Maine, Diocese of

This diocese was organized on May 3, 1820, at Brunswick. From 1811 until 1820 Maine was in the Diocese of Massachusetts, which was in the Eastern Diocese. On Sept. 5, 1820, the newly formed Diocese of Maine joined the Eastern Diocese and remained in it until Bishop Alexander Griswold's death in 1843. The Eastern Diocese was not a diocese in the usual sense, but an arrangement whereby several weak dioceses could work together. From Aug. 11, 1843 until Oct. 31, 1847, Bishop John P. K. Henshaw of Rhode Island had episcopal oversight of Maine. Since Oct. 31, 1847, Maine has had its own bishop. On Aug. 15, 1867, the cornerstone was laid for St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland, and the first service was held there on Dec. 25, 1868. It was consecrated on Oct. 18, 1877. The Diocese of Maine includes the entire state. See Eastern Diocese.