Parish History

Back in 1926, Rev. James E. Carey of Sacred Heart Parish in Portland founded Catholic children’s camps throughout the area, Camp Pesquasawasis for girls located on Worthley Pond, Our Lady of the Lake on Sabbathday Lake for underprivileged children, and St. Gregory’s for boys on Crystal Lake in Gray.

Under the direction of the chaplain at St. Gregory’s, Mass was celebrated in the recreation hall for the campers and local people who wished to attend during the summer months.  Catholics from the area attended many different Catholic churches at the time.  Summer Masses were held at the chapel on Crescent Lake in East Raymond, some attended at Poland Springs in the summer, others attended churches in Auburn, Lewiston, our Lady of Ransom in Mechanic Falls, or Sacred Heart in Yarmouth.  Many of our local families used the opportunity to attend Mass at St. Gregory’s Camp, especially those in the Dry Mills and Gray area. 

Priests who served the camp over the years from 1925-1971:

• Rev. Joseph McGowan
• Rev. Msgr. Edward Ward
• Rev. Msgr. Peter Flanagan (1946-1956)
• Rev. James Knox (1957-1969)
• Rev. John Dougher (1969-1971)

As summer visitors increased, there was a drive in 1958 to build a chapel on the grounds.  Father Knox was the campground chaplain at the time.  The Catholic Holy Name Society of Portland and many other interested groups and individuals helped to make the drive a success.

The chapel was built and named in honor of St. Gregory the Great.  It was formally dedicated and blessed on August 2, 1959, and then became a Mission of Sacred Heart of Yarmouth.

The Catholic Women’s League was founded in September 1959.  This group was very active in supporting the religious education of the children in our area, under the sponsorship of Rev. James Daly of Yarmouth and the Sisters of Mercy of Portland.  Religious Education classes were held at Stimson Hall in Gray.  Our local members from the Catholic Women’s League assisted.

With the increased number of families in the area, the people desired a church that would be open all year.  With the encouragement of the Most Reverent Daniel J. Feeney, the summer chapel was winterized in the fall of 1964.  The church remained under the jurisdiction of Father Daly in Yarmouth, with Sunday Mass being served by the priests of the Cathedral in Portland.

With the establishment of a year-round church between 1964 and 1965, a men’s club was organized.  They met monthly and were ready to help in any way they could.  They sponsored a semi-annual Communion Breakfast…summer and winter.

On April 15, 1967, the long desired dream became a reality and the Most Rev. Peter L. Gerety established St. Gregory’s as a parish with its own resident Pastor.  Rev. James Knox served the families of Gray, New Gloucester and West Cumberland.  There were 200 registered Catholic families at that time.  We had no rectory then and Father Knox lived in a campground cabin for part of the winter with no plumbing and only a fireplace for heat.  The campground had, at one time, 448 campers (boys) and 39 staff members.

The rectory was built in 1968 by a Lewiston contractor.  It was built mostly by parishioners.   The parish hall was completed in 1970.

Our parish flourished with many different signs of growth over the years--

• An active Men’s Club:  suppers, softball games, fund raisers, work-bees, catered meals for other organizations

• An active Women’s Club:  fairs, fund-raisers, special projects for the hall, the rectory, religious education, and other parish needs.

• An active and growing religious program – Grades 1-12.  Special 2-week summer programs were held at the lakeside, a very popular choice for many children.  There are presently some 100 enrolled in our religion classes. 

• Music Ministry:  We have a very active and loyal music ministry program with organ music on Saturday and a large folk group on Sunday. Our appreciation is extended to Norma Liberty for her willingness to be an organist for St. Gregory’s for the last 30 years.

• Parish Council:  Has been a very viable and well-functioning group. Spearheading most of the work done in the active commissions, including our own unique Campground Commission.  These commissions are listed elsewhere in this website. 

• Campground…In 1973, the campground officially closed and the grounds remained empty.  It was vandalized and fell into disrepair.  In 1976, the Diocese decided to sell the property.  In response to a request from St. Gregory’s parishioners, they agreed to sell the property to St. Gregory’s Parish.  In April 1977, we accepted their offer with the understanding that the funds for the campground would be kept separate from the parish.

• A Multi-Faith Chapel was built at Pineland Hospital in Pownal (1969).  Catholics there were served by the priests from St. Gregory’s Parish.