The Diocese of Maine had its first beginnings at Popham, when the colony of Maine was established in 1607, only four years after the death of Elizabeth I. We can trace our tradition of Anglican theological and liturgical expression – solidly mainstream, though with parishes among us who would describe themselves variously as Anglo-catholic, evangelical, or renewal-focused – back to the embracing tolerance of the Elizabethan Settlement.

Maine was part of the Eastern Diocese (which included all of New England except Connecticut) until Maine became a state separate from Massachusetts in 1820 and the diocese held its first convention – with delegates from the two churches in Maine, Christ Church, Gardiner and St. Paul’s, Portland – two months later.