USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Beautiful Newton the garden city of Massachusetts > Part 8
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the enterprise from its beginning by his cheering presence at the meetings and his constant aid and advice.
On the 14th of June Rev. Joseph B. Clark of Yarmouth, Mass., preached both morning and evening. A unani- mous call was at once extended to him. He accepted, and on Sept. 8, 1868, the Central Congregational Church was or- ganized with a membership of thirty- six, and its first pastor installed. Mr. Clark finished his pastorate September 5, 1872.
Since that time the church has had the following pastors :-
James R. Danforth, installed Jan. 2, 1873; dismissed April 15, 1874.
E. Frank Howe, installed Dec. 6, 1876; dismissed Sept. 5, 1882.
Frank W. Gunsaulus, installed June 12, 1883; dismissed May 14, 1885.
Pleasant Hunter, Jr., installed Oct. 1, 1886; dismissed Oct. 1, 1889.
David H. Taylor, installed Feb. 27, 1890; died Dec. 10, 1890.
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CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NEWTONVILLE.
John M. Dutton, installed Jan. 11, 1892; dismissed Feb. 14, 1899.
Ozora S. Davis, installed April 5, 1900; dismissed Sept. 9, 1904.
Jay T. Stoeking, installed Nov. 14, 1905; dismissed, 1914.
Abraham J. Muste, installed Feb. 23, 1915.
In the summer of 1875 the church was enlarged by the addition of two wings, giving in all 664 sittings; the room in the second story was fitted up for social gatherings, and the whole house refurnished and put in thorough repair. In 1888 this building was found to be inadequate to the growing needs of the church, and steps were taken toward selecting a proper site for a new building. As a result, in 1889, a large lot on Walnut Street, with the dwelling house on it, was purchased at a cost of $14,000. In 1893 it was decided to erect a stone church on this lot. On June 9, 1894, the corner stone was laid, and on May 28, 1895, the new building was dedicated. From the report of the
building committee is taken the follow- ing summary of cost :-
Total cost of new meeting
house, $78,957.49
Furniture, organ, etc., 12,000.00
Land, 12,000.00
Total expenditures, . $102,957.49
During the pastorate of Rev. M. Stocking, a determined effort was made to pay off the debt on the church build- ing, and the burning of the mortgage note on Easter Sunday, 1913 was a notable occasion in the history of the church.
On Jan. 27, 1899, the church voted unanimously to incorporate under the name of the "Central Congregational Church of Newton," and received its charter from the state Jan. 30. The property was transferred from the so- ciety to the church Feb. 6.
The membership of the church at the time of its organization was thirty-six and now numbers over five hundred.
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PERRIN MEMORIAL M. E. CHURCH, NEWTON LOWER FALLS.
Newton Lower Falls methodism was born March 13, 1867 in the home of Noah Perrin, Grantville, now called Wellesley Hills. The meeting there as- sembled was an adjourned meeting of the Trustees of the Old Needham Cir- cuit. The members present were Noah Perrin, John Mansfield, C. W. Down- ing, C. W. Flagg, Mark Lee and Lewis N. Sumner, all members of the Newton Upper Falls M. E. Church. It was the desire of these men to have a place of worship nearer home with a pastor in charge. This subject was talked over and discussed and a vote taken to re- quest the bishop of the approaching conference to send a preacher in charge to the Lower Falls and Needham So- ciety.
The bishop honored this request and sent the Rev. John W. Coolidge on April 21, 1867 and the first sermon was preached on that date by him in Wales Hall, Lower Falls, to about thirty per- sons.
A Sabbath school was formed the fol- lowing Sunday of fifteen members and a Bible class soon afterwards of twenty- seven members. Noah Perrin was the first teacher of the Bible class. Nellie Foster, afterwards Mrs. Wheeler, was the first convert. By her donation of three volumes she started the Sunday School Library. She was also the first garnered fruit of this church into heaven. In the meantime they changed their place of worship, July 7, 1867, to Boyden Hall and remained there until January 18, 1868.
The first Quarterly Conference was held in Boyden Hall at 9 P. M., Sep- tember 7, 1867, presided over by Dr. L. R. Thayer, Presiding Elder. The first stewards, W. A. Hunter, John Crossland and Noah Perrin, were then
appointed. Noah Perrin was appointed Class Leader.
The first Board of Trustees was or- ganized April 29, 1869, as follows :- President, George T. Denton; Treasu- rer, Noah Perrin; Willard Hurd, Leonard Hurd, James Brierly, Charles Ford and Isaac Farwell, Jr. James Brierly was appointed Sunday School superintendent, in which capacity he rendered valuable service for a great many years. Two of our first Sunday School teachers were W. T. Perrin and Marshall L. Perrin, sons of Noah Per- rin, who rendered valuable service to our church in its early beginnings.
The society again changed their place of worship from Boyden to Village Hall, formerly a school-house. The building was bought by Thomas Rice and remodeled with stores below and hall above. This building was hired first and soon bought by the Society for the sum of $3,350.00 This old hall was the scene of many a spiritual refreshing and revival meeting. In the spring of 1869, this society became completely separated from the Needham Circuit and was called the Methodist Society of Newton Lower Falls.
As I have already stated we had some glorious times in the old hall and many were converted to Christ. It may be well to speak here of a few who did splendid service in the church. George T. Denton, very enthusiastic in his en- deavor to work for others and in turn- ing many from the error of their way to the Saviour. Charles Ford, always in his place of duty, and Charles Rich- ardson, a faithful Christian and a class leader for many years. He was loved by all.
In 1872 the Board of Trustees con- sisted of the following members: Noah
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Perrin, Charles Ford, George T. Den- ton, Leonard Hurd, Charles Riehard- son and Marshal Perrin. The stewards were Noah Perrin, Charles Ford, George T. Denton, Leonard Hurd, Charles Richardson, Marshall Perrin and Peter C. Baker; and the elass lead- ers were George T. Denton and Charles Richardson. All but two of these have passed on to their reward, and our memory of them is sweet; the
Gill, no doubt, laid the foundation for this enterprise, and worked hard for it but it was still unaceomplished at the elose of his service here.
In the spring of 1886 he was followed by the Rev. J. B. Gould, but no head- way was made during his stay, but in the spring of 1888 the Rev. Arthur Page Sharp, a talented young preacher came, bringing with him his wife. They somehow won the hearts of all, and
PERRIN MEMORIAL M. E. CHURCH, NEWTON LOWER FALLS.
only two survivors being Marshall Per- rin and Peter C. Baker.
From this time on until the year 1889 our services continucd in the Methodist Hall with a change of min- isters every two or three years, all were good men and worked hard for the best interest of the society. The time eamc during the pastorate of Rev. Joshua Gill, when we decided that we had out- grown the hall, and that we ought to have a ehureh to worship in. Brother
were instrumental in converting many and receiving them into the church. It was he that revived the dying embers of the new church plans, and after mueh hard, earnest work, with the help of God and aid of his parish, succeeded in raising enough money to start the en- terprise.
It was a difficult problem as to where we should locate and build. Some pre- ferred Wellesley, but the majority fav- ored Newton Lower Falls. A lot of
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land was bought from Mr. Wallace on Washington street for $1,400.00 and a building committee was appointed :- Cyrus Washburn, Rev. A. P. Sharp, Peter C. Baker. In the spring of 1889 ground was broken for the new church, and the work of building the church was awarded to Peter C. Baker.
On February 18, 1890 the new church was dedicated and the sermon was delivered by Dr. William Nast Brodbeck. Dr. L. B. Bates, presented the indebtedness and raised $1,200.00. The Rev. J. B. Gould read the dedica- tion service, owing to the absence of the presiding elder and the pastor.
The total cost of the church was $11,000, and a debt of $4,000 was left. Later, Rev. A. P. Sharp, the pastor raised through Church Aid collections from twenty churches, $540.00.
Dr. J. H. Twombly followed Rev. A. P. Sharp, and proved to be a truly great man, rendering the church good service. During the second year of his pastorate he died, January 1, 1893, and was succeeded by his son, Rev. W. L. D. Twombly, who remained during the rest of conference year.
The next to take his place among us was Rev. R. H. Howard, who remained with us two years and accomplished good work. In the spring of 1895, the Rev. O. R. Miller became pastor, and through his personal efforts enough money was raised to pay off the remain- ing mortgage of $3,000.00 On June 17, 1897 the mortgage was burned in the presence of a large congregation.
The next five years were in the ser- vice of Rev. G. W. Mansfield, who did nobly for our church. In 1903 Rev. J. Edwin Lacount and his bride followed G. W. Mansfield and remained with us two years, both were very much liked, benefitting the church to a great extent. The next to fill the place was Rev. John R. Cushing, who proved to be unusual- ly active in a great many phases.
His family were of great assistance in musical lines and with their father made friends with all. Death claimed him before he had finished his first year, February, 1906, after a short illness of pneumonia. The remainder of the con- ference year was filled by supplies.
Rev. Eugene H. Thrasher came the following April with wife and son. We found him a conscientious, active and willing worker and not only labored in every department of the church with great zest, but took a great interest in civic affairs, public schools, play- grounds, and organized a "Men's club," he remained with us six years which was the longest time any minister had staved.
Last but not least, in the year of 1912 Rev. G. W. Jones and wife were sent to us. Surely both have proved to be efficient workers. The first year, through his own efforts, Rev. G. W. Jones raised several hundred dollars for the renovating of the church interior. Since then a beautiful pipe organ has been purchased. During these three years $2,850 have been expended on im- provements. He shows great enthus- siasm in the spiritual welfare of the church. The preaching services and the prayer meetings show a marked im- provement in attendance, and thus far thirty-six new members have united with the church. The young people are active, and the Ladies' Union Society is a great factor for our good.
Legacies left by the following to the church :- Mrs. Leonard Hurd, $800; Mrs. Cyrus Washburn, $1,000; Mrs. Julia Sanderson, $2,000; Mrs. Sadie Lowell, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Matilda Flagg, $500.
The present official board consists of the following members :-
Stewards: Mr. P. C. Baker (District Steward) ; Mr. W. B. Saunders, Prof. M. L. Perrin, Mr. Edward Cooper (Treasurer) ; Rev. W. L. D. Twombly,
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Mrs. Bertha R. Baker (Recording Steward) ; Mrs. Ida M. Brown, Mrs. Frances Clarke Westergren, M. D .; Mrs. May Hemeon, Mrs. M. S. Stew- art, Mrs. S. L. Saunders.
Trustees :- Mr. P. C. Baker, Prof.
M. L. Perrin, Mr. W. B. Saunders, Mr. Edward Cooper, Mr. W. H. Loud, Mr. Frank D. Baker, Mr. Thaddeus Hale, Mr. W. J. Stewart, Pastor, Rev. G. W. Jones.
NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NONANTUM.
The North Congregational church, formerly known as the North Village Church, is situated on Chapel street in that section of Newton known as No- nantum. Nonantum, by the way, means place of rejoicing. It is an old Indian name, which in the early days was applied to the whole of what is now known as Newton.
The church itself is the outgrowth of a Sunday School which was established and held its first session on June 2, 1861
in the old Bemis Station, on the Water- town Branch of the Fitchburg Rail- road, just across the river from the site of the present church building. This school was founded, the work carried on and the whole project maintained by Samuel E. Lowry, who first gathered the children together, acted as leader, afterwards became pastor of the church, and labored there incessantly for twen- ty-three years, giving generously his whole-hearted service to the work
NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NONANTUM.
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which had been that of his own creation.
Lowry came to this country from Ireland, his home being near Belfast, and located in Newton. His employ- ment was that of clerk in a large dry goods store in Boston. He attended Eliot church, and it was during one of his Sunday afternoon rambles through North Village that he conceived the idea of starting a Sunday School for the children of that place. Rallying around him were the Trowbridges, the Bacons, the Spears and the Bassetts.
In July, 1862, the school was trans- ferred from Bemis to a little chapel which had been erected on the site of the present church edifice. Here the work continued and the school grew.
During the year 1865 the chapel was enlarged and on July 11, 1866 a church was organized. Twenty-three people united in forming the church, fifteen of whom came from Eliot church.
On February 21, 1867, Mr. Lowry was ordained as pastor, he having stud- ied and prepared for the ministry under the direction of Rev. J. W. Wellman, the pastor of Eliot church. On June 9, 1872 the chapel was destroyed by fire and the church, as it is today, was built and dedicated on October 16, 1873.
The stone used in its construction was taken from a quarry off Beacon street, Newton Centre. The church, therefore is distinctly a Newton church.
Mr. Lowry served the church until his death, which occurred while he was on a visit to his old home in Ireland on February 20th, 1884.
Lamb took up the work shortly after Mr. Lowry's death and served for sev- eral years. He was succeeded by Dr. Greene, and in 1900 Rev. Henry L. Oxnard was called to the pastorate. Mr. Oxnard served for more than ten years, and his successor was the late Dr. Charles L. Merriam, who resigned after two years of service to accept a call to the Auburn Street church in Patterson, New Jersey, a church of which he had been pastor twenty years before. Rev. Robert L. Rea, the present pastor came from Camden, N. Y., was formerly at Brockton, Mass., and has been at work since September 1st, 1914.
During Mr. Oxnard's pastorate the church edifice was enlarged and a new organ installed. These changes have added greatly to the success of the work there. The church today is well attend- ed, has a Sunday School of over two hundred young people, an Endeavor Society, junior and senior, named for the first pastor of the church, and under the leadership of Pastor Rea is entering on a most successful career.
Mr. Rea during his brief pastorate in this city has endeared many to him and is slowly but surely warming up his parishioners to the fact that the church can be and will be the same power for righteousness that it was in the earliest days of her history. Men, women and children, who are members of the par- ish, are working harmoniously and are striving to uphold their pastor's hands.
The work which Mr. Lowry started Rev. W. A. will abide.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, AUBURNDALE.
A little more than fifty years ago, in the district since known as Auburn- dale, four or five families used to live on the winding way to Weston, or on the lane that turned off towards Wal-
tham. Near that fork of the road was the cradle of this church.
Gradually the village grew, but no church was nearer than West Newton. Distance led to the movement for a new
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, AUBURNDALE.
church, and the first written record of that movement contains these words:
"Auburndale, September 12, 1850. A number of the citizens of Auburndale assembled at the hall in this place to consider the expediency of establishing and maintaining public worship on the Sabbath. Fifteen persons were pres- ent."
Active steps were promptly taken, and the new church was formally set up by a council on November 14, 1850, in the hall above mentioned. That hall was on the west side of Lexington
street, about the middle of the block between Auburn Street and Common- wealth Avenue. Most of the thirty- four members of the new church had been attendants at the Second Congre- gational Church in West Newton. The name taken was the same as now: "The Evangelical Congregational Church of Auburndale."
The Congregational Society of Au- burndale had been organized October 17, 1850. In 1857 the pew-holders were organized as the "Auburndale Congregational Society." In June,
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1873, the pew-renting system was abol- ished and "The Congregational Society of Auburndale" was established, hold- ing the usual relation to the religious body in cases of the double organization of church and society. That relation has continued to the present.
The Sunday School was organized before the church, and has continued ever since as an efficient department of the church.
Three different creeds have been adopted, at long intervals, by the church, each showing the religious thoughts and tendencies of the times, but each based on the truth expressed in the unchanged name of the church.
Various societies for adults and young people have been established, and
the organic activities of the church in many ways have been effectively main- tained. The church has always been exceptionally strong; it has a record of unusual missionary activity, and has never suffered from dissension. The following ministers have served the church :-
Rev. Edward W. Clark, installed July 1, 1857. Dismissed June 20, 1861.
Rev. Augustus H. Carrier, installed February, 1864 ; dismissed May 9, 1867.
Rev. Calvin Cutler, installed May 9, 1867; dismissed May 29, 1895.
Rev. Charles M. Southgate, installed November 13, 1895; dismissed June 16, 1905.
Rev. William C. Gordon, D.D., in- stalled January 15, 1908.
NEWTON M. E. CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion is represented at Newton Corner by a vigorous society, which worships in its attractive edifice at the corner of Centre and Wesley streets. The build- ing itself is of cream-colored brick, with terra-cotta trimmings, constructed in the shape of a Greek cross, surmounted by a central dome. Architecturally it is a unique structure, both in its exte- rior and interior design. The corner- stone was laid May 14, 1896, during the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Dillon Bronson, and the building was dedica- ted October 17, 1897, by Bishop R. S. Foster.
The Newton Methodist Episcopal church was organized April 21, 1864, with a charter membership of twenty- one persons, most of whom had with- drawn from the church at Watertown, because they felt that a society was needed in the part of the town in which they lived. John Fisk, Martha A. Gay, Aaron F. Gay, Edwin W. Gay, E. M. Mosher, Olivia Mosher, Thurston
Priest, Mary A. Priest, James Skinner, Mary A. Skinner, Henry Thrall, Mi- nerva Thrall, Frank M. Trowbridge, Abbie A. Trowbridge, Abram Thomas, and Arethusa Thomas came from the Watertown church; Hannah P. Mosh- er, Mehitable Cromach, Jedediah T. Paine, and Winnette Paine came from other churches; and Emily J. Thrall. Maria L. Thrall and Minerva J. Thrall united with the new society on probation. Of these charter members, the present oldest living member is Mrs. Olivia M. Mosher. One of the early members of the society, who is now un- able to attend any of its services, but whose interests lie very close to the church, is Mr. Henry J. Woods, whose account of the first twenty-five years of the history of the church appeared in the Newton Graphic, in the issue of No- vember 1, 1889.
After the organization of the Society, the meetings were first held in Cole's Hall, which was the principal hall in the town before the present Eliot Block
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NEWTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
was erected. The first meeting House of the society was dedicated September 26, 1869, and was taken down just be- fore the erection of the present struc- ture. There were many difficulties in the way of the progress of the church in its early days. But these were very largely overcome in the days that fol- lowed. One reason for this progress is found in the fact that the church has numbered among its leaders, from the beginning, some very strong laymen. Another reason is that the church has been fortunate in the ministers who have been selected to guide its affairs. The following is the ministerial succession since the organization of the Society in 1864: J. C. Cromack, W. G. W. Lewis, C. S. Rogers, S. F. Jones, A. A. Wright, Frederick Woods, William E. Huntington, Samuel Jackson, W. S. Studley, John B. Gould, Joel M. Leon- ard, Fayette Nichols, A. MeKeown, Dillon Bronson, C. E. Holmes, George R. Grose, George S. Butters, J. Edwin Lacount, and G. Charles Gray. The membership has grown steadily
through the years, and during the pres- ent year has reached its highest mark, the enrollment now standing at two hundred and seventy-six.
The Newton Methodist Episcopal Church is in the Boston District of the New England Conference, and comes under the guidance of the Resident Bis- hop of New England, Bishop John W. Hamilton, and the District Superin- tendent of the Boston District, the Rev. Dr. Dillon Bronson, a former minister, who, with the present minister, and the official laymen, constitute the church of- ficers. The church is well organized to minister to its constituency and to its community. The President of the Trustces is Mr. J. Wesley Barber. The treasurer of the society is Mr. Alonzo R. Weed. The superintendent of the Sunday School is Mr. Frank O. Bar- ber. The principal services of the church are the public worship on Sun- day morning at 10.30, and on Sunday evening at 7.30, the Sunday School ses- sion on Sunday at 12.00, and the Social
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and Prayer Meeting on Friday evening at 7.45. The present minister, the Rev.
G. Charles Gray, came to the church in April, 1914.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, NEWTONVILLE.
The Newton Universalist Society was organized at Newtonville, April 11, 1871.
For several weeks prior to this date religious services had been held in pri- vate residences and in Music and Tre- mont Halls.
The first pastor was Rev. John Cole- man Adams, D.D., now of Hartford, Conn. IIe was ordained and installed as pastor, Dec. 19, 1872, assuming charge, however, during the September preceding.
It was during the pastorate of Dr. Adams that the church edifice was erected.
The corner stone was laid October 22, 1872, and the building was dedicated
June 26, 1873. Some time later a com- modious parish house was added, mak- ing a very beautiful, well arranged, and well equipped plant for parish ac- tivities.
On February 9, 1873, the Newton Universalist Church was organized, there being fifteen members. George W. Hall was chosen clerk and the dea- cons were Edward T. Trofitter and Eli- jah F. Tainter. Dr. Adams continued in the pastorate until July 4, 1880, hav- ing served the society for nearly eight years.
For about a year after Dr. Adams' resignation Rev. Charles H. Leonard, D.D., of Tufts College, was acting pas- tor. Rev. C. Ellwood Nash, D.D., now
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, NEWTONVILLE.
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of Los Angeles, Cal., was then re- quested to take charge and was installed June 22, 1881. Dr. Nash continued his work here until April, 1884, when he resigned to accept the pastorate of the Universalist Church at Akron, Ohio.
In October of the same year, Rev. Rufus A. White, D.D., then a student at Tufts College, was ordained and in this, his first pastorate, remained until February 1, 1892, at that time accept- ing a call to the People's Liberal Church, Chicago, where he is still pas- tor.
Immediately following the resigna- tion of Dr. White, a call was extended to Rev. Ira A. Priest, D.D., who as- sumed duties at once and remained un- til September, 1896.
Then followed the pastorate of Rev. Charles S. Nickerson, from 1897 until April, 1899.
In September of 1899 a call was ex- tended to Rev. S. G. Dunham, now of Fitchburg. Mr. Dunham's pastorate
continued until September, 1902, when he resigned to accept an invitation to become pastor of the Universalist Church at Pasadena, Cal.
From January, 1903, until January, 1914, Rev. Albert Hammatt was the pastor.
After being with the parish eleven years, Mr. Hammatt resigned to accept a call to Springfield, Mass.
The present pastor, Rev. Rufus H. Dix, assumed charge September 13, 1914.
The society is showing a healthy growth. All the different auxiliary bodies are active and prosperous. The society is clear of debt and the outlook is promising.
The trustees at the present time are: Moderator, W. H. Zoller; Treasurer, Lewis P. Everett; Clerk, C. Raymond Cabot; Collector, C. A. Wentworth; A. D. Cady, W. L. Marvin, F. Banchor, W. E. Jerauld, J. B. Newell, C. D. Cabot, F. W. Wise, T. O. Bjornson.
MARY IMMACULATE OF LOURDES' CHURCH, NEWTON UPPER FALLS.
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