The first known Swedenborgian in Bath, Maine, was Captain Horatio Gates Allen, who arrived from Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1795. His brother, Cushing Allen, was also a Bath resident and devout Swedenborgian. Both men were active members of the Bath community. In the 1830s, Cushing served as City Treasurer and Collector while at the same time, Horatio served as one of the city’s Constables.
In 1803, a young Harvard graduate, Rev. William Jenks, brought Swedenborg’s writings with him as he took up his duties as the new pastor of the “Old South” Congregational Church. In 1810, Zina Hyde first learned about Swedenborg through the Reverend Jenks. Both young men at the time, they became life-long friends. Zina would meet at Jenks’ home where they would read and discuss such works as Heaven and Hell and Conjugial Love (Love in Marriage).
These “make sense religious writings” caught the attention of more prominent Bath citizens. Among them were William and Rachel Sewall and John Swanton. Interest in the theology gradually spread, and by 1820 there was a faithful “circle of readers” who met at private residences Sunday evenings. One of those meeting places was Cushing’s large home on North Street.
John Swanton, Zina Hyde, and William Sewall donated land in 1839 where the church was constructed in 1843, the necessary funds raised by subscription. The building was dedicated January 11, 1844. Zina Hyde’s descendants created Bath Iron Works, and William Sewall’s family were world-famous shipbuilders.
Originally the walls rose straight from the foundations to the eaves, but in 1920 the roof collapsed under an unusual snow load; and when the structure was rebuilt the walls were moved in several feet for structural reasons, giving rise to the present colonnades and the graceful proportions of the worship space.
The facade of the Church is in the Greek temple style with four Doric pillars. It is perhaps the most successful evocation of classical antiquity in Maine. The interior is simple and restrained with near to floor-to-ceiling clear glass, sun-filled windows that create a serene atmosphere allowing one to absorb God’s will.
Sewall recruited young Samuel Fuller Dike as minister who served for a record of 50 years. Bath has Dike School, Dike Street, Dike Road, Dike Landing all honoring Reverend Dike. Upon Rev. Dike’s retirement, he was rewarded with an around-the-world trip by his congregation. His descendants currently are active members of this church.
We like to think of the four, grand Doric columns in front of the church as reminders of our Bath founders: Zina Hyde, William Sewall, John Swanton, and Capt. Horatio Allen. They remain as a magnificent tribute to this beautiful and meaningful edifice.