CARIBOU – A banner started it all.

When Philip Turner returned from an eight-month motor home trip across the United States and Canada, he noticed a banner at the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church that honored the Rev. James Gray.

“When I saw the banner, I thought, ‘They really need to know it’s the Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, not James Gray,’ and I exclaimed it to anyone within range,” Turner said.

So he started to work on a pamphlet to inform the congregation and the public.

“I started to do the pamphlet, and it got more interesting as we did more research,” said Turner, 81.

Although “the actual facts are pretty slim,” he chose to write a book in the form of a fictional diary, basing the entries upon historical information from the period – and his own creativity.

“I tried to make her alive, and real,” Turner said.

A play based on his work, “Bessie,” will share the story at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, 8 Prospect St., Caribou.

Kay Kelley wrote the play, basing it on Turner’s book “Ladies First, Saints ALL.”

Refreshments will be served, and the cost of the play and book is $20.

For information, call the Rev. Lynne Josselyn, 492-0371.