USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part I > Part 56
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In 1825, while Mr. Waterman was on a visit to Spring- field, Mass., he was taken ill of typhus fever and died there October 11th of that year. The church sent a committee to bring hither his remains for interment, and thus ended a useful life and a most successful ministry.'
In the settlement of a successor a difference of views arose which ripened a few years later. The candidates were a son of the former pastor, the Rev. Thomas T. Waterman, and the Rev. Franklin Vail. Mr. Vail was finally chosen, but he had a short pastorate.
Thomas Tileston Waterman,' son of the Rev. Elijah Waterman was born in Windham, Conn., September 24, 1801, and four years after removed with his parents to Stratfield, and was prepared for college by his father and at Hartford, and was graduated at Yale in the class of 1822. He studied theology with his father, and was ordained pastor of the Richmond street Congregational Church, of Providence, R. I., December 13, 1826. In 1837 he became pastor of the Fifth Presbyterian Church, of Philadelphia, where he con- tinued until 1843, when he returned to Providence, and was installed pastor of the Fourth Congregational Church, which
7 Sermon of the Rev. C. Ray Palmer.
8 Fairfield County History, 166.
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History of Stratford.
soon after became known as the Free Evangelical Church. After leaving this church he held pastorates in the Second Presbyterian Church at Galena, Ill., and in the Congrega- tional Churches at Winona, Minn., Danielsonville, Conn., Spencer, Mass., and Monroe, Conn.
On December 11, 1827, Mr. Waterman married Delia, daughter of Dann Storrs, a native of Mansfield, Conn., and they had children : Thomas S., Alfred T., George I., Lucy M., and Edwin S. Waterman. The Rev. Thomas T. Water- man died in Stratford, Conn., August 7, 1873, aged 71 years.
Rev. Franklin Y. Vail was born at East Hampton, L. I., in 1797, entered Yale College, but did not graduate, studied theology in New York, and was ordained here Octo- ber 4, 1826. Neither his health nor his tastes fitted him for a pastorate as well as for what became his life-work afterwards -the raising of funds for beneficent enterprises. He was for many years the general agent of the American Tract Society, and was greatly valued by that institution. He afterwards was the principal agent in founding and endowing Lane Theological Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, and an institution for female education in that vicinity. He died in that city June 23, 1868, aged seventy-one years. His ministry at Bridgeport ended July 8, 1828, and was notable for a revival season in the winter of 1827 and 8, after which thirty were added to the church.
In the settlement of a successor to Mr. Vail a decided difference of theological sentiment became quite prominent. Mr. John Blatchford, as a candidate in 1828, was understood to be decidedly a new school man, and the more conservative section of the church were opposed to calling him. In Janu- ary, 1829, the church proved to be nearly equally divided, and the call, issued by a majority of only four, Mr. Blatchford declined. It proved impossible to harmonize the conflicting elements, and, at length, December 28, 1829, a division of the church was resolved upon. On January 24, 1830, three dea- cons, thirty-six other men, and seventy-eight women were dismissed from the church, at their own request, to form a second church, the old church giving them one-half of the
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Bridgeport.
church property and funds, and also contributed two thousand dollars toward the erection of a church edifice. One week later, January 31, 1830, those abiding in the old church, being one hundred and seventy in number, renewed the call to Mr. Blatchford, which he promptly accepted, and served them until July 26, 1836, when he was dismissed.
Rev. John Blatchford, son of the Rev. Samuel Blatch- ford, D.D., a former pastor of this church, was born May 24, 1799, in Stratfield, graduated at Union College in 1820, stud- ied theology in Princeton Theological Seminary, and was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Pittstown, N. Y., in August, 1823. He was installed pastor of the Pres- byterian Church in Stillwater, in April, 1825, and on February 10, 1830, he was installed here. After being dismissed as above, he removed to the West, resided successively at Jack- sonville and Chicago, Ill., and at Wheeling, Va. From 1841 to 1844 he was connected with Marion College, the latter part of the period as president. He removed thence to West Ely, Mo., and thence to Quincy Ill., where he died in April, 1855. He received the degree of D.D. from Marion College in 1841. He possessed a bright, ready mind, a genial spirit and pleasing manners. His general appearance was attract- ive and he was almost any where an acceptable minister. A very interesting revival occurred under his labors here in Bridgeport in 1831, which added eighty-six to the church membership, and the church parted with him reluctantly.
Rev. John Woodbridge followed Mr. Blatchford, being installed here June 14, 1837, and continued about seventeen months and was in 1839 installed over the North Church in New Hartford, Conn.
Rev. John H. Hunter succeeded Dr. Woodbridge, being installed here February 27, 1839, and continued until November 13, 1845. He soon after went west to look after lands left him by his father and was not again settled in the ministry. This church grew under his ministry, especially in 1844, when twenty-five members were added at one time.
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History of Stratford.
Rev. Benjamin St. John Page was installed pastor here February 10, 1847, and continued until August 30, 1853. During his pastorate here the present house of worship was erected. The old house was removed northward a short distance and occupied while building the new one, and was used by this society for public worship the last time, April 7, 1850. It was purchased for the use of Christ Church, removed to a new site on John street west of Broad, and in 1851 was accidentally destroyed by fire."
The new house was built and fitted up at a cost of about $25,000-raised by subscription-the first paper bearing the date June 1, 1848. About two-thirds of the amount was in stock, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum. Most of this-both principal and interest-was subsequently given to the society. Thomas Dixon, of Stamford, Conn., was the architect. The builders were, William A. Dowd, mason, and Beardsley and Daskam, carpenters and joiners. The building committee consisted of Freeman C. Bassett, Ira Sherman, Hanford Lyon and Sherman Hartwell. The two first named were the active members of the committee.
This edifice was dedicated on Thursday, April 11, 1850, and on the Sunday following was opened for public worship, and is well represented by the accompanying engraving-in which the steeple of the former house, on its temporary site, also appears. Beyond that is faintly seen the steeple of the former St. John's Church.
In 1882 a thorough renovation and some improvement in the interior of this edifice was deemed necessary for the com- fort and prosperity of the church and society. Accordingly the side galleries were removed, the walls, ceiling and orna- mental plastering repaired, and all suitably decorated. Ele- gant stained-glass, memorial windows were furnished, also two new furnaces, new carpets and cushions, at a total cost of six thousand dollars.
" The history of the First Congregational Church and its ministers thus far given has been taken largely from the manuscript of the Rev. C. R. Palmer, cheer- fully granted for this purpose, it having been obtained by him during several years' research and inquiry.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ERECTED IN 1843.
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Bridgeport.
The following is a list of the memorial windows :
Rev. Charles Chauncey, pastor, 1695-1714.
Rev. Elijah Waterman, pastor, 1806-1825.
Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D.D., pastor, 1797-1804. l Rev. John Blatchford, D.D., pastor, 1830-1836.
Hanford Lyon. Rev. Henry Jones.
Ira Sherman. Sherman Hartwell.
James C. Loomis. S
Sophia Todd Hartwell. \
Dea. Sylvanus Sterling. } Frederick W. Parrott.
Thomas C. Wordin.
Henry R. Parrott.
Dea. Isaac Sherman.
Vestibule with historical dates.
Dea. Rowland B. Lacey. S
A List of the Deacons of the old Stratfield Church of Christ, which is now the First Congregational Church, of Bridgeport :
David Sherman, chosen in 1695, and died in 1753, aged 88 years. Thomas Hawley, chosen in 1712, and died in 1722, aged 44 years. Lemuel Sherwood, chosen in 1722, and died in 1732.
Joseph Booth, chosen in 1733, and died in 1763, aged 74 years. Richard Hubbell, son of one of the first members of this church, was chosen in 1738, and died in 1788, aged 92 years. He gave to the church in 1738 the silver tankard now in use in the communion service, on which his name is engraved.
William Bennett, chosen in 1754, removed to North Fairfield -now Easton-in 1756, and died in 1788, aged 79 years. Henry Rowland, chosen in 1756, and died in 1775.
Abel Seeley, chosen in 1775, served until 1779, and died in 1810, aged 84 years.
Elijah Hawley, chosen in 1776, removed from the town in 1790, and died in Ohio in 1825, aged 81 years.
Seth Seeley, chosen in 1779, served until 1806, when, at his Own request, he was excused from further service, and died in 1817, aged 79 years.
Seth Sherman, chosen in 1806, died in 1807.
Doct. James E. Beach, chosen October 10, 1806, and died in 1838, aged 76 years. He gave to the church the silver flagon now in use in the communion service.
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History of Stratford.
John P. Austin, chosen October 21, 1807, served until 1813, when he removed from the place.
William DeForest, chosen in 1813, was dismissed at his own request with others to form the Second Congregational Church.
Stephen Hawley, chosen August 31, 1821, and dismissed at his own request for the same purpose as Dea. DeForest. Josiah B. Baldwin, chosen in 1821, dismissed the same, and for the same purpose as Dea. DeForest.
Isaac Sherman, chosen in 1830, and died November 23, 1863, aged 75 years.
Sylvanus Sterling, chosen November 4, 1831, and died in 1848, aged 61 years.
David Sherwood, chosen November 4, 1831, and died in 1873, aged 94 years.
Samuel Beach, M.D., chosen May 4, 1849, and died May 6, 1853, a victim of the railroad accident at Norwalk bridge. Rowland B. Lacey, chosen August 30, 1850, and is still serving. John W. Hincks, chosen Sept. 1, 1854, died Feb. 6, 1875.
Rev. Henry Jones, chosen Feb. 15, 1858, died Nov. 9, 1878.
Elbert E. Hubbell, chosen February 25, 1858.
Rev. Guy B. Day, chosen April 1, 1874, and is still serving. Samuel R. Wilmot, chosen March, 1875, and is still serving. William B. Hincks, chosen March, 1875, and is still serving.
The communion service of the First Congregational Church is of solid silver, and is an aggregation of gifts dating from an early period in the history of the church, consisting of various antique patterns with inscriptions, highly valued as memorials of those who have passed on to the communion of a higher sphere. The list contains the following :
One silver tankard, the gift of Lieut. Richard Hubbell to the Church of Christ in Stratfield, A. D. 1738.
One silver flagon, presented to the First Congregational Church in Bridgeport by Doct. James E. Beach, in 1830. One silver cup, a gift to the Church of Christ in Stratfield by Matthew Sherwood, January, 1713.
One silver cup, presented by Mr. John Edwards in .1746.
One silver cup, presented to the First Congregational Church of Bridgeport, by Salmon Hubbell, in 1829.
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Left to the Church of Christ in Stret ich 2 /738.
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Bridgeport.
One silver cup, presented by Isaac Sherman in 1836. One silver cup, presented by Isaac E. Beach in 1839. One silver cup, presented by Mrs. Sylvanus Sterling in 1839. One silver cup, presented by Ira Sherman in 1839.
One silver cup, presented by Mrs. Ellen Porter in 1843. Two silver cups, not inscribed.
Three silver goblets, presented by Mrs. Ira Sherman in 1868. One silver plate, presented by the Rev. Henry Jones in 1867. One silver plate, presented by Hanford Lyon in 1867.
One silver plate, presented by Dea. John W. Hincks in 1867. One silver plate, presented by Dea. Rowland B. Lacey in 1867.
Rev. Joseph H. Towne became pastor of this, the First Congregational Church of Bridgeport, June 13, 1854, and continued here until June 29, 1858. He was pastor in Salem Street Church in Boston about 1838, when he was joined by a portion of his church in founding the Leyden Chapel, located in the same vicinity. This enterprise embraced some excel- lent men, but was not successful. They inaugurated a new departure in the order of worship, which was much com- mented upon at the time. It consisted in the introduction of responsive reading and chants, an order adopted since that day by many Congregational churches in New England. Mr. Towne was an able and very interesting preacher. Dur- ing his pastorate the congregations were large, and in 1857 and 8 there occurred one of the most extensive revivals this church has ever known.
Rev. Matson Mier Smith, successor to Mr. Towne, was born in Harlem-now New York-April 4, 1826, was graduated at Columbia College, N. Y., in 1843, and at the Union Theological Seminary, 'N. Y., in 1847. He was or- dained by the Presbytery of Geneva, October 23, 1849, as pastor of the church in Ovid, N. Y., and in the same year, November 14, he married Mary Stuart, daughter of Norman White, Esq., of New York City, where she was born. He resigned his charge in Ovid March 21, 1851, to accept a call to the ' Harvard Church, Brookline, Mass., where he was installed June 5, 1851. There he labored until he was dis- missed November 23, 1858, to accept a call to this church,
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History of Stratford.
where he was installed January 5, 1859, and dismissed June 6, 1865. On March 6, 1866, he was ordained deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church by Bishop Eastburn, at Boston, Mass.
Rev. George Richards, a native of New London, was graduated at Yale College in 1840, associate pastor for a time in Summer street in Boston, after that was pastor in Litch- field, Conn., from which place he came to this church and was installed January 3, 1866. He was dismissed August 24, 1870, and died October 20, 1870.
Rev. Charles Ray Palmer was born in New Haven, May 2, 1834, and was the son of the Rev. Ray Palmer, D.D., and Ann Maria, the daughter of Marmaduke Waud, Esq., of New York City. His father with his family at the time occupied the school building on the lower green as a Young Ladies' Institute. In the autumn of that year he removed eastward, and in May, 1835, to Bath, Maine, where he became pastor and continued fifteen and a half years. Charles R. Palmer's education commenced in the academy at Bath, and in September, 1849, he entered Billings Academy at Andover, Mass., in the middle class, where he was graduated in 1851, and entered Yale College. He was graduated at Yale in 1855, and went to Mississippi as a private tutor for a year in the family of John Murdock, Esq., a planter. In the autumn of 1856 he entered the Andover Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1859. On August 29, 1860, he was ordained pastor of the Tabernacle Church of Salem, Mass., where he labored nearly twelve years. In 1865 he spent seven months in Europe. On February 10, 1869, he married Mary Chapin, eldest daughter of A. S. Barnes, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., but in her infancy her parents removed to Brooklyn, where she was educated.
On August 15, 1872, Mr. Palmer commenced his pastoral labors here, and on the 11th of the next September was installed pastor of this church and society. In 1875 his health failed to such a degree that he signified his willingness to resign his pastorate, but from which he was dissuaded. He went to Europe, spent five months there, returned. and the next March resumed his labors.
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Bridgeport.
In 1880 he again went to Europe for rest and the benefit of his health, which has become fully established, and his labors as preacher and pastor of the First Congregational Church at the present time are highly appreciated and cor- dially accepted.
The Second Congregational Church of Bridgeport has been earnestly pursuing the object for which it was organized, fifty-six years; has had good success and attained a strong position in the community.
On the 18th of March, 1880, it held its semi-centennial anniversary, at which time a paper, prepared by the standing committee, was read, in connection with other public ad- dresses, from which the following history of the church is taken, mostly in the words of the committee, since better could not easily be produced :1º
"This church was organized January 28, 1830, by one . hundred and seventeen persons"-thirty-nine men and sev- enty-eight women-who had been dismissed for the purpose
10 This sketch of the Second Congregational Church was prepared by Edmund S. Hawley, upon the request of the committee.
11 The following is a list of pew holders in the Second Congregational Church in 1835 :
Seth B. Jones,
Sherwood Sterling, John Brooks, Jr.,
William B. Dyer,
George Sterling, James Jennings,
Burr Knapp,
Wilson Hawley,
Nathan Baldwin,
Josiah Hubbell,
William DeForest, Samuel Peet,
Victory Curtis, Lockwood DeForest,
Josiah S. Fayerweather,
Joseph Wood, Bronson Hawley,
Josiah B. Hall,
Fitch Wheeler,
Charles B. Middlebrook,
William B. Nash,
Jesse Sterling,
Edward Burroughs,
Charles Sherman,
Charles DeForest,
Harry Judson,
George Wheeler,
Munson Hawley,
Josiah B. Baldwin,
Daniel B. Oviatt,
Abijah Hawley,
Nichols Northrop,
D. Mallory, Zenas R. Moody,
David Perry,
Ransom C. Canfield,
Stephen Hawley,
Benjamin DeForest,
Benjamin Pilgrim,
Edwin B. Gregory,
Mrs. Talman Perry,
Nathan Shepard,
R. Thorborne, Rowell Lewis,
Edwin Porter, James Robinson,
E. D. Bull,
Mrs. Wm. Burr, David Hubbell, Elliot Morris,
E. C. Warren, Bradley Gould,
Capt. E. Doane,
John Cogswell, William Allis.
Samuel Morse,
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History of Stratford.
from the Stratfield-now First Congregational-Church of this city ; they being recognized as such the same day by a council of ministers convened to assist in its organization ; and after entering into church covenant, William DeForest, Stephen Hawley and Josiah B. Baldwin were chosen dea- cons. Religious services were temporarily held in the high school house on State street, while measures were at once taken for the erection of a house of worship. A lot on the corner of Broad and Gilbert streets, where the church now stands, was purchased, and its first edifice, built of wood, was erected that year. It cost about $5,000, besides the founda- tion and the finishing of the basement, which was done mainly by the members of the church, some furnishing materials, many working with their hands, and all doing something to forward the work; the ladies, as well, taking an active inter- est in everything connected with the prosperity of the church. The house was soon completed, and on November 30, 1830, it was dedicated to the worship of God, at which time the church numbered one hundred and twenty-eight members. At a meeting of the church held August 28, 1830, the Rev. Nathaniel Hewit, D.D., was unanimously invited to become its pastor, which call was accepted and he was installed December 1, 1830, Dr. Woods, of Andover, preaching the sermon.
"During Dr. Hewit's ministry of nearly twenty-three years, he had the confidence and respect of his church and the whole community. It was his custom to preach three times on the Sabbath, and lecture every Thursday evening. He was a power in the church and in the world, and it is our pleasure to bear testimony to his rare endowments and many virtues, and to render our humble tribute to his memory.
" In the summer of 1831 a friend of the cause of temper- ance offered to pay Dr. Hewit's expenses if he would go to England and present the cause of temperance in that country. To this the church assented, and he sailed at the short notice of four days. During his absence of nearly six months the Rev. Mr. Hermance supplied the pulpit. Protracted meet- ings were held, and for a considerable time prayer meetings were held in the basement of the old church in the morning
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ERECTED IN 1860 AND 61.
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Bridgeport.
at sunrise. In these much interest was taken and as a result forty-seven were added to this church, and a large number to the First Church.
" Dr. Hewit was an eloquent man, mighty in the Scrip- tures, and his warnings and denunciations against intemper- ance and moderate drinking, his bold and heroic rebuke of fashionable vice and immorality, at home and abroad, made a deep impression on the public mind. During the latter part of his ministry the old church edifice was altered, enlarged and repaired, at considerable expense. He continued pastor until September 21, 1853, when he was dismissed, and on October 9, seventy-eight members were, at their own re- quest, dismissed to organize a Presbyterian church, of which Dr. Hewit became pastor. The results of Dr. Hewit's minis- try are here presented as written by himself on the records of the church. 'At my installation, December 1, 1830, there were 128 members in the church. Of these 52 remain. There have been added by profession, 153; by letter, 220. Total, 373. Of these there remain 238. There are on record 131 infant baptisms. One hundred church members have depart- ed this life. One hundred and thirty marriages have been solemnized by me. The amount taken up for charitable objects, also by legacies, subscriptions, etc., is at least $24,000, five thousand of which is a legacy of the late Alfred Bishop to the American Bible Society, and one thousand a recent donation by his widow to found a permanent scholarship in the Literary and Theological Institute at East Windsor.'
"The second pastor, the Rev. Asahel L. Brooks, was installed January 25, 1854, and continued thus a little over two years, he being dismissed March 11, 1856, during which time there was a gain of 37 members. His removal to an- other field of labor was much regretted by the church and society. He died recently at the residence of his son in New Jersey.
"The Rev. Benjamin L. Swan succeeded Mr. Brooks as acting pastor, and his ministry of two and a half years was very acceptable to the church and congregation. He left the church with twenty-nine members more than when he began his labors with it.
42
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History of Stratford.
"The fourth pastor, the Rev. Alexander R. Thompson, entered upon his labors March 1, 1859, and continued here for three years. In the summer of 1860 two mission Sunday schools were established, through the instrumentality of Mr. Thompson, one in East Bridgeport in the old carriage factory on William street, which proved very successful and which, it is believed, resulted finally in the present large Congrega- tional Church of East Bridgeport. The other school was among the colored children in the lower part of the city, formerly called "Liberia." This was successfully sustained some time.
" In the autumn of 1860 the old church was removed to a vacant lot on the opposite side of the street and the founda- tion for the present edifice was laid. Notwithstanding the calamities of the civil war, which soon began, this work went forward and the new church was dedicated January 20, 1862, the sermon being preached by the Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D., of Brooklyn. Mr. Thompson's able and earnest preaching filled the old and the new house with attentive listeners, and his many labors of love in the church and in the whole commun- ity are still fresh in the recollections of the people."
"Mr. Thompson was succeeded by the Rev. Francis Lobdell, who was installed in April, 1863, and dismissed February, 1865. During his labors, in February, 1864, the Rev. E. P. Hammond held services with this church and fifty-three members were added. The same year a heavy debt on the church and society was removed by the generous subscriptions received.
" In the spring the Rev. Daniel Lord was invited to become, and in May, 1865, was installed pastor of this church and society. He resigned in April, 1869, to accept the pas- torate of a church in Chicago. He left the church in a pros- perous condition.
"The next pastor, the Rev. Edwin Johnson, was installed in November, 1870. His labors were blessed of God, and many were added to the church. He resigned his charge in
1º Some special account of a number of men who went from this church in the civil war will be found in the war record of Bridgeport.
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Bridgeport.
November, 1876, after a faithful and successful ministry of six years.
"The present. pastor, the Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, was installed December 4, 1877, the Rev. Dr. Noble, of New Haven, preaching the sermon. The following summer our pastor was absent about four months on a tour in Europe, and on his return gave two courses of very interesting lectures on Northern Italy, the proceeds being for the ladies' sewing society."
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