Early Religion and Preachers in Readfield ~ May 20, 2015

Maranacook Adult and Community Education ~ May 20th ~ 6:30-8:30pm
Instructors: Dale Potter-Clark and Libby Doak
DESCRIPTION: Readfield was settled years ahead of the War of Independence and before the US Constitution assured religious freedom. In those days the Congregational Church and Puritan lifestyle still prevailed. It was not long, however, before Baptist, Methodist and other evangelists and missionaries came into this backcountry and converted many of our fair residents. Still later the Universalists appeared. Early Readfield became a hot bed of free thinkers, movers and shakers.
PART ONE: Libby Doak will share information about New England Pilgrims and Puritans and the influences they had over society in general. She will share examples of how the Puritan Church governed every aspect of life - including where and how funerals and burials were conducted. She will also tell what other religions had to lose by bucking the Puritan Church.
PART TWO: Dale Potter-Clark will share information about the coming of early religions in Readfield which was on the missionary circuit in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Methodists, Baptists, Universalists and even the Shakers impacted Readfield in its earliest days
MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Libby Doak was very well received when she led a Readfield History Walk last fall. She and her friend Sharon Burns have been recording, cleaning and restoring old cemeteries in Chelsea, ME for several years which led them into fascinating finds. Libby is a very entertaining as well as informative speaker. “This will be a pretty informal presentation”, said Doak. “I love trivia like why cemeteries are fenced and why ministers often had dozens of pairs of gloves. And you wouldn’t believe the amount of drink a funeral required.” 
Dale Potter-Clark is a consultant for Readfield Historical Society, coordinator of Readfield History Walks and author of several historical monographs and books. Her family is 10 generations deep in Readfield SO she has loved learning about Readfield’s history for as long as she can remember.  Clark spends most days (and sometimes nights) researching Readfield history. She shares some of her findings at presentations such as these and via several historical blogs and websites. She also writes special articles for local newspapers and for Discover Maine Magazine.
TO REGISTER: The class will be held at Maranacook Community School on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 6:30-8:30pm. Registration fee is $15 will help fund historical site markers in Readfield.  To register contact Maranacook Adult and Community Education Phone: 207-685-4923 x 1065 or Register online using a debit or credit card visit http://maranacook.maineadulted.org.