USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > The Methodist Episcopal churches of Norwich, Conn. > Part 4
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In character, he was conscientious, zealous, un- pretending, judicious, and patient. Rev. Mr. Carroll, quoted above, said he had " no higher wish than to
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HISTORY OF NORWICH NORTH CHURCH.
live as blamelessly, to die as safely, and to reign as gloriously as Simon Huntington." The faithful ashes sleep in the Wesleyan grave-yard of Wood- house, whose beauty elicited his admiration on the way to his last field of labor, but the soul, sur- mounting the death-dew and tomb-corruption, rests in the starlit home of angels, where the redeemed find
" Their toils are past, their work is done, And they are fully blest."
Rev. Comfort D. Fillmore was born in Frank- lin, Ct., July 8, 1792. He was the youngest of a family of fourteen, composed of seven sons and seven daughters. His mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in early life he was a subject of serious impressions. He was converted, Sept. 12, 1808; married Miss Annice Bailey, March 16, 1813; took ministerial license near 1828, and Deacon's Orders in 1834, from Bishop Hedding, from whom he received Elder's Orders in 1845. Until within a few years he has preached nearly every Sabbath, riding, much of the time, thirteen miles and upward, for a large por- tion of which he received no pecuniary compensa- tion. He left Franklin for Lisbon in 1848, and removed to Norwich in 1859. He was instrumental in the purchase of a parsonage for Norwich Circuit, which at that time included Norwich, Franklin, Salem, Colchester, Montville, Ledyard, Preston, 3
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HISTORY OF NORWICH NORTH CHURCH.
Griswold, Lisbon, and Canterbury. It was situated at Franklin, and was held for about five years, when it was sold, and the avails divided among the respective societies. He has preached nearly seven hundred funeral sermons, and has seen his ministry blessed in the conversion of scores of the unregene- rate. Sharing the more early toils of the itinerants, though he has ceased from the active duties of the ministry, the memory of the past, its changes, mor- tality, and successes, is like " the music of Carryl, pleasant and mournful to the soul."
The labors of Rev. Amaziah Fillmore, of early date, and Rev. Jehiel Fillmore, of a later period, as local preachers in Norwich and the surrounding towns, merit the gratitude of the Methodist Epis- copal churches of to-day, and add to the signal honors already bestowed upon the parent society.
Although the ministerial career of Rev. Hezc- kiah Thatcher was mostly in other places, yet his re- membrance is cherished among the brotherhood of his native town, in which his piety was unsullied.
Rev. Norris G. Lippett, the pastor incumbent, was born at Killingly, Ct. He was converted at a camp meeting, held at Thompson, of that State, in the fourteenth year of his age, in which town he was also baptized and received into ecclesiastical membership by Rev. Abraham Holway. His rela- tion was changed to the M. E. Church of Daniel- sonville at its formation. He was licensed as a Local Preacher by Rev. R. W. Allen, November, 1846 ;
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HISTORY OF NORWICH NORTH CHURCH.
ordained Local Deacon by Bishop Janes at Warren, R. I., April 6, 1851 ; and Local Elder by Bishop Scott at Norwich, April 4, 1858. During his resi- dence in Killingly, he preached seventeen months at North Killingly, and, having removed to Nor- wich in 1852, he began preaching at Eagleville in the spring of 1853, where he continued two years. His next field of labor was at Norwich North, three years, during the last of which a revival followed, when sixty were converted. Greenville held him only the ensuing year, and he returned to Norwich North, and " occupied " until the autumn of 1862, when he supplied the pulpit of the M. E. Church of New London, until the ensuing Annual Conference. The following three years, he preach- ed at the Free Church of this city. The past year, he has held forth with his wonted success at the North M. E. Church, where revival interest has been enjoyed for several weeks.
Rev. N. G. Lippitt possesses an excellent repu- tation among us as a man, Methodist, and minister. His sermons are redolent of acumen, spirituality, fervor, and practicalness, and his influence, life, family, and piety, are a worthy instance of what the Local Ministry might and would become, under favorable circumstances.
It should be recorded that the pastorates of Revs. Pardon T. Kenney and Sanford Benton were highly appreciated, and Revs. George M. Carpen- ter, Frank Bill, and Walter Ela, witnessed revival
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HISTORY OF NORWICH NORTH CHURCH.
prosperity. Others have labored as sincerely, and their names are not only in the Book of Life, but also upon the escutcheon of the North M. E. Church. God rewards efforts and motives, not opportunities and chance results.
CHAPTER V.
THE M. E. CHURCH ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
TITE first Methodist sermon of this city was preach- ed at the Landing, and has been previously noticed. The facilities for worship afforded by the " Acade- my," together with the early conversion of several highly respected persons at Norwich North, attract- ed the greatest part of the primitive itinerant labors in this city. Still, the Landing was not forgotten, and sermons were occasionally preached in that lo- cality, by the clergy of the circuit. Among the earliest places of worship employed by them was the residence of Mr. Ephraim Story .* He was a " Separatist," or rather he styled himself a " White- field Methodist," and was much interested at first in the new Order. His favor was changed, how- ever, upon learning that they held to final apostasy, and his house was for a time interdicted ; but, sub- sequently, a minister came into the place of whom it was reported that he did " not believe in falling
* His residence was on West Main Street, near where the "Brook " crosses.
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M. E. CHURCH ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
from grace," whereupon Mr. Story offered to him the occupation of his house for a sermon. The minister, in his exordium, said he had been informed that some Methodist preachers had taught that they "believed in the doctrine of falling from grace ; but," continued he, "I don't believe in any such doctrine. I believe it is wrong, yea, even wicked to fall from grace; I believe we should keep the grace committed unto us, and persevere even unto the end."
Preaching was also soon held at the home of Mrs. Sarah Hull, and Mrs. Martha Geer, of precious memory, the daughter of Mrs. Hull. Their house may still be seen near the corner of Thames Street, on the road to the "Pottery."
The entire family of Mrs. Geer were all convert- ed and joined the class at an early date. Both Mrs. Hull and her daughter were greatly respected and beloved for their moral and religious char- acter.
In 1798, a small class was formed at the Landing, greatly upon the encouragement furnished by the arrival of Rev. John Beatty and his wife, from Ireland. Their house, which was speedily opened for divine worship, was situated near the Broadway Church.
The following are believed to have been mem- bers of that primitive class : Sarah Hull, Martha Geer, William Geer, Mary Tabor, Mary Jeffers, Edward Ewen, Lydia Ewen, John Beatty, Mary
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M. E. CHURCH ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
Beatty, Alfred Carpenter, James Miner, Lydia Miner, Sarah Edwards, Anna Joy, a Mrs. Elderkin, and a few more. Mr. Jones was one of its earliest leaders, and was impressive in prayer and exhor- tation. In 1800, Mr. Beatty removed to Water Street, and, his residence not being suitable for meetings, the " Old Masonic Hall," a large upper room, situated on the north side of the same street, was hired for divine worship-fit place in which to initiate into the Highest Degree. Here, in the absence of the circuit preachers, Revs. William Gurley and John Beatty, who were local preach- ers, dispensed the "Word of Life" to a devoted company, and the class seemed to have prospered until their removal from the neighborhood or city.
In 1805, from the diminution of its numbers, the remaining members were transferred to the class at Norwich North. For the two successive years, meetings were held occasionally at the Landing, by special request. In the spring of 1807, Rev. David N. Bentley removed to a house which he had pur- chased, and invited the ministers to preach in it, which they, accepting, came at irregular times in the evening. During the ensuing year, preaching was maintained once in about four weeks for a part of the year, and the two years that succeeded experienced no change for the better in respect to the regular ministry. As the distance to the " Academy" was so great, in the latter part of 1810, meetings were commenced in the house of
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M. E. CHURCH ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
Rev. D. N. Bentley, and continued until Confer- ence. Bishop McKendree and Presiding Elder Hedding, on their way to the annual session, pass- ed a night at the house of Mr. Bentley, and, learn- ing the condition of the members at the Landing, determined to provide them with a pastor in the future.
Accordingly, on the eleventh day of August, 1811, Rev. Jonathan Chaney preached at the house of Mr. Bentley, at two o'clock, P. M., and formed the members present into an independent society. The society consisted of eleven members, Thankful Pierce, the mother of the Methodists in this city, Martha Geer, who entertained the preachers, Jere- miah Griffing, the class-leader, David N. Bentley, Letitia Bentley, William Callyhan, Betsey Cally- han, Lydia Ewen, Abigail Davison, Mary Jeffers, and William C. Boon. During the year, Sabbath services were held by the circuit preachers once in two weeks, first at the house of Mr. Bentley, and then, after several months, an upper room was hired in a building situated on the north side of the wharf-bridge called the "Market," which was car- ried off by the September gale of 1815. This room proving insufficient for the congregation, the sail- loft in the same vicinity was substituted, and the earliest service held in it was upon the first Sabbath in May, 1814. Upon the return of cold weather, refuge was again sought at the house of Mr. Bent- ley, who appears as a prominent character of those
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M. E. CHURCH ON THE WIIARF-BRIDGE.
early times. In the spring of 1815, the " McCurdy School-room " was procured for divine service. It was located nearly in the rear of Messrs. I. M. Bidwell & Sons' shoe-store, and was reached by a long flight of stone steps. On one occasion, some mischievous boys covered the chimney, which was easily accessible from the rear of the building ; and the devoted assembly were compelled to vacate under a cloud of smoke.
Early in the spring of 1816, Mr. Bentley, after inviting assistance from others, but meeting no success, contracted, upon his own responsibility, for the erection of a church, 36 x30 feet, to be located on the north side of Wharf Bridge. In order to complete the undertaking, after having expended his personal means, he mortgaged his house upon a loan of six hundred dollars. Rev. Ebenezer Blake, on his first tour around the New London Circuit, preached in the forenoon of August 17, 1816, at Norwich North, and at two o'clock, P. M., he came to the Landing, and dedicated the new church, tak- ing for a text, Ps. lxxviii. 20. The church was filled to overflowing, and the occasion deeply solemn and . interesting. It would be difficult to imagine the joy of that early society over their new place of worship, after having changed so repeatedly from "pillar to post," and suffering inconveniences, which it is doubtful if the more comfortable piety of to-day would be willing to accept. . Though the intervening years were highly prosperous, 1819 3*
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M. E. CHURCHI ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
was particularly marked for a revival under the labors of Rev. J. Newland Maffitt. He had come to New London in pursuit of his brother, whom he found absent at a camp-meeting at Thompson, Ct. Here Mr. Maffitt desired authority to preach ; but having omitted to bring his credentials, the minis- ters gave Rev. Edward Hyde discretionary power to license or reject him.
Being at a loss how to dispose of him, he was intrusted to Rev. D. N. Bentley, who brought him home in his own carriage. The next Sabbath, being indisposed, he was absent from church; but an appointment was made for the Tuesday evening after,* when he preached to the admiration of all, and was requested to preach the succeeding night, which was attended with greater manifestations, only to be increased by the effort of the following evening. He was the first in this locality to invite the penitents forward for prayer, a custom which meets with increasing favor, and has confirmed .the resolutions of thousands. He remained under the official care of Mr. Bentley about four weeks, when he proceeded to New London and other places, and nearly everywhere his ministrations were attended . with the most remarkable revivals.
The Norwich Circuit, taken from the New Lon- don Circuit, included Norwich, Franklin, Lisbon, Jewett City, Griswold, Gale's Ferry, Uncasville, Montville, and Bozrah, together with several inci-
Mr. Maffitt's first sermon in America.
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M. E. CHURCH ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
dental appointments. Although the territory of the circuit embracing Norwich was hereby greatly diminished, the amount of time to be devoted to this city appears to have suffered little change, and the labors of Mr. Bentley are worthy of special gratitude in the conservation of Methodism among us.
It will be remembered that the preachers, first of New London Circuit, and afterward of Norwich Circuit, though not mentioned consecutively in the history, will be found in the Appendix, by reference to which, the regular ministry of any year may be determined for any of the churches existing during the time the circuit system obtained.
The years previous to 1823 were redolent of good to the Landing Society ; but during that conference year, the great flood of Feb. 23, 1824 bore away their joy and pride, leaving the feeble and sorrow- ing band in the deepest consternation. The church- building was wrested from its foundations, and carried on the bosom of the raging main like some huge ark, until, when nearly opposite the " boiler shop," the current of the Shetucket turned its course upon a large rock, felling its sides, and dismissing the roof, which was never heard of, while the floor - landed on the flats, nearly opposite Allen's Point. Just previous to its dislocation, Mr. Bentley entered it, and removed the Bible and Hymn Book. The Society was left in debt, and a superficial interpretation might have ren-
1
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M. E. CHURCH ON THE WHARF-BRIDGE.
dered the event ominous of the divine displeasure ; but,-
" Far, far above thy thought His counsel shall appear, When fully He the work hath wrought That caused thy needless fear."
Like Aaron's rod, cut off from the parent tree, the Society shall yet blossom in other parts, and its influence, like fragrance, be scattered over a wider territory.
.
CHAPTER VI.
HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
OVERWHELMED by the loss of the church on the Wharf-Bridge, the feeble Society at the Landing experienced little but hopelessness. Among the few that dreamed of relief was Mr. Bentley, who now, under God, as often at other times, became the successful pilot to direct the tempested church into unwonted prosperity.
The Episcopalians of this city, contemplating the erection of a new church, invited them to unite in a petition to the General Assembly of the State, requesting the grant of a " Lottery" to raise the sum of $20,000, to aid in building a house of wor- ship for each Society. The legal sanction of lot- teries, in those times, was of frequent occurrence.
The following example, taken from a Norwich paper of 1801, will serve to illustrate the views
Called " Falls," 1837; "Norwich Centre," 1853; "Sachem Street," 1855: "Norwich Centre " resumed in Quarterly Conference March 22, 1856, and retained till 1859, when "Sachem Street" resumed.
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HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
which were current respecting the morale of lot- teries : " The Presbyterian Meeting-house in Nor- wich, First Society, having been the last winter destroyed by an incendiary, the Honorable Legisla- ture, in May last, granted said Society a lottery, to enable it to rebuild the same, consisting of 4,800 tick- ets at three dollars each, highest prize $1,000."
Further notice the following : "The object of this lottery, and the scheme to advance it, are such as to engage the attention, both of the speculating ad- venturer, and those who, from principles of duty and benevolence, are disposed to contribute to the best interests of society," &c. Truly " vox populi," changing as the seasons, is far from being infallibly " vox Dei," and the sanction of a custom so baneful to public weal and morality, has lost none too soon the countenance of the moral and religious.
The plan proposed was ineffectual, as the Legis- lature had previously bestowed a grant for another object, extending over several years; but Colonel Elisha Tracy, of this city, introduced a resolution authorizing the Governor to issue a proclamation to all the churches of Connecticut, of every denomi- nation, to take a contribution, on a specified Sab- bath, for the benefit of the Methodists in Norwich Landing. The resolution passed both branches of the Legislature by a large majority, and the procla- mation was duly signed by Governor Wolcott, and recommended to the liberality of all the people. For reasons amply adequate, and especially because
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HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
it was feared the collection would be at the expense of a regular collection for some benevolent object, which was taken about this time among many of the churches, the Brief of the Governor netted only $463.32.
During this suspension of public service, the Landing Society had been invited to meet in various places : in the Congregational Church, nearly opposite the Otis Library ; in the Univer- salist Church, as they had no regular ministry at that time ; and in the Baptist Church, their pastor being sick. The Episcopal Church was also gener- ously tendered, and, on one occasion, Rector Pad- dock performed the church service, and Mr. Bentley preached the usual sermon. The catholic kindness of the churches at this period of disaster merits the grateful recognition of those who in brighter days rejoice in witnessing their spiritual growth. Long may God live to bless his friends and the friends of Methodists, where the kindly breath of " The Rose of Sharon " gently distils on "The Rose of New England."
Instead of applying the funds received from the Brief toward the liquidation of the debt on the lost church, Mr. Bentley, who was responsible, proposed to make it a nucleus for another house of worship, and, receiving promise of aid if the church should be located at the Falls, concluded to build it at that place. Mr. J. II. Burchard gave the site. Up- wards of $500 was raised on subscription, and a
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HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
contract was made to do all except the inside work for $800. It stands on the old site, but is now con- verted into a carriage factory, owned by Mr. A. R. Bingham.
Its corner-stone was laid by the Freemasons, and a plan of the audience-room being made out, and the slips prized according to their eligibility, an annual amount was stipulated to be paid on each until the debt, that was requisite for comple- tion, should be cancelled. Under this indemnifica- tion Mr. Bentley negotiated a loan of $500, and became the trustee of the house, which was dedi- cated June 19, 1825, by Rev. J. A. Merrill, Pre- siding Elder of the District, on his return from Conference. The Society had become reduced to forty-five, but, still loving their "Alma Mater," " they found themselves once more happily seated " in a house of God, where the "fruit of the Gospel was sweet to their taste."* The Society rapidly increased, and in about a year reported one hundred . and eighty-three members. For several years after, the Society experienced little that was extraordi- nary in the territory of the present Sachem Street M. E. Church. Some reverses followed from the fluctuating employment of members, who, after
* See Appendix C for the class of 1827. Since about 1813, a class had been formed at the Falls, Mr. Jeremiah Ladd, whose residence was near the old Engine-house of that portion of the city, being its first leader. From 1823 to 1826 Mr. Jeremiah Griffing was leader.
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HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
conversion, were compelled to seek labor in other parts. Still, the additions by profession repaired in great measure this diminution, and the spiritu- ality of the church was maintained in a commend- able degree. However, the year 1835 was especially signal for a revival under the labors of Rev. William Livesey. It should be premised that Norwich was made a Station in 1833, consisting of three Sabbath appointments,-Norwich North, the Falls, and Chelsea Landing. In a meeting held at the resi- dence of Mr. John Perry, June 2, 1834, it was
" Resolved, first, That it is expedient to divide the Norwich Station, so as to make that part of the town called Bean Hill, &c., into one Station for one preacher ; and that the other part, called the Falls, the Landing, and Greenville, compose the Norwich City Station; and that the Conference leave it with the Presiding Elder to supply, as circumstances may seem to require.
" Resolved, secondly, That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to the ensuing New England Conference, as an expression of the wishes of the Methodist Society in Norwich City.
" Resolved, thirdly, That in case the Conference make the Nor- wich City Society a separate Station, and leave us without a Con- ference preacher this year, that we will use the same exertions to make collections, both in public and in the classes, as if we had a preacher from Conference."
The petition conveyed in the above resolutions was granted, and upon division, 1834, the two classes at the Falls numbered about sixty members, and the Norwich City Station was supplied by Rev. D. N. Bentley, preacher in charge, and Revs. George May and John Blackmer, Assistant Local Preach-
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HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
ers. Mr. Livesey divided his labors the ensuing year between the Falls and Landing, and, soon after his appointment to this city, a deep religious interest was awakened at both places. Early in . September a "protracted meeting " was commenced at the Falls, and after four or five days, the "moral heavens began not only to shower, but to pour down a steady rain, which continued with little in- termission for about three months." The work ex- tended to other appointments within the city, and more than two hundred probationers were enrolled within the Norwich City Station at the expiration of the year.
So great was the increase of members at the Falls, they petitioned for a separate relation in the Quarterly Conference held May 22, 1835, and the request was amicably conceded by the members of the Landing.
The subsequent history of this church is remarka- bly even in its tenor. The pacific character of its. members, the perfection of its monetary system, the absence of official emulation, and the piety and sociability of the Society, have all tended to discount fluctuation, and conserve general harmony in its action. The ministry has tended to the same result, spiritual, faithful, and irreproachable. While many will long be remembered as leaving a blessing among the people, an unusual revival crowned the labors of Rev. A. Latham in 1841, which was only second to that under Rev. William Livesey.
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HISTORY OF SACHEM STREET CHURCH.
The minutes give especially increased member- ship for the pastorates of Revs. F. Fisk, B. M. Walker, and D. H. Ela. Rev. William Leonard conferred lasting honor upon himself by effecting the purchase of the present house of worship, after much painstaking and discouragement, in 1853 .*
A motion had been set on foot to repair or build, when, by the royal munificence and catholicity of the lamented William P. Greene, Esq., and the liberality of other gentlemen, the church was duly purchased, and has since been held by a Methodist Ecclesiastical Society, duly incorporated. The amount paid was $2,765.66, a sum incomparable with the beauty of the site, one of the best in the city, and the value of the edifice. Mr. Henry B. Norton and others had contemplated converting it, after purchase, into a Ladies' Seminary, but gen- erously relinquished their design. The services of Rev. H. W. Conant are equally honored by the liquidation of the debt incurred, and the manner of effecting it. Leaving each donor to judge what he ought to give, and withholding the sums pledged by others from publicity for a period, he secured the requisite amount, and, in this very just and honorable manner, removed an incubus which was becoming troublesome.
Perhaps the years 1865, '66, will be remembered
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