The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church and the K.K.K.

Ashley Nichols

Ms. Lind and Mr. Viles

Honors 10

1/9, 1/10

Nichols

I. Introduction

A. The KKK in Maine is commonly misconceived as a hate group formed against African Americans. This is not so and this paper will accurately portray the KKK in the 1920’s and 30’s.

B. The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church and all of Maine in general was greatly impacted by the KKK in the 1920’s.

II. Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church

A. Most people in the town have little or no knowledge of the Ku Klux Klan and their involvement with the church.

1. Interview with Clyde Emery

2. Interview with Wayne Libby

3. Book reference

B. Since the churches construction in 1884 the church has been in use.

1. Has been remodeled once due to a fire in the 1940’s

2. Two memorial windows donated to the church

3. Mrs. Grace Linn

III. The KKK in Maine

A. The KKK in Maine was mostly only present in the 1920’s

1. The KKK in Maine died out almost as quickly as it began

2. Was originally founded in Milo Maine

3. They threatened Maine citizens with burning crosses

B. First Parade of the K.K.K. took place in Milo Maine

1. The first day light parade in N. E. also took place in Milo Maine

2. 9/3/23

3. Maine’s chapter K.K.K. focused its abuse on Catholics.

IV. The KKK and the Church

A. The burning of the cross was actually for the church and not opposed to it.

1. Quotes

2. They burnt it to cleanse and purify their virtues

3. They in no way stood for the desecration of the cross; they merely meant to light it for the world to see

B. They saw themselves as helping to purify Gods work

1. The chapters of the Klan were Christian

2. Refer to themselves as the “Fraternal White Knights”

3. “If you have to ask, you’re not qualified to know.”

V. Conclusion

A. The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church and all of Maine in general was greatly impacted by the K.K.K. in the 1920’s.

B. summary of information provided

C. concluding strategy

Nichols 2

Ashley Nichols

Ms. Lind and Mr. Viles

Honors 10

12-18-07

The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church and the KKK

The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church and all of Maine in general was greatly impacted by the K.K.K. in the 1920’s. The K.K.K. that once resided in Maine in great numbers is often commonly misconceived as a hate group, formed solely against black people. However, this is not so and this paper will accurately portray the K.K.K. in all actuality.

The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church is in Hartland Maine. It resides on the corner of Commercial Street and is likely to attract the attention of all who stroll past it. The town of Hartland was incorporated in 1820 and it was not until 1884 that the church building was erected. This is still the same present day building that is standing today, with the addition of a full basement, kitchen, and interior. The interior was damaged in the early 1940’s by a rampant fire. The outer structure remains the same now as it was 187 years ago.

Before 1884 the congregation would conjoin every week in either Central Hall or the Academy. Many people would also attend the Baptist church in Hartland that had previously been founded and is also still in working order today. The Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church was dedicated in memory of Mrs. Grace Linn who had formerly been a citizen of Hartland. Two of the more appealing features of the church would be the two stained glass memorial windows that reside in the building. The front window was donated to the church in memory of Mrs. Etta Barnes and the second is placed over the altar and was donated in memory of the wife of Dr. John Southworth.

The Methodist church was founded by the Ku Klux Klan in Hartland. The K.K.K. did not really begin to cause disruption until the 1920’s but groups existed well before then. Many people that attend this church or that live in the town of Hartland are unaware that the church was founded by this hate group. The local librarian, John Clark, stated that “K.K.K. artifacts have just recently been discovered above the town hall.” He then continued on to say that “we also have a bridge that is still to this day referred to as ‘Nigger Bridge’.” Mr. Clark has several copies of a book in the library entitled 1820 - Hartland Maine – 1970. In the book on page 35 a picture can be found of members of the KKK standing together outside of the church. The caption beneath the image reads, “Hartland’s Chapter K.K.K. about 1920.”

The K.K.K. was for the most part, only present in Maine during the 1920’s. The organization died out almost as quickly as it began. The group began in Milo Maine before spreading to other more remote areas of the state. The different chapters of the K.K.K. grew in vast numbers and before long they were terrorizing Maine citizens. They would threaten the locals with burning crosses. In most areas of the country the Ku Klux Klan was known for terrorizing African Americans but in Maine the focus of the group rested upon Catholics.

The first parade ever of the Ku Klux Klan took place in Milo Maine in 1920. On September 3^rd, 1923 the first ever daylight parade to occur in New England also took place in Milo. Klansmen and women from all over the state joined in the March. Appearances of the K.K.K. are usually well known, very few went unnoticed.

Many people find the Ku Klux Klan and their involvement with the church to be a controversial issue, as are many of the issues that the K.K.K. brings about. Often people assume members of the K.K.K. to be hypocritical. The largest reason for this is because the Klansmen and women claim to be Christians. But wait; are these not the very same people that are supposed to stand for equality? Why are they burning crosses?

To try to understand the reasoning behind this supposed hypocrisy it would be important for one to know that they in no way stood for the desecration of the cross. They saw burning the cross as merely lighting it on fire for the world to see. The cross was first burned in Scotland as a sign of opposition to tyranny and government and to show the peoples obedience to God. The K.K.K. adapted this symbol and proclaimed themselves to be the “Fraternal White Knights”. During the 1920’s the cross became widely known as the blazing spirit of Western Christian Civilization.

On a pro K.K.K. website the following quote was located. “By the fire of Cavalry’s cross we mean to cleanse and purify our virtues by burning out our vices from the fire of His word.” On a purely informational website it was stated that “The Klan says their fiery cross represents Christian ideals. They say they added the fire to signify that ‘Christ is the light of the world.’ As light drives away darkness and gloom so a knowledge of the truth dispels ignorance and superstition.

still have to do my conclusion which im holding off on until I can add in some perspective from my two interviews... I have two of them that I'll be adding in but I cant do them until Christmas vacation week.. other than that most of the stuff is here... except the work sourced and cited and I had some problems telling the difference between them but I'll have Miss. Lind help me with that.