USA > Connecticut > Some old time meeting houses of the Connecticut Valley > Part 8
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The first religious meetings were held in private houses, or the school house, and three quarters of a century elapsed after the Chapin brothers built their homes in the region before a meeting house was erected, the people during all this time belonging to "the old Parish in Springfield."
The first parish meeting was held July 30, 1751. Deacon Chapin, in his diary, describing the building of the first meeting house, states that on the evening of January 2, 1751, "all with united voices declared for cutting timber for a Meeting House." The record for June 5th is, "This day thro ye Indulgence of Heaven, we have our Meeting House raised with great joy and satisfaction." The building was not finished until 1765. It was without a steeple or bell and stood in the middle of the street. The following description of the edifice is taken from an article printed some years ago in the Springfield Union: "This meeting house, which stood until 1826, was a square building, with two entrances, one for men and the other for women. The outer siding was of riven oak or chest- nut, beaded on the lower edge, each piece about four feet long and three inches wide and fastened with hand made wrought iron nails. The windows were of seven by nine inches glass, in heavy sash and capped with ornamented boxes, which made nice domiciles for martins and bats. The pews were square, with high backs, with small rounds and railings at top, seats on their sides, fronting the center and door on side of the aisle. There were galleries on three sides, with singers fronting the pulpit. Over the pulpit was a sounding board of graceful conical form, and the pulpit, being reached by a flight of perhaps a dozen steps, was so high that the elastic sounding board was essential to keep the theological arguments from fail- ing of their mission by being dissolved in air over the
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heads of the audience. The people came from miles around to attend the services."
The corner stone of the second meeting house, the fine Colonial structure now standing on Chicopee Street, was laid May 12, 1825, and the building was dedicated January 4, 1826. The house when finished "cost four thousand, four hundred dollars, some odd cents." The beautiful mahogany pulpit was a gift from friends of the pastor and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Phoenix, and cost $500.
The writer of this sketch confesses that his admiration for the Chicopee Street house of worship, all things being taken into consideration, is very great. Flat meadow land, farm houses, and distant mountain ranges constitute the natural environment. A short distance to the west of the edifice the
"Winding and willow-fringed Connecticut"
flows quietly on its course southward. A glance at the church and its surroundings shows how refined was the taste of the builders of this meeting house, how keen their perception, and how excellent their judgment. Mrs. Clara Skeele Palmer, in a conversa- tion with the writer, expressed the opinion that Mr. Phoenix, minister of the church at the time the present house was erected, a man of wide information and much knowledge of the world, must have had an important influence in the making of the plans of the church. The building is neither too large nor too small for its environment. The extreme plainness of the main portion is in perfect harmony with the flat meadow country close at hand, while the massive columns of the portico, with their elaborately carved capitals, are suggestive of the ruggedness and grandeur of the mountain ranges to the north and west. All of the parts of the structure are relatively
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well proportioned. The quaint green blinds with their fan shaped tops, the well proportioned tower of two stories with its simple classic adornments, and the four large Ionic columns of the portico, excite the admiration of all who are capable of appreciating a fine example of Colonial architecture. Just within the entrance to the auditorium are two splendid Ionic columns, rising from the floor to the ceiling and crowned with beautiful capitals. The mahogany pul- pit at the opposite end of the room was originally much higher than at present and a stairway ascended to it on either side. Four mahogany columns, sur- mounted by Ionic capitals, harmonious with the great columns at the opposite end of the room, once sup- ported the pulpit, but were removed and allowed to go to decay when the attempt was made in 1860 to modernize the interior of the house. It was at this time that the pulpit was lowered ; the backs of the pews were also lowered and the doors at the ends of the pews taken off. The pulpit was lowered again in 1885.
The fish which serves as a weathervane is inter- esting. It is left to the reader to decide whether it represents a Connecticut river shad or the symbol of faith employed by the early Christians.
CHICOPEE FALLS
The members of the Methodist society in Chicopee Falls may well take pride in their house of worship. They have shown good taste in retaining the pure white color of the exterior. The frieze of the cornice is ornamented by a delicate line of dental work ex- tending around the two sides and front of the building. In front are ten pilasters, which give the house a stately appearance. The spire, consisting of an octag- onal base and a slender tapering roof rising above nar-
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHICOPEE FALLS
GEORGE S. TAYLOR. Typical New England Deacon
row windows set in pilastered casings, is most graceful. The church is one of the best examples of the old order of houses of worship in the region. A large gilded comet serves as a weather vane. One of the leading members of the church is of the opinion that the comet was chosen for this purpose because it is symbolical of the demonstrative nature of genuine Methodism. Perhaps it was intended to remind the people of the destruction of the world in the fiery catastrophe foretold in 2 Peter 3: 10-12, and call them to repentance.
In the days when Methodism was not so popular as it is now and the adherents of that denomination in Chicopee Falls could not easily find a convenient place in which to hold their services, prayer meetings were held under an old buttonball tree near where the Griggs' lumber yard is now established. The first building erected by the Methodists in Chicopee Falls was built in 1826 on the east side of Broadway, where their present house of worship stands. This house was sold in 1841, and in the following year the edifice now standing at the junction of Broadway and East street was erected at a cost of $4,500.
CONGREGATIONALISM in Chicopee Falls had its beginning in 1822, when the Rev. Samuel Osgood held occasional preaching services in Mr. Benjamin Belcher's house. A little later the place of meeting was changed to the Ames paper mill on the north side of the Chicopee river. In 1828 arrangements were made by General A. Nettleton and others by which a school house was occupied by the Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists and Universalists-each denom- ination having control of the house one Sunday of each month in the year.
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July 1, 1830, a Congregational church of thirty three members was formed under the name of the Fifth Congregational Church in Springfield. April 17, 1831, the name of the church was changed to the First Congregational Church in Chicopee Factory Village, Springfield ; and finally, May 10, 1848, when the town of Chicopee was incorporated, the title Second Con- gregational Church of Chicopee was adopted by the society.
The first house of worship used by the Congrega- tional society was erected in 1833. The building was one story in height, seventy two feet long, forty six feet wide, and had a tower sixty feet high. The wa- ter-color sketch of this house made by Margaret Bel- cher in 1837 gives a good idea of the building and its surroundings. Miss Belcher, now in her ninety third year, says that she painted the picture from a chamber window in her father's house. She was at the time a student in Wilbraham Academy and was detained at home for a few weeks, caring for her invalid mother.
Extensive improvements were made upon the church in 1859, amounting to more than $4,000, includ- ing the cost of an organ. From this time the double bass viol and flute were heard no more in the services of praise. Accompanying this sketch is a most inter- esting account of the dedication of the improved house of worship, in the hand writing of the late Timothy W. Carter, transcribed by him from the Chicopee. Journal of October 22, 1859.
Mr. Timothy W. Carter came to Chicopee Falls when sixteen years of age, and from that time until his death in 1890, at the age of eighty years, he occu- pied a leading place in the business, religious, and political life of the place. The letter from John Brown reproduced here, was written to Mr. Carter, who was at the time agent of the Massachusetts Arms Com-
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From Chicoque Journal Oct. 22, 1859 .
Dedication .- The Congregational church at Chicofu Fal, was dedicated Wednesday afternoon 19 tinut. She exercises were very interesting and the house was crowded worth people to listen to and take part in them . The order of exercises was as follows . - Voluntary on the organ . Singing - Anthim by the chair. (Let us go into the house of the Lord.) Invocation and reading of the Senfutures by the pastor of the church Res F. F Alvord, Singing Afga- Anthemi. (Old Denmark"). Prayer by Rev. mr. Thurston of Walthamo . ( formerly Jeaster of this church } . Singing. Hymn. Sermon by Res. E.P. Rogers 2.2. of Allany n.y. - Dedicatory prayer by Reo. D. Clarke of Waltham, Singing -(Dismission Author) Benediction by the pastor, Voluntary - Full Organ.
The serman was a treat and was listened to with profound attention. The singing under the direction of W. V.W. Taylor was worthy the occasion and as a matter of course one of the most attractive exercises connected with the dedication services. Mr Taylor has the happy faculty of pleasing all who listen to him on such occasions .
Great Grasse is due him and also to the excellent and thoughley trained choir under his direction for their skillful rendering of Their part of the Services.
The organ just completed for the church by Johnson of Westfield gave perfect satisfaction, The singing of "Old Denmark" by the chair on Wednesday was worthy of particular notice . The Juice was introduced to give the old Folk" an opportunity of joining with the choin . It was sung with fine . efect .
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Osanatomie, Kansas Territory, 20th Hebs 1856
) ir Carter Engh agt Chicopee Falls Majs
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Your kind favour of the 5th Lang was received a few days' since; mentioning receipt of Draft. + offering a further Supply of arms. I would again immediately take the responsibility of ordering another lot: but I am not of this moment prepared to say how I would done to have them directed. The other lott I came on with myself; bringing with them other arms contributed by the friends of Freedom in linas tomer parts.
I can not just now name and one who is coming on; suitable to take charge of them. Sen Pomeroy went East lately ; but I do not now know where a letter" would find him. I now think I shall immediately make a further ; I move connect appeal to the lovers of Freedom in New England for the means of pro -curing arms;+ amunition for the maintainance of that cause in Kansas; as I think the Crisis has not yet come. I firmly believe that the adminis
tration intends to drive the people here to an object submission; on to fight the Government troops (now in the Invitons! ostensibly to remove intruders from certain Indian Lands. Bow in submission to the vilest tys : any on be guilty of what will be called crearon; will I believe be the meDEA, + only alternative for the three Trate men of Kansas. O god must this thing be? Must the people have that down the hoor Soldier with whom they have no quannel ? Can you not through your extensive acquaintance aid me in This work. if you can be satisfied that I am trust worthy. I am well. known by many at Ining field. I very much want a lot of the Cantines as soon as I can see any way clean to pay for them it then to get him through Safe. Please write me the lowest tern of wholesale for just such Combines as you furnish the govern -menh. I may white you further within few days
Very Respectfully Jour Hund John Brown
pany and who was deeply interested in the cause of human freedom. A perusal of the letter enables one to form an impression of the character of the man who called on Mr. Timothy W. Carter in Chicopee Falls one day and invoked assistance in his efforts to save Kansas to the cause of Freedom. Miss Mary H. Carter well remembers John Brown's call at her fa- ther's house and describes him as a tall serious look- ing man with a gray beard. What an impassioned cry to God for Freedom is the letter written from Os- sawatomie in 1856! In his invasion of Virginia and the Harper's Ferry affair Brown was mistaken in judgment, but his heart was undoubtedly right and his motive commendable. The God of nations over- ruled for good the rashness of the man, and the cause for which John Brown gave his life triumphed glori- ously in the conflict of arms which speedily followed the martyrdom of this zealous and resolute opponent of slavery.
Mr. Charles A. Stein, advertising agent of the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company of Chicopee Falls, Mass., states in a pamphlet written sometime ago that a close friendship existed between Mr. J. Stevens and John Brown. Mr. Stevens was a pronounced abolitionist and, according to Mr. Stein, the pistols used by Brown in his raid at Harper's Ferry were made by Stevens and sold by him personally to Brown at Chicopee Falls only a short time before the historic raid. Mr. I. H. Page, president of the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company, confirms Mr. Stein's state- ment. The cut of the John Brown letter accompany- ing this sketch was made from the original letter, now in the possession of Mr. N. P. Ames Carter, of Chicopee Falls, having been handed down to him from his father, Timothy W. Carter.
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The late George S. Taylor, who was for more than three score years a member of the Second Con- gregational church and a deacon of the church for over half a century, kept a diary from his twenty first birthday, March 2, 1843, until his death, January 3, 1910.
Deacon Taylor wrote in his diary June 12, 1859,
"Services were held in the church for the last time, Rev. Mr. Alvord delivering a sermon appropriate to the occasion. All prepa -. rations are completed and the church ready to be removed."
The entry for June 14 of the same year reads :
"The church was moved today and looks much better." June 26, he wrote, "The church looks as if it was on stilts."
The entry for June 28 is as follows :
"The corner stone of the church was relaid this morning at 7.30 o'clock by Rev. Mr. Alvord. Mr. Alvord made some remarks. Also Rev. Mr. Clark, pastor of the First Church, and Mr. T. W. Carter. Mr. E. P. Nettleton deposited the box. The choir were present and sang and we had quite a little gathering."
According to Deacon Taylor's diary, work on the spire of the church was begun July 26, 1859. Septem- ber 15, he wrote :
"The staging around the spire was taken down as far as the old tower and the spire presents a fine appearance."
Deacon Taylor's records of improvements in the church refer to the changes made upon the building in 1859, when it was moved back from the street ten feet, raised up one story, and a spire built. His records show that in 1872 extensive alterations of the interior of the church were made, by which the organ and choir were removed to the east end of the audience room, the pews and pulpit renewed, and the vestry remodeled and refurnished. October 11, 1872, re- dedicatory services were held, the pastor Rev. Dr. Tucker preaching the sermon.
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In 1875 extensive improvements were made in the vestry of the church, the expense of which was generously borne by Mr. T. W. Carter.
The beautiful spire of the church, having been damaged by lightning in a terrific thunder storm, July 22, 1903, was taken down and the present tower with its classic adornments constructed in its place. The church standing as it does on the brow of the hill, a short distance from Main street, is a reminder of for- mer days, when most of the substantial citizens of Chicopee Falls had their homes in the neighborhood and no additions to the population had been made by immigrants from Ireland and Canada and Poland. The accompanying map of Chicopee Falls, made by Mr. T. W. Carter, bears no date, but was evidently made about 1839. The Congregational church, which is sketched in the upper right hand corner of the map, was built in 1833, whereas the cottage located on the south east end of the Carter homestead, which was built as early as 1843, does not appear in the map. Miss Mary H. Carter, daughter of Mrs. T. W. Carter, and Mr. E. Dwight King, a life long resident of Chicopee Falls, are both of the opinion that the map was made about 1839.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, EASTHAMPTON
First Congregational Church Easthampton, Massachusetts
T HE members of the First Congregational Church in Easthampton recently celebrated the one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of the organization of their church. The Springfield Republican, the day following the celebration, con- tained the following brief outline of the church's history :
"The church was organized November 17, 1785, at the house of Captain Joseph Clapp. There were seventy two original members, forty six dismissed from the Northampton church and twenty six from the Southampton church. Rev. Payson Williston was called April 6, 1789. Previous to that Rev. Aaron Walworth preached. Rev. Mr. Williston was ordained August 13, 1789, age twenty six. Stephen Wright and Benjamin Lyman were the first deacons. Rev. Mr. Williston served until March 11, 1833. He died in 1856. Rev. William Bement was the next pastor, serving from 1833 to 1850, when Rev. Rollins S. Stone was installed. Rev. Mr. Stone served until 1852, when he became pastor of Payson church. He was succeeded by Rev. A. M. Colton, who remained 27 years.
Then came Rev. S. G. Wood, now of Blandford, who served thirteen years. He was followed by Rev. J. D. Stoops. The present pastor, Rev. G. H. Burrill, has been in charge about five years. The first building stood on the present site of Main street park, and the present church was first located on Main street where North hall of the Seminary now stands. The building was erected in 1836 and 1837. It was enlarged in 1844 and more spacious galleries built, owing to increase in members, some of it due to the establishment of the Seminary. It was removed in 1865 from the original site to its present site. The Payson and Methodist churches are offsprings of the old First Church.
Rev. Payson Williston, the first pastor, was the father of Samuel Williston, who founded the Seminary, started Easthampton's indus- tries, etc. Samuel Williston and Rev. Solomon Lyman were largely instrumental in the establishment of the first Sunday school in 1818.
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THE OLD CHURCH, ASHFIELD
THE BEAUTIFUL SPIRE, ASHFIELD
The Old Church in Ashfield, Massachusetts
T HE first meeting house built in Ashfield stood near where the village cemetery now is. About 1800 this structure had become unfit for a place of worship and the question of building a new meeting house was discussed in town meeting. The people being unable to decide upon a location for the new house, it was finally agreed that a committee of three disinterested persons, one each from Conway, Plainfield and Hawley, should be called in to place the stake for the meeting house. Such a committee was chosen and promptly performed their duty, setting the stake "on the hill near Reverend Mr. Porter's house," and admonishing the people that party feeling should be allowed to subside and the Christian society be united in the bonds of friendship and live in peace. The person chosen to build the new house of worship was Colonel John Ames of Buckland, Mass. He did not live to finish the structure. But other hands completed the work which he had begun and the new meeting house was ready for occupancy in 1814. It was regarded as one of the handsomest churches in the state, the tower being especially admired. Mrs. Charles Eliot Norton is said to have remarked that she was influenced to make her home in Ashfield by reason of the beautiful spire of the old meeting house. In recent years several well known architects have visited Ash- field and obtained pictures and plans of the church.
In 1820 the town conveyed the church to the Congregational parish, and in the same year stoves were first used in the building. In 1857 the edifice was moved to its present location in the village. Ten
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years later, a union of the two churches in the village being effected, after having been used as a house of worship for fifty three years, the edifice was conveyed to the town of Ashfield and converted into a town hall. In this building the well known Sanderson Academy dinners have been held for many years and on these occasions some of the most noted speakers in the country have been present. Not far from the site of the old church are the summer homes of the late George William Curtis and Professor Charles Eliot Norton. Mr. Curtis presented the fine vane on the steeple.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ENFIELD, CONN.
INTERIOR OF THE ENFIELD CHURCH
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Congregational Church Enfield, Connecticut
T HE first meeting house in Enfield, a small temporary structure, was built in 1684, and was probably located on the site of the old cemetery. The second house was erected in 1706 and stood in the highway west of the present post office. In 1775 a third meeting house, the building now used as a town hall, was erected on ground a little west and south of the present house of worship.
In a sermon preached on "Old Home Sunday," July 17, 1910, Rev. David L. Yale, pastor of the Enfield church, said of the third meeting house and the action taken towards erecting a new edifice: "The meeting house was in need of repairs. For nearly seventy years it had grown old in service for the community. It was the pride of Enfield in Revolutionary days ; but, as age had increased, pride had decreased, until, in 1871, there were evident signs of discontent."
December 25, 1877, Henry A. Abbe was author- ized to secure subscriptions for a new meeting house. But it was not until Colonel Augustus G. Hazzard interested himself in the matter that the many ob- stacles in the way of the movement for a new house were removed and a building committee, of which Mr. Hazzard was the leading member, actually appointed. The date of this action was January 29, 1848. The plans for the new edifice were drawn by F. M. Stone, a New Haven architect. The building was com- pleted early in 1849 and dedicated February 4th. In the Connecticut Courant for February 24, 1849, we read : "The church reflects great credit upon the arch-
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itect and the builder. The plan was drawn by F. M. Stone, Esq., of New Haven. The edifice was built by Mr. Newton Moses, of the same place, and painted in fresco in the inside by those distinguished artists, Molini and Allegri, of the city of New York."
The Church is regarded by many as one of the best examples of Colonial architecture in New Eng- land.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, EAST HADDAM, CONN.1794
INTERIOR OF THE EAST HADDAM CHURCH
Congregational Church East Haddam, Connecticut
T HE Congregational church in East Haddam, Connecticut, is one of the best examples of early Colonial architecture. The interior is said to have been patterned after King's Chapel in Boston. The edifice was built in 1794 and has been preserved in all of its essential characteristics. It had originally the "sheep-pen" pews and high pulpit with sounding board. A noon-mark is cut on one of the front door steps. The building is sixty four feet long, forty four feet wide and has an extension in front four feet in depth and eighteen feet long. On the outside doors of the church are large hand forged latches.
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