USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Beautiful Newton the garden city of Massachusetts > Part 5
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CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM, NEWTONVILLE
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ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEWTON HIGHLANDS.
The first meeting of persons inter- ested in the Protestant Episcopal form of worship in Newton Highlands was held at the residence of Mr. James Simpson on January 26, 1883, at which Mr. George D. Eldridge was chairman and Mr. John P. Tenney, clerk. Mr. James Simpson was subsequently chosen president, Mr. Alexander 'Tyler, vice-president, Mr. John P. Tenney, clerk, and Mr. Charles F. Johnson, treasurer.
The first religious meeting was held in the block at the junction of Walnut and Lincoln Streets, on February 4, 1883, at which 118 persons were pres- ent. Immediate steps were taken towards building a chapel, and the open- ing service was held July 19, 1883.
The Parish of St. Paul was incor- porated April 14, 1884, with the follow- ing charter members: J. R. Deane, Charles C. Barton, John P. Tenney,
James Simpson, Edward J. Payne, Al- exander Tyler, Charles F. Johnson, George W. Knight, A. O. Swett, J. W. Hill, John F. Heckman, T. P. Wig- gin, J. Edwards Harlow, A. E. Hodg- son, F. A. Skelton, F. L. Skinner, Charles R. White, E. J. Williams, John Brundett, Eben Thompson, Ed- win H. Corey, James H. Hatch and George D. Eldridge.
The rectory was purchased in 1888, and in 1902 it was moved to its present location on Columbus Street and chapel enlarged and a parish house erected.
For the first four years, the church. was served by four ministers, Rev. George W. Shinn, rector of Grace Church at Newton, being the first, and was followed by Mr. Langdon L. Ward, Mr. Henry W. Winkley and Rev. Dean R. Babbitt.
Rev. Carlton P. Mills, the first rec-
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEWTON HIGHLANDS
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LINCOLN PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, WEST NEWTON
tor, was installed November 28, 1886, and served for about three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Hall Wil- liams, whose service extended to six and a half years, Rev. Clifford G. Twom-
bly serving for ten years, Rev. Charles E. Jackson for a few months, Rev. Al- bert N. Slayton for six years and the present rector, Rev. Louis A. Parsons, was installed February 22, 1914.
LINCOLN PARK BAPTIST CHURCH, WEST NEWTON.
The Lincoln Park Baptist Church of West Newton, formerly known as the First Baptist Church, was origi- nally located in Newtonville. It was organized with sixteen members in De- cember 1863, and was recognized by a Church Council the 7th of the following April. Rev. B. A. Edwards was called to the pastorate "at such salary as the church might be able to raise," which later appeared to be $600. During the two years of his service the organiza- tion grew in numbers and strength.
The second pastor was Father Graves. Until this time the church
had worshipped in a hall. A lot was secured near the railroad station and a new brick building was begun, but the financial panic of 1857 stopped the en- terprise. It was subsequently sold to the Unitarians, and was later trans- ferred to the Methodists, who now oc- cupy the building. The members were scattered and the work was practically abandoned.
In June, 1866, Deacon Nathan C. Pike, David C. Sanger and a few others met at Mr. Sanger's home to consider a change of location. It was voted to change the location and also the name
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to the First Baptist Church of West Newton, and to invite all Baptists in this section of the city to unite with them. Services were held in Village Hall.
Rev. Ralph H. Bowles was called to the pastorate and remained two years. He was succeeded by Rev. R. A. James, who served the church one year. The church was then supplied by various persons for a time.
In 1870 the enterprise had so grown that it was deemed wise to erect a house of worship, and the present building was dedicated in 1871. During this time Rev. W. H. Lisle was pastor and the church grew rapidly under his care.
Rev. Theodore Holland was the next pastor, but death cut short his useful services in 1878. For nearly two years the church was under the care of Pro- fessor Heman Lincoln, of Newton The- ological Institution.
Rev. Lester L. Potter was called from Everett the latter part of the year 1879, and during the four years of his
pastorate the church grew so rapidly that the building was enlarged by the erection of a chapel.
In January, 1883 Rev. O. D. Kim- ball became pastor and remained with the church five years.
Rev. D. W. Faunce, D.D., became pastor in July, 1889, and continued his services until January, 1894. The next pastor was Rev. Edwin P. Burtt who, after five years of pastoral work, was succeeded by Rev. Edwin F. Snell. Mr. Snell spent a little more than nine years with the church.
The present pastor, Rev. Robert W. Van Kirk came from Jackson, Michi- gan, in April, 1909.
The church was made a legal corpor- ation September 12, 1891. Some ten years ago an addition was made to the chapel, and a parsonage was purchased adjoining the church building. About the same time the name was changed from the First Baptist Church to the Lincoln Park Baptist Church.
GRACE CHURCH, NEWTON.
The parish of Grace Church was or- ganized September 27, 1855. The first services which led up to parish organiza- tion were held in the home of Mr. Ste- phen Perry, just over the Watertown line on Galen Street. The Rev. T. F. Fales, of Waltham, and a young cler- gyman, Rev. W. S. Perry, afterward Bishop of Iowa, officiated at these ser- vices. Sometimes the one. sometimes the other.
As the congregation began to out- grow the accommodations of Mr. Ste- phen Perry's parlor, they secured the old "Union Hall," where Cole's Block now stands, and began to hold services there on May 20, 1856. Then a lot was purchased at the corner of Washington
and Hovey Streets and a church build- ing of wood, was erected. The rector, Rev. J. S. Copley Greene, built and gave to the parish a rectory, which is now the Pomroy Home. A portion of the old Grace Church "horse-sheds" is still standing in the rear of this former rectory and may have given rise to won- dering questions in the minds of new comers to Newton, who do not know its history. Mr. Greene was the first rec- tor of the parish and was possessed of considerable wealth. He gave liberally to the cause of the new church. It was his first and only parochial cure.
When Mr. Greene resigned the rec- torship in 1864, the parish had devel- oped considerably in numbers and fi-
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nancial ability, and Rev. Peter Henry Steenstra, a man of scholarly attain- ments was called, who served the parish until 1869, when he resigned to begin his long and successful carcer as a pro- fessor in the Episcopal Theological School, at Cambridge, Mass.
During the rectorship of the Rev. Henry C. Mayer, who succeeded Dr. Steenstra, the wooden church was be- coming overcrowded, and in 1872 the movement for a new church was begun.
and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph S. Jenckes, July 1, 1872. On September 4 of that year the corner-stone of the present beautiful stone church was laid, and the building was occupied for the first service in December, 1873. It was at that time the finest church building that had been erected in the city of Newton, and still holds its own among the best and most beautiful of Newton's public buildings. The cost was a little less than $100,000.
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GRACE CHURCH, NEWTON
Looking to this end, a lot of land was secured on the corner of Church and Eldredge Streets. The credit for this far-sighted selection was due to Mr. S. Welles Holmes, for many years a most ardent and energetic member of the Vestry, who realized that the old site was becoming more and more noisy as the business of the Boston and Al- bany R. R. increased, and that Newton was growing up the hills.
In the meantime Mr. Mayer resigned
On January 1, 1875, began the long and fruitful rectorship of the Rev. George W. Shinn, D.D. The parish grew in numbers and the church was adorned with beautiful gifts and me- morial windows. The first chime of bells in the city was set up in the belfry of the beautiful stone spire. The chapel, parish house, library, and choir house were erected, and the large debt was paid.
Through the initiative of Dr. Shinn,
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aided by members of Grace Church, and other citizens of Newton, the movement was inaugurated which has resulted in our splendid Newton Hospital, justly the pride of the whole city.
Five other Episcopal churches have grown up, each taking members from Grace Church, and yet the old parish maintains its vigorous life.
On the first of June, 1906, Dr. Shinn's long rectorship came to end, by reason of infirmity and advancing years, and he became Rector-Emeritus. One year later the Rev. Laurens MacLure, D.D., became rector, and has continued to the present. The parish has advanced
slowly and steadily, and many improve- ments have been made in the fabric and fittings of the church. The member- ship is about 450, an advance of about 125. At present writing a handsome stone rectory is being erected on the property of the parish fronting El- dredge Street. The new building will contain twelve rooms and all conven- iences, and when completed will have cost about $23,000. Grace Church will then possess one of the most complete and beautiful groups of ecclesiastical buildings to be found anywhere in New England.
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, AUBURNDALE.
From 1857 on occasional services of the Episcopal Church were held in West Newton and Auburndale, but attempts to organize a parish were not successful as Saint Mary's at the Lower Falls and Grace Church in Newton were appar- ently sufficiently near. But in August, 1871, there was an earnest demand made in West Newton to organize a parish there. Ten men called for a warrant, and a notice was posted on the door of the Unitarian Meeting House (where some of the services had been held), and a parish was duly organized at the house of Jeremiah Allen in Washington Street near what is now Aspen Street. Early in 1872 the West Newton Village Hall was hired by the year for regular services, and the Rev. C. S. Lester became the first rector. In 1877 the words "and Auburndale" were added to the name of the parish, thus in- cluding and recognizing the Auburn- dale members.
The question of a site for a church building was much debated. In Sep- tember, 1877, services began to be held at Lasell Seminary with the Rev. Dr. G. W. Shinn officiating. In March,
1880 the parish was so far advanced as to be able to buy the "Brown lot" in Auburn Street, and also to secure some very fine brown freestone from a church which was being demolished in Boston. Mr. Charles Edward Parker, a well-known architect and a devoted member of the Church, gave the plans for the new Chapel, and it was built without delay under the direction of the following committee: Messrs. Parker, Earle, Woodruff, Henderson, and Nye.
In January, 1882 the Rev. Henry Aiken Metcalf became rector. Services were held regularly, and the church continued to grow. Mr. Metcalf was a devoted Churchman, well educated. Difficulties arose, however, and Mr. Metcalf resigned in May 1891.
This period was a trying one. Many members dropped away, but a goodly number remained, and the parish started anew, calling as rector the Rev John Matteson, who had been gradu- ated in June of 1891 from the Episco- pal Theological School at Cambridge.
Mr. Matteson made friends at once. His first vestry consisted of the follow- ing men: Senior Warden, N. F. Nye;
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Junior Warden, V. D. Baldwin; Treasurer, W. T. Farley; Clerk, John W. Bird; Vestrymen, Henry L. Jew- ett, W. M. Lawen, Chas. L. Markham, W. S. Hinman, and Henry R. Turner.
Bishop Brooks confirmed twenty-one persons in Lent, 1892, and the parish continued to grow.
On Sunday, March 12, 1892, the rec- tor announced that the vestry had ap- pointed a committee to take charge of the building of a new church. Addi-
and well-appointed kitchen. A very spacious parish hall was arranged un- derneath the chapel. The consecration and the new arrangement of the build- ings were occasions of great rejoicing.
The officers of the parish at this time were: Senior Warden, Manley U. Ad- ams; Junior Warden, W. T. Farley; Treasurer, Edgar Ward; Clerk, Wil- liam I. Goodrich; Vestrymen, T. D. Baldwin, M. E. Beardsley, S. C. Ben- nett, F. P. Gore, F. S. Hoyt, Jarvis
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, AUBURNDALE
tional land had been bought two years before, and although the Chapel was dear to all, it was becoming too crowded for comfort. On October 3, 1892 the cornerstone of the new building was laid by Bishop Brooks and the Rev. Dr. Shinn. April 19, 1909 the church was consecrated by Bishop Lawrence.
The chapel, which was some distance from the church on the next lot, was now placed at right angles to the church and connected with it by a choir room
Lamson, G. W. McNear, and J. W. Wildman.
The church as it now stands was de- signed by Ralph Adams Cram. A be- quest of $3000.00 in the will of N. F. Nye was of great assistance, but it would be impossible to recount the many other gifts. Only the Recording Angel could know the love and sacrifice which were spent.
Since the consecration of the church in 1909 there have been few radical
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changes. The grounds have been beau- tified and Boston ivy has been trained to grow upon the walls. The new boul- evard passing by the church and parish house increases their opportunity to be of service. The parish counts its ad- herents not only in West Newton and Auburndale, but also in Weston and the surrounding country.
During this period of more than forty years the parish has received many valuable gifts. The organ which had been presented to the chapel by Mrs. H. B. Darling of New York, was used for some time in the new church, but in 1903 a fine new organ built by Cole of Boston was installed, and the old organ was replaced in the chapel. Mrs. Henry Whitman, well known as an interior decorator, gave her services, selecting windows and deciding upon the interior arrangements and colors. The beautiful window over the altar is in memory of Mrs. Jewett and bears this inscription: "That your hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love". There are also windows given in memory of Lizzie W. Shinn, from her pupils at Lasell Seminary, of Seth Harwood, from the Masonic Order, of Mrs. Lincoln, and one window is a gift from the infant class of several years ago. Mr. Dutton gave the Communion vessels in 1882.
A reetory was bought in December, 1905, located at 58 Auburn Street, about equally convenient to Auburn- dale and West Newton. The house
has recently been put in thorough re- pair.
In May, 1914, the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Matteson to take effect the following October 1, was accepted with reluctance, for in his twenty-three years of faithful and helpful ministry both he and his wife and his mother had made a host of friends. The Rev. Harry Beal, a graduate of the Cambridge School in 1911, was called as rector and assumed charge in October, 1914.
The following men compose the ves- try elected for 1915: Senior Warden, Manley U. Adams; Junior Warden, Wm. I. Goodrich; Treasurer, Edgar Ward; Clerk, Franklin S. Hoyt; Ves- trymen, T. D. Baldwin, M. E. Beards- lev, W. W. Heckman, Jarvis Lamson, James Patchett, and J. H. H. Turner.
A number of organizations are con- nected with the parish. The men have the Lawrence Club, formed in January, 1906. The Woman's Guild has charge of both parish and missionary work. There are flourishing branches of the Girls' Friendly Society and the Junior Auxiliary. An Altar Guild was or- ganized in 1914. The vested choir of men and boys consists of twenty-seven members and the choir-boys have a club of their own. The Church School has the loyal support of a staff of fourteen officers and teachers. It is intended that every individual shall have an in- terest in one or another of these organi- zations, and their meetings keep the parish house in use much of the time.
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEWTONVILLE.
The date of the founding of St. St. John's Parish goes back to the year 1897 when some twenty persons came together to hold a first service in Tem- ple Hall, Newtonville. Previous to that date the present rector, while still
a student at the Theological School, had seen the possibilities for an Episcopal Church in this neighborhood, and had discussed the matter with several per- sons interested. The outlook seemed propitious, and deservedly so, for when
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in 1897, the first service was held, suffi- cient resources were at hand to warrant the calling of a minister. The Rever- end Abel Millard was selected, and he remained with the parish for two years. In 1899 Mr. Millard was succeeded by the present rector, when steps were at once taken to secure the land upon which the church now stands. The land was bought and paid for at a cost of $4000.
Meanwhile services were being held
ple type of suburban church. Gothic in architecture, and beautifully finished within and without, the building does much by the simple dignity of its lines to give inspiration to all who worship within its walls. The architect is Henry Vaughn, and the material used for building is Vermont granite, a gift of a member of the parish. In the base- ment are rooms for the choir and for the various guilds of the church, while upstairs is a study for the rector. The
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEWTONVILLE
in Temple Hall, and the need of a church building was as pressing as is now the need of a parish house. Efforts to secure such a building were rewarded after the lapse of two years, and on the 25th of June, 1902, Bishop Lawrence laid the corner stone of St. John's Epis- copal Church. The building was com- pleted the following year, and on March 22, 1903, occurred the formal opening.
The Bishop has often referred to our church home as being an excellent, sim-
chancel, unusually large for the size of the church, accommodates a choir of twenty-six. The church itself seats about two hundred and twenty, and cost, exclusive of the land, $17,000. A two-manual pipe organ completes what has been a thoroughly satisfactory build- ing. Situated on a corner lot in a grow- ing part of the town, the church has gained for itself in the community a commanding and increasing influence and support.
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CLINE MEMORIAL M. E. CHURCH, NEWTON HIGHLANDS.
At a quarterly conference held early in the year 1890 at the Methodist Church in Newton Upper Falls, it was voted to inaugurate services at Newton Highlands.
In March, Rev. George S. Butters, of the Newtonville Methodist Church, began to hold services in Stevens Hall on Sunday afternoons. On May 4 of the same year, Rev. C. E. Todd as- sumed the pastorate. On June 5 the church was organized with a charter membership of thirteen. The names of these are as follows :---
E. H. McCann, Samuel Stevenson, George P. Stevens, Abby V. Stevens, Emma G. Stevens, Fanny E. Stevens, Mary K. Hyde, Nethe O. Robinson, Rachel Park, Arthur J. Littlehale, Lil- lian Littlehale, Lizzie M. Blood and Dora Stevenson.
Rev. Frank Barton came to the church as pastor in April, 1891, but
removed to Mexico in December. He was succeeded by Rev. James P. Chad- bourne.
In October, 1892, Rev. C. A. Shatto was appointed. During his pastorate the beautiful church edifice was erected at the junction of Hartford St. and Erie Avenue, an unexcelled location.
In 1901 a Congregational lady, Miss Rand, presented to the church to be used as a parsonage, the fine property at 59 Hartford Street.
In 1908 the name of the church was changed to Cline Memorial, in recog- nition of the splendid gifts and interest of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Cline.
In addition to those already men- tioned the following pastors have served this church: Rev. Arthur Bon- ner, Rev. George S. Painter, Rev. Thomas L. Bishop, Rev. Charles H. Davis, Rev. John E. Charlton, Rev. G. M. Bailey, Rev. Arthur D. Strand
CLINE MEMORIAL M. E. CHURCH, NEWTON HIGHLANDS
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UNION CHURCH, WABAN
and Rev. William Henry Hodge. The present pastor is Rev. William Kelley.
The church has a splendid property and a growing membership. It has a fine Epworth League and a thriv- ing Ladies' Aid Society. It holds a unique place in the community and its future is bright with promise. It is well known for its splendid Gospel ser- vices on Sunday evenings, and its con- gregational singing.
The officers of the church are as fol- lows :-
Trustees: Rev. Wm. J. Cozens, President; J. B. Haskell, H. L. Has- kell, C. A. Noble, T. J. Allingham, Richard Whight, Chas. German, Mrs. Anna Cline, G. N. B. Sherman.
Stewards: C. M. Haskell, Lewis Giles, Robert Hopkins, Mrs. G. N. B. Sherman, Miss Alma Ross, Mrs. J. B. Haskell, Mrs. Sarah Morgan, Miss Edith McCann, H. W. Haskell.
Sunday School Superintendent : Rev. Wm. J. Cozens.
Epworth League President: Miss Katherine Bacon.
Ladies' Aid President: Mrs. Anna Cline.
The church is in charge of the Bos- ton District of the New England Con- ference and is under the supervision of Rev. Dillon Bronson, District Superin- tendent, and Bishop John W. Ham- ilton.
UNION CHURCH, WABAN.
The first informal meeting on record Reverend George M. Adams, D.D., of was on December 2nd, 1904. The late Auburndale, is gratefully remembered
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as the first minister in charge. He min- istered to the small group of worship- pers until January, 1906.
The Union Church Society was for- mally organized on November 15, 1905, and incorporated May 5, 1908. The services of worship and the Sunday School continued to be held in Wa- ban Hall until the fall of 1912. The Rev. Joseph B. Seabury followed Dr. Adams as the minister in charge, and rendered faithful and devoted service until June, 1910.
In September of that year, the Rev. Andrew W. Archibald, D.D., came as acting pastor, and to his wise and ener- getic leadership is owed much of the growth and prosperity that followed.
On January 11, 1911, the Union Church was organized with eighty-one charter members; this event marks a new epoch in the history of this move- ment. The inconvenience of the hall as a place of worship emphasized the im- portance of a church edifice, and under Dr. Archibald's resourceful guidance, a canvas of the community was under- taken with such encouragement that the plans for a new church soon took shape.
It is gratefully recalled that the Con- gregational Churches of Newton con- tributed through the Congregational Church Union the generous amount of $3,500. The Old South Church of Boston likewise gave $3,500. On Sep- tember 11, 1911 ground was broken for the new church on the lot given by the late Wm. C. Strong, who took a deep interest in the church from the begin- ning.
The corner stone was laid with ap- propriate exercises on November 19th, and the completed House of Worship was dedicated with an impressive ser- vice on September 17, 1912.
The Building Committee were F. W. Webster, Chairman, under whose con-
stant care and oversight the work was done; F. H. Putnam, who did not live to see the work completed; with L. W. Arnold, J. P. Russell and H. S. Kim- ball.
The ladies of the Society assumed the expense of installing a $2000 pipe organ, which they have now paid for.
The architect was James H. Ritchie. The value of the church, including land and furnishings is $25,500. It is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. The auditorium has a capacity of about two hundred sittings. There are conven- ient and attractive rooms for the ladies' work and for the social activities of the church. The vestry is converted by moveable screens into individual class- rooms for the Sunday School.
The building has been planned and completed with such thoughtfulness and good taste that it has resulted in a per- fectly appointed and beautiful little church. In the absence of Dr. Archi- bald during two winters, the church was fortunate in the preaching and pastoral care of the Rev. George A. Hall and the Rev. Henry Hyde.
Soon after the dedication of the church, by the unanimous call of Church and Society, the Rev. Charles Herrick Cutler, D.D., for twenty-five years min- ister of the First Congregational Church of Bangor, Maine, came to the Union Church as its first pastor. Mr. Cutler began his work on November 17, 1912, and was formally installed May 15, 1913.
The Congregation and Sunday School are constantly growing; there is a fine spirit of unanimity and co-opera- tion; the outlook is full of promise, and there is every reason to believe that a vigorous and fruitful church is added to the sisterhood of Christian churches in Newton.
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FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, CHESTNUT HILL
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, CHESTNUT HILL.
The First Church in Chestnut Hill, was gathered in October, 1861. On Wednesday, October 2, some ten or twelve families, then residents at Chest- nut Hill, with several from Brookline, met to dedieate the little meeting-house which later came to be known as Chest- nut Hill Chapel. It had been given by Thomas Lee, Esq., of Brookline, and was built from the plans of Charles Follen, Esq., after the model of the meeting house of the First Parish in Hingham, Massachusetts. The Rev. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop, D.D., of the church in Brattle Square, Boston, of- fered the prayer of dedieation at this service, . the Rev. Frederie Henry Hedge, D.D., of the First Parish, Brookline, preached the sermon, and the Rev. William Augustus Whitwell offered the closing prayer. Mr. Whit- well, who had been for some years min- ister of the First Congregational Par-
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