Shakers to celebrate 200th year next week

POLAND SPRING (AP) — The Shaker religion has dropped to eight true believers. But on the group’s 200th anniversary, there are hopes the religion will survive.

Sister Frances Carr, eldress of the only Shakers in the world, isn’t worried about the dwindling numbers.

“After all,” she says, “when Shakerism came to America, there were eight people.”

Those eight original Shakers left England in 1774 and established the most successful utopian movement in the nation, with more than 25 communities by 1900.

The only Shaker community that remains today is the 1,800-acre Chosen Land at Sabbathday Lake.

The modern Shakers carry on much as their forebears. To be a Shaker is to be celibate. To take a vow of poverty. To live in the five-story brick “dwelling house” at Sabbathday Lake.

At the village, Sister Frances does the cooking. Sister Marie bakes. Sister Margaret handles the herbs. Sister June is the librarian. Brother Wayne oversees the sheep.

The village relies on its herb industry. The Shaker herb catalog lists 13 herbal teas, six herbal vinegars, 25 culinary herbs, potpourri and even Shaker catnip, all shipped via United Parcel Service.

The celibacy vow eliminates one source of new Shakers. But there are hopes that others will convert.

Brother Arnold Hadd converted in 1978, when he was 20 years old. He had written to the village several years earlier and visited the group after corresponding with the Shakers.

Brother Wayne, the youngest, is 32 years old. Sister Meg is 34. Brother Arnold is 37. The oldest Shaker is 87.

Interest in the lifestyle remains intense. Next week the community is sponsoring a sold-out, three-day conference to celebrate the community’s bicentennial.

“For 200 years (this village) has been in existence, and it’s been in existence because God wanted it,” says Sister Frances.