History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 65
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

the fall of 1824, when it was repaired and painted. The church hav- ing been greatly weakened by the withdrawal of so many members to form the church at Wallingford, May 15th, 1817, was probably now for the first time able to put its place of worship in an inviting condi- tion. In 1827 a sale was held for the purpose of renting the pews.

In the fall of 1829 the church was blessed by the most extensive revival in its history to that time, which was the means of adding many members. The place of worship became too small to accom- modate the hearers. In June, 1830, it was decided to move the meet- ing house to the west side of the street, add to its length, build a spire to the house, and to place a basement under it, for use as a vestry.

In this room secular meetings were also held, the town in 1846 holding its meetings there "at a rent of $40 and extra charge for damage that may be done."

Another season of revival interest caused the house to become too small, and as the Congregational meeting house was reported for sale the Baptist society made an unsuccessful attempt in 1846 to ·purchase it. But with a view of having a more central location, a lot adjoining the Congregational one was bought, on which to erect a new Baptist meeting house. Strange as it may seem the Congregationalists pro- tested against this purpose and secured an injunction to prevent the building, alleging "that they had no objection to the Baptists as a Christian people, as good neighbors and worthy citizens; but that their pastor (Harvey Miller) had a peculiarly sharp ringing voice, so that beyond a question he would disturb their society in worship." The injunction was dissolved because being against the society, when, if complaint were made, it should have been taken against Mr. Miller.

The meeting house on that lot was built in 1847 and occupied the following April. It was originally 53 by 70 feet and cost complete $9,500. The building committee were Joel Miller, Charles Blanchard, O. Crocker, N. F. Goodrich, L. Tuttle, S. I. Hart and Alanson Birdsey, who were empowered by the society " to use their own judgment in regard to the steeple and the singers' seats."* In 1869 an addition to the meeting house was made on its west end in order to accommodate an organ presented by Edward Miller, who has been much interested in the music of the church, following, as a leader of the singing, his father, Joel Miller, who had served many years in that capacity. The church building has been improved in more recent years and in 1889 was commodious, having 700 sittings and in every way inviting. It was valued at $15,000 and the parsonage at $5,000.

On the 7th of October, 1886, the first centennial of the church was properly observed, the attendant services being interesting, impres- sive and largely attended. Edward Miller served as chairman of the

*The old church was sold to several men in the village, who converted it to secular uses, private schools being also kept in it, and, after 1848, it was known as the " Academy on the Hill."

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executive committee, and an account of the proceedings was pub- lished under the direction of the pastor, Reverend J. V. Garton, Eli C. Birdsey and William A. Kelsey. At this meeting it was reported that the church had 468 members, which number has since been in- creased. This indicates the vigor of the church, from whose fold had gone many members to form the Main street and the German churches. Missionary efforts under the direction of the church have also been successfully carried on. In 1861 the "Olive Branch Mission" was established, at East Meriden, and placed in charge of Deacon R. B. Perkins. A new building for its use was completed, in 1886, and the Sunday school therein, conducted by him, has 76 members.

The first Sunday school in Meriden* was organized in the First Baptist church, about 1825, by Deacon Ambrose Hough, and has had a continuous existence. For more than fifty years Ezra Rutty was the treasurer of the school. In 1889, D. S. Root was the superintend- ent, and the school had 350 members.

It is a singular coincidence that two of the pastors of the church, whose labors were crowned with many conversions, should die in its service, even at the close of the precious harvests garnered through their instrumentality. The one was the first pastor, Samuel Miller; the other, Harvey Miller, also a native of the town, who was the pas- tor 18 years, and deceased August 27th, 1856, aged 42 years. His suc- cessor, D. Henry Miller, the minister from April, 1857, until Septem- ber, 1862, when he became chaplain of the 15th Connecticut Regiment, was also the instrument in adding many members.

Since the organization of the church its pastors, the years when they were settled and the length of their service, have been as fol- lows: Reverends Daniel Wildman, 1789, one year; Nathaniel Norton, 1791, one year; Samuel Miller, 1806, twenty-three years; Russell Jen- nings, 1830, two years; Nathaniel Hervey, 1833, one year; George B. Atwell, 1835, two years; Leland Howard, 1837, one year; Harvey Miller, 1838, eighteen years: D. Henry Miller, 1857, five years; A. Frank Mason, 1863, one year; Henry A. Cordo, 1864, two years; Almond Bar- relle, 1868, three years; Henry A. Cordo, 1871, one year: Benjamin O. True, 1873, six years; J. V. Garton, 1880, and continues.

In addition to the foregoing there have also been supplies, among the number being the Reverend S. Wheat, Elders Higby, Parsons, Graves, Beach, William Bentley, Otis Saxton and others.

The deacons of the church and the years they were chosen were the following: Ephraim Hough, 1788: Charles Ives, 1789; Jesse Dicker- man, 1789; Jeduthan Higby, 1792; John Hall, 1800; Ambrose Hough, 1802; Sedgwick Rice, 1814; Asa Butler, 1814; Othniel Ives, 1816; Ran- som Ives, 1816; John Hall, reëlected, 1830; Gershom Birdsey, 1830; Augustus Hall, 1830; Nathan F. Goodrich, 1830; Samuel I. Hart, 1851;

* This honor is also claimed by the First Congregational church.

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*Horace H. Pratt, 1851; Lyman Clark, 1853; * Russell B. Perkins, 1853; Alanson Birdsey, 1860; Orsamus Crocker, 1865; William D. Cutler, 1866: "George O. Downing, 1871; Daniel H. Hart, 1871; Waldo C. Twiss, 1883; * Seth J. Hall, 1883; * William H. Paine, 1886.

The Main Street Baptist Church was organized June 4th, 1861, and was first known as the West Meriden Baptist Church. The present name became fixed by act of incorporation, May 30th, 1886. Thirty- seven persons constituted the original membership, some of whom had been dismissed from the First Meriden church to form this body. Among those active in this movement were members of the Clark, Page, Breckenridge, Gay, Root and Watrous families. Lyman Clark was the first deacon, but a few weeks later Phineas A. Spencer (who had joined the new church after its organization) was also elected a deacon. Charles Page was the first clerk.

On the lot purchased for church purposes, on East Main street, near where is now the central part of the city, a brick chapel was erected at a cost of $1,700. This was used as a place of worship until the church edifice adjoining was dedicated, in 1868. The spire of this church was built a few years later. The structure is attractive and commodious, being in the Gothic style, 82 feet long, and with the transepts on each side, having an entire width of nearly 100 feet. The material is brick, trimmed with brownstone. In the latter part of 1883 it was thoroughly renovated and improved, at an outlay of $10,000, and was again opened January 4th, 1884. A parsonage, on the same lot, adds to the value of the property, which is worth $50,000.

The membership of the church numbers about 400, and various societies for the dissemination of the church work are well supported. Under the auspices of the Young Men's Home Mission Union, the West Chapel Mission was established in 1883, and is maintained chiefly by this church. Mission services are held, and a Sunday school, of which Deacon P. A. Spencer is the superintendent, has more than a hundred children in attendance. The Sunday school of the Main street church has about 260 members. A. H. Gardner is the superin- tendent.

The church has had many pastoral changes and numerous other officers, as are indicated in the appended lists. Pastors: E. M. Jerome, May 11, 1861-May 13, 1866; H. G. Mason, October 15, 1866-August 30, 1870; O. T. Walker, September 11, 1870-November 1, 1873: A. M. Worcester, June 13, 1875-June 17, 1877; C. E. Cordo, October 8, 1877 -January 20, 1881; J. G. Noble, supply, January 1, 1882-June 1, 1882; J. G. Noble, pastor, June 1, 1882-July 1, 1884: I. R. Wheelock, April 12, 1885-+. Deacons: Lyman Clark, June 4, 1861-August 30, 1877: P. A. Spencer, July 12, 1861-+; G. A. Gladwin, October 28, 1868-August 30, 1877; S. C. Paddock, October 28, 1868-September

* Present deacons. + Serving in 1889.

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12, 1877; R. M. Breckenridge, August 30, 1877-September 11, 1884; J. L. Richmond, August 30, 1877 -*: Horace Yale, September 12, 1877- September 12, 1878; G. A. Gladwin, September 12, 1878 -*; W. A. Breckenridge, September 11, 1884 -.* Clerks: Charles Page, June 4, 1861-April 7, 1863; George E. Baldwin, April 7, 1863-January 4, 1866; R. M. Breckenridge, January 4, 1866 -*.

The German Baptist Church of Meriden was formed June 19th, 1873, of 19 members. Many additional members were received, and three years later 68 members were reported. A separate meeting house, centrally located, had also been secured, in which the church has since worshipped. The pastors of this church have been: Rever- ends J. H. Moehlman, until 1885; J. A. Weimer, 1887-8; and, in 1889, Henry Bens was called to the pastorate. The church had 82 resident members in 1889. Charles Nold is clerk of the society.

A missionary effort of the Baptists among the Swedes of the city promises to yield permanent results, and a churc horganization of that nationality is contemplated. Since 1886 preaching in the Swedish language has been held in the Main street church and in a hall on Britannia street. But the members attending are now included among those of the Main street and First churches.

The following account of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Meriden was prepared by Reverend J. T. Pettee, A. M. About 1830 a very plain house of worship was built on what is now East Main street, on land of Captain Lyman Collins, just west of the entrance to the East Cemetery; here occasional meetings were held by the Metho- dists for several years, when the building was sold to Horace Redfield, moved down to Curtis street, converted into a carpenter's shop, and afterward burned. No record of the " class " of those early days has been preserved, but I learn from our older citizens that Darling Stewart, Noah Hall, Jesse G. Baldwin, Elias Baldwin, Seymour W. Baldwin and Charles Baldwin and their families were among the worshippers in this First Methodist meeting house, and that Charles Baldwin often occupied the pulpit, and was known as “ Priest Baldwin."

In 1839 there was Methodist preaching in a small hall at Hanover; the next year in a small hall at West Meriden. About the year 1842 the Primitive Methodists, as they were called, sent preachers to Meri- den, who, availing themselves of the general religious interest awak- ened throughout the country by the apprehension that the end of all things was at hand, were quite successful in their ministrations. The names of Collins, Raine, Miller and Somersides, in this connection, will be remembered with interest by all who worshipped in the " Tent," and the "Old Bethel." This last was the name given to a long shop and storehouse, on Mr. Charles Parker's premises, which stood just north of his old office, built in conformity with the ground

* Serving in 1889.

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which is there descending, so that the preacher, when officiating, stood, as in a pit, lower than his congregation. This answered very well for winter, but was rather warm for summer. To relieve this inconvenience a large tent was pitched during the summer months in what was then an open lot, between the present High and Broad streets. This was cool and commodious, and afforded for the summer a not uncomfortable place of worship.

In 1844, under the judicious management of Reverend John Parker, who had long exercised his ministry in the New England Conference, but had been constrained, a few years before this, by failing health to settle in Meriden, the first regular Methodist society was organized: and next year, as a branch of the Cheshire circuit, began to receive preachers from the New York Conference. In 1847 it was erected into an independent station, and to the present time has received its preachers regularly from the New York, and the New York East Con- ferences. The membership of the society when first organized was: Reverend John Parker and wife; Charles Parker and wife; Edmund Parker and wife; Hiram Bradley and wife; John Range and wife; William Curtis and wife; Mrs. Tryphena Parker, Miss Betsey Parker (now Mrs. Jerralds), Mr. and Mrs. Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Higby, Asaph Merriam, Mrs. Patrick Lewis, Mrs. Cook and Miss Mariette R. Clark, now Mrs. Reverend J. T. Pettee (Mr. Pettee himself being a member of the M. E. Church in Middletown).

The preachers appointed to the Meriden station from the New York and New York East Conferences have been: Reverends George A. Hubbell, John E. Searles, Albert Nash, Parmilee Chamberlain, Francis Bottome, Nathaniel Meade, George C. Creevy, John L. Peck, William McAllister, George A. Hubbell (for the second time), Charles Kelsey, Charles Fletcher, Frederick Brown, Freeman P. Tower, John Pegg, Daniel A. Goodsell (now Bishop), William H. Boole, I. J. Lan- sing, B. M. Adams, J. S. Breckenridge, G. H. McGrew, M. W. Prince, and the present incumbent (1891), Doctor John R. Thompson, with Reverend George C. Boswell as assistant.

In 1847 the church and parsonage on Broad street were built, at an expense of about $10,000. This church was occupied by the society till they left it for their present house of worship on the corner of East Main and Pleasant streets, which, under the judicious manage- ment of Reverend F. P. Tower, through the mnnificence of Honorable Charles Parker, supported by the generons contributions of other brethren, was built in 1867, at a cost inclusive of land and organ, of $85,000, and presented as a centenary offering to the Methodist Epis- copal church, to mark for Meriden the grand centennial of American Methodism. A debt of some $27,000 rested upon it, which was raised in 1874 under the administration of Reverend D. A. Goodsell, so that when the New York East Conference sat here in the spring of 1875, not an unpaid for brick or slate looked down to reprove them. In 1888

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the church was rejuvenated at an expense of $4,000, the accessories now considered essential to a church being added, so that now, in such conveniences, it is second to no church in the city. The present mem- bership of this church is 750; its Sunday school 504.

In 1885. 60 members received letters from this church and organ- ized the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, and the next year erected the chapel on West Main street. While the chapel was building the society was accommodated in the large hall of the Y. M. C. A. building. Its first pastor was Reverend W. F. Markwick. It is now flourishing under the pastorate of Reverend D. N. Griffin. Its membership is 233; its Sunday school 262.

The Universalist Church was organized in 1854. Among the first adherents of this faith in this town were Noah Pomeroy and members of his family; and at his house in the eastern part of the town, a Mr. Brooks, of Massachusetts, preached the first Universalist sermon in Meriden some time in 1821. Several dozen persons were in attend- ance, but it does not appear that enough interest was created to con- tinue the meetings. Three years later another sermon was preached in Mr. Pomeroy's house, this time by Reverend Nehemiah Dodge, a former Baptist minister of some celebrity, but who had become a Universalist. It aroused more interest in the doctrine, and also some opposition from Baptists who had attended.

Six more years elapsed until another meeting was held, Reverend John Boyden coming from Berlin, April 4th, 1830, and preaching in the North Center school house. He also preached three times in 1833, his meetings being attended by about twenty persons. At this time the avowed Universalists of Meriden were: Noah Pomeroy, Calvin Coe, Daniel Yale, Darling Dayton and a few others later, among them being Hezekiah Rice.

Occasional meetings were now held, in 1834, by Reverends Horace Smith, Stephen R. Smith, Thomas Miller and W. A. Stickney, the latter also preaching in 1835. In the latter year a fruitless attempt was made to secure a separate house of worship, the meetings there- tofore having been held in private houses, school houses, or in the pub- lic hall connected with the tavern at the Center.

Occasional meetings were held in the next 18 years by various clergymen, and in 1853 the matter of building a church was again taken up and monies raised to secure a permanent minister. In April, 1854, Reverend James Gallager, of Easton, Pa., commenced preach- ing as a candidate, and was so acceptable that he was settled as the first Universalist pastor in Meriden, his pastorate commencing the second Sabbath in June, 1854. He was a man of great force of char- acter, and was much beloved by all who knew him. He preached his farewell sermon here January 25th, 1857, and removing to Hamilton, Ohio, died at that place on the 16th of July the same year.

The society at Meriden which he had served completed its organi-

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zation June 6th, 1854, when the following officers were chosen: J. S. Blake, B. R. Stevens, J. L. Ives, E. Dayton and M. Barnes, executive committee; Charles Pomeroy, clerk; I. C. Lewis, treasurer; and P. S. Pelton, collector. Other members of the society were: Noah Pomeroy, Calvin Coe, E. E. Smiley, William H. Golden, Moses Waterman, J. V. . Thayer, B. F. Stevens, H. E. Welton, James T. Pomeroy, E. R. Aspin- wall, John C. Marvin, J. N. Foster, N. W. Pomeroy, P. S. Bliss, Silas Gladwin, G. E. Leonard, Aaron Gardner and I. P. Lewis-26 in all. The following year 13 new names were added to the society's list, and much interest in its affairs was manifested. Both the business and religious meetings were held in Odd Fellows' Hall until the church was completed.

The society being left without a pastor did not allow its meetings to be intermitted, but voted, August 11th, 1858, that "we continue meetings regularly every Sunday, with or without a preacher." Ser- mons were read by laymen, and those attending were profited there- by. Various visiting ministers also preached for the society.

In July, 1859, Reverend Henry Eaton became the pastor, but at the end of six months was compelled by failing health to resign. In this period, however, the society began the work of building a church. On the 5th of October, 1859, a building committee was appointed, consisting of Doctor T. F. Davis, I. C. Lewis, Silas Gladwin, Robert Hoadley and Moses Waterman, who, in the same month, adopted a plan for a build- ing prepared by T. W. Silloway, of Boston. A central location for the church was secured east of the new town hall, upon which an attractive and substantial edifice was erected and furnished at a cost of nearly $10,000. It was dedicated December 5th, 1860, in the pres- ence of a large assemblage of persons, the attending services being very impressive, as conducted by a number of visiting clergymen. In the fall of 1891 the old church building was removed, and on its site a new edifice was begun, which will cost about $50,000. The ma- terial is Connecticut brown stone.

After the society had the services of several clergymen as sup- plies following the short pastorate of the Reverend Frederick Foster (the first minister in the new church), which ended March 3d, 1861, another pastor was secured in the person of Reverend J. H. Farns- worth, who was installed November 1st, 1862. He remained seven years, and his services placed the society upon a permanent basis. Soon after his removal to Springfield, Vt., Reverend Martin J. Steere was settled over the church, in the latter part of 1869. He remained several years. Since 1872 the church has had a number of ministers, one of the chief ones being Reverend J. H. Chapin, Ph. D., who preached for the society several years, and has given to it some of his best energies. The pastor in 1890 was Reverend W. S. Perkins: the deacons were D. C. Easton and William B. Barnes; the parish committee

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were Charles H. Fales, D. C. Pease and William H. Miller, the latter also being the clerk and treasurer of the parish. .

Of the large and flourishing Sabbath school Isaac C. Lewis was for many years the superintendent. It has been continued with much interest.

St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized December 3d, 1865, among the constituent members being Anton Reuss, George Nagle, William Nagle and Moritz Kraemer. Decem- ber 25th, 1865, Reverend G. Guerick was installed the first pastor, and in October, 1866, he was succeeded by Reverend H. A. Schmidt, who remained until June, 1869. The following August, Reverend Charles A. Graeber became the pastor, and continued until April 1st, 1886. Since the latter date the pastor of the church has been Reverend Adelbert Krofft.

The church soon took steps to secure its own house of worship, of which the corner stone was laid October 19th, 1866. A frame house, 38 by 90 feet, was erected, on · Liberty street, which was enlarged in 1879. In 1891 a fine new brick edifice was built on the site of the old one, at a cost of $25,000. A parochial school has been maintained since 1886. Of this, C. A. Burgdorf was the principal in 1889, and the pupils in attendance numbered 110. In 1886 the church became a corporate body.

The membership of the church has been twice diminished by the withdrawal of so many persons that the influence of the church work has been much affected; first in 1876, when many connected them- selves with other organizations; and in January, 1889, when a number withdrew to form a new organization.

The New Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized out of the latter secession on the 28th of January, 1889, 51 persons pledging themselves as members, and worship was established in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, Reverend Charles A. Graeber and others acting as pastoral supplies. In the movement to erect a church an eligible lot on Hanover street was secured, upon which a frame building was erected, whose corner stone was laid November 17th, 1889. The mem- bership of the parent church is about 100, and that of the New Eman- uel is about one-fourth less.

St. Rose of Lima Church (Roman Catholic) is the oldest church of that denomination in Meriden. Catholicism was introduced into Meriden soon after the completion of the Hartford railroad, which was the means of bringing a number of Irish families into the town. These were gathered together by missionary priests, who said mass to them in a private house, in the northeastern part of the city. Later, services of this nature were held by Father Philip O'Reilley and Father Teevens, the latter taking charge of the newly organized parish in 1849. Soon after this was formed, the old Episcopal church, which stood on the corner of Broad and Olive streets, was bought and used

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by the Catholics. It was a frame house, 36 by 45 feet, and had been used by the Episcopalians until they occupied their Gothic church, in 1850. In this mass was celebrated about nine years, by Father Hugh O'Reilley, who took charge of the parish work in 1851, and by Father Thomas Quinn, who became the first settled pastor of the parish in 1854. Under his direction the handsome St. Rose church was begun in 1858, its completion involving an outlay of $25,000. This was a heavy burden, but the parish was relieved of it by Father Thomas Walsh, who became the pastor in the spring of 1859, succeeding Father Quinn. Although regarded so costly and commodious, the growth of the parish was so rapid that it was found necessary to fur- ther enlarge and improve the church. This was done in 1868, at an outlay of $30,000. Another improvement was made more recently, the church being re-opened May 21st, 1882, when Bishop McMahon officiated.

Until his death, July 2d, 1883, at the age of 53 years, the services of Father Walsh were untiring in the interest of the parish, of which he remained the priest, and of the diocese, of which he was vicar-general. At his decease, St. Rose-ranked as the fourth Catholic church in the state, the parish having 4,000 members. The parochial school, kept in a fine and commodious building, erected in 1874 at a cost of $20,000, had an attendance of 700 children daily. Father Walsh was a devout, learned man, highly respected by the entire community. When he was laid to his rest, in St. Patrick's Cemetery, July 5th, 1883, the cere- monies were attended by a larger concourse of people than had before here gathered on a similar occasion.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 966

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966