USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the churches of Boston, giving a full account, in denominational divisions, of all the church organizations of the city, from their formation to the present time, with dates and complete statistics ; compiled with great care from first sources. Division one; Baptist and Presbyterian > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 8411
ISTORY
CHURCHES
E
BOSTON
INTRODUCTORY.
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TO OUR PATRONS.
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HISTORY
OF THE
CHURCHES OF BOSTON, +
GIVING A FULL ACCOUNT, IN DENOMINATIONAL DIVISIONS, OF ALL THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS OF THE CITY, FROM THEIR FORMATION TO THE PRESENT ʹ TIME, WITH DATES AND COMPLETE STATISTICS ; COMPILED WITH GREAT CARE FROM FIRST SOURCES.
DIVISION ONE: BAPTIST AND PRESBYTERIAN.
EDITED BV JAMES PIKE, A. B. 1
BOSTON :
ECCLESIA PUBLISHING COMPANY,
1883.
-
WARREN J. ROBINSON & CO., PRINTERS, 129 STATE ST., BOSTON.
-.
INDEX.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
PAGE.
Baptist Bethel Church,
- 74
Bowdoin Square Church,
24
Brighton Avenue Church, -
46
Bunker Hill Church, 72
Central Square Church, East Boston, 66
Charles Street Church, -
20
Clarendon Street Church, -
29
Dearborn Street Church, 80
Dudley Street Church,
89
First Baptist Church,
5
First Baptist Church, Charlestown District,
41
First German Church, - 81
First Free Baptist Church.
99
Fourth Street Church, South Boston,
82
Harvard Street Church,
59
Jamaica Plain Church,
62
Neponset Avenue Church,
71
Ruggles Street Church,
69
South Baptist Church,
54
Trinity Church, East Boston, -
73
Union Temple Church, 47
Warren Avenue Church,
10
Day-Star Church, 97
Ebenezer Church,
98
Independent Church, -
97
Twelfth Church, 98
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian Church, IO4
First Presbyterian Church, East Boston, 110
First Reformed Presbyterian Church, - 120
Fourth Presbyterian Church, 109
Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, - 122
Springfield Street Presbyterian Church, 101
Addendum, - · 124
#750 Outile Feb 21-1978 Po 8687
Roslindale Church, - 88
Stoughton Street Church. 85
(COLORED.)
1988961
I
ADDENDUM.
THE BETHEL CHURCH .- With regard to the Bethel cause in Boston, the name of the Rev. C. W. Denison should be mentioned as the pioneer worker. He began Bethel work in the city some two years before Mr. Stowe, but from some cause, did not continue it.
The names of Irving O. Whiting, and Frank E. James-the latter as Secre- tary-were added to the Bethel Board, since that portion of the work went to press. Both of these names are from the First Baptist Church.
Those also of Miss M. V. Ball, for 30 years the President of the Ladies' Bethel Society, and of Mrs. Newman, the present President of the same ; together with that of Austin S. Hawley, the late Secretary of the Bethel Board, are most justly entitled to be placed on record.
PREFACE.
In a practical age, in which actual results are made the test of success, it is necessary, it should seem, to say but very little in introducing to a public, which is, at least nominally, Christian, this book ; whose purpose is to present in perma- nent form, the actual result and condition of church work in the denominations represented. Every kind and branch of secular industry and effort has had, and still has, its own special Historian, or even several of them, by whom are placed on record full annals of its work. But, hitherto, no chronicler of the status of Christian work in its regular, normal, "trunk " line of action has appeared. This gap these books are intended to fill.
The division into denominational parts has been considered to be the best, and will be adhered to as nearly as possible. Sometimes, as in this division, a denomination has not enough churches in a city to form a division by itself, when it is placed with another. No order of priority has been recognized, either in the selection of a denomination for earlier or later place, or in that of the single his- tories in the individual book. In this regard, readinesss for the press, or some such minor circumstance, has been the only guide. In important respects, all Christian churches are held to be equal, and their records prepared with com- plete impartiality. The relative fulness and perfectness of the various accounts have been, as a matter of course, affected by the quality of the records, their accessibility, their fragmentary or complete character, and other incidents due to time and change. But, in every case, without exception, the very best possible has been done, and often with no little difficulty.
The publishers and their editor here desire to tender their most hearty thanks to those friendly pastors, deacons, elders, and other church officers and members,
whose kind and invaluable aid, so generously given, has made the successful com- pletion of the work possible. The remembrance of their helpful courtesy is a pleasant one. The list is a long one. None are named, lest one should, by inad- vertence, be omitted. Each one is warmly thanked, personally ; and all, collect- ively ; but none, enough.
The old proverb, " Altius ibunt qui ad summa uituntur," has been the rule, in the production of the book. While perfection cannot, probably, be attained, even in the publishing of a book, it can be striven for. This standard having been always aimed at, it is devoutly - and with some basis - hoped that a thor- oughly good book has been produced, even though hypercriticism should detect some weak points.
The work will be continued uninterruptedly throughout the several denomi- nations.
BOSTON, May, 1883.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH,
CLARENDON STREET, CORNER OF COMMONWEALTH AVENUE.
This church was constituted in Charlestown on the 28th of March, (old style,) 1665. The first record on the church-book is as follows : -
"The 28th of the 3d month, 1665, in Charlestown, the church of Christ, commonly (though falsely) called Anabaptist, were gathered together and entered into fellowship and communion with each other, engaging to walk together in all the appointments of their Lord and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, as far as He should be pleased to make known His mind and will unto them by His word and Spirit, - and then were baptized Thomas Gould, Thomas Osborne, Edward Drinker, John George, -and joined with Richard Goodall, William Turner, Robert Lambert, Mary Goodall, and Mary Newall, who had walked in that order in Old England."
This proceeding was considered by the civil rulers and the clergy of the Established Church as a high-handed and illegal act on the part of the Baptists ; and they were denounced as heretics, and disturbers of the peace. In accordance with a law which had been enacted at an early date, forbidding any person to form a church, or to meet together for divine service, without consent of the magistrate, several of the leading brethren of the church were brought before the Court of Assistants, the County Court at Cambridge, and the General Court ; and, on their refusal to desist from what was called their schismatic practice, were fined, dis- franchised, ordered to go into exile, and imprisoned. These persecutions, with intervals of abatement, continued until 1680, when the church, having been ejected from the meeting-house which it had built, was permitted to re-enter it.
Until 1679, the church met regularly once a week at private houses in Woburn, Charlestown, in Back street, now Salem street, Boston, and Noddle's Island, now East Boston.
On the 15th of February, 1679, the church met for the first time in its first meeting-house, which was located at the corner of what are now called Stillman and Salem streets. It was at the foot of an open lot, running from Salem street to the mill-pond, and placed near the water, for convenience for baptismal services. This house was replaced by a larger one, erected on the same spot, in 1771, under the popular Dr. Stillman ; to which, twenty years later, a considerable addition was made, making the whole building 57x77 feet. In these two humble buildings, on
6
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
this memorable site, the church worshipped for over 150 years. They were fraught with precious memories of conference, prayer, baptismal, and sacramental occasions ; and of a succession of pastors and members whose influence will be felt forever. There Wayland, Winchell and Stillman preached - back to John Russell and Thomas Gould.
The old building was afterwards removed to South Boston, and for a long time, was used by the South Boston Baptist Church.
The third meeting-house, erected by the church in Hanover street, was dedi- cated June 18, 1829.
The fourth meeting-house, erected by the church in Somerset street, was dedicated January 11, 1855. This property is now owned by the Boston University.
From 1877 to 1882 the church occupied the meeting-house in Shawmut avenue. In the fall of 1882, the magnificent temple on Commonwealth avenue which had been built by the Brattle Street Society, having been bought and refitted, was taken possession of by the church as its house of worship. This house - the sixth occupied by the church- with the adjoining new chapel building, since erected, is one of the most imposing ecclesiastical structures in the city.
The new chapel was opened on Friday evening, February 9, 1883. It is at the side of the main building, and is 104 feet long and 28 feet wide, with a small addition of the size of 12 feet by 44, taken from the main edifice. It has a seating capacity of about 400, and, with connecting rooms, of 100 more. The pastor's room, Bible and Committee rooms, etc., are over the ante-rooms. In this annex the architecture of the original edifice has been closely followed under the direction of Mr. T. W. Silloway. The decorations are Romanesque, and the fres- coing is a handsome piece of work, scarcely excelled in Boston. In the basement is a refectory, extending under the entire chapel. The cost of the chapel and land was $50,000
The first pastor of the church, who was also one of its founders, was Thomas Gould.
After his decease, in 1675, Isaac Hull and John Russell became pastors of the church, assisted in their labors for a brief period by John Miles, one of the two thousand ministers ejected from their livings in England in 1662.
John Russell was a shoemaker, and no doubt worked at the trade after assuming the pastoral office - a circumstance which was the occasion of much ridicule by the learned divines of Boston.
After the death of Mr. Russell, in 1680, the church appointed Edward Drinker and Ellis Callender to aid in carrying on their worship.
In 1684 John Emblem, who had been brought over from England, began a ministry with the church which ended with his death, in 1699.
7
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Failing in an effort to obtain a minister from England, in 1708 the church ordained as its pastor Ellis Callender, who, when the pastoral office was vacant, had been for thirty years " principal speaker.""
Resigning his charge in 1718, he was succeeded by his son Elisha Callender, whose prosperous ministry continued until his death, in 1738. It is a pleasing circumstance that the principal services on the occasion of flis ordination were performed by Increase Mather, Cotton Mather, and James Webb, three eminent Congregationalist clergymen, who, a few years before, had used their influence to drive the Baptists from the Colony. These services, moreover, were performed in the very house whose doors had once "been nailed up" by the authorities of the Colony of Massachusetts.
On February 14, 1739, Jeremiah Condy, who had been brought over from England, was ordained pastor of the church. It was during this pastorate that the secession from this church took place, from which arose the Second Baptist Church, afterwards well known as The Baldwin Place Baptist Church - now The Warren Avenue Church. Whatever may have been thought of Mr. Condy by some of his people, he seems to have enjoyed the strong support of the church, which would appear by his long pastorate, which lasted for 25 years. But, in addition to this fact, there is on record a letter full of confidence and love, given to Mr. Condy at his resignation. He died in Boston in 1768.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Condy, in 1765, the eminent and beloved Samuel Stillman was installed in the pastoral office, the duties of which he performed with remarkable ability and devotion until his death, March 12, 1807. But few pastors have been more highly regarded than this venerable man. Not only by the church, but by the whole community, he was looked upon as a man of extra- ordinary talent, great kindness of heart, and perfect purity of moral character. He was probably the most popular pulpit orator of his day. His pastorate covered a period of the greatest national interest ; the revolutionary war, the adoption of the federal constitution, the presidencies of Washington-of whom he was an enthusi- astic friend -Adams, and Jefferson, all having occurred while he was pastor of this church. In the early part of the century there was a great revival of religion at both the first and second churches.
Dr. Stillman was succeeded, in 1807, by Joseph Clay (commonly called Judge Clay), who, on account of continued ill health, obtained dismission from his pas- toral charge in 1809. In early manhood he had studied law, and was for several years Judge of the U. S. Court for the district of Georgia. He died January 11, 1811, aged 47 years. After this the church was without a pastor for five. years.
In 1814 James Manning Winchell began a prosperous ministry with the church, which ended with his death, on February 22, 1820.
From 1821 to 1826 the Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., (afterward president
8
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
of Brown University) filled the pastoral office, and was succeeded, in 1827, by the Rev. Cyrus l'. Grosvenor, who resigned in 1830.
It was during the ministry of Mr. Grosvenor, and chiefly through his exer- tions, that the old meeting-house on Stillman street was abandoned, and a new one built at the corner of Hanover and Union streets, in 1829, wherein the church worshipped for 25 years. Here Dr. Neale preached for 16 years.
Dr. William Hague became pastor of the church in 1830, remaining until 1837, when he resigned to take charge of the First Baptist Church in Providence, R. I. Under him the congregation was greatly enlarged ; the brilliant union in him of popular talent and an ingenuous spirit commanded universal affection and confidence.
In 1837 Rollin H. Neale succeeded to the pastoral office, resigning in 1877, and dying in 1879. A man of power and a man of peace, Dr. Neale was greatly honored and beloved ; and all our thoughts of him, now that he has passed into the skies, are precious thoughts.
In October, 1871, Rev. John T. Beckley was installed associate pastor, resigning June, 1876.
In the period which we have been reviewing, the church enjoyed many precious revivals of religion. Of the pastors whose labors were specially honored by revivals, we mention Mr. Condy, Dr. Stillman, Mr. Grosvenor, Dr. Hague, and Dr. Neale.
For many years previous to 1877 there had been a growing conviction that the church would gain larger prosperity by removal to another part of the city. Such a project seemed to require a union with one of the other churches. Accordingly, after prayerful deliberation, an overture for union was made by the Shawmut Avenue Church. This overture, after much deliberation and many con- ferences, was accepted. On the twenty-fourth day of May, 1877, the members of the Shawmut Avenue Church were received individually into the First Church, the former church ceasing to exist as a church, and the latter entering upon a new epoch of its long and honorable career.
The history of the Shawmut Avenue Church may be briefly summarizea as follows : -
In view of the rapid growth of population in the southerly section of the city, a few warm-hearted and earnest Christians, members of Baptist churches of Boston and vicinity, began public religious services on the second Sunday of April, 1855, in a hall on Canton street, a little west of Shawmut avenue. R. W. Cushman, D. D., accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit, and soon gathered a good congregation. On the 6th of May, under the superintendence of Franklin W. Smith, a sabbath-school was organized with nine teachers and forty-four scholars.
9
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
On the third day of March, 1856, thirty-one persons (fifteen males and sixteen females) constituted themselves into a church, and on the thirteenth day of the same month were publicly recognized by an ecclesiastical council under the name of the "Thirteenth Baptist Church." Dr. Cushman accepted the pastoral charge, in which he continued until July of the same year.
In September, 1857, Mr. Philip S. Evans began his labors as pastor, receiving ordination in October. At this time the church worshipped in Williams Hall. Mr. Evans resigned November 1858.
In June, 1859, J. W. Parker, D. D., became pastor of the church, resigning in December, 1864. In the first year of his pastorate, the edifice occupied from 1877 to 1882 by the First Baptist Church was purchased, refitted, and dedicated. At this time the name of the church was changed to the "Shawmut Avenue Baptist Church."
In April, 1865, William Hague, D. D., accepted an invitation to the pastoral office, and began his labors. During his pastorate the meeting-house was enlarged and beautified, and the debt upon it paid, and a mission-school established, which has since developed into the "Ruggles Street Baptist Church."
Dr. Hague resigned in 1869, and was succeeded in 1870 by George C. Lorimer, D. D., who resigned in 1873.
In 1874 Rev. Wayland Hoyt became pastor of the church, resigning in 1876.
In the period here reviewed, many revivals of religion were enjoyed, par- ticularly during the pastorates of Mr. Evans, Dr. Hague, and Dr. Lorimer, while all the pastors were abundantly blessed in their work.
In 1877, as already stated, the Shawmut Avenne Church was incorporated into the First Church, and ceased to exist as a separate and independent body.
On the 12th of April, 1878, the Rev. Cephas B. Crane, D. D., began his labors as pastor of the church, and is still fulfilling effectively and with divinely favored success, the duties of his office in this ancient church. The present membership of the church is about 850.
CHURCH OFFICERS .- Pastor : Rev. Cephas B. Crane, D. D .; Deacons : Cyrus Carpenter, Elisha James, John Q. A. Litchfield, James W. Converse, Lansing Millis ; Treasurer : Elisha James ; Clerk : William H. Foster.
OFFICERS OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. - Superintendent : A. S. Woodworth ; Assistant Superintendents : J. K. Simpson, Jr., H. L. Millis ; Secretary : A. L. Macomber.
10
CHURCHIES OF BOSTON.
THE WARREN AVENUE CHURCH,
WARREN AVENUE, COR. WEST CANTON STREET.
In the year 1742, some of the members of the First Baptist Church became dissatisfied with the preaching and doctrine of its pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Condy. They felt convinced that his doctrines were unevangelical, and not in accordance with the views of Baptists. In consequence, they addressed a letter -dated September 29, 1742,- to Mr. Condy and to the members, stating their dissatisfaction, and requesting a conference on the matter. They received no reply, and, therefore, in the month of October, they assembled in the house of Mr. James Bownd, at the corner of Sheafe and Snowhill streets, to conduct wor- ship among themselves.
This continued for several months, until, finding no prospect of a change at the First Church, the seceders from that church-in all seven persons- met on July 27, 1743, and organized the Second Baptist Church, and on the same day they drew up and adopted a Church Covenant, which was signed by thirty-three persons. However, these brethren, not knowing but that they were the only persons who still adhered to the doctrines and principles upon which the First Baptist Church was founded, felt that they ought to retain that name, which, finally, they did, and it was not until after the lapse of many years that they consented to be called the Second Baptist Church, and nearly a hundred years afterwards, - in the year 1839- the name by which this church was so long and so widely known, viz. : "The Baldwin Place Baptist Church," was adopted, in accordance with a joint petition of the church and society to the legislature.
They selected one of their number - Ephraim Bownd - as their first pastor ; he was forthwith ordained, and commenced pastoral duties, more especially the baptising of such candidates as the church received.
In the Centennial Sermon of this church, preached by Dr. Stow, the following paragraph occurs : -
" Having withdrawn from their brethren for reasons such as have been speci- fied, it is natural to suppose that they would not fail to give special prominence, in their articles of organization, to those cardinal doctrines for the sake of which they
11
THE' WARREN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
were making large sacrifices, and assuming peculiar responsibilities. The Summary Declaration of Faith which they promptly put forth, and which is still the platform of this church, shows how careful they were to be full and explicit in the exhibition of those principles which they had gathered from the Word of God, and for the defence of which they had taken their new position. Faithful disciples of Jesus ! They laid their foundation deep and broad in the great doctrines of the New Testament, and to this fact may be attributed, under God, the stability of the superstructure. While other churches around them, built partly upon God's truth and partly upon tradition, have declined from Christian rectitude, this church has stood firm on 'the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone,' and though the superincumbent mass has been greatly increased, and though it has been exposed to all the convulsions of a most exciting century, yet it has never been swayed a single hair's breadth from the true perpendicular."
The meetings of the church were continued in the house of Mr. James Bownd until June, 1745, when they were removed to Mr. Proctor's school-house, which was not far from Baldwin Place. About this time the society commenced building their first house of worship. It was erected on land given by Deacon Bosworth. 'The house was forty-five by thirty-three feet, containing twenty-six pews on the lower floor, and six in the east gallery, in front of the woman's gallery. The seats in the west gallery were free, and were occupied chiefly by sea-faring men, as they were, from time to time, in port. The house was first opened for Divine service on Lord's Day, March 15, 1746. The best pew in the house, esti- mated worth eighty-five pounds, " old tenor," was owned by Mr. Proctor. The second best was set apart "to be forever the ministerial pew." Near the pulpit was a baptistry, which was used for more than forty years.
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