a course at York County Senior College in September.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.