1837The First Parish dissolved and most members joined other churches.People and Communities, Religion

The founding church organization was no longer in harmony with the majority of the parish members, most of whom held Unitarian beliefs. When the parish, without the church members’ knowledge, hired Reverend Luther Hamilton it became the final act. The members of the First Parish immediately tried to discharge him of his duties.

It was also a time of political unrest. Reverend Hamilton accepted a nomination from the Democratic party to serve as a representative and was elected in November of 1835, although the majority of his congregation were Whigs. Members of the First Parish who were his political opponents called various meetings to discuss the dissolution of the Parish’s connection to Rev. Hamilton and in 1836, Reverend Josiah K. Waite was chosen as their minister.