A Short History of First Universalist Church of Yarmouth
Universalism, with its doctrine of universal salvation, began in Yarmouth in schoolhouse meetings in 1832, the town later refusing use of the Town Hall on doctrinal grounds. In 1834, a parish was organized and a chapel, at what is now 25 West Elm Street, was dedicated.  The First settled minister took office in 1835; the last was ordained here in 1877.
In 1859, due to political differences, some forty-five members of the First Parish withdrew to organize another "orthodox" Congregational church, which was named the Central Parish. The founding members erected and dedicated the present building in 1860. This church flourished, but members moved away due to the decline of shipbuilding; others died, and numbers were reduced. At length, the liberal preaching of one minister repelled some members, attracted others and in 1885, many members returned to the First Parish. 
In 1886, the remaining members of the Central Parish, together with members of the Universalist church, established a Unitarian church, kept the name Central Parish, and retained ownership of the building.
The Universalist Church continued a formal but shadowy existence, and in 1920 became the beneficiary of a substantial bequest.  Since there were no doctrinal impediments, the members of the Central Parish thereupon became the members of the Universalist Church.  The First Universalist Church became the active body, while the Central Parish, as such, had a merely formal existence.
In 1962, following the consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations, the local Unitarian and Universalist organizations were consolidated under the name First Universalist Church.  (More information can be found in Edith Towne's 150 Years of Universalism in Yarmouth, Maine:  1834-924, available from the church library.)