USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Needham > Fiftieth anniversary of Christ Church : 1894-1944, Needham, Massachusetts > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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50th anniversary of Christ Church
The
FIFTY YEAR BOOK
CHRIST CHURCH
NEEDHAM
1894-1944
The
FIFTY YEAR BOOK of
CHRIST CHURCH
NEEDHAM
1894-1944
50th Anniversary of
Christ Church
1894 - 1944
NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
BEN
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
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Christ Church, Needham, Massachusetts
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43282
Interior of Present Church
A FOREWORD BY THE RECTOR
CHRIST CHURCH, Needham, has come to one of the great milestones in her existence as she is rounding out the celebration of her fiftieth anniversary. She has had an interesting history, as can be gleaned from other pages in this booklet. She has been indebted to devoted people in every period of her growth. And that devotion is apparent today in the accomplishments which have been recorded by those who are now worshipping within her walls. But above all, she has been a church blessed by the overshadowing providence of God, Who has led her to her present honorable estate, and crowned her efforts with an impressive success.
This fiftieth year has been an outstanding example of her vision and vigor. Not only has she been freed from all financial encumbrances and prepared for her Consecration on November 5th, but, for the first time in her history, she has assumed her apportioned share in the program of the Christian church throughout the world by pledging her full quota to the work of missions. In the meantime, the church at home has not been neglected, but has been strengthened by the largest offering of pledged support in the history of the parish. Her Church School has reached a new peak in membership. The number of those baptized during the year has surpassed all former records. Her adult congregation has grown year by year until today it lists more than four hundred and fifty families or parts of families. With these facts in mind we can truly say that she has been blessed by the guiding hand of God, and we can look forward with assurance and enthusiasm to a greater Christ Church in the years that lie ahead.
It is with this confidence in our hearts that we dedicate this fiftieth anniversary booklet, that the greater Christ Church, which is to come, may remember the foundations of Divine guidance and human devotion which have made her greatness possible.
REV. H. HAMLIN HALL
CHRIST CHURCH, NEEDHAM INCORPORATED, AUGUST 19, 1895 CONSECRATED, NOVEMBER 5, 1944
RECTOR REV. HARRY HAMLIN HALL
RECTOR EMERITUS REV. NEWTON BLACK
WARDENS
HARRY H. REIFENSTEIN WILLIAM T. SWEENEY
VESTRYMEN
SAMUEL S. HALL
RALPH W. COOK
HENRY L. GASCOIGNE JOHN S. MOORE RICHARD W. CURRIE ARTHUR W. FLETCHER JOHN A. PETERSEN
CLERK HERBERT E. BLAISDELL
TREASURER CHESTER G. PARSONS
PARISH SECRETARY MRS. EDWARD M. FETTES
CHOIR DIRECTRESS MRS. HARLAN COOK
CHOIR MOTHER MRS. GEORGE A. DOWNES
JUNIOR CHOIR MOTHER MRS. FREDERICK M. CAULTON
SEXTON MR. ROBERT CAREY
Rt. Rev. Henry Knox Sherrill, D.D. Bishop of Massachusetts
THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH
PRESENTED by the rector at the ceremony of the burning of the mortgage, May 24th, 1944.
1894 - 1944
In writing this story of fifty years of the Episcopal Church in Needham, I am deeply indebted to the late William C. Payne, who for forty years served as the clerk of the parish, and prepared a careful history of its early beginnings.
Christ Church owes its foundations to a beloved elderly clergyman who came to the town in 1894, and had the vision and foresight and faith to see a future for the work of the church in Needham and Needham Heights, then known as Highlandville. That clergyman was the Rev. Frederick Pember, and during his nine years of service here he laid the groundwork so well, that the church has maintained regular services ever since. Prior to his coming occa- sional services had been held. But for the most part, Episcopalians living in the community, attended the churches in Newton Highlands and Wellesley, or affiliated themselves with other local denominations.
On October 25, 1894, the following notice appeared in the post offices at Needham and Needham Heights:
"There will be a service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the small town hall, Needham, on Sunday afternoon, October 28th at 3 o'clock. All are welcome. Signed, Rev. Frederick Pember."
The congregation that day was small, as is evident from the fact that when an offering was taken, it was found insufficient to pay the hire of the hall, let alone remunerate the minister for his efforts. However, Mr. Pember was not discouraged, and the services continued. A few Sundays later, the congregation transferred its place of meeting to the Masonic Hall, where it continued to hold morning services until 1900.
After a time there came a demand for evening services at Needham Heights, and Whetton's Hall was secured as a meeting place through the efforts of Mr. Albert E. Collishaw. Mr. Pember continued to serve in both places, looking forward to the time when a central location could be secured and a mission parish organized and chartered. The first step toward such organization came in 1895, when a meeting was held in Masonic Hall and an application for a charter of incorporation from the state was decided upon.
The charter was granted as of August 19, 1895, and the first vestry of the parish was selected. It consisted of the following persons :
Senior Warden ALBERT E. COLLISHAW
Junior Warden
PAUL A. HUDNUT
Treasurer FREDERICK W. LESTER
Clerk WILLIAM C. PAYNE
Vestrymen WILLIAM T. COLLISHAW, JAMES B. LESTER,
PETER WILLGOOSE, FRANK HUNT, C. E. MILLAN
The name of Christ Church was adopted, and Mr. Pember was engaged as rector. Now occurred one of those amusing incidents which enliven the pages of history, but sometimes causes real distress for the people involved. The parish notified the bishop that it was organized, incorporated and ready to proceed, not realizing that the first step in such organization was to consult with the bishop himself. Bishop Lawrence found himself with a new parish on his hands, having had no authority from him. However in his character- istically broadminded way he overlooked the error and gave the parish per- mission to operate.
The Church School was started on January 1, 1896, and Mr. George B. Fowle, the father of Dr. S. O. Fowle, was named as superintendent. He was devoted to the children and, with a band of faithful teachers, he carried it on until his resignation in 1900.
It is interesting here to note some of the early records of the parish register; for they concern some of the persons still present with us. The first Confirmation class was composed of four persons, and was presented in St. Paul's Church, Newton Highlands. Of that group, Mrs. Edith Currie Knowles is still a member of the parish. The first class confirmed in Need- ham numbered twenty-nine, six being from the family of Eben Smith, whose son Eben W. Smith served as treasurer and vestryman for a number of years, and whose grandson Eben F. is our immediate past senior warden. Of the remainder, Mrs. Elizabeth Mercer and Mr. and Mrs. William T. Robinson are still associated as parishioners.
The first marriage recorded in the parish is that of Mr. Henry Godfrey Jr. and Miss Matilda Johnson. The second is the marriage of Mr. Samson Hammersley and Miss Emma E. Spicer. The first baptisms took place on December 23, 1894, and included Wallace G. Rae, George L. Rae, Eunice I. Rae, Colin Brittan and Alice M. Pigeon, all of whom were related. The first burial was that of James R. Dring, who died on May 10, 1895. Such records began the story of our parish in this community, and most of the names recorded have played an important part in the life of the parish in subsequent years.
Rt. Rev. Raymond A. Heron, D.D. Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts
As the parish grew in membership, the question of a church home became urgent. Most of the Lenten services and meetings of organizations were being held in private houses, as the two halls were not available during the week for these purposes, and the limited income of the parish would not permit an extra outlay of funds. However, many happy social activities can still be recalled by older members as they think back to cake sales and ice cream parties and rehearsals for dramatics which took place from home to home. And many a dollar found its way into the hands of the parish treasurer as a result of these joyous affairs.
Nevertheless, it became more and more apparent that a church building must be purchased or erected and for a time serious consideration was given to the lot where Richwagen's greenhouse now stands. But nothing came of it, and the matter was dropped.
It is to be noted that, at this time, about two-thirds of the parishioners were resident in Needham Heights. These felt that the church should be built either in the Heights or midway between the two villages. Needham residents however were of the opinion that that village was the logical place. And so, the question was debated back and forth until the annual meeting on Easter Monday, April 16, 1900, when it was voted to transfer all services to Needham Heights, and the vestry was authorized to secure land for the building of a church. The following month, the land and buildings at the corner of High- land Avenue and Mellen Street were purchased for $2,400, and a building committee was appointed. The buildings comprised a poolroom, a paint shop and a blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop was moved back to face on Mellen Street. The poolroom was fronted on Highland Avenue, and the paint shop placed at right angles in the rear so as to form a chancel and vestry. Thus was the little shingled church built which still stands, and is being used today as the lodge rooms for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The first service was held in the new church home on September 26, just four months from the time the plans were started. Bishop Lawrence was present, and the soloists of the occasion were Miss Emily Phillips, later to become Mrs. James A. Ackroyd, and Mr. George Allsebrook. Now that the parish was able to house its activities as well as its congregation under one roof, the life of the parish took on new energy. Both the church and church school increased in membership, and were in a promising condition when Mr. Pember found it necessary to resign in 1903 because of ill health. He had laid the foundations well, and he held a warm place in the affections of his people, who were loathe to accept the resignation of their first rector. During the remaining years of his life, he maintained a deep interest in the little church until his decease in 1914.
But what had been happening in the village of Needham during these later years? A number of those who had refused to concur with the majority in 1900 when it was decided to build in Needham Heights, had petitioned
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PAINTING
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Paint Shop and Poolroom
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The First Church
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the diocesan authorities for permission to establish a mission there, under the name of Trinity Mission. The consent of the congregation in the Heights was given unanimously, and a building fund of $250 was divided that Trinity Mission might have half of it for a future church if such a building was erected. Some of the former members of Christ Church played an important part in getting the new mission started, including Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Courtenay, Mr. and Mrs. George B. Fowle and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Willgoose. The warden of the mission during its last two years was Mr. A. Stuart Hamilton, father of Mr. David S. Hamilton, past warden and vestryman of our present church, and Mr. Arthur S. Hamilton for eleven years the treasurer of this parish. The mission continued until 1908, when it was decided to reunite the two parishes for the strengthening of the Episcopal Church in the two communities.
We come back again to the story of the church in the Heights. The three years following Mr. Pember's resignation found the church without a resident rector. Services were carried on by students from the Episcopal Theological School and by the rectors of neighboring churches, notably, Dr. Sullivan of Trinity Church, Newton, Dr. Addison of All Saints, Brook- line and Rev. George Cox of Cambridge.
On January 1, 1906, Rev. Newton Black came as the new rector. Imme- diately the church took on new life. Mr. Black proved himself an able and energetic leader, and his work among the boys of this community is going to stand as a lasting remembrance of his ministry. We still hear many favorable comments on the boy's choir which he organized. But the work for which Mr. Black's name will be remembered longest is the reunion of the two parishes and the building of our present church. In the latter venture, Bishop Lawrence proved to be a great help. He came to Needham and made a personal survey of possible locations for a new church. A site on Richwagen's hill, near where the high school now stands, had been suggested. But the parish did not feel itself in position, financially, to underwrite the cost at that time. On April 5, 1912, Mr. Black received a letter from Bishop Lawrence which contained the following paragraph: "I have decided that the time for united action on the part of us all has arrived. I have, through the reenforce- ment fund, obtained an option on the triangular lot of land on the corner of Highland Avenue and Rosemary Street, which is a central site for the whole of Needham, and with the development of the community will, I am confi- dent, become more and more central. This lot of land costing $1,500 will be given to the parish, if within one month the people of the parish and of the town of Needham have pledged $1,500 towards the construction of a church on the lot."
Within the month a special parish meeting was called, and the bishop's offer accepted. Authorization was also given to dispose of the church and land then in use, and Mr. Edmund Q. Sylvester was engaged to prepare plans for a
new church, parish house and rectory. It was felt advisable to start work on the church first, and to construct the other additions when the necessary funds could be sccured. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on June 28, 1913, with the Rt. Rev. Samuel Babcock officiating and Rev. Messrs. Black and Pember attending him. Much of the equipment of the old church was transferred to the new, including a pulpit from Emmanuel Church, Wake- field, a lectern from St. Mary's, Newton Lower Falls and a prayer desk from St. Paul's Church, Newton Highlands. The approximate cost of the new church was $8,200. On Friday, December 7, 1913, the church was dedicated, Bishop Lawrence being present. On Sunday, December 9, the first regular service was held, with Rev. Frederick Pember as the preacher. On January 5, 1917, a committee was appointed, composed of Rev. Newton Black, Mr. James A. Ackroyd and Mr. Arthur G. Curren, to take necessary steps for the build- ing of a parish house. In the same year the property at Highland Avenue and Mellen Street was sold for $3,100, and the proceeds used toward defray- ing the cost of the new parish house. The following year the parish was saddened by the resignation of the rector. A quotation from the late William C. Payne bears witness to the affection and esteem in which he was held by his parishioners: "The parishioners were loathe to let him go; for so much progress had been made under his leadership. How hard he had worked to bring the parish to the condition it was then in can never be adequately told. In and out of season he aimed to secure adequate and churchly quarters, to consolidate the parish into a harmonious and well rounded organization that would exert a widespread influence for good. In this he succeeded." And when his rectorship was ended, he left the parish in such good financial condition that a bequest, given at an earlier date by Miss Mary C. Pratt, was sufficient to remove all indebtedness.
Early in 1919, Rev. M. Oakman Patton was called to be the new rector. During his rectoratc the stage was added to the parish house, and the men's club room built in the basement just under it. The Men's Club was duly organized under the name of the Frederick Pember Men's Club, and has continued to function under that name until a ycar ago when war conditions seemed to justify suspension of its activities for the duration. Mr. Patton resigned as rector in June, 1925, and was succeeded by Rev. Richard G. Preston, then curate of St. Stephen's Church, Lynn. Mr. Preston proved himself to be an excellent organizer, an able preacher and a capable and energetic leader. He began his duties on February 1, 1926, and by April 1, was already laying plans for a new chancel and rectory. So thoroughly did he have the congregation behind him, that by September 1, the rectory was purchased and by Christmas Day of the same year the chancel was completed. A few months later the present organ was installed, due largely to the enthusiastic efforts of the choir.
As an aftermath to the first world war, Needham experienced a notable growth in its population. Many families moved in from Boston and from
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Early Picture of Present Church
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neighboring towns, with the result that the church enjoyed a marked increase in its membership. The time came during Mr. Preston's rectorship that it felt itself strong enough to become self supporting, and in 1929 it passed from the status of a mission to an independent parish.
At the annual meeting of January, 1930, Mr. Preston presented his resignation to take effect the latter part of February. His four years had witnessed such growth and achievement in the life of the parish, that his decision to leave met with genuine regret. But the call to Grace Church, Newton, seemed an important challenge, and the congregation wished him Godspeed as he left to take up his new work.
In that same month of February an invitation was extended to the present incumbent to become the new rector, and on May 1, he took up residence in Needham. It was a joy to find the parish so well organized and the members so enthusiastic about the future of their church. But the call contained a challenge too, for the many additions required by a rapidly growing work had increased the funded debts of the parish to $20,900. At the same time, it seemed important that the parcel of property immediately at the rear of the church on Rosemary Street should be acquired in order to provide for future enlargements without overcrowding. This property was purchased for $1,000. So the actual indebtedness became $21,900. To pay off that indebted- ness seemed to be the most pressing requirement of the parish, and the new rector and vestrymen set themselves to it with a will. Several substantial dona- tions were received to start the plan. Dime banks were issued to all parishion- ers, which yielded an encouraging sum, so that by 1937 the indebtedness had been reduced to about $16,000. By that time Bishop Sherrill had entered into an arrangement with the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston, whereby parishes could refinance their indebtedness at the rate of 4 percent, provided that 1 percent was paid for amortization. At the instigation of Mr. Arthur Curren, then senior warden, Christ Church agreed to decrease its indebted- ness at the rate of 10 percent per year as a minimum. Mrs. Samson Hammers- ley had expressed the wish that the organizations could be freed from all other responsibilities to work on this project. The way was found by encourag- ing the parishioners to finance the complete parish budget through the weekly pledge envelopes. While the budget has never been completely pledged, suffi- cient increases resulted so that the plan could be adopted. And from that time on, without any special drives or campaigns, the funded debt has melted away until today it is a thing of the past. At the midnight service on Christ- mas Eve, 1943, the rector was able to announce that the mortgage was com- pletely paid, thus ending thirteen years of devoted effort toward this objective.
During 1932 the church took an important step forward when it came into full union with the diocese thus assuring its full share of the responsi- bilities as well as the privileges of a self-supporting parish.
In the spring of 1935, Mr. Black who had retired, after having served as
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priest in charge of the Church of the Ascension, Cambridge, was named the first rector emeritus of Christ Church, to the joy of many of his old parishioners.
The parish growth over the last fifteen years has been a remarkable one. In 1930 there were 335 confirmed persons, today they number 865. In 1930 the annual income amounted to $13,072. In 1943 it amounted to $20,634. In 1930 the sum given to missions was $731. For 1944 the apportionment accepted is $2,000. Many memorials have come to adorn the church. The beautiful memorial windows, the junior altar, collection plates, a bulletin board, altar vestments and books, service and national flags. These are but a few, but they all point to the devotion of a people who love their church, and believe in its permanency.
Tonight we are assembled to burn the mortgage note of this church, thus preparing the way for its consecration in the autumn. Christ Church is rounding out fifty years of its history. It has been an interesting history and an honorable one. It has its roots sunk deep in the lives of many who are gathered here this evening. For many it is the only church home they have ever known. You who have come together there tonight are witnessing an important event in the life of your church home. May it inspire you to greater devotion to its services and greater interest in its future, that this heritage which is now in your hands may be blessed by your loyalty, and that Christ Church may continue to serve to the glory of God, and the betterment of mankind.
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Rev. Harry Hamlin Hall, A.B., B.D. Present Rector
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CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
THE WOMAN'S GUILD
President. MRS. LAWTON B. CAPRON
Vice-President .
MRS. GLENDON V. PARTRIDGE
Secretary MISS BERTHA E. PUGSLEY
Treasurer . MRS. LEWIS J. WARD
Chaplain
MRS. H. HAMLIN HALL
Chairmen of Committees
Ways and Means . MRS. FRANK A. BELL
Hospitality MRS. HERBERT E. BLAISDELL
Visiting MRS. GEORGE A. TROTTER
Work. MRS. ALONZO COLLAMORE
Missionary MRS. ROBERT CAPERS
United Thank Offering. MRS. RUSSELL A. SIMS
Church Periodical Club
MRS. WILLIAM H. KNOWLES
MRS. FRANK S. HOFF Fair
THE WOMAN'S GUILD has the longest history in point of service of any woman's organization in the parish. Its members devote themselves to a varied program of help, taking an active part in the United Thank Offering, the Church Periodical Club and numerous missionary projects at home and abroad, such as sewing for the Red Cross and local hospital, the support of a British child in war time, and the packing of boxes for various mission fields. This in addition to contributing largely to the support of the home church.
The social side of the Guild's program has included this year, lectures, afternoon teas. a play and the meetings of three groups within the Guild in the homes of members.
Through various committees, the Guild sponsored four tables, the tea room and the supper at the annual Fair, and have at all times been instant in support of the rector and his plans.
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THE ALTAR GUILD
Directress
MRS. J. C. NUTE, JR.
Vice-Directress . MISS MARION STEVENS
Secretary MRS. RICHARD W. CURRIE
Treasurer
MISS GRACE L. REECE
Members
MRS. WILLIAM P. BAILEY
MRS. FRANK HOFF
MRS. H. HAMLIN HALL
MRS. HERBERT BLAISDELL
MISS GRACE L. REECE
MRS. GEORGE HANSIS
MISS MINNIE G. REECE
MRS. ROBERT DAY
MRS. J. C. NUTE, JR.
MISS MARION STEVENS
MRS. ROLAND MARCH, JR. MISS EMILY FLETCHER
MRS. RICHARD W. CURRIE
MISS PHYLLIS PARTRIDGE
MISS BERTHA E. PUGSLEY
MISS CATHERINE DODGE
MRS. BARTLETT MURDOCK
MISS ELSIE M. HINKLEY
MRS. RUSSELL A. SIMS
Honorary Members
MRS. A. E. COLLISHAW
REV. & MRS. R. G. PRESTON
Junior Members
MISS VIRGINIA POWELL
MISS BETTY PIERCE
THE STORY of the Altar Guild is one of loyal service reaching back over a period of almost forty years. Prior to 1906 there does not seem to have been an organized group of Altar workers in the parish. Different women volun- teered their services, but no regularly appointed group had been formed. From 1906 to 1926 the work of adorning and preparing the Altar was placed in the hands of Mrs. Albert E. Collishaw having only the assistance of her two daughters, Mrs. George Downes and Mrs. Howard Slaney. In 1926, under the supervision of Rev. Richard G. Preston, the Guild was first organ- ized with a regularly elected group of officers. Mrs. William P. Bailey was the first Directress, Mrs. E. Bigelow Thompson, secretary, and Miss Grace Reece, treasurer. Other members of the newly formed Guild were: Mrs. Roland March, Miss Minnie Reece, Miss Bertha Pugsley, Miss Dorothy Smith, Miss Grace Godfrey, Miss Ruth Smith and Miss Dorothy Coleman.
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