USA > Connecticut > New London County > Groton > Groton, Conn. 1705-1905 > Part 15
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This church was always foremost among the churches of the old Groton Conference and of the Stonington Union Association in its gifts for foreign missions. In the min- utes of the former body in June 1816 we find the first record of a contribution for the East India Mission, in which the Second church in Groton is reported to have given $30.19, (about five eighths of the total amount raised.) and a pair of earrings. A foot note explains: "An indigent sister in this church, who supports herself by the labor of her hands, feeling anxious of promoting an object so good and be- nevolent as that of furnishing destitute and perishing heathen with the word of life, and not having money on hand, willingly casts these earrings (valued at three dol- lars) into the treasury, not to make a golden calf to worship but to turn ignorant idolators to the true God- and thus she has afforded an example worthy of imitation."
No stirring events marked the last three pastorates, and when in 1860 Mr. Phillips resigned the way seemed to be opened for a union of the Second and Third churches. In the summer of 1861 a committee was appointed consist- .ing of Brother Silas B. Randall and Deacons Albert Edg- comb and William H. Potter, who with a similar committee appointed by the Third church met on July 30 and for- mulated a plan for the union of the two churches. This plan was ratified at a meeting of each church held on Sun- day afternoon, August 11, without dissent, which action was ratified at a joint meeting held on August 31, and on "Sunday, September 1, the whole family of Baptists in Mystic sat down together at the Lord's table."*
* Union Baptist Church Manual, 1870, p. 5.
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CHAPTER IX
THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH-UNION BAPTIST CHURCH
Third Baptist Church
0 N AUGUST 20, 1831,* ten members of the First Bap- tist Church-four brethren and six sisters-living in the village at that time called Portersville were organized as the Third Baptist Church with Rev. Erastus Denison as pastor. The trend of the population towards the villages had made a demand for church privileges there, and, as we have seen, the Second church had not been able to meet the situation and to provide the necessary accommodations.
"The first meeting ** was called in June to consider the subject and was composed of members of the First and Second churches. It was deemed expedient that a church should be formed and a council composed of ministers and brethren-thirteen in number-from the nearest churches met in June and though a majority were in favor, yet as objections were offered by a neighboring church it was judged proper to adjourn same two weeks to enlarge the council; they met again in July, and by a small majority voted not to give us fellowship under present circum- stances."
Not discouraged, the number, now reduced to ten, per- severed and as stated above completed organization August 20, and held their first meeting September 17, 1831, at which time three converts presented themselves and were baptized the next day by Rev. Erastus Denison. The num- ber of members was more than doubled the first year.
* Union Baptist Church Manual, 1870, p. 4.
** Minutes Stonington Union Association, June 1845, p. 69.
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Their services were held in the Mariners Free Church, which was built in 1829* and was occupied jointly with the Methodists and Congregationalists. The former, however, organized a church in 1835 and soon after built a house on the Stonington side of the river, and the latter followed suit in 1847, after which time the use of the Mariners edifice was left entirely to the Third church. To this house upon its completion Aunt Phebe Denison transferred her Sunday school, which previously had been held in her house on the East side of the river. Of this house, under the title of "Fond Memories," Rev. Frederick Denison has written :
"The first meeting house proper in the valley of the Mystic (Ct.) was erected near 1830, on the site now occu- pied by the same house, conjoined with another formerly belonging to the Second Baptist Church in Groton, and owned by the Union Baptist Church of Groton (Mystic River). It was known as the Mariners' Free Church; no eccleciastical body being then in existence in the vicinity. All the old churches were out of the valley, among the hills, and the Mystics (villages) were the merest hamlets or hardly that. The architect of the house was Deacon Erastus Gallup of Ledyard (then North Groton) a good man, and a skillful builder. Ministers of the different evan- gelical denominations in the region, Congregational, Baptist and Methodist, occupied the pulpit by turns each month.
* In the Norwich Republican and Stonington Telegraph of October 7, 1829, appears the following account:
DEDICATION AT MYSTIC
Last Wednesday the new Mariner's Church situated at Mystic Bridge was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. The exercises commenced at 10 o'clock a. m. and were, we are informed, as follows: Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. (J. G.) Wightman; dedication ser- mon by Rev. David Austin and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Ira Hart. The day was quite pleasant and the concourse assembled quite large. The sermon by Mr. Austin is said to have been in the best style of that eloquent preacher, and such an one as gave great pleasure to the sea-faring members of the congregation. The sing- ing has been pronounced excellent and all the services of the day are declared to have been pleasing, solemn and of good effect.
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Here Christian union had an instructive trial and issue. But, 'birds of a feather' finally 'flocked together.'
"On this house rose the first distinctively Christian steeple seen in the valley, and the first in the town of Groton. Formerly Christian aspirations heavenward were spiritual rather than material, and economy in building was a necessary virtue. In this steeple hung the first church-bell that ever called the dwellers in the valley to Sabbath worship. In a historical point of view, we fear men have sinned in taste by allowing that bell to pass out of the valley; but Milltown (North Stonington) has been profited by the mistake. (It was not the bell from the Third Baptist Church but the bell from the Second Baptist Church that went to Milltown .- C. R. S.)
"Pleasing and impressive are the memories of the builder of that house; of the ministers who occupied and made gracious that semi-circular elevated pulpit; of the honest- hearted people who thronged beneath that sacred roof; of the sweet singers in the circular gallery seats on the right and left above the pulpit; of the high white spire (a glory in our boyish eyes) pointing significantly to heaven above the preachers and the singers; of the deep-toned musical bell, that called to worship, rang the hour of noon every day except Sunday, struck the nine o'clock curfew, and always solemnly announced the death, with the age, of each departed citizen, and also slowly, deeply, mournfully tolled while funeral trains passed to the graveyards.
"These reminiscences also call up with great distinctness, and surrounded by pleasing associations, a conspicuous and valued man, though, in his native modesty and self-forget- fulness, he never dreamed of notoriety.
"Christopher Helme Cranston, a native of Westerly, R. I., but then the honored woolen-draper and established tailor of the valley of the Mystic, was the first sexton and first bell-ringer in this church; a double office, and then counted one of great honor, next indeed to that of the preacher. He was a Levite in whoni there was no guile. In his office, for many years, he served to the great satisfaction of all
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the people. A more kindly, genial, generous, accommo- dating, faithful man might not be found.
"Freshly he lives in memory; in stature a little below medium; well proportioned but slightly round-shouldered from his occupation; a face open and friendly, but marked by study to which he was much given, for he was a de- vourer and digester of good books; always save in summer, or when ringing the bell, wrapped in a then fashionable, close, camlet cloak with a high standing collar fastened with links and clasp; during the hours of service, noiselessly, slowly moving around the meeting-house as the custodian of the temple; sometimes sitting for a moment in the gallery, sometimes in front of the pulpit, and sometimes on the pulpit stairs. Everybody esteemed and. loved him. Even to boys he always had a kind and encouraging word. His life was a charm to all.
"His shop, near the west end of the bridge as it then was, a little west of the present printing-office, was the resort of the solid men of the village, who sought good company and counsel, or desired a coat à la mode. Chiefly through his agency and labor, the first public library in the place was purchased and arranged, and he was the first librarian. Upon the matter of education, good schools, good books, good meetings, and the intellectual culture of all the people, he was in advance of his times, and well-nigh an enthusiast. As a man, a husband, a father, a Christian, a worker, a friend, a citizen, a scholar, Christopher H. Cranston may not be forgotten."
The Third church had constant additions to its mem- bership, increasing its number from 104 to 264 as the result of the great revival of 1842.
The letter of this church to the Stonington Union Asso- ciation in June 1843 gives the best account of the great revival of 1842 under the preaching of Rev. Jabez S. Swan, and we venture to reproduce it :
"Third Groton .- We mentioned in our last letter to this body that heaven had granted a time of refreshing in the spring, and that additions had been made to the church.
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Since that time a higher note of praise has been touched by men and angels in behalf of this community. It was thought best by the brethren to hold a protracted season of worship in this village while the most of our sea-faring friends would be at home.
"Accordingly having engaged Bro. Jabez S. Swan of the State of New York he commenced his labors on the 2nd Lord's day in August. No especial awakening was apparent during the first week, except an increase of num- bers to hear the word, a few however were baptized the next Sabbath.
"Now the way of the Lord seemed to be prepared; the bright cloud invited his people to move forward and witness further displays of his glory. The tribes of the Lord came up to the testimony of the Lord by confessing their sins, rearing their too long neglected family altars and offering up strong crying and tears to God for his help. Answers came speedily, the waters of salvation flowed in a mighty stream for days and weeks in succession.
"The baptismal waters virtually consecrated 1813 years ago by the first Baptist preacher whom God had sent were visited by us 26 days in succession, suspended two days and then five days more. The glory of the Lord was often revealed on these occasions while many hundreds witnessed the solemn scene. Three or four administrators were often employed the same moment in burying the willing converts with Christ in baptism, previously pronouncing in concert the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
"The Second and Third churches mutually joined forces in this campaign against the powers of darkness. It is interesting to trace the Divine arrangements. It was made to appear that there was a class of old hopers, who in general were constrained by the power of the Lord to move first and others past the meridian of life also followed. Then the long train of lovely youth came to the anxious seats and one after another bowed and gave their hearts to Christ.
"Sunday the 11th of September will never be forgotten;
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Bro. Swan preached upon the constitution of God's king- dom A. M. and 21% P. M. commenced the ceremony of giving the right hand of fellowship to those recently bap- tized; the meeting house not being large enough to accom- modate the multitude, many of the spectators took the center of the conference lot, while the converts, numbering 216, formed a hollow square.
"The air resounded with songs of praise, until all the converts were in their places, when Bro. Swan delivered a most pathetic address, with a voice that reached every ear, and probably every heart, accompanied with respon- sive acclamations tho' half subdued (Glory to God in the highest) by hundreds of voices. Then Bro. Swan, followed by the pastor of each church, presented the hand, passing slowly along the line of joyful converts, whose tears fell silently on the cheek, lighted up by the noon-tide of glory, which ever adorns the brow of a redeemed sinner.
"Then they repaired to the meeting house, where about 500 communicants joyfully received the emblems of our crucified Lord. Both ceremonies were performed on the following Sabbath when 78 more took the hand of fellow- ship. Bro. S. continued with us five weeks, during which time upwards of 400 persons were baptized upon a pro- fession of their faith, from the child of six years to the man of 82; embracing in some instances whole households, and but very few families remained unvisited by the Spirit's saving power. Not far from 70 Sabbath school children, together with almost every teacher not before converted, and nearly all the choir of singers, are among the sub- jects of this glorious work.
"It may be proper to notice the character of the means employed, which has been so abundantly crowned with the Divine favor. And here we say, no new gospel has been preached; it may indeed have come to us in a dif- ferent dress, which by the way excited attention in a class of mind which, for aught we know, would have slept on in the way to death, or remained deeply buried in the rubbish of worldly-mindedness, or false notions of their relations
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and responsibilities to God. The preaching roused up the enmity of the human heart, and drew forth its rage for a day, until, frightened at its own malignity, it melted in view of the claims of Jesus, and soon yielded to Him.
"We have abundant cause of thankfulness to God, for directing our much esteemed Bro. Swan to labor among us. His addresses to the mercy-seat exhibited a deep agony of spirit and strong faith in Christ in behalf of the various subjects of his intercessions. His visitations among the wounded and those seeking instruction were highly inter- esting and profitable. His preaching was plain, uncom- promising, affectionate, pointed and scriptural."
The minutes of this anniversary also contain a letter from the church in Key West, Florida, as follows:
"Key West, Florida .- In the month of October last, a number of brethren of the Second and Third Baptist Churches, in Groton, together with some of the Methodist friends, were providentially directed to this Island, a place of much iniquity. Bro. C. C. Lewis, a member of the Third church in Groton, soon commenced preaching, which, in connection with the labors of his associates, was soon blest with the accompanying influences of the Holy Spirit, and many were turned to the Lord. Bro. Lewis was ordained by the brethren, not by a line of succession as claimed by some, but by higher authority, and soon had the privilege of baptizing believers in Christ for the first time on this Island. On the 11th of March, 1843, a covenant and articles of faith were adopted and the organization took place as a visible church of our Lord Jesus Christ. May heaven smile upon this church continually."
At the time of the union with the Second church in 1861 the Third church numbered 245. Rev. Erastus Denison was its first pastor and with the exception of two years, 1837-1839, when Rev. John H. Baker supplied the pulpit, he continued in the pastorate until January 1848. Rev. S. Backus Bailey served from January 20, 1848, to July 1849, and Rev. Levi Meech from July 8, 1849, to January 21,1850.
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Franklin A. Slater came in the spring of 1850, was or- dained November 14 of that year, and continued in the pastorate until February 7, 1853. He was followed by Rev. John W. Holman, who preached for about eight months in 1853, during which time he was recognized as a regular Baptist minister (Nov. 29, 1853), having pre- viously been identified with the Free Will Baptist denom- ination. He was never settled as pastor. January 2, 1851, Rev. William Cathcart became pastor, and it was during his pastorate that the need of extensive repairs on the old church building raised the question as to who was to be responsible for the care and upkeep of the property.
The reasons that called for the building of the Mariners Free Church had disappeared. The Second church had built in close proximity to this, the Methodists and Con- gregationalists had built on the other side of the river and there was left no other body than the Third church to oc- cupy this house. A canvass of the original proprietors resulted in the assignment by a large majority of their rights of proprietorship to the Third Baptist Church.
A thorough renovation and transformation took place. In the old house the high pulpit was between the doors at the east end, and the singers who had originally occupied seats at the right and left of the pulpit had been relegated to a raised platform at the west end of the house. This arrangement was reversed in the process of changing and the pulpit was placed upon a semi-circular platform, raised upon a flight of semi-circular steps. The choir were seated in a gallery at the east end of the house and an organ was installed as an aid to worship.
Another innovation was the carpeting of the floor and the changing of the pews from the old-fashioned square type with doors to the more modern style of so-called "slips," which were rented, thus furnishing a more depend- able revenue for the support of public worship. Another change was the placing of a vestry underneath the audi- torium, which was used for midweek meetings in place of the conference house, which stood just a short distance
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northwest of the church and which in 1858-9 was altered into a parsonage, and is now (1905) the ell of the house owned by Mr. E. D. Evans. In a newspaper account of the September gale of 1815, written more than fifty years ago, this old building is referred to as follows :
"There was then no meeting house on either side of the river and but one school house within the circuit of a mile from the same point, which stood on the site now occupied by the parsonage of the Union Baptist Church."
The land on which this building stood was deeded to the Third Baptist Church by Amos Clift and James Gallup and one-fifth Nov. 21, 1841, by Joseph A. Lamb, guardian for George H. Fish, Stanton B. Fish, Mary E. Fish and Sarah Jane Fish. The land on which the church edifice stood was deeded by Amos Tift Sept. 29, 1828, and by Daniel Burrows Aug. 24, 1829, to Benjamin F. Stoddard, Simeon Fish and Joseph D. Mason, a committee to build the Mariners Free Church and the deed included the use of the spring.
Mr. Cathcart did not long enjoy the use of the improved house, having resigned April 1, 1857, to take the pastorate of the Second Baptist Church in Philadelphia, which posi- tion he filled for forty years, until he retired from the active ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Bronson, who assumed the pastorate May 31 of the same year and con- tinued therein until the union of the two churches in 1861.
The deacons who served the Third Baptist Church, with their terms of service, were as follows :
Samuel W. Lamb, May 17, 1834-dis. Mar. 14, 1835.
Horatio N. Fish, July 20, 1839, to Feb. 3, 1862.
James Gallup, July 20, 1839, to Feb. 3, 1862.
Nathan G. Fish, Jan. 30, 1847, continued as deacon in the Union church.
Lanman Lamb, Jan. 30, 1847, to Feb. 3, 1862
George N. Wright, Jan. 30, 1847, also continued as deacon in the Union church.
Union Baptist Church
In the summer of 1861, the Second church being without a pastor, steps were taken to effect a union with the Third
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church, an end that had been long desired by leading mem- bers of both churches. The Third church chose a com- mittee consisting of Deacons James Gallup and Nathan G. Fish and Thomas E. Packer and the Second church ap- pointed Rev. Silas B. Randall and Deacons Albert Edge- comb and William H. Potter. On Tuesday, July 30, the two committees met and prepared a basis for union to be sub- mitted to their respective churches. This basis was as follows :*
"1. Each church pays all arrearages of accounts which may be due at the time the union is perfected for salaries, current expenses &c.
"2. All real and personal estate belonging to either church shall become the property of the united church, by whatever name it shall be known or called. Such real estate as may be mortgaged or in any way indebted shall be holden for its own indebtedness.
"3. All officers and servants shall be subject to reappoint- ment, but will act in their present capacity until a new choice is made. Both clerks will continue to act until arrangements for the union are completed and another is chosen.
"4. The first meeting of the united church shall be holden at such time and place as may be designated by the committee, public notice being given to each church.
"5. A new roll will be prepared by the clerks, containing the names of all the members of the two churches in al- phabetical order and each person so enrolled will be con- sidered a member of the united church unless objection is made within three months.
"6. Any member of either church desiring a letter of dismission to another church of the same faith and order can have one signed by the clerk of the church to which said member belonged, if applied for within three months. The committee heartily recommend to the churches to adopt the above and hereby submit it to their favorable con- sideration.
* Mystic Pioneer, Aug. 17, 1861.
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"We do also recommend that each church, in church meeting assembled, do hereby adopt the foregoing schedule as a basis of the union of this church with the (name of the other) Baptist Church of Groton, and that from and after this time the two churches are merged into one (always provided that the [said] church does simultaneously with us adopt the same schedule and give assent to the same), then the union of the two churches is completed and henceforth we have one common interest, as we have one Lord, one faith and one baptism."
Both churches unanimously ratified the agreement at separate meetings held on Sunday, August 11, 1861, and on August 31 the first meeting of the united church was held and the action of the separate bodies was unanimously ratified. Rev. A. C. Bronson, pastor of the Third church, was called to the pastorate, which call he accepted Sep- tember 15.
The preaching services were held alternately in the re- spective houses of worship, until plans were finally con- summated for a new structure. Oct. 27, 1861, the pastor and Messrs. Silas B. Randall, John Gallup, Pierre E. Row- land and William H. Potter were appointed a building com- mittee, which committee, after careful consideration, adopted a plan which provided for a union of the physical properties of the two churches. The house of the Third church was moved back on the lot and placed at right angles to the other, forming a letter T.
Work was pushed upon the new edifice-Sunday services being held meanwhile in Floral Hall-so that the vestry was finished in season for the meeting of the Stonington Union Association in June 1862.
On the 17th of that month a council called for that pur- pose met in the vestry of the new house and cordially voted to recognize the church as the "Second and Third Union Baptist Church of Groton, Conn." The council consisted of the following delegates: Rev. J. E. Wood and Sanford A. Morgan from Pequonnoc Church, Rev. William A. Smith and Deacon R. A. Avery from Groton Church, Rev. E.
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Denison from Third Stonington, Rev. E. A. Hewitt and Samuel S. Lamb from First Groton, Rev. C. S. Weaver from Noank, Rev. A. C. Bronson and Deacon Albert Edg- comb from the United churches and George S. Brewster from Stonington Borough. Rev. C. S. Weaver was chosen moderator and Sanford A. Morgan clerk. The proceedings of the two churches in forming their union were read by their clerk, William H. Potter, and the covenant, etc., was presented, after which the following preamble and resolu- tion were presented and unanimously adopted :
"Whereas *- The churches heretofore known as the 2nd and 3rd Baptist Churches of Groton have been led by the grace of God to unite themselves into one body and whereas the pastors and delegates from the several churches in Stonington and Groton are now convened in council for the purpose of recognizing the union thus formed,
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