In 1870, a church was built at Belgrade Mills (now Belgrade Lakes) under the sponsorship of Methodists and Adventists. A large part of the cost was borne by David Golder, the affluent owner of the spool factory. This Union Church was open all year until 1954 when Irene Tillson ceased her ten years of preaching there. Very early ministers, Pastors Smart, Chamberlain, Powers and others, would come Saturday by stage and stay with Mr. and Mrs. Tillson. John Rix preceded Mrs. Tillson, who also preached at Chelsea Sunday afternoons. Miss Lena Kerr of Oakland worked faithfully for the church many years, playing the organ and obtaining the speakers for the Sunday services during the summer months. The building, on the Main Street, is owned by the Methodist Conference of Maine, and the upkeep is the responsibility of the congregation, now largely summer residents and visitors.