USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The First Church of Fairfield : being a brief account of three hundred and twenty three years in the First Church, Congregational, of Fairfield, Connecticut > Part 3
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Dr. Child states that this rare collection of silver is one of the most interesting communion services in the nation, connected as it is with various families who were church members through many genera- tions.
In 1740 Anthony Nonguier gave to the church a sum of two hundred pounds for investment, the income of which was to be used for the support of the ministry. In 1755 Thaddeus Burr left a legacy of ten pounds for the support of the gospel ministry. In 1756 the church received a gift of twenty pounds from Miss Sarah Sloss, to be used for the purchase of books by the pastor of the church. The books
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were to be kept in a library and cared for by the minister and the deacons.
Captain John Silliman who gave a large silver cup to the church in 1752, also gave one hundred pounds to the church, the income to be used for church purposes. In 1771 a gift of twenty pounds came to the church from the estate of Col. James Smedley. There was also a gift of $500 by Ebenezer Burr, Second, the interest of which was to be used for a "settled pastor who subscribed to the articles of faith adopted by the church."
In 1796 Thaddeus and Eunice Burr made a gift to the church of six acres of land as a parsonage lot. This property was sold later for $3300 and the proceeds invested in bank stock. In 1799 the church received twenty-four acres of land containing buildings as a legacy from Miss Rebecca Downs. The property was sold and the money invested, the income to be used for the support of the gospel ministry. Some of these old funds are still functioning in the church.
The Sherman parsonage was erected by Roger M. Sherman in 1816. It was the beautiful colonial home of Judge and Mrs. Sherman during their life time. Upon their death it was deeded to the church, to be used as a parsonage. About nine acres of land were included in the gift. There were also several shares of bank stock, the income of which was to be used for the care of the property.
Judge Sherman presented his library to the church, including quite a few first editions. The portraits of Judge and Mrs. Sherman, painted by Nathaniel Jocelyn, were to hang in the parsonage, in accord with the terms of the will. In 1904 the women of the church raised a special fund of $7000, the money to be used for repairs, thus making the parsonage more useful and comfortable.
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Chapter Three CHURCH BUILDINGS, ETCETERA.
Dr. Child states that the first meeting-house to be built in Fairfield was a small building made of logs, probably built in 1640. It was used for town meetings as well as for church services. No doubt that explains the term "Meeting-house."
The second Meeting-House was built in 1665 and was around forty feet in length and the same in width. It was a frame building, built with clapboards, with a tower in the center of the roof.
The third Meeting-House was erected in 1745. Its measurements were sixty feet in length, forty feet in width, twenty-six feet in height, together with a spire of one hundred and twenty feet.
The fourth Meeting-House was modelled after the building de- stroyed by the fire in 1779. In other words it was largely a replica of the third Meeting-House. Although the congregation used it for wor- ship as early as March 26th, 1786, it was not finally and completely finished until forty-two years later.
That may seem strange to us in modern America but we must recall the tragic effects of the Revolutionary War. Economic condi- tions in Fairfield were most difficult. The people were slow to recover from the effects of the war. The new church building was paid for partly from the confiscated property of the Tories. Also there were some subscriptions given by church members.
As has been mentioned previously, the first church building to be financed by voluntary subscriptions entirely was erected in 1849. The building cost over $8000. It was a Romanesque edifice, with a length of ninety-five feet, a width of forty-seven feet, and a church spire reaching upward one hundred and thirty feet. The building could seat five hundred and fifty people. Later on, during the pas- torate of Dr. McLean, a chapel was added. The church parlors were built during the pastorate of Dr. Bushnell. This building burned down on May 30th, 1890.
Immediately following the fire, the leaders of the "Prime Ancient Society" set about the task of raising funds for a new church edifice. In response to their appeal many gifts were sent in, ranging from one dollar to ten thousand dollars. Around three hundred members and friends of the church sent their gifts toward the new building. Their names are inscribed in a book that now rests in the corner stone of
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the present church. Some of the donors offered to increase their gifts if such proved to be necessary.
In addition there were special gifts contributed toward the equip- ment for the new building. There was a brass lecturn, and a com- munion table given by the Young People's Society. The marble pillar in the choir was given by the family of Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Jennings. The bell and organ were given by Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, in memory of his deceased wife, Amelia Sturges.
Mr. Frederick Sturges was made chairman of the Building Com- mittee. The architectural firm of J. C. Cady and Co. drew up the plans, the contract being given to A. W. Burritt. The new edifice was dedicated on May 2nd, 1892. Three former pastors took part in the dedication, namely, Dr. McLean, Dr. Burroughs, and Dr. Bushnell.
In the years following the dedication, several legacies came into the possession of the church. In 1899 the church received $700 from the estate of Sereno Wilson. Burr Osborn left $500 to the Society in 1893, for the benefit of Hope Chapel. Miss Frances Burr gave a sum of money to the church in 1901 as a Maintenance Fund. A friend of the church gave a sum of money in 1908 as a memorial to Miss Ella Sturges, the interest of which was to be used on behalf of the Sunday School at Christmas time.
Mr. J. Sanford Saltus gave money to the church in 1904 as a memorial to his mother who was a great-granddaughter of a former minister, Rev. Andrew Eliot. Mr. Saltus also gave a gift of money in 1906 in memory of his wife.
The bronze tablet in the church vestibule, containing the names of the ministers who have served the parish, was the gift of Miss Annie Jennings and was unveiled on Oct. 21st, 1906.
The jewel glass windows at the rear of the pulpit were given in memory of Mr. Oliver B. and Mrs. Esther Jennings by their children: Mr. Walter Jennings, Miss Annie Jennings, Mrs. Walter B. James, Mrs. Hugh D. Auchincloss and Mr. Oliver G. Jennings.
The windows at the rear of the pulpit consist of three panels divided into a series of large and small medallions. There are 9 large medallions containing three series of scenes in the life of Christ. The three upper medallions refer to childhood and illustrate the "Blessing of Little Children," "The Nativity" and "The Child in the Kingdom."
The central medallions represent personal incidents in the life of
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Christ: "The Baptism of John," "The Discussion in the Temple" and "The Transfiguration."
The three lower medallions refer to the Lord's Ministry among men and women. The subjects are: "The Woman of Samaria," "The Sermon on the Mount," and "Healing the Blind."
The jewel glass window on the side of the church commemorates the services of Rev. Andrew Eliot, the 5th minister of the parish. It was given by Mr. Sanford Saltus. The color scheme of this win- dow, wrought out with rare delicacy, uses bright tints, contrasting with the rich effects of light sifting through the jewel glass.
In making his gift to the church, it was the thought of Mr. Saltus that the windows would be a fitting tribute to the first six ministers who served the parish with distinction. The windows were executed by the Tiffany studios of New York City. The first three windows were unveiled on Easter Sunday, April 16th, 1911.
The windows given by the Jennings family and by Mr. Saltus are works of art, representative of the medallioned windows of the 12th and 13th centuries. Some of the most notable works of this type can still be seen in the cathedrals of Britain and Continental Europe.
It was in 1909 that the ladies of the Gould Homestead gave a memorial gift to increase the Maintenance Fund of the church. This bequest commemorated distinguished services on the part of ances- tors, notably Major Nathan Gold, Col. Abraham Gold and John Gold. The chief benefaction presented by this family, however, was the gift of the Homestead for the purpose of establishing and main- taining the "Gould Vacation Home for Self-Supporting Women."
It was the opinion of Dr. Child that the Fairfield church has had an unusually able group of men for their pastors. For example, the first minister was a graduate of Jesus College, Cambridge, England, and a friend of Governor Winthrop in Boston.
Samuel Wakeman was a student at Harvard College but because of certain obstacles, he was prevented from graduating with his class.
Joseph Webb was a Harvard graduate. He must have been rather brilliant since he was only sixteen years of age in his sophomore year at Harvard. During his sophomore year he was under faculty discipline. But after an apology, he was able to continue his studies and graduate with his class.
Noah Hobart and Andrew Eliot were both Harvard graduates and stood well in their studies. Heman Humphrey, Nathaniel Hewit, Lyman Atwater, Edward Rankin and John Bushnell were educated
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at Yale College. John Hunter attended Union College whereas Willis Lord was a student at Williams College. Alexander McLean attended Hamilton College and George Burroughs was a Princeton graduate.
Not only did the pastors of this church stand for high intellectual standards but they also took great interest in the general field of public education, meaning primarily the local schools. Sometimes they served as the teachers of the children in the parish. Mr. Webb was a member of the group that founded Yale College. For quite a few years he was a member of the Yale Corporation. Before coming to Fairfield Andrew Eliot had been a teacher at Harvard. Heman Humphrey later became the president of Amherst College.
Dr. Hewit was one of the founders of Hartford Theological Semi- nary. Lyman Atwater became a philosophy teacher at Princeton after spending nineteen years as the minister in Fairfield. Willis Lord served as Professor of Biblical Literature at Lane Theological Semi- nary, then as a teacher of Biblical Literature at Chicago Theological Seminary and finally as President of Wooster University, Ohio. George Burroughs taught Biblical Literature at Amherst College, then became President of Wabash College in Indiana, and finally became Professor of Hebrew at Oberlin. This adds up to quite a scholarly record.
Furthermore the ministers of this church have engaged in various literary activities, starting out perhaps through the publication of sermons. For example, Mr. Wakeman preached a rather unusual sermon at election time. Noah Hobart published two small books relating to the controversy between the Congregational churches and the Episcopalians.
Andrew Eliot was a member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences. He possessed a rather large library for his time. This library was destroyed when the town was burned during the Revo- lution. Dr. Humphrey wrote frequently to the newspapers and several of his books received a wide circulation.
For several years Dr. Atwater was the editor of the Princeton Review. He wrote on religious and philosophical themes. Dr. Lord wrote a book entitled, "Christian Theology for the People." The history of Connecticut churches reveals the active part our ministers took in Connecticut affairs, through their writing and public speaking.
The three chief names in temperance reform in the early nine- teenth century were Beecher, Humphrey and Hewit. The report on
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intemperance presented to the Fairfield Association of Ministers in 1813 by Dr. Humphrey was the original temperance tract to be published in this country. After completing his pastorate in Fair- field, Dr. Hewit was called to become the secretary of the Tem- perance Society, with his headquarters in Boston.
Dr. McLean became secretary of the American Bible Society in 1878 and remained in that position for the last twenty-four years of his life. It is interesting to note that three former pastors of this church have attained the Presidency of a college or university.
In times of national crisis the pastors of this church have been noted for their high qualities of patriotism. Although a Church of England priest, the first minister, John Jones, felt the pressure of conscience disturbing his peace of mind and therefore came to New England where he might worship as his conscience dictated.
For two years Mr. Eliot surrendered his monthly salary, because of the difficult financial situation prevailing among his parishioners during the Revolution. In his own words: "I have been with you in prosperity and will stay with you in adversity." During the sacrificial days of the Civil War Dr. McLean gave strong and patriotic leader- ship to the members of the church.
An explanation of the shorter pastorates in recent years may be in order. It can be found in the fact that Fairfield had become a residential community in the latter part of the nineteenth century. It was not in active competition with some of the growing cities like Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Thus when some of the ministers received calls to responsible posts elsewhere, they felt free to leave, after serving this church for several years.
In his church history, entitled, "An Old New England Church," Dr. Child gives a series of pen pictures of the former ministers of this parish. For example the portrait of John Jones is that of a man in conventional garb, personifying the Puritan clergyman. He be- came a scholar in exile, an independent minister in a non-conforming church.
Rev. Samuel Wakeman was. a lover of books, a diligent student, a good preacher and a prosperous farmer. When he passed on, he left an estate valued at a thousand pounds.
Rev. Joseph Webb was a humorous son of Harvard who later was toned down to become a sympathetic pastor, hospitable in spirit, witty in conversation and quite free of affectation.
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Rev. Noah Hobart was a man of great physical vigor during his forty year pastorage. He was a born controversialist and a champion of New England orthodoxy. On the last Sunday of his life he preached two sermons with more than his usual vitality.
Rev. Andrew Eliot was a genial personality, affectionate by nature, and simple in his habits. He bound people to him by enduring ties.
Rev. Heman Humphrey had the heart of a reformer. He was imaginative, with an enquiring mind. His eager spirit led him into an eventful career.
Rev. Nathaniel Hewit was a great orator in the Daniel Webster tradition. His words flowed from him like the sweep of a majestic river. He was a defender of the faith as he knew it and a stern advocate for righteousness.
Rev. John Hunter was a close friend of Judge Sherman. He loved the out-door life. He was a devotee of both books and nature, a poet and a wit.
Rev. Lyman Atwater was a man of large physique, possessing a keen mind and a generous spirit, a cultivated teacher and Biblical preacher. It was said that he never made an enemy.
Rev. Willis Lord was a dedicated clergyman whose physical strength was unequal to the tasks he set for himself. He was eloquent in speech and sympathetic as a pastor.
Rev. Alexander McLean was a tireless worker, abounding in good cheer, orthodox in theology, a happy sportsman and a generous friend.
Rev. Edward Rankin was a gentleman of the old school, dignified, courteous, strong in scholarship and a wise leader, eager to be of service to his parishioners. .
Rev. George Burroughs was an all-round type of man, fond of children, a congenial friend and faithful pastor.
Rev. John Bushnell was an eloquent preacher and loyal pastor during his short ministry in this church. His spiritual influence stayed with the members long after he was gone to other fields of service.
It is unfortunate that the records of the first fifty years in the church were lost many years ago. Hence the list of deacons starts with the name of Goodman John Thompson, elected deacon in 16 -. It was John Thompson who was a delegate from Fairfield to the Stratfield Council which adopted the Saybrook Platform in 1709. The list of deacons with the dates of their appointment is as follows:
John Thompson 16-
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Lothrop Lewis 1729
Moses Dimon 1733
David Rowland 1747
Nathan Bulkley 1768
Gold Selleck Silliman exact date unrecorded
David Judson 1787
Daniel Osborn 1790
Moses Jennings 1804
Elijah Bibbins 1810
Roger M. Sherman 1810
William Morehouse 1823
Charles Bennett 1833
Samuel A. Nichols 1840
J. Madison Morehouse 1854
Henry S. Curtis 1864
Oliver B. Jennings 1871
Joseph Lockwood
1871
Samuel Morehouse
1880
John B. Morehouse 1885
Andrew P. Wakeman 1889
Edward Osborn 1891
Francis H. Brewer 1893
J. Eltinge Deyo
1903
Will O. Burr 1908
Like many other churches the Fairfield church members have been deeply concerned about the religious education of their children. Thus during the past century the Sunday School has become a very important part of the church program.
The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in the church in the spring of 1888. It proceeded to take charge of the Prayer meet- ings held each Sunday evening. It proved to be a highly useful agency in assisting various church programs.
It was in June 1815 that the women of the parish met at the home of Mrs. David Hull and organized the "Fairfield Charitable Society." As stated in the Book of Rules, "the purpose was to afford to the poor, relief in any way that their situation might require." If any of the members were absent from a meeting or over an hour late in arrival, they were to pay a fine of six cents. This society flourished
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for nearly a century, until their funds were turned over to the Standing Committee of the church.
Another organization was the "Female Prayer Meeting Society," organized in the home of Rev. Nathaniel Hewit in 1821. Their regu- lations set forth that each member should be willing to pray in public. They should also avoid gossip. Casual visitors to the meetings were not encouraged and the Bible only was to be read.
Another organization in the latter part of the nineteenth century was the "Ladies Home Missionary Society." This group helped to stimulate the missionary outreach of the church, especially concern- ing Christian projects in the United States. They sent missionary boxes to various parts of the country where our Home Mission Board was carrying on missionary activity.
The Fortnightly Club met periodically and did sewing on behalf of destitute people. The members took a lively interest in the friendly services of the church on behalf of the community.
A Young Ladies' Mission Circle met twice a month in the late nineteenth century and worked on behalf of projects that had a special appeal for young people. This group helped with the annual festivals that raised funds for missionary causes.
Dr. Child suggests that the original founders of the Fairfield parish left few written records. Those dating from 1639 to 1694 have dis- appeared. The signature of Roger Ludlow may be seen, appended to his last will and testament. Insofar as the early records are concerned, there remain a few legal papers on file in the town hall or preserved by the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford.
In the early days paper was a scarce article. The memorial sermon preached by Mr. Webb, following the death of Major Nathan Gold, was written on tiny sheets of paper that can only be read with the help of a magnifying glass. One wonders how such notes could be helpful to a preacher in the pulpit. This manuscript is now in the keeping of the Fairfield Historical Society.
A large portion of the First Volume of the Church Records was written by Mr. Webb. This record contains the names of those who "renewed the Covenant." This procedure had been recommended by the Reforming Synod of New England which met in 1679. There are twenty-three names recorded as renewing the Covenant.
The record of baptisms starts with August 19, 1694. During his pastorate Mr. Webb conducted fourteen hundred and ninety-two
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baptisms. Mr. Hobart had nine hundred and eight whereas Mr. Eliot had nine hundred and twenty-six.
The beginning of the Marriage registry also dates back to 1694. The record of those admitted to full communion in the church begins with Nov. 11th, 1694.
Dr. Child takes note of the rather strange circumstances concern- ing the married life of Rev. Noah Hobart. In his early years he fell in love with a young woman residing in Plymouth. For some reasons unknown the engagement was broken off and the lovers parted. Each of them was married twice, losing his partner by death. Late in life, Mr. Hobart again met his first love and they were finally united in marriage.
It was the custom in the early days for the church register to be kept by the pastor. It was only in more recent days that church clerks were appointed to keep the records of statistics.
For example, when the church members met for the first time in the unfinished Meeting-House on March 26th, 1786, Mr. Eliot re- corded in the Church Register, the text of his sermon, as follows: "This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven." Many years had to pass, however, before the building was plastered and painted.
Mr. Eliot also set down in the record book the following statement concerning the burning of Fairfield: "July 7th, 1779. A part of the British Army, consisting of Britons, Germans and American refugees, under command of Major-General Tryon and Brigadier-General Garth, landed in this town from a fleet commanded by Sir George Collier. In the evening and night of the same day a great part of the buildings in the town plot were consumed by said troops. In the morning the Meeting-House, together with the Church of Eng- land building, the Court House, prison and almost all the buildings of the Society were laid in ashes."
The musical ability of the Gold family received recognition in the record, by a vote taken May 29th, 1729: "At the church meeting in the old parish of Fairfield it was voted that the worshipful Mr. John Gold should set and read the Psalm. In case he was absent, that his brother Mr. Samuel Gold should do it." Four years later Andrew Burr was chosen for this task.
In the same year that the town's public buildings were burned, we find this statement recorded by Mr. Eliot in the church register: "At
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a church meeting, voted that Messers. Silliman, Peter Hendrick, Samuel Sturges, David Allen, Peter Jennings, James Penfield, Israel Bibbins, Jeremiah Jennings and others skilled in psalmody be desired to sit together in the gallery on the Lord's day and lead the congrega- tion in that part of divine worship, they to agree as to the person who is to pitch the tunc."
The pitch pipe, tuning fork, violin, bass viol, harmonicum or melodeon served their purpose in succession as aids to worship until a pipe organ was installed in the fifth Meeting-House. With the arrival of the organ, a mixed choir sang anthems. At first, Sunday was the rehearsal time. Later it was moved to Saturday evening, the choir members meeting in private homes and concluding the re- hearsal with a social hour.
The early records tell of church members who made the decision to leave the Fairfield church and support churches elsewhere. As for example: "William Squier of this Society lodged his certificate on the 26th day of March, 1801, that he attended the Baptist meeting and meant to support the gospel in that way."
The church records tell of numerous tax payers who were elected to membership in the Ecclesiastical Society under the heading, "An account of the Inrollment of Several Persons into the First Ecclesi- astical Society of Fairfield, Donc by me, Daniel Osborn, Clerk."
A good deal of the time in the Society's meetings was devoted to the work of the local schools. Many of the records are carefully written, some of the pages seeming almost like copper plate, the letters being bold and distinct. An item in 1800 records the tax for expenses of said Society as being two cents on the dollar.
The "letting of the pews" had come into vogue in the latter part of the eighteenth century. This brought into the church an annual sum to help defray church expenses. The money was added to the general receipts so that the tax on the "Polls and ratable Estates of the Inhabitants was reduced in 1804 to one cent and five mills on the dollar."
There is an item recorded in 1822 stating that "a funeral Pall be purchased out of the pew money and that a committee be directed to call on the Episcopal Society to join in the expense of one-third of the cost."
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