Constructed in 1839 by local carpenter-builder Jeremiah Cotton, the Universalist Meeting House is a dignified example of the Greek Revival style in a rural context. Its modest but nevertheless striking composition is rarely matched by its related property sub-types. The church is presented for nomination to the National Register under criterion C and criteria consideration A as a religious property that has architectural significance.

The First Universalist Society of Christians in New Gloucester was organized in 1805 with members drawn from nearby communities including those of Gray, Pejepscot and Poland. In 1830 the congregation reorganized itself into the First Universalist Society of New Gloucester and Pownal. During its early history services were apparently held at various places in the community for it was not until November of 1838 that a meeting was called "to take such measures for Building a meeting house as a majority of Subscribers or proprietors may think proper. " Jeremiah Cotton was awarded the contract to build the meetinghouse, the design of which was prepared by an as yet unidentified hand. By September of the following year the church had been completed and the pews assigned to their owners. Cotton was paid a total of $900.00 for his work with total costs coming to $1,500.00. - NRHP, 26 June 1988