Maine Memory Network

Contributed by Boston Public Library

Description

The two-story wooden Baptist Temple at Ocean Park, situated in Temple Square, was originally known as the Way of Truth Temple. In 1881, the newly formed Ocean Park Association requested plans for a pavilion. At the time of its construction, the Temple was one of the world’s largest octagonal buildings, a popular building style at the time, and it remains Maine’s only octagonal religious building. James Bickford of Portland led the building process, which began in June and was finished by the August 2, 1881 dedication. Local legend says that carpenters worked by moonlight to have the Temple building completed in time for the ceremony. A stage was built into the rear extension in 1927, which expanded seating capacity.

The caption reads, "Temple Ocean Park, Maine."

The Tichnor Brothers printing company published this type of postcard circa 1938.

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About This Item

• Title: Baptist Temple, Ocean Park, ca. 1938
• Creator: Tichnor Bros., Inc.
• Creation Date: circa 1938
• Subject Date: circa 1938
• Location: Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach, York County, ME
• Media: Linen texture postcard
• Dimensions: 9 cm x 14 cm
• Collection: The Tichnor Brothers Collection
• Object Type: Text and Image

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Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Baptist churches--Maine--Old Orchard Beach
• Baptists--Maine--Ocean Park
• Buildings--Maine--Old Orchard Beach
• Church architecture
• Churches--Maine--Old Orchard Beach
• Ocean Park Association (Me.)

People

• Bickford, James

Other Keywords

• Baptists
• Octagonal buildings
• Postcards
• Postcards--Maine
• Religious facilities

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For more information about this item, contact:

Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 859-2039
Website

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