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Gc 974. 402 F19ca 1820217
M.L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01115 2292
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyannalsske00carr 0
HISTORY ANNALS AND SKETCHES OF THE
CENTRAL CHURCH
OF Fall River, Massachusetts A.D. 1842 - A.D. 1905
WITH PORTRAITS AND VIEWS
WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY
MRS. WILLIAM CARR MRS. ELI THURSTON MRS. CHARLES J. HOLMES
EDITED BY HENRY H. EARL, A.M.
FALL RIVER, MASS. Printed by Date of the Church 1905
1820217
Central Congregational Church
3
FALL RIVER MASSACHUSETTS
B
=
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Corner Rock and Franklin Streets, Fall River, Mass.
1:
D
2844279 .2
Carr, Elizabeth Valentine (Durfee) "Mrs. William Carr," 1827-
History, annals and sketches of the Central church of Fall River, Massachusetts. A. D. 1842-A. D. 1905. With portraits and views. Written and compiled by Mrs. Wil- liam Carr, Mrs. Eli Thurston, Mrs. Charles J. Holmes. Ed. by Henry H. Earl, A. M. Fall River, Mass., Printed by vote of the church, 1905. xii. 331 p. front., piates, ports. 24"m. 1. Fall River, Mass. Central church. 1. Thurston, Julia Ann ( Ses- sions) "Mrs. Eli Thurston," b. 1818, joint comp. 11. Holmes, Mary Anna (Remington ) "Mrs. Charles J. Holmes," 1834- joint comp. III. Earl, Henry Hilliard, 1842- ed.
5-42046
141374 Library of Congress
BX7255.F4C4
OHMS CARE20cl1
.
D 2844279,2
The Fort Mill press SAMUEL USHER 176 TO 184 HIGH STREET BOSTON, MASS.
141374
" There is so much Good in the worst of us, And so much Bad in the Best of us, Cbat it bardly bebooves Any of us To 'criticise' the Rest of us."
£
Contents
PAGE
FOREWORD
xi
INTRODUCTION
1
ORGANIZATION OF THE CENTRAL CHURCH, A.D. 1842 2
ORGANIZATION OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY, A.D. 1843
5
EARLY PREACHERS OF THE CHURCH, A.D. 1842-1844 . 8
Annals of Church
REV. SAMUEL WASHBURN, PASTOR, A.D. 1844-1849 13
REV. EL THURSTON, D.D., PASTOR, A.D. 1849-1869 17
REV. MICHAEL BURNHAM, D.D., PASTOR, A.D. 1870-1882 31
REV. ELDRIDGE MIX, D.D., PASTOR, A.D. 1882-1890 54
REV. WILLIAM WALKER JUBB, PASTOR, A.D. 1891-1896 60
REY. WILLIAM ALLEN KNIGHT, PASTOR, A.D. 1897-1902 70
Rev. CLARENCE F. SWIFT, D.D., PASTOR, A.D. 1902 . 87
SEN-CENTENNIAL - JUBILEE CELEBRATION, A.D. 1842-1892 99
BENEFACTIONS, FUNDS, LEGACIES, ETC., A.D. 1842-1905 131
FOREIGN MISSIONARIES OF CENTRAL CHURCH:
Miss LoIs W. HALL 135
MISA HARRIET SEYMOUR 136
REV. AND MRS. GEORGE W. HINMAN 139
REV. AND MRS. EDWARD S. COBB 141
LADIES' BENEFICENT SOCIETY, A.D. 1843-1905 144
HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL, A.D. 1843-1905 156
HISTORY OF THE PASTORAL AID SOCIETY, A.D. 1883-1887 167
HISTORY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR, A.D. 1887-1905 170
MISSION WORK OF THE CENTRAL CHURCH, A.D. 1849-1905 179
PLEASANT STREET MISSION SABBATH SCHOOL, A.D. 1849-1903 . 179
ANNALS AND WORK OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY, REV. EDWIN A. Buck, A.D. 1867-1903 185
WORK OF MISS CAROLINE BORDEN . 196
HISTORY OF THE FATHERS AND MOTHERS' BIBLE CLASS, A.D. 1880- 1905 . 199
HISTORY OF THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, A.D. 1869-1905
203
HISTORY OF THE WILLING HELPERS' SOCIETY AND CRADLE ROLL, A.D. 1870-1905 209
vii
viii
Contents
Personal Sketches
PAGE
REV. AND MRS. SAMUEL WASHBURN 215
REV. AND MRS. ELI THURSTON. 216
REV. AND MRS. MICHAEL BURNHAM 222
REV. AND MRS. ELDRIDGE MIX 227
REV. AND MRS. WILLIAM WALKER JUBB 230
REV. AND MRS. WILLIAM ALLEN KNIGHT
231
REV. AND MRS. CLARENCE F. SWIFT
232
REV. AND MRS. EDWIN A. BUCK .
233
DEACON BENJAMIN EARL AND WIFE
238
DEACON NATHAN DURFEE AND WIFE
240
DEACON ELIJAH C. KILBURN 244
242
DEACON THOMAS F. EDDY
DR. AMERY GLAZIER AND WIFE 246
COL. RICHARD BORDEN AND WIFE 247
JESSE EDDY AND WIFE 250
HENRY H. FISH AND WIFE
252
ROBERT K. REMINGTON
254
THE SEXTONS OF THE CHURCH:
PRINCE G. HAYDEN
258
EDWARD A. VANDOORN
258
Supplement
CHURCH HISTORY - APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE, VOTE, REPORT,
CIRCULAR, SUBSCRIBERS TO PUBLICATION FUND
263
IMPORTANT DATES 266
LIST OF PASTORS 266
OFFICERS OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY, A.D. 1905 267
COMMITTEES OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY, A.D. 1905 267
ORGANIZATIONS OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY, A.D. 1905 268
BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS - ANNUAL SCHEDULE . 272
MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCH IN DECADES AND SEMI-DECADES 272
ISSUES OF CHURCH MANUALS AND DIRECTORIES 272
LISTS OF DEACONS AND DATES OF SERVICE 273
LISTS OF CHURCH TREASURERS AND DATES OF SERVICE 273
LISTS OF CHURCH CLERKS AND DATES OF SERVICE 273
LISTS OF SOCIETY CLERKS AND DATES OF SERVICE
274
LISTS OF SOCIETY TREASURERS AND DATES OF SERVICE
274
LISTS OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS AND DATES OF
SERVICE . 274
COPY OF DEED OF PEWS, FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE, A.D. 1844 275
ARTICLES OF FAITH, COVENANT, CREED, ETC., A.D. 1845 277
ARTICLES OF FAITH, COVENANT, CREED, ETC., A.D. 1884 279
ix
Contents
ARTICLES OF FAITH, COVENANT, CREED, ETC., A.D. 1903
PAGE
284
PROGRAM - LAYING OF CORNERSTONE OF PRESENT CHURCH EDIFICE, JULY 22, 1874 .
287 PROGRAM - DEDICATION OF PRESENT CHURCH EDIFICE, DECEM- BER 13, 1875 ·
290
PROGRAM - SEMI-CENTENNIAL JUBILEE, NOVEMBER 13, 1892 100
COPY OF CALENDAR, WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 12, 1899 293
COPY OF CALENDAR, WEEK BEGINNING MAY 7, 1899 297 COPY OF CALENDAR, WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 25, 1903 300 COPY OF CALENDAR, WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 26, 1905 304 COPY OF TOPICS AND SPEAKERS:
MONTHLY MISSIONARY MEETINGS, A.D. 1903-04. 307
MONTHLY MISSIONARY MEETINGS, A.D. 1904-05 309
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL BIBLE SCHOOL, A.D. 1903 311
GENERAL INDEX
317
INDEX OF PERSONAL REFERENCES
327
Illustrations
PAGE
NEW CENTRAL CHURCH Frontispiece
REV. SAMUEL WASHBURN 13
REV. ELI THURSTON, D.D. 17
REV. MICHAEL BURNHAM, D.D. 31
REV. ELDRIDGE MIX, D.D. 54
REV. WILLIAM WALKER JUBB
60
REV. WILLIAM ALLEN KNIGHT
70
REV. CLARENCE F. SWIFT, D.D.
87
REV. EDWIN AUGUSTUS BUCK . 185
DEACON BENJAMIN EARL 14
DEACON NATHAN DURFEE 18
DEACON ELIJAH C. KILBURN 242
DEACON THOMAS F. EDDY 183
HENRY H. FISH
26
RICHARD B. BORDEN 131
COL. RICHARD BORDEN
38
JESSE EDDY
250
PRESENT PASTOR AND BOARD OF DEACONS
87
BUILDING COMMITTEE OF PRESENT CHURCH EDIFICE
37
FOREIGN MISSIONARIES
135
MISS HARRIET SEYMOUR
203
OLD CENTRAL CHURCH
267
NEW CENTRAL CHURCH CHAPEL 63
NEW CHURCH AUDITORIUM - INTERIOR, LOOKING WEST 39
NEW CHURCH AUDITORIUM - INTERIOR, LOOKING EAST 99
NEW CHURCH STONE MEMORIAL TABLET 40
NEW CHURCH MEMORIAL BRONZE TABLET 97
NEW CHURCH CHAPEL - INTERIOR 156
MISSION SCHOOL BUILDING 179
X
Foreword
" IF the history of the Church in general is of all history most impor- tant, and events relating to it, apparently trivial, possess in the sight of God more interest than revolutions and overthrow of thrones and empires, then the history of an individual church even for a limited period is to itself worthy of record and review." So wrote the pastor and deacons of Dr. Thurston's time in an annual report; so thought the officers and members in church meeting assembled, June 13, 1904, when they instructed their chairman, Dr. Swift, to appoint a commit- tee who should gather material for a church history. He nominated Mrs. William Carr, the only surviving original member of the Church, Mrs. Thurston, widow of Dr. Eli Thurston, and Mrs. Charles J. Holmes, wife of the senior deacon.
After some nine months spent in examining records, gathering material, and devising a general plan for the work, the committee reported progress, and asked for information as to the extent of its powers. The report was accepted, the committee continued, and given full power to proceed with the work on lines suggested.
Early in June, 1905, a circular letter was issued by the committee, describing their work, giving the estimated cost of publishing the book, and asking for voluntary subscriptions to pay for the same. Before the first of July sufficient money and pledges were received to warrant the continuance of the work as proposed. Three deacons of the Church were called to assist in the further prosecution of the work: Deacon Henry H. Earl to the editor's chair; Deacon Newton R. Earl to aid in the publication of the book, and Deacon Charles J. Holmes to receive and have charge of the subscription fund. To the hearty cooperation and untiring zeal of these gentlemen, and their experience and efficiency in editing and embellishing the book, is due in a large
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Foreword
measure whatever of success has been attained. The committee wish to acknowledge their indebtedness to all friends who have in any way assisted them, and to voice their appreciation of papers prepared by Deacon Charles A. Baker, Mrs. Alanson J. Abbe, Miss Anna H. Borden, and Mrs. James F. Jackson.
The aim of the committee has been, not so much to give a literal presentation of every passing event, as to record the varied experiences through which the life and work of the Church has been broadened, deepened, and made more fruitful. Sixty-three years of active church life have passed in review before us,- some of unusual prosperity, when the air was filled with the song of " The Harvest Home " and the church opened wide its doors to receive the returning gleaners bringing their sheaves with them; others of sore trial and adversity, when with David we were led to say, " All Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me "; some filled with earnest work crowned with large success; others seemingly less fruitful and with but little if any sign of outward growth. Through all the years, however, there is clearly discernable, a growing sense of the responsibility of the Church for the moral and spiritual uplift of the life of the community, and a strengthening of the tie which binds all in one common brotherhood.
MRS. WILLIAM CARR. MRS. ELI THURSTON. MRS. CHARLES J. HOLMES.
HISTORY AND ANNALS
OF THE
Central Congregational Church
OF FALL RIVER, MASS.
Introduction
THE First Congregational Church in Fall River, the mother church, was organized by an ecclesiastical council regularly convened for the purpose, January 9, 1816. Five persons, viz., Richard Durfee, Welthe Durfee, Joseph Durfee, Eliza- beth Durfee, and Benjamin Brayton, constituted its original membership. This little company, weak in numbers, but strong in faith and zeal, gradually increased until, in 1840, three hundred and sixty-four names were enrolled in its membership.
During the year 1840, an unfortunate business disagree- ment between two of its prominent members was the occa- sion of a widespread disaffection in the church, resulting in a request from certain members, " That they be dismissed from the First Church and allowed to form a new church."
The request was granted, and, in accordance therewith, letters missive were sent from the First Congregational Church to eleven neighboring churches, to meet in ecclesias- tical council to consider and act upon the following resolu- tion, viz., " That this church proceed to call an ecclesiastical council to consider the expediency of organizing, and if thought expedient, to organize Amery Glazier and other
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History and Annals of the
members of this body into another and separate church, agree- ably to their request." Churches to form the council were called, by pastor and delegate, from Berkley, Boston (Central Church), Easton, Fairhaven, New Bedford, Newport, Provi- dence (High Street and Richmond Street), Seekonk, Taun- ton, and Randolph.
Organization of Central Church November 16, A.D. 1842
The council met November 16, 1842, and organized by choosing Rev. Luther Sheldon, of Easton, moderator; Rev. Erastus Maltby, of Taunton, scribe; and Deacon R. S. Bourne, of Providence, " attestant " scribe. After listening to, and duly considering, the statements of pastor and people, the council voted " that it is expedient to organize the members requesting it into another church, to be called the CENTRAL CHURCH IN FALL RIVER." The articles of faith and covenant presented by persons applying, and approved by the council, were the same as those of the mother church. Voted, " to proceed to the organization of the new church this evening at seven o'clock."
The following persons, seventy in number, were dismissed from the First Church for the purpose of organization, namely : Samuel Barnard, Mrs. Ann Barnard, Mrs. Abby W. Borden, Mrs. Phoebe B. Borden, Melvin Borden, Israel Brayton, Slade Brayton, Tillinghast Briggs, Mrs. Parnell Briggs, Samuel Chace, S. Angier Chace, Miss Elizabeth G. Chace, Miss Minerva Chace, William Coggeshall, Mrs. M. A. Coggeshall, Miss Hannah E. Coggeshall, Miss Betsey Cook, Miss Mary A. Carer, John S. Cotton, Williams A. Burt, Mrs. - C. B. Brayton, Charles C. Dillingham, Mrs. Mary A. Dillingham, Nathan Durfee, Mrs. Delane B. Durfee, Mrs. Fidelia B. Durfee, Mrs. Sylvia B. Durfee, Mrs. Lucinda T. Durfee, Mrs. Mary S. Durfee, Joseph Durfee,
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Central Congregational Church
Mrs. Ruth Durfee, Miss Harriet A. Durfee, Miss Elizabeth V. Durfee (Mrs. William Carr), Mrs. Sarah Durfee, Miss Eliza Dean, Miss Frances M. Dunlap, Miss Lucretia D. Dean, Jesse Eddy, Mrs. Sarah P. Eddy, Benjamin Earl, Mrs. Nancy S. Earl, Henry H. Fish, Mrs. Eliza Ann Fish, Amery Glazier, Mra. Ann C. Glazier, Miss Mary E. Gardner, Miss Eleanor Gray, Miss Prudence Gray, Harvey Harnden, Prince G. Hay- den, Mrs. Ann Hayden, Mrs. Hannah Hathaway, Mrs. Susan Hathaway, Daniel Leonard, Mrs. Anna R. Leonard, Miss M. A. Leach, Miss Mahala T. Manchester, William T. Nichols, Mrs. Welthe Paine, Hale Remington, Mrs. Catharine G. Remington, Mrs. Amelia Simmons, Mrs. Hannah Sweet, Miss Ann Smith, Nicholas Taylor, Mrs. Hannah M. Winslow, Henry Woodward, Mrs. Eliza A. Wood, Lucas C. Young, Mrs. Mary Ann Young.
Only one of this number is now living, Miss Elizabeth V. Durfce (Mrs. William Carr). Subsequently other members from the First Church joined the Central Church.
Did space permit, mention might well be made of many pleasant reminiscences of our charter members. Of them it can be said, in the words of Paul to the Corinthians, " Ac- cording to the grace of God which was given unto us, as wise master builders, we have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon." They builded well; ours was a strong foundation, built on a "City of Rocks."
Most of them have gone on to know more and more about the perfect service given in the upper house.
They have fought the good fight of faith and won the vic- tory, and " their works do follow them."
Others, since, have borne the heat and the burden of their day. Others, still, are now giving their strength and energy to the great structure, building wisely and well, remembering the promise,
" He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto eternal life: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."
.
4
History and Annals of the
The public exercises of the organization of the Church were as follows: Prayer, Rev. J. O. Barney, of Seekonk; sermon, Rev. William M. Rogers, Central Church, Boston; formation of the Church, Rev. Luther Sheldon, Easton; consecrating prayer, Rev. Jonathan Leavitt, Richmond Street Church, Providence; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Charles Hitch- cock, D.D., Randolph; concluding prayer, Rev. Charles Chamberlain, Berkley. The Church was thus duly organized in accordance with established usage, and the council adjourned.
After the organization of the Church and until a place for regular services could be provided, business and conference meetings were held at the dwelling houses of the members. Six days after organization, a church meeting was held at the house of Dr. Nathan Durfee, when the following officers were chosen: Samuel Chace, clerk; Nathan Durfee, Charles C. Dillingham, and Tillinghast Briggs, Prudential Committee; Samuel Chace, William Coggeshall, and Daniel Leonard, Fi- nancial Committee; Henry Woodward, treasurer. A committee of three was appointed, viz., Amery Glazier, Jesse Eddy, and Benjamin Earl, to draft a code of rules and regulations for the government of the Church, and report at an adjourned meet- ing, to be held ten days later. The adjourned meeting was held at the house of C. C. Dillingham, when the committee submitted their report. The report was accepted, its articles, rules and orders separately considered, and finally adopted as the code of regulations for the government of the Church.
In the year 1833, the Pocasset Manufacturing Company erected a large brick building called the " Pocasset Block," on the corner of South Main and Pleasant streets. "The Pocasset House," a hotel, occupied the greater part of the block; but a large room on the second floor, with an entrance on Pleasant Street, was called " Pocasset Hall," and was let for meetings of various kinds, lectures, concerts, etc. When arrangements were made by the Church, in December, " to
5
Central Congregational Church
hold services by ourselves on the Sabbath," Pocasset Hall was selected as the place best suited to the needs of the Church; Dr. Glazier was chosen to secure the hall; Dr. Durfee was appointed to procure pulpit supplies; Henry H. Fish was made treasurer of foreign missionary funds; and Benjamin Earl, Samuel Chace, Mrs. Fidelia B. Durfee, and Mrs. Daniel Leonard were appointed collectors to solicit contributions for foreign missionary work. Thus early in the annals of the Church appears "The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," in whose welfare it has ever had a deep and abiding interest, as the annual contributions for its support amply testify.
Organization of the Ecclesiastical Society January 20, A.D. 1843
1843. About the middle of January, upon request of Amery Glazier and others, a warrant was issued by James Ford, Esq., justice of the peace in the county of Bristol, for a meeting to be held in Pocasset Hall, January 20, 1843, at half past seven o'clock in the evening, for the purpose of organ- izing the Ecclesiastical Society of the Church. The meeting was held at the time and place appointed, and the Society was legally organized and incorporated under the name of the " Central Congregational Society." The signers of the call were:
AMERY GLAZIER.
NATHAN DURFEE.
RICHARD BORDEN. BENJAMIN EARL.
WILLIAMS A. BURT. JESSE EDDY.
EDWARD S. CHASE.
HENRY H. FISH.
ABRAHAM COOK. HENRY WOODWARD.
JOHN S. COTTON.
DANIEL LEONARD.
CHARLES C. DILLINGHAM.
The applicants, and all others who had become members of the Society by subscribing to the by-laws, appointed the officers
6
History and Annals of the
for the ensuing year, and transacted all business legally coming before them. Edward S. Chase was chosen treasurer and collector; and Richard Borden, Samuel Chace, and Samuel B. Hussey, assessors. The common seal was adopted as the seal of the corporation. A committee was appointed to report, at an adjourned meeting to be called three days later, what building lots could be obtained, and prices. At the time appointed, January 23, 1843, the committee reported that two lots were available, one situated on the west side of North Main Street, nearly opposite Bank Street, known as the " Bennett lot " which could be obtained for five thousand dollars; the other, known as the "Massasoit lot," situated on the north- west corner of Bedford and Rock streets, owned by Bradford Durfee, Nathan Durfee, Joseph Durfee, and Mrs. Fidelia B. Durfee, could be had as " a donation to the Central Congrega- tional Society, for the erection of a house of public worship thereon, if said lot would answer the wishes of the Society."
The Society accepted the latter lot agreeably to the terms proposed, and chose a committee - Nathan Durfee, Harvey Harnden, Joseph Durfee, and Samuel Chace - to prepare a plan for a House of Worship, with probable cost thereof, and to report one week later. Benjamin Earl was appointed agent to receive the deeds of the lot in behalf of the Society. During the week allowed them, the committee consulted Mr. Russell Warren, an architect of Providence, R. I., who referred them to a meeting house recently erected by the First Baptist Society in Pawtucket, R. I., which he thought would meet their wishes. They visited the church, examined it in all its details; conferred with the committee who built it concerning the cost; procured a loan of the plans, and were ready to report at the time designated, their hearty approval of these plans, and to recommend their adoption in the main, as suitable for the Society. The report was accepted, and after an extended conference, and a thorough examination of the borrowed plans, they were adopted.
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Central Congregational Church
A building committee, consisting of Bradford Durfee, Joseph Durfee, Nathan Durfee, Richard Borden, Samuel Chace, Jesse Eddy, and Melvin Borden, was appointed to build the meeting house after the general plan presented, with power to make such changes or alterations as seemed best suited to the needs of the Society. Thus, within ten days from the organization of the Society, a location was secured, plans adopted, and a committee chosen and empowered to go for- ward with the construction of a church edifice. The contract was given to Melvin Borden; work was begun immediately; building materials were purchased and on the lot ready for use, and the frame of the church was raised, waiting to be covered, when the "Great Fire" of July 2, 1843, occurred. By great exertions the frame, though badly scorched, was saved, but all beside was entirely consumed. Col. Richard Borden reimbursed Mr. Melvin Borden, the contractor of the building, for all loss on material destroyed.
The burning of Pocasset Block deprived the new church organization of its place of worship. The Baptist church and society, however, whose "Temple " was just outside the burnt district, most cordially invited the Central Church to the use of their pews all day, and their pulpit one-half day, each Sabbath. The Church gratefully accepted the invita- tion and the two churches worshiped together until Novem- ber, when the Central Church and congregation removed to the vestry of their new meeting house on Bedford Street, which was then ready for occupancy. At a church meeting held at the house of Dr. Glazier, October 23, 1843, the following resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That the grateful acknowledgments of the Central Church are due, and are hereby tendered to the pastor, church and congrega- tion of the First Baptist Church in Fall River [now called Baptist Temple], for the free use of their pews all the time, and their pulpit one half the time, so kindly and promptly proffered to and accepted
8
History and Annals of the
by us immediately after the calamitous fire which deprived us of our usual place of public worship, and by which we have been permitted to worship unitedly ever since.
Resolved, That our thanks are also due, and are hereby tendered to those individuals of said society who have been so active, untiring and courteous in aiding members of the Central Church to pews.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be handed to Rev. Asa Bronson, and one to the church over which he officiates as pastor.
Mr. Henry H. Fish, Mr. Orrin P. Gilbert, and Dr. Nathan Durfee were appointed to " select some new collection of psalms and hymns, for the use of the Church in the public worship of God." The committee unanimously recommended " ‘The Church Psalmody,' compiled by Lowell Mason and David Greene, of Boston, as the most approved collection of psalm- ody in all our churches, and one which has a thorough evan- gelical character both in doctrine and spirit, and need only be examined, to convince any candid person, of its superiority over the old collection of ' Watts ' now in use among us. They further report that it is inexpedient for the Church to take any action in relation to the books to be used by the choir." The report was adopted, and " The Church Psalmody " was used until 1860.
Early Preachers
From the organization of the Church until the completion of the first church edifice, the pulpit was supplied by recent graduates from Andover Theological Seminary, among whom were, Rev. Robert Stevens Hitchcock, son of Rev. Charles Hitchcock, D.D., of Randolph, who preached but a short time in Fall River, and in July, 1843, was installed pastor of the North Church, New Bedford; Rev. Edward A. Washburn, who preached for two months; Rev. Roswell D. Hitchcock - who later attained such eminence as professor of ecclesias-
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Central Congregational Church
tical history in Union Theological Seminary, New York, and subsequently became its president - preached six months; and Rev. Benjamin Hosford, who preached several months in the vestry of the new church.
1843. On Monday evening, April 17, the first annual church meeting was held, when the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: Samuel Chace, clerk; William Coggeshall, Samuel Chace, and Daniel Leonard, Financial Committee; Nathan Durfee, Charles C. Dillingham, Tillinghast Briggs, and Jesse Eddy, Prudential Committee; and Henry H. Fish, treasurer. April 27, the Society voted to assume all debts contracted by the Church for the support of the gospel prior to this date.
ANNALS OF THE CHURCH
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