“On Friday evening, a couple hundred people gathered in the Sanctuary for the dramatic performance of “Soldier, Come Home”. The play was written by Frank Wicks, and was based on letters written by his great-grandparents, Philip and Mary Pringle, during the Civil War. The play starred Rock Bergeron, Jack Mahoney, Jessica Peck, Bill Steele and Hamish Strong. The male players were dressed in tuxedoes, as opposed to period costumes, which kept the focus on the letters, and the emotions exuded in them. Jessica Peck wore a stunning dress, and delivered a dramatic performance. I very much enjoyed this theater project; I even sat in the pew once occupied by Joshua and Fannie Chamberlain, and their children.”

A description of the play performed at the historic First Parish Church in Brunswick, Maine as part of “Chamberlain Days Festival, 2003.” Submitted by Bobby Grenier of the North Lake County Florida Civil War Round Table.

(Note: Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin one block from the First Parish Church. Her pew at the church was next to Chamberlain’s.)