St. Patrick's Catholic Church is thought to be the oldest Catholic Church in Maine and New England. The church was originally constructed without a spire, but instead had a hipped roofed belfry. The spire was added in 1866. The church sits on granite block and has walls over one-foot thick. Interestingly, limestone was brought from Ireland to make the mortar to set the brick. The entrance is a pair of simple doors below an elliptical fan. Over time stained glass windows have been added to the arched openings which were once covered by shutters. The interior is thought to hold the original floor and at least two original pews. The parish was founded around 1796 by Irish immigrants James Kavanuagh and Matthew Cottrill, both successful lumber and shipbuilding merchants who settled at Damariscotta, less than one mile from the church. Kavanaugh and Cottrill brought Nicholas Codd from Ireland to design and construct the church, as well as their houses. One of the notable features is the Paul Revere bell in the belfry. The bell, one of 93 cast by Revere, was donated by Cottrill. St. Patrick's Catholic Church is believed to the be the only Catholic Church in New England with a Revere bell.
Year Listed: 1988
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