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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
Grace Church
Gc 974.402 L435s 2058507
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
7
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 1150
GRACE CHURCH 1946
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
of
Grace Church
by EDITH ST. LOE SAUNDERS
+
11
. .
1
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Copyright 1946 by EDITH ST. LOE SAUNDERS LAWRENCE, MASS.
Privately Printed by THE ANDOVER PRESS, LTD., ANDOVER, MASS., U.S.A.
2058507
PREFACE
Grace Church at the corner of two city streets, noisy with the sound of automobiles coming and going incessantly, stands as it has stood these many years, a symbol of the peace that is not of this world and of the faith which no evil can overcome. Its open doors invite the passerby, whoever he may be, to enter, rest, pray for those who worship, those who minister there, for his own needs and the needs of the world; thus the Church on week days as well as on Sundays, ministers to those who are seeking help, not to escape trials, but to meet them bravely. Its very quiet offers consolation, but more than all else there is the Altar, the center of it all, which proclaims that this is truly the House of God.
Into the fabric of any church are built the lives of those who have faithfully served it; Grace Church is no exception. Many are the memories of those who have finished their course, and the sense that the Church belongs as much to them as to the living is very real. Without the devotion and loyalty of clergy and people through the years there would be little worthy of remembrance, for growth means sacrifice, sacrifice gladly made for the privilege of working for the extension of the Kingdom of God on earth through the medium of the Parish Church.
Many and great have been the problems which have had to be solved from time to time, many difficulties have had to be overcome; but the Church today is a witness that there has been no shirking in facing whatever has been hard in the past.
Different ages, different conditions of living, may call for varying methods in caring for those in need; but the funda- mental reason for the existence of any parish remains the same; the worship of Almighty God through prayer and praise and the administration of the Sacraments. Visiting the sick, comforting the afflicted, training the young, and caring for the poor, are duties to which the priests who have served at her altars have been most faithful. Grateful indeed have been the people to whom they have ministered.
E. ST.L. S.
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01 011 01
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
PAGE
I-1846-1876
7
II - 1877-1883 .
19
III - 1884-1901 . 24
IV - 1902-1920 . 30
39
VI- 1925-1937 .
52
VIII - Music
IX - Church School
72
XI - Societies
76
XII - Memorials .
81
XIII - Clergy
86
XIV - Officers-Wardens
87
Treasurers
88
Clerks
88
Roll of Honor-World War I
89
Roll of Honor-World War II
92
V - 1920-1925
43
VII - 1937-1946
63
X- Grace Church Monthly
75
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CHAPTER I
1846-1876
The history of Grace Church dates from the very begin- ning of Lawrence, then called Merrimack; thus Church and Lawrence have gone on together for one hundred
years; and it may truly be said that the Church has always . tried to make a contribution to the upbuilding and fostering of the elements that make for righteousness of any com- munity, large or small.
In 1845, the vision of Daniel Saunders, the founder of Lawrence, was taking visible shape. By that time men who were financially able to undertake the enterprise had been convinced that the waters of the Merrimack River in the vicinity of what is now Lawrence could furnish sufficient power to warrant building mills on its banks. An association called the Essex Company was formed and granted a Charter by the Legislature in 1845. At that time the Diocese of Massachusetts was divided into three districts, Eastern, Western, and Southern. The Missionary Association of the Eastern District which comprised Essex and Middlesex Counties, believing there was opportunity for establishing. the Church in that part of the state, appointed the Rev. George Packard missionary at large, the duties of which office he assumed April 20, 1846, at which time he was given charge of Beverly, Woburn, and Merrimack.
Dr. Packard as he was always called, because he had been a physician before entering the ministry, came of a family distinguished for its learning and for the high standing of its members in whatever positions they held; thus, by in- heritance and by early training, he became a worthy repre- sentative of an age when plain-living and high-thinking were not idle words, but really did describe the life con- sidered worth while by those who, by word and by example, gained and held the respect of their associates. Dr. Packard's® ministry links Grace Church with this age, for by preaching
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and by teaching he never failed to stress the seriousness of life here and how it might affect the life to come.
He was born in Wiscasset, Maine, graduated from Bow- doin College in 1821, practiced medicine for fifteen years, giving up that profession for the ministry. He was ordained Deacon in Richmond, Virginia, in May, 1843, and Priest in Boston, in May, 1844. His first parish was St. Peter's Church, Salem; his second, Christ Church, Andover. It is interesting to note that his brother the Rev. Joseph Packard while attending the Seminary in Andover was one of a group holding services, from which beginning came Christ Church.
The building of the dam had attracted many to Merri- mack, and the Missionary Association considered the possi- bility of erecting a chapel there. If a chapel were to be built money must be raised, and Dr. Packard consulted with Samuel Lawrence, great uncle of Bishop Lawrence, a devoted member of St. Anne's Church of Lowell. Mr. Law- rence proved a very valuable supporter of this new venture of faith. He not only offered one thousand dollars, but showed his interest in many other ways. Fortunately the group of men standing back of this new settlement wisely foresaw the influence for good the Mission would have upon the community and encouraged the effort being made to build the chapel, giving generously. Among the givers were other members of the Lawrence family, Amos Law- rence and Abbott Lawrence.
The Essex Company offered a lot of land with the proviso that in five years a brick or stone church must replace the contemplated wooden chapel; the location of the lot was left to Dr. Packard and Mr. Samuel Lawrence. They chose the site of the present Church.
H. and J. E. Billings, Boston architects, made the plans; kindly giving their services. The cost was not to exceed $1,350.00. The Missionary Association approving, work began, and by October 11, 1846, the Chapel was ready for use and the first service was held. There was a fair sized
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congregation made up mostly of men; probably not very many of the number were Episcopalians or accustomed to the service.
Not only had gifts of money made the Chapel possible,
DR. GEORGE PACKARD
but from many sources came the furnishings necessary for conducting the different services of the Church. Ladies of St. Anne's of Lowell gave a surplice; St. Paul's of Boston, a Bible and two prayer books; ladies of Trinity Church of Boston, crimson covers for the table, as the altar was called,
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and desk, communion linen, and five dollars; Grace Church of Boston, a carpet or $19.25; Mr. Daniel Bixby of Lowell, two prayer books and two hymn books. It is pleasant to look back on this first list of gifts to the Church, realizing that in those days there was a missionary spirit ready to assist in the starting of a church in a new community. As Bishop Eastburn said, "each with holy emulation throwing in its gift of love and gratitude." After all, past and present are not so very different. This has a very modern sound sug- gesting a United Thank Offering Service. The next Sunday, October 18th, the Sunday School was organized. There were three teachers and eight children.
November 19, 1846, is a very important date in the parish annals, for on that day members of the congregation and others, including the clergy from parishes in the Diocese, came together for service of consecration. What a day of rejoicing must it have been, for now Grace Church was really ready to go forward equipped for the work before it. Bishop Eastburn preached the sermon, taking for his text the 17th Verse of Psalm 90, "Prosper thou the work of our hands upon us; O prosper thou our handy-work." Dr. Edson of St. Anne's, Lowell, the Rev. Henry Waterman of Christ Church, Andover, and the Rev. Petrus S. Ten- broeck of Danvers, took part in the service. The Rev. Wil- liam R. Barry of Jamaica Plain gave the Communion Address. The Rev. Alfred Baury of St. Mary's, Newton Lower Falls, the Rev. Charles Mason of St. Peter's Church, Salem, and the Rev. B. Gordon Estes of St. James, Ames- bury, were present.
The solemn service must have impressed those in the con- gregation who were not Episcopalians, that unpretentious as the building was, it had been truly set apart from all secular use. Very plain it would no doubt seem today; the chancel at one end with the simplest sort of altar, on one side the organ, on the other a small room used later for the Sunday School library; opposite the chancel was a gallery.
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The only means of heating was a stove. Bishop Eastburn, however, was much pleased with it, for in his address to the Diocesan Convention, June 9, 1847, he said: "On Thursday, November 19, 1846, I had the great satisfaction of conse- crating Grace Church in Lawrence, this little church so correct in its proportions and then so striking for its devo- tional simplicity."
Bishop Eastburn was not alone in his admiration of the Chapel, for Dr. Edson reporting for the Commission on Church Extension to the Diocesan Convention, 1847, said: "Nor can we refrain among the encouragements of the year to mention the erection and consecration of the small and temporary, but beautiful and convenient, church in the new manufacturing town of Lawrence."
The Sunday School must have grown somewhat, for January 23, 1847, it received from the Rev. Charles Mason of St. Peter's Church, Salem, a gift of a library of one hundred volumes from the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, no doubt meant for instruction pure and simple, not the fiction intended for admonishing the youth of a later period.
From what a small beginning the present Church has grown is shown in the statistics that on the first Easter, April 4, 1847, there were only fourteen communicants at the service.
In compliance with a request a meeting was called to be held in the office of Charles Stark Newell, April 29, 1847; the purpose of which was the incorporation of the parish, the election of a clerk, moderator, and other necessary officers. Nathaniel Wilson, Charles Stark Newell, William P. Whittier, E. H. Kendall, Charles Lawson, Adolphus Durant, and Samuel P. Plaisted, were present. It was voted to incorporate the parishioners under the name of Grace Church. The following were elected: Nathaniel Wilson, Senior Warden; William P. Whittier, Junior Warden; Vestry: C. S. Storrow, Charles Stark Newell, C. M. Marvel,
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Adolphus Durant, and Samuel P. Plaisted; Moderator, E. H. Kendall; Clerk and Treasurer, Charles Stark Newell; Collector, Nathaniel Wilson.
On motion of W. P. Whittier it was voted to hold the annual meeting on every Easter Monday. This practice continued for nearly sixty years when the date was changed to the second Monday in January.
There was a meeting of the Vestry on June 7, 1847, which was adjourned until June 8th, 9:00 A.M. It was voted to send three delegates to the Diocesan Convention June 9th and 10th. On June 10th, the Rev. Mr. Ballard, Committee on New Parishes, reported that a parish had been organized in the Town of Lawrence under the name of Grace Church, and recommended that the same be admitted into union with the Convention. Report was adopted. When a cer- tificate of the appointment of lay delegates from said parish had been presented and read, the following names were called: C. M. Marvel, Nathaniel Wilson, and E. H. Kendall.
Weeks go by and Dr. Packard notes, "that October 3, 1847, completes the year that our services have been held in Grace Church. At the end of this first year there are twenty-six families besides many single persons, regular attendants."
June 4, 1848, Bishop Eastburn made his first visitation. In the afternoon he confirmed seven persons; among them were Denison W. Morrison and Mary E. Morrison, son and daughter of Mary A. Morrison, in memory of whom the Reredos in the Church was given in 1896. Another of the class was Henrietta Durant whose name is inscribed on the window over the Altar in the Durant Chapel.
A few years passed, marked by steady growth in numbers and in work accomplished. The time came to consider a new church. The members of the parish pledged half the cost which was to be between eight and nine thousand dollars; friends in Boston, Andover, Salem, and Lowell, the other half.
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The Building Committee consisted of Oliver H. Perry, Caleb Marvel, and George M. Lund. The chapel was moved to Garden Street and was used for the Sunday School, and week-day and Lenten services. The Church was consecrated May 5, 1852, by Bishop Eastburn who preached on the authority of the ministerial office, and the social, public, and spiritual blessings that came from it; the text being the Twentieth Verse of the Thirtieth Chapter of Isaiah. The instrument of bequest and donation was read by the Rector, the sentence of consecration by the Rev. Mr. Smithett, Morning Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Fuller and the Rev. Mr. Babcock assisted by the Rev. Mr. Baury. That interest in Grace Church had not weakened was shown by the goodly number of clergy present besides those taking part in the service; namely, Dr. Edson, the Rev. Messrs. Fales, Allen, Hoppin, Mason, Richmond, Willan, Wiltberger, and Wood.
On that day Mrs. Marland of Andover gave a commun- ion service. Now the parish was established in its permanent home. The Church though enlarged and improved in many ways at different times is still the same. The interior must have seemed very cheerless for the walls were not painted until 1860. No doubt, however, the people were proud, and justly proud, for it was an achievement to have been able in so few years to build a church even though so much help came from friends outside the parish.
Money had to be raised to meet the expenses and Dr. Packard in a letter to the parishioners dated June 8, 1853, put before them this plan:
"It is proposed to form a Parochial Association in this Parish. Its objects are two-fold, the monthly distribution of Religious Tracts and Papers among the families and individuals connected with the Parish, and the collection of money for the purchase of said Tracts and Papers, and for Missionary and Benevolent objects.
"The Tracts and Papers to be selected by the Rector, and distributed by some ladies of the Parish, who at the
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time of leaving the Tract and Paper, will take what the Family or Individual may have laid by for the above men- tioned objects, according to the Apostolic direction, 'Upon the first day in the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him' , I. Cor. 16:2. To follow this direction properly, each Family or Individual should have a box or some place in which there may be deposited every week, by Parents and Children, the Sum, large or small, which they are disposed to give-and the Collector, when she calls, is only to receive the amount, thus made up by the Contribution of four weeks .- Who cannot give a cent per week, or what family cannot contribute 121/2 cents per month? Let all give, no one being prevented from giving by the smallness of the sum."
It seemed to have been successful for $141.88 was raised and 258 pages of valuable religious reading were placed in each family and 100 copies of The Parish Visitor, no doubt a religious publication, were distributed monthly. We trust they were read and appreciated. It would be interesting to know how they would compare with what is offered today for instruction. Perhaps they were a bit dry or perhaps they had an appeal from the fact that there was not that amount of such literature available as there is today.
From the first, women took an active part in parish work, sewing for the poor and missionary boxes, visiting the sick and shut-ins, and working to raise money for the Church.
In his report to the Diocesan Convention, 1861, Dr. Packard mentions the death of Miss L. K. Spalding who went from the parish as a missionary to Africa, paying her this tribute, "Though her missionary life was short, it was not without happy results." For a number of years the Sunday School supported in Africa a child named for Miss Spalding.
The Guild for Sewing, one of the early names of the women's society, met in the houses of its members, sewing was done in the afternoon, and in the evening others came
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for a social hour. There were also parish gatherings which were intended to bring together the members of the congre- gation in a friendly way. In those days when the parish was comparatively small, people knew each other more in- timately than is possible today. There was not the division into groups for work for the five fields of service. Indeed most of the societies of today were not in existence any- where; however, work was done, and good work. The activities of today are but an expansion of the service of the women who gave without stint of their time and strength to the Church.
January 10, 1860, is a date marked by the fall of the Pemberton Mill, an unprecedented tragedy for that time. Members of the parish shared with other citizens of Law- rence the common task of bringing relief to the sufferers; others also, from without the City, came to give their assistance, and many gifts of money from far and near testi- fied how universal was the desire to have a share in these works of mercy. Daniel Saunders, Jr., was Mayor of the City at that time and on him fell many responsibilities. In his report to the Diocesan Convention, Dr. Packard stated that he consigned to the grave fourteen unidentified victims.
In the next year, 1861, came the Civil War, and for the four years following, projects unless essential to actual needs of the parish gave place to more extended service. Then as in later wars, women were devoting time and strength to work for Army and Navy.
Grace Church was quick to respond to the call of the Country. Unfortunately there is no record to be found to tell how many went out from the parish. In the 6th Regi- ment on its historic march through Baltimore, was a mem- ber of the parish, Col. B. F. Watson. Early in 1861 the officers of the 6th Regiment met at Lowell, and on motion of Col. Watson (then Major) the services of the regiment were tendered to the Government in case of need.
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Caleb Saunders enlisted in the 6th Regiment, April 15, 1861, so he too was in that famous march.
Probably few of the parish today, as they pass by the mon- ument on the Common dedicated to the soldiers and sailors who gave their lives for their Country in the Civil War, realize that the name of Henry Packard, son of Dr. Packard, is inscribed on it. He died January 21, 1862 on Gunboat Isaac Smith, Warsaw Sounds.
In October, 1864, a Mission Sunday School was started in the western part of Lawrence under the direction of Dr. Packard. Mr. A. V. G. Allen, a student at Andover Theo- logical Seminary and a candidate for Holy Orders, had charge for several months. From this Mission came St. John's Church, of which at one time Mr. Allen was Rector.
Naturally, the trend of the times was not always satisfac- tory to Dr. Packard, for in 1870 he called a meeting, the purpose of which was "to take measures to interest in parish aid." A committee was formed which drew up a report of organization of Parochial Association with the Rector as president. At the first meeting there were over one hundred present. In 1911, forty-one years later, the Vestry organized a committee of one hundred to promote the welfare of the parish, dividing into sub-committees with varying responsibilities; again old and new agree in purpose if not in exact conformity of detail.
In 1871, came the Twenty-fifth Anniversary which was fittingly celebrated with much rejoicing. Previously the church had been redecorated and the altar, now in the Durant Chapel, procured by money raised by subscription. The wardens, Mr. J. C. Hoadly and Mr. Daniel Saunders, Jr., with an executive committee of Mr. James Payne, Mr. H. M. Whitney and Mr. Charles G. Saunders were in charge of arrangements. An invitation was sent to the Eastern Dis- trict Association to attend in a body. On Sunday, October 8, Dr. Packard preached a sermon appropriate to the Twenty-fifth Anniversary. Tuesday, a large congregation
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came to the evening service which was read by the Rev. Henry L. Jones, rector of Christ Church, Fitchburg, and the Rev. E. H. True, rector of Emmanuel Church, Somer- ville; the Rev. Phillips Brooks preached the sermon. Wed- nesday was unfortunately a rainy day, but no doubt it did not keep people away from the special service which was the climax to what had gone before. After the service, Mr. and Mrs. Saunders entertained at luncheon the clergy and others from out of town. The day ended with a social reunion in the City Hall with an attendance of about five hundred. An important feature of this occasion was the presenting of a gift of money to Dr. Packard.
September 12, 1872, Bishop Eastburn died. On the follow- ing Sunday the lectern, pulpit and chancel rail were draped and over the altar which was vested in black was placed a black dossal with a white cross on it.
September 17, 1873, the Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, Rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., was consecrated in that Church, Bishop of Massachusetts. Dr. Packard was one of the clergy of Massachusetts who went on to the service.
The time came when Dr. Packard must have assistance in the care of the parish. The Rev. J. McBride Sterrett was his first curate and the Rev. George J. Prescott, the second. For a short time, Dr. Packard again worked alone. In 1876, the Rev. William Lawrence came. He was ordained in Grace Church to the priesthood by the Right Reverend Benjamin H. Paddock, Trinity Sunday, June 11, 1876. . His cousin the Rev. Arthur Lawrence preached the sermon.
July 4, 1876, there was a service at 8:00 A.M. As it was spoken of as a "special service," it may have been a part, if not the whole, of a service agreed upon by several bishops to be set forth by them respectively for use in their several dioceses. One would like to think it was, for the service was so appropriate for the day, but that is neither here nor there; the important thing is that Grace Church was alert to days of national significance.
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November 30, 1876, Dr. Packard died. Bishop Paddock, Rev. William Lawrence and Rev. W. J. Tucker, Dr. Pack- ard's nephew, officiated at the funeral on December 4th. The Church was crowded. On Sunday, December 10th, the Rev. Thomas F. Fales preached the funeral sermon. With his death came to an end the early history of the Church comprising its founding as a mission, building the chapel, admittance into union with Diocesan Convention, the second Church, and the improvements made in 1871.
Dr. Packard had lived to see many changes, but he him- self had never changed from the grave dignified clergyman demanding respect as he went in and out among his people. Not only had he served his parish, but he had always been interested in whatever was for the good of the community. He had served as a member of the School Committee and as first president of the Lawrence City Mission.
FIRST CHAPEL
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CHAPTER II
1877-1883
Shortly after Dr. Packard's death the Rev. William Law- rence was elected rector and took up his work with the same sense of responsibility to the parish and community that Dr. Packard had always shown, but being of a younger generation, perhaps saw the needs of the parish from a different angle. Changes in method of work were now in the Church at large and stress was laid on organization, not only to help people, but to give old and young opportunities for service. Mr. Lawrence had for a few months, April I, 1877 to October 1, 1877, the Rev. Amos Skeel as an assistant.
There had been little change in the service; the Sunday morning service consisted of Morning Prayer, Litany and Ante-Communion; the Holy Communion was celebrated the first Sunday of the month and on the Greater Feasts of the Church. Morning and Evening Prayer were read from a desk facing the congregation. Before the sermon, except when the service of Holy Communion followed, the preacher went to what was called the robing room to change his surplice for a black gown. This practice came to an end in Mr. Lawrence's rectorship.
The altar had no adornment of any kind; the day had not come, indeed did not come for many years in Grace Church, for people to realize that making lovely things pertaining to the altar was not primarily for the decoration of the Church, but for the glory of God.
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