USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Bethany of Quincy, 1832-1957 : Bethany Congregational Church, Quincy, Massachusetts > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 Q43qu 1904580
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01101 2744
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019
https://archive.org/details/bethanyofquincy100unse
125th Anniversary
BETHANY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH QUINCY, MASS.
eng
K
Bethany of Quinry 1832 - 1957
Bethany Congregational Church
QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS
Dc. 974.402 1957 Q43qu
125th Anniversary Observance
Foreword
"Come unto me ... "
For 125 years Bethany Church has extended that invitation in the name of the Divine Physician. This anniversary book reviews the spiritual results as thou- sands have responded to the call of Christ.
It is a story shot through with the enduring worth of God's work done through human hands.
True to its mission as a unit in the Church of Christ, Bethany continues to offer a place for worship and ser- vice, a fellowship for solace and inspiration.
To the continuance of its divine task it invites Christians of all ages.
Bethany presents its record of the years, grateful for the witness and example of its build- ers.
May readers find here their inspiration to make the future bright with "Glory to God . . . and on earth peace, goodwill to men!"
JOHN D. BANKS, Minister
Beth iny Congregational Church
1904580
Bethany offers
WORSHIP in which common prayer and scriptural preach- ing are accompanied by inspiring music. Two Sunday services, midweek devotions, and sea- sonal observances of Christian significance bring families together for prayer and praise. The Gothic sanctuary is also the scene of many inter- church services.
EDUCATION for children, youth, and adults, using biblical themes with lessons applied to everyday prob- lems. Graded classes meeting in a spacious parish house, are taught by specially trained teachers. "Family services" bring parents, teachers, and children together in church. "Chris- tian Faith and Life" curriculum is used through- out.
FELLOWSHIP in age-groups for children, youth, and adults. Seven days per week the church is busy with meetings for scouts, women's groups, recreational teams, dramatic, and youth organizations. Here the newcomer finds a "second home" with Chris- tian friends.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES for practical expression of Chris- tian love and faith. Through a growing program of missions, evangelism, teaching, and commun- ity service all participants in Bethany's life are able to give personal testimony to the gospel of love.
AID for those distressed in body, mind, or soul. Pastoral counselling and calling, attention to the ill in home or hospital, are available at all hours. Bethany cooperates with the Protestant Com- munity Service of Quincy in providing extensive personal and family aid.
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125th Anniversary Observance
Bethany invites YOU
"COME TO BETHANY"
Where more than a thousand families participate in many varied activities.
Where over 600 children gather each Sunday for religious instruction and take part in weekday programs.
Where numerous organizations of young and old enjoy Christian fellowship and service in the cause of Christ.
"FOR THIS INDEED IS BETHANY"
A powerful force for good in Quincy and its vicinity.
An honored institution with the rich heritage of a century and a quarter of working and building for the further- ance of God's kingdom.
A modern church in every respect with a forward-looking plan and purpose.
"YES, BETHANY INVITES YOU"
Come and worship and enjoy our fellowship.
Come and serve along with a consecrated group of men and women.
Come and give your fellow members the benefit of your opinion and advice in carrying on a truly congregational church where the congregation is the governing body.
TO ALL OF THIS
"BETHANY INVITES YOU"
And here within these hallowed walls, rich in Christian tra- dition, where even now, history is in the making
Find solace from the turmoil of a troubled world as you re- flect quietly, humbly, reverently,
on the Glory and the Grandeur of the Divine Plan and thereby acquire a new source of strength and inspiration for your personal enrichment and satisfaction in serving the Great Cause to which Bethany is dedicated.
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Bethany Congregational Church
AND NOW -
On this 125th Anniversary In devout appreciation for Divine Guidance through the years . . . and In tribute to the men and women who have helped make possible all that we have today
BETHANY PRESENTS The Honor Roll of Years
1832-A MOMENTOUS YEAR !
Formation of what is now Bethany Church was begun. A course of religious lectures started in 1831 in Quincy listed the Reverend Lyman Beecher, father of Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe as one of the guest preachers in the Town Hall, then located on Hancock Street just south of the Hancock Cemetery where the present Central Building retains some of that original structure.
A "paper" dated March 9, 1832 was circulated express- ing the opinion that it was "expedient that measures be taken to secure stated Orthodox preaching in this town" and that "a Religious Society be legally constituted to be called the Evangelical Congregational Society in Quincy." There were fifteen signers of this paper as follows:
Nathaniel Pittee John Burrage
John Prescott Benjamin R. Downes
Loring Whitney
Daniel M. C. Knox
Clifton Hadley Sylvanus Buntin
John D. Thayer
Timothy W. Ricker
Josiah Hutchins Jesse Buntin
John Ricker John Parker
Nathaniel Pittee, Jr.
The first meeting of the Society was held April 5, 1832 at the Temperance House of Benjamin R. Downes, which stood on the northeasterly corner of Hancock and Elm Streets on the site of the former Brackett's Tavern (the site now oblit- erated by recent street widening). It was operated as an inn or tavern and was dedicated to the cause of temperance. Its sign displayed inverted rum bottles. The building after 1835 passed through several hands and eventually became the home of Dr. and Mrs. John F. Welch. Their daughter, Miss Morjorie Welch, is a present member of Bethany.
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125th Anniversary Observance
On May 5, Mr. George Hardwick agreed to give the Society the "use of a chamber over his store," which offer was accepted. This chamber was Union Hall over the Hard- wick store located close to the present site of the Quincy Savings Bank, in a building which in later years (by the 1850's) housed the postoffice. Services were held in Union Hall with the Reverend Mr. Fiske of Wrentham preaching the first sermon there on June 10, 1832. The first regular preacher was the Reverend T. Field.
An Ecclesiastical Council convened August 16, 1832 at the home of Mr. Benjamin R. Downes with the pastor and a delegate each from the Green Street Church, Boston, The Evangelical Congregational Church, South Boston, The First Church of Charlestown, the First Church in Dedham, and the First Church in Wrentham.
The Reverend Mr. Fay of Charlestown served as Moder- ator, and the Reverend Mr. Burgess of Dedham as Scribe. After appropriate devotional services, 16 women and 5 men, 21 devout pioneers in Quincy's church life, entered into a mutual covenant to form the Evangelical Congregational Church of Quincy. "It was a tender and impressive hour; some spectators wept."
Signers of the Covenant were:
Nathaniel Pittee
Mary Hardwick
Nathaniel S. Spear
Sarah Pratt
Cotton Pratt
Susan Nightingale
William Pratt
Louisa Nightingale
John Burrage
Sarah Hardwick
Mary Baxter
Hannah Porter
Lois Spear
Prudence Saville
Esther Spear
Lucy Marsh
Nancy Burrage
Mehitable Page
Widow Mary Trask
Jane S. Trask
Mrs. Tamar Pittee
1832-1834
No settled minister was chosen, but the Reverend Ste- phen S. Smith followed Mr. Field as supply minister. Mr. Smith was engaged for the six months from October, 1832 to April, 1833 for $300, and continued for some months after April. The Massachusetts Congregational Conference rec- ords list his services in Quincy as those of a "home mis- sionary."
The Society appointed a Building Committee on October 24, 1833 composed of Charles Hardwick, Jr., George Spear, Cotton Pratt, Nathaniel Pittee, Henry L. Pratt, John Hard- wick, Thomas Hardwick. Later, Loring Whitney and Ben- jamin Newcomb were added. On January 21, 1834 the
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Bethany Congregational Church
"draft of the house procured by the Committee" was ap- proved by adding "5 feet to the length and moving the desk from the front to the opposite side of the house."
This building, "its tall spire which rose from the front of the building being a sort of landmark, for it could be seen from a long distance," was located at the corner of Hancock Street and Revere Road, the latter then known as Canal Street, and was to serve as a church home for nearly forty years. After it was disposed of in 1873, it housed Quincy's first public library for a few years, and then it became a recreation center known as Hancock Hall.
1834-1836
The new meeting house was dedicated August 20, 1834, and the Reverend William M. Cornell was installed the same day as the first settled minister at a salary of $600 per year, "he to agree to relinquish $100 of it the first year provided we find it difficult to obtain it."
On September 2, 1834, it was voted that all persons wishing to become members of the Society "shall first become members of a Temperance Society : or promise that they will not manufacture, vend, or use Ardent Spirits as a drink, or provide it as an article of luxury, or entertainment for their friends."
Evidence of early attention to religious education is seen in action taken November 7, 1834 when Robert Steele was appointed "keeper of the Sab- bath School Library." In 1837 the library contained 137 books, and increased in 1838 to 193 "including question books."
The report of the Building Committee in 1836 lists "cost of house throughout, £ $2,- 341.19." One of the annual budgets shows total of $76 for upkeep of building includ- ing "fuel, $5," perhaps an overestimate because the only fuel item in the later financial account was for "coal" at $4.26.
C
THE REV. WILLIAM M. CORNELL
Drawn by Robert S. Reinelt from the frontispiece in "Recollections of Ye Olden Times" by Dr. Cornell.
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125th Anniversary Observance
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING 1834 - 1871
Committee responsibilities included one to "provide seats for strangers" and one to "assist Trustees" in fixing up the grounds by "moving out the Fence on the line," and "setting out trees."
Financial matters became an early problem, it "being necessary to raise money in some other way than selling pews."
Lucy Marsh was the first member recorded as being thanked by the Society for a substantial gift evidently much needed and gratefully received.
At the 1836 Annual Meeting it was voted "to purchase the lot of land south of the meeting house and also east of the same . .. to enlarge the yard around the meeting house."
1837-1839
The records of May 8, 1838 tell of an inquiry "to see if the Society should think it best to use gas in lighting the House instead of oil." Later items in the financial account show purchases of gas, presumably what was known as Pintsch gas such as was used in railroad cars before elec- tricity.
A detailed report on finance for the period April 1, 1839 to April 1, 1840 shows cash on hand $4.35, receipts, $483.19, making available $487.54, all of which was expended, largely for "ministerial service."
Mr. Cornell, a native of Berkley, Mass., came to Quincy from a pastorate in Woodstock, Conn., and continued his
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Bethany Congregational Church
pastorate here until July 8, 1839 when he was "dismissed" because of poor health. (The term "dismissed" was very generally used to designate termination of ministry. It did not mean "discharged," but merely signified that the minister was given permission to sever connections with the church).
Mr. Cornell, a man of strong convictions and religious zeal, was accused of making critical statements about the lack of religious spirit in Quincy and of casting aspersions on the moral and religious character of townspeople.
In town meeting a committee was appointed with former President John Quincy Adams as chairman to investigate the situation, and after considerable controversy the tense feel- ings were relaxed, and Mr. Cornell soon returned to the good graces of his fellow citizens since he was elected town mod- erator a few years later, and became the chairman of the school committee. He conducted a very successful private school at his home on School Street.
He regained his health and went on to lead a full and active life. He studied medicine, attending lectures at Harvard and three other colleges, received an M.D. degree in 1844, and later practiced in Boston. Western University granted him an LL.D. in 1863, followed by a D.D. from Jefferson College in 1865. He wrote numerous books including "Rec- ollections of Ye Olden Times," in which he recorded much of the religious history of Quincy in his time. Other books of his covered such subjects as the "History of Pennsylvania" and a "Grammar of English Language." Mr. Cornell passed away in Boston, April 14, 1895, and was buried in North Weymouth.
1840-1849
Several supply ministers served until January 28, 1841, when the Reverend William Allen was ordained and installed as settled minister and continued serving until August, 1849 during which time church growth required the addition of 20 more pews.
Early social action was evident when, in 1841, the church passed resolutions condemning slavery as "contrary to the spirit of the gospel of Christ and under all circumstances a sin."
On June 7, 1842 a bell weighing "1282 pounds at 25c a pound" was purchased.
On November 7, 1842 it was voted to "grant the use of the meeting house for lectures on the subjects of temperance and Abolition of Slavery."
On April 13, 1846 a committee was named to "select hymn books for social meetings." In 1848 it was voted "to pay $9 to $10 for use of organ."
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125th Anniversary Observance
On April 1, 1849 "paid Geo. W. Hardwick for Organ $100."
1850-1859
The Reverend Nelson Clark, a native of Vermont, was installed on January 2, 1850. Unfortunate misunderstandings arose over the minister's salary. Some of the members fol- lowed Mr. Clark to the town hall for Sunday services and the meeting-house was closed for a short period. A committee set up to report on the dispute published a 32-page printed brochure giving pros and cons, documented with letters and other records-a report which for detail would do credit to a modern Congressional investigation. This controversy was the second and last such lively episode in the church's history, the first being already indicated as the Cornell investigation.
After leaving Quincy, Mr. Clark held pastorates in the West. He passed away in Iowa in 1880.
In 1853 a committee to procure a new organ sold shares valued at $25 each. Twelve members bought 21 shares, totalling $525, "which sum including the old organ was $25 more than required." By a special vote, one member was granted the "privilege of taking 3 shares instead of 2."
1859-1862
The Reverend Joseph Henry Thayer, who served as supply minister for about six months in 1859, helped mend the break resulting from the Clark controversy. Just out of Harvard and Andover Theological, and not yet ordained, he declined an invitation to become a settled minister, event- ually teaching at Andover and Harvard. He received honor- ary degrees of Doctor of Sacred Theology from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, and a Doctor of Letters from the Uni- versity of Dublin. While Mr. Thayer was teaching at Harv- ard, a future Bethany minister, the Reverend Eric I. Lindh, attended his classes.
Following Mr. Thayer, the Reverend Oliver P. Brown served as a stated supply for about two and a half years until May, 1862.
In 1860 the death of Mr. Thomas Reed, organist, required the Parish Committee to consider a new organist and to agree to pay Mr. C. Reed fifty dollars for services for the next year.
March 23, 1866 voted: "that the Parish Com- mittee be authorized to make such changes in the singing seats as they may think best."
1862-1867
The Reverend Edward Payson Thwing was installed November 19, 1862, and served during the Civil War years until June 24, 1867. Here in church records appear very
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Bethany Congregational Church
significant accounts of activities of the women of the parish. It was becoming apparent that there was a great need of a new building, but "there was little wealth among our people." "A ceaseless agitation" was started by the women. They held a mammoth three-day fair, against advice of the men, and a "handsome sum was raised" toward a new building, and enough added to the treasury to begin the drive with $1500.
Records of activities of Bethany women date back to 1864 when the Hancock Street Juvenile Missionary Society was formed "to promote an interest in the missionary work and by the industry and contributions of its members to aid the cause at home and abroad." The first president was their minister, the Reverend Edward P. Thwing; vice presi- dent, Deacon Elbridge Clapp; and treasurer-secretary, Miss M. Elizabeth Hardwick, later to become Mrs. William E. Alden. They made comfort bags for the soldiers, met so- cially, and enjoyed the reading of an "original paper" one copy of which was designated by the secretary as "an excel- lent number though apparently written by our correspondent in quite a variety of styles."
March 18, 1867: "Paid to N. J. Pierce, organist, $10, G. H. French, ditto, $50, Eliza C. Hardwick, ditto, $25, to C. Reed, ditto, $26.44."
December 9, 1867 voted : "that the Parish Com- mittee be instructed to engage and contract with Mr. H. B. Brown and lady to conduct the singing for one year for the sum of $250."
1868: "Brown and wife, professors of music" were secured for another year.
Mr. Thwing later traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and wrote on many subjects as varied as "Facts About To- bacco," and "Outdoor Life in Europe." His son and daugh- ter served as missionaries in China. He died May 9, 1893, in Canton, Mass.
1868-1873
Plans for the new building were perfected during the pastorate of the Reverend James E. Hall, who was installed April 16, 1868. The Building Committee bought land on what is now the site of the Strand Theatre on Chestnut Street, but a better location became available on the corner where the South Shore National Bank now stands, so the commit- tee sold the first lot and then purchased the Packard property.
July 19, 1871: "Church completed and dedi- cated July 19, 1871, the whole cost about $36,600. The old meeting house and land sold for $3700 to Thos. A. Whicher. The old bell is to be placed in the new bell tower."
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125th Anniversary Observance
The new building was described as "centrally located, convenient in its arrangements, and in all its surroundings cheerful and inviting." It also was faithfully reported that "it cost a struggle," but "the sacrifice was cheerfully met and all indebtedness soon removed."
The first organ in this second church building, moved there from the first meeting house was located in the gallery where the choir sat.
In 1868 the Ladies' Social Circle was organized, its chief objective "to aid by the appropriation of its funds in providing a suitable house for public worship." The first meeting at the house of Mrs. Elbridge Clapp recorded mem- bership of 42. Of these, 30 were ladies! Any gentleman could become an honorary member of the circle by paying one dol- lar a year. Officers for 1868-1869 were president, Mrs. Sara Prince; vice president, Mrs. J. E. Hall; secretary-treasurer, Miss M. E. Hardwick.
On one occasion, December 3, 1868, the ladies met at the Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers to sew for the 200 children of the Home "as the smallest cannot go out in the winter for want of proper clothing." Thus began a benevolent project at Bethany which through the years has been continued by the church school in their gifts of money and food at Thanksgiving.
In 1873 the Circle was re-organized. At first the meet- ings were held in the homes and such special events as "so- ciables," a Harvest Festival, an Old Folks' Concert, or a Quilt- ing Party were many and varied, the group becoming so popu- lar that meetings had to be held in the chapel.
Until March 18, 1872 the Parish Committee had included music among church affairs in general, but now it was voted "to choose a committee on music to have charge of whatever may be necessary that we may have the service of song well sustained in the sanctuary." Miss Packard was organist.
1874-1895
Twenty-one years spanned the devoted service of the Rev- erend Edward Norton, installed June 16, 1874 and retired July, 1895. His was the longest active pastorate in the his- tory of the church, and he continued as Pastor Emeritus from the time of retirement to his death in 1921. His parishioners helped him realize a life-long ambition when they gave him a leave of absence to make a trip to the Holy Land. When he returned, he drew freely from his experiences in bringing the story of the Bible lands to his congregation.
After his retirement from active pastoral duties, he was frequently heard as supply minister in Wollaston, Atlantic East Weymouth, Randolph and South Braintree pulpits. He
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Bethany Congregational Church
SECOND CHURCH BUILDING 1871 1928
died in Quincy, August 1, 1921. A plaque in the 1927 sanctuary commem- orates his pastorate.
The horses and car- riages tied up in the open sheds in the rear of the church on the Chestnut Street side presented a regular Sunday morning scene, though not many members were rich enough to own such transporta- tion and almost everybody walked to church.
1875 voted: "to adopt the custom . . . of choos- ing deaconesses."
1878 (From the Church Manual) : There were 152 members, 136 resident members.
June 4, 1882: A member was dropped from the church roll for the "sale and use of intoxicating drinks."
May 6, 1883: "A glorious day for this church. Twelve persons (4 male and 8 female) whose ages ranged from 14-82 stood up and publickly avouched the Lord to be their God."
April 3, 1884: "The water closet cost to be around $100 and subscriptions still don't total this."
May 10, 1885: "Considered purchase of a new organ . . . proceeds to be derived from sale of por- tion of this land (60 foot frontage on Chestnut Street) as voted March 17, 1884 towards payment of new organ to be completed by November 15, 1885."
Prior to the establishment of any Protestant Church in West Quincy, our church women conducted a mission there which became the nucleus of the West Quincy Methodist Church.
Many barrels of clothing were sent by the Ladies' Circle to the foreign mission field during these years. A "Lady Washington" reception and supper was sponsored by the Circle to purchase "a good Chickering Piano priced at $150." Renovating the minister's room in 1885 formed a lively topic of discussion. The committee was instructed "not to exceed in expenditures for that purpose the $50 in the treasury."
On November 5, 1885 "the Ladies' Sewing Circle at Mrs.
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125th Anniversary Observance
Fields was rather thinly attended." When they held their numerous money-raising suppers, the ladies had to hire or borrow dishes and cutlery and use one small stove in the kit- chen. Soon afterward, however, they were able to purchase silverware, to give $50 for a new organ for the church and $100 for church expenses, $100 for insurance, and $50 to- ward painting the church.
The name of Mrs. Theophilus King appears as an officer in 1876 and there is hardly a year for over 30 years when she did not serve either as an officer or director of the wom- en's work. The first social of 1876 was held at her home and she continued entertaining the ladies of the church at the opening meeting of the year's work for nearly 40 years.
May 24, 1886: "Asked organ shareholders to relinquish their shares to the society and committee to dispose of the old organ to the best interest of the parish."
In June, 1886, the Music Committee of five members requested $500 from the Finance Committee for "chorister and organist." They engaged Mr. C. C. Bradford of West- erly, Rhode Island, and invited several sopranos, seven altos, four tenors and five baritones to attend rehearsals. Among those invited was A. L. Hayden, who was destined thereafter for more than fifty years to sing "the Palms" at each Palm Sunday morning service. Laura Hayward was also invited. Laura and Cora, her sister, were later to endow the 1927 building with the organ.
In November the Music Committee arranged to pay for "blowing the organ during one hour practice period" and requested the pastor "to ask the congregation to stand during each hymn at Sabbath morning service." Choir rules stated that "social communi- cation during services be avoid- ed." The Prudential Commit- tee found the cost of $150 for a new motor more than could be afforded. A choir clam bake on July 3 required "special cars (trolley, of course) and six pies." The first soprano was informed that her fare between Boston and Quincy would be paid and that entertainment between services on Sunday would be provided for her be- side the regular salary of two dollars a Sunday. REV. EDWARD NORTON
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