The part of Lincoln County, Maine that included Dresden and surrounding towns was settled in the 1750s through the efforts of the Kennebec Proprietors, who held title to most of the land in the area.

Most of the settlers placed on the eastern bank of the Kennebec were French and German Protestants, who in 1756 petitioned the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts for a minister.

William McClenachan was sent to the area as an itinerant minister based on the former site of Fort Richmond, but left in 1758.

[2] Bailey was at first settled near the Pownalborough Courthouse, which is where he held Anglican services until 1770, when Dr. Silvester Gardiner, the principal proprietor resident in the area, funded construction of a church and parsonage house.

[4] Congregationalists sought to dispute ownership of the land on which the church and parsonage were built, bringing suit against the parish; this matter was resolved out of court by Dr.