USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Orleans > Federated Church Collection: History of Eastham Church & Parish Records > Part 2
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Theresa A. Cummings
A Brief History of the First Congregational Church , in What is now called, Orleans. Written by Deacon Jonathan Higgins and given by him at the January 30, 1889 dedication seria.
In 1644 the Colonial Church which had for several years existed in the town of Plymouth, contemplating a removal to some more favorable location, appointed a Committee from their body to explore the adjoining regions, and see if they could find some better place where they could remove as a body.
That Committee visited a place called by the natives, Nauset. Having purchased the same of the Indians, they returned back to Plymouth and reported their doings.
But after due consideration of the Matter they abandoned the project, as a Church organization, and decided to remain where they were for a while longer, at least.
A portion, however, of that Committee being desirous of changing their place of abode decided to remove with their families to Nauset, and having obtained from the Colony the title to the territory which they had previously obtained from the Indians - Seven families, came over from Plymouth, and located in this vicinity, more properlynow Eastham, in the year 1644. Commencing a Settlement at that time and with such accession as very readily came to them. In 1646 they were incorporated as a town, by the name of Nauset, Which in a few months they changed to Eastham. In the same year this Church, now the first Congregational Church in Orleans was organized - Being few in number and financially unable to support a regularly settled ministry, they obtained such religious teachers as best they could for the first twenty five years or more. They very soon built them a small meeting house twenty feet square with a thatched roof with holes in the sides, through which they might fire their muskets in case of any attack from the Indians by whom they were surrounded. This building was located on the north Margin of the town Cove, so called.
The Rev. John Mayo came to Eastham at this time and took the im- mediate charge of the Church as their religious teacher and continued as their Minister from its organization till the year 1655. From which time Mr. Thomas Crosby was employed by the Church to carry on the Public services of the Lord's Day til 1670.
In 1672 they gave the Rev. Samuel Treat a regular call to settle among them as their Pastor which he accepted and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry.
He continued in the ministry until his death March 18, 1717, a term of forty five years.
After his death, the Church was supplied with a few candidates, for about a year, when the Rev. Samuel Osborn, a graduate of the University of Dublin was ordained Sept. 18, 1718. About this time it was decided to build two meeting houses, one for the North part and one for the South part of the town. After considering different several localities, they decided to build a Meeting house on the spot, in 1719, and the main branch of the Church, together with their Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Osborn occupied the
2
(Deacon Higgins Church History)
new meeting house.
Mr. Osborne continued his ministry with this part of the original Church until sometime in 1738 When he was dismissed and the Rev. Joseph Crocker of Barnstable was called and ordained as their Pastor, September 12, 1739, and continued his labors until his death, March 2, 1772 in the 58th year of his age and the 33rd of his ministry. Mr. Crocker was very soon succeeded by the Rev. Jonathan Bascom, who was ordained as Pastor Oct. 14, 1772. The first Records of this Church to be found were commenced by him and headed "Records of the first Church in Eastham begun Oct. A. D. 1772, settling beyond question that this was considered at that time (to say the least) the first Church, and that the middle or North Church was the branch - He also refers to other records, existing at that time but which red have never been found to this day. Mr. Bascom died in 1807 aged 67 having, here in Word and Doctrin thirty five years. Very soon after Mr. Bascom's death the Rev. Daniel Johnson was invited to preach to them and was unan- imously called to settle with them as their Pastor, and was ordained as such March 11,1808, a Native of Bridgewater in this state and a graduate
of Brown University. He continued to be the Pastor of the Church for 20 years, when he was dismissed at his own request. After his dismission the Church was supplied by Rev. John Turner , Who in the course of his ministry was particularly instrumental in interesting the people of this Church and Society in building a new house of Worship having occupied the former for one hundred and eleven years.
On the records of this Church Book 1st, Page 306 is found the following Memorandum 1829 June 29."This being an important epoch in the history of this Church, it should be recorded to the praise of God that he has inclined the hearts of this people to build an house for God and with Great unanimity in their Counsils and procedings.
On the 29th of June 1829, the materials for building being already, the workmen began to frame the building, and having all things ready to put up the new house, on the 13th of July 1829 by the united exertions of the society our old house of worship was taken down (without any injury to any one, or any one being hurt) and removed from off the ground, and on the 16th (same week) the new house was raised on the same spot with out the least harm to any one and without the use of any ardent Spirits. Being boarded in, on July 19, we held worship in the new house and continued to worship there (except one Sabbath, until the house was finished. On the 18 of November 1829 our spacious and commodious meeting house was dedicated to the Sacred Ministry and may he dwell there by His Spirit.
The text selected by Mr. Turner as a basis of his first sermon in the new house, was 1st Kings, 8th-27verse- "Behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" And this same text was the foundation of his Dedicatory sermon at its dedication .
From 1830 to 1835 the Church was supplied with different Ministers, when the Rev. Stillman Pratt in April 1835 was called and settled as the Pastor, when after a successful pastorate, was dismissed, April 23, 1839.
3
Deacon Higgins Church History -1889
After about two years, the Rev. Jacob White commenced his labors with them, and continued as acting pastor with great unanimity and success, for about 20 years. Since which time they have been favored with a faithful andsuccessful ministry by the following - Rev. D. N. White, J. M. Wight, Rev. Charles E. Harwood 10 years, Rev. George W. Andrews, Rev. H. M. Holmes, 13 years, and T. Bickford to Dec. 31, 1888.
But me thinks I hear some one day we don't care who preached, but tell us what they preached - I feel very glad to do so - I presume there can be no doubt in the minds of any at all familiar with the Religious history of our forefathers, but that the churches organized so near the time of the establishment of the "Confessions of Faith" of the Puritans who had just fled to these shores for the very purpose that they might find a home of freedom to worship God according to their own Biblical ideas were any other than "orthodox", but we are not left to mere conjecture on this point for as early as 1656 we find the following "The General Court in session that year addressed the following Advice or instruction, to the Commissioners of the Colonies, reminding them of, and referring them to the solemn covenant?, and promises the United Colonies, Made one with another - not only to strengthen the hearts and hands of each other in the propagation of religion in its purity, to which the Commissioners replied, "We cannot without breach of charity take it for a thing granted generally by the inhabitants of the United Colonies, that an able and orthodox ministry,, is a precious fruit of Christ's death, Resurrection, and ascension and necessary for the spiritual good of his people, and to be duly sought after in every society, or township, within the general jurisdiction -, Again, July 7, 1718 - In town meeting - it was voted that the town take care to settle a minister, "Able and orthodox."
The biographer
Mr. nephew,of the Rev. Samuel Treat who was the Pastor of this
Church from 1672 to 1717 represents him as a man of much kindness of heart, but as a Calvinist of the straitest Sect. " If any of you have any doubt on this point, I would refer you to extracts of his sermon, found published in Bayley's History of Plymouth, Part 2, page 222, 223." He was a man o.f talent and was eminently successful in the conversion of the Indians, so much so that in 1685 the praying Indians, men and women, within the limits of this parish numbered 500 and the children here supposed to be thrice that number.
The Rev. Samuel Osborn is a man of vision and virtue was settled as Orthodox but after a while embraced the faith of Arminius ,
* While the church retained the faith of Calvin, and in consequence thought proper to dismiss him.
In 1720 the town built a new house for the middle church and they at once took measures to obtain a candidate for settlement with them and a committee was appointed to seek for some suitable person who should be orthodox and of good conversation.
Rev. Joseph Crocker who settled over this church in 1739, was born in Barnstable, graduated at Harvard College in 1734, was a strict Calvinist, a man of prudence , and faithful as a minister.
* Refers to the articles of Confederation between the New England Colonies which began in 1643 and lasted until 1686, " when the charters of all the colonies were , in effect, vacated by a commission from King James II. pp. 169-170, Annals ) Barnstable Country Chapter IX in Frederick Freewares History of Cape Cod
Dencon Higgins Church History - 1889
4
The historian tells us that the successor of Mr. Crocker, the Rev. Jonathan Bascom should labored here in word and doctrine 35 years -. He was a man of good talent, and accomplishments, pious and devoted to his calling, his death was much lamented by his people -. He administered baptism to 996 persons - admitted 245 to his church -. Of the Rev. Daniel Johnson who succeeded Mr. Bascom, it was said he was a Unitarian and Arminian but was soon convinced of these errors and hopefully converted. "I think he ought to have been" But that is not true - I spent a day with him at his home in Fairport, N. Y. in 1861. When he told me that in about six months after his settlement, he commenced preaching the doctrine of repentance and faith as the Condition of salvation, resulting in many extensive revivals - He
baptized 525 persons and admitted 150 members to the church - solomnised 244 marriages In corresponding with his daughter who is still living her father was never a Unitarian but was for a while an Arminian but in a short time embraced orthodoxy in its in purity
Cn 1831 this Church adopted its present Creed, which by the best theologians of today, is as near the teachings of that Word of God, as any to be found.
About nine months ago under the energising influence of their minister, this Church and parish started out with renewed and quickened effort to accomplish, what had been a great want -- better facilities for conducting their religious worship, and Christian service, whose faith and labor has been so richly rewarded that today, we are able to convince ourselves together, and here in this public manner, and in the presence of, and by the aid of this congregation, and of our many friends, not here, publicly rededicate this fine, convenient building to the worship of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and with the continued prayer, that the Triune God may dwell here by His spirit.
Dorothy (mrs. milton) Show transcribed Deacon Jonathan Higgins' manuscript of his talk on church history, given ou January 30, 1889 at the dedication of the remodelled building.
apparently the manuscript was given to Theresa (Ms. H. K.) Cummings, perhaps because she was the organist then.
D.S. Goodell Sept. 1979
.
1
newspaper account of 1889 Dedication of remodelled church.
Yarmouth Register February 2, 1889 p. I
Orleans
Dedicated Wed, Jan. 30, at 1 o'clock
Congregational Church of Orleans-
The Congregational Church building of Orleans, which has recently been remodelled was originally built in 1829. It's outside dimensions were 41X68 with posts about 18 feet high and a roof of low pitch, which together with double rows of numerous windows , gave the building an appearance reminding one more of a factory than a church. It was built of the best of stock and of heavy timbers and all apparently in as good Condition as when first put together. The roof had not been renewed and was perfectly tight and in good condition. Inside it contained but a single room with a gallery on three sides and short narrow entries from the doors. It was remodeled by raising
the pitch of the roof about six feet, diminishing the number of windows and flooring it over on a level with the gallery floor. The belfry was also raised about 6 feet, and in order to light the auditorium On the upper floor, three dormer windows were placed. in the roof on each side. The lower story is divided into a lobby 16x40 feet, a vestry 32×40,
...
..
Feb. 2, 1889 issue of yarmouth Register (cont.) p.2
a parlor 16x26, a kitchen 14×16. The second floor consists of a lobby 16x40 and an auditorium 40×50. This room is neatly freacord and is finished to the peak of the roof, which is supported by exposed trusses of hand pine. It is considered by all who have seen it a handsome and comfortable room, well adapted to the uses for which it is intended . It has seating Capacity for 300, but can comfortably accommodate 400 in case of necessity. The contract for carpenter work, plastering , painting and furnishing all the required material was taken by Hamer + Jenkins, for the sum of 3,575,00. The building committe was extremely fortunate in securing such reliable + faithful contractors. Everything was done in a satisfactory + workman-like manner according to the spirit of the contract. The work was done by Mer. Prince of Harwich and the painting by 1 Benjamin Buck, Harwich. The frescoing-was subsequently contracted for by Mr. Buck which was tastefully + well done and has greatly improved the appearance of the building. The entire expense
Feb. 2, 1889 Permonth Register cout, P.3
for building & furnishing has been $4, 327.21 to which should be added 60 paid for plans of building three years ago to S. N. Small, architect. The total receipts are $4, 397.50, leaving a balance of 70.29 in the treasury. Subscriptions amounting to 220. are pledged to be paid in annual installments for four years, the greater part of which will be paid and can be used for improvements, which from a sense of economy, the committe did not include in their contract. The sum pledged when the vote was taken to remodel the church was less than $ 2000 . The society is not a wealthy one and the work was undertaken with the prospect of incurring a large debt. From friends who were chiefly natives and former residents of the town, there was received the sum of $ 1042. The sum of $351.71 was raised mostly from friends abroad by leters soliciting small sums. It is the help obtained from these sources that has placed the society in its prosperous financial condition." (The general statements of gratitude to all + sundry "united efforts & good will of all who have contributed to its puces." "a list of the contributors and the sums. is preserved by the Treasures of the Society + is open to inspection .
Garmonth Register for Feb. 2, 1889
Dedication service - ( on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1889 1p.m.)
1. Organ Voluntary 2. Invocation, Rer. M. Hood 3. Anthem "Except the Lord Build the House"- choir
4. Reading the scriptures , Rev. S. S. Gay
5. Hymn " Sing to the Lord with Heart + Voice
6. History of the church by Jonathan Higgins
7. Report of Building Committee, S. L. Young, Chairman 8. Prayer of Dedication, Rev. D. W. Clark
9. Hymn: How Charming is the Place Chair + Congregation-
10. Sermon: Rev. Thomas Bickford
11. Prayer Rev. H. P. Cutting
12. Hymn "Arise, Ofking of Grace, Arise" choint congregation 13. author: "O, Give Thanks" - chain 14 Lovology - Praise God " congregation-
The weather was favorable and the house was well filled , many friends The text of the dedicatory sermon is found we First Kings, 8 chapter, 27 verse, the one preached from by the Rev . John Turner , at the former dedication in 1829. (Summon OK too) * (see over forvente)
I Kings 8:27 " But will God indlead dwell on the earth? Behold heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" Solomais Prayer of Dedication RSV
Feb. 2, 189 yarmouth Register p.5
a reception was held in the evening first part sport in the parlor + vectry in social conversation + meeting of friends- (out of town former residents, people from neighboring churches etc, etc . etc.) Afterwards the company gathered in the auditorium in a service of praise & in making ingprompter speeches on various topics connected with the church + its history. There were participated in by Thomas Dave of Charlestown, Russell & John Snow of Cambridge Dea. Jonathan Higgins, David L. Young, Hiram myers + Rev . This . Bickford who had charge of the meeting. The evening was one of profit and pleasure . The exercises closed with the singing of Guld Lang Syne and with the benediction. " Mr . Chas . F . Swift + wife were in town to attend the dedication.
- Capt. Lot Higgins presented the church with its lamps . The wich of his many friends is that he may have many years to enjoy them . ?
p. 6) april 20, 1889- Yarmouth Register - Orleans Column
Several temperance meetings Rev. H. W. Conaut, the 10th in Town Hall- re: Prohibitary Amendment
"Last Sunday night a union service was held in the Congregational church, Decon Higgins presided . The singing was by the three church choirs + the addresses were by Rev. Messrs. Fraser (univ) and norris " ... another meeting will be held in the Công, church next Sunday-
"Monday, April 22, Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., of Boston, will lecture in Town Hall, on the prohibitory amendment, to commence at 1245. The public are cordially invited to attend all these meetings. 11
The congregational Inasmis Gick Book from Jamy . 1, 1890 5 1895.
94
Valiance Long Sociale
95
Jonathan Higgins
1879
7879
42.09 Voli's " Derpoint S. ant Rich
626 11:30
47680 Jis'29
/02/00 77:01
Gliy 10
1880,
Elition Korples a
7.00
To falland
154.95
11 11
:
-1880
11
1) 29
"
Weh 8
1880
$53.00 5.00
till
25.00
35
Caht Pand Shanow $1879 21ch / Bij Play Organ Iza 20,00.
1879 Mich 1 Tu loanh
120,00
-1880
2000 amy 10
bank
500 10,00
det12
"
1.880 26 19 ", Playing?
- 30,00
1.
20/00
click 12 To Cash 1891
18790
$ Wich 3 . To Hogy on when the land 3 to "May !!
Fine Paio 1898
me 8
Bom bearle " 11
500 5,00 0,00 50 10,00 5,00 1500
Far 26 Many S.Spine Salay 29 Lor Higgin Bil 11
30.00
41880
: 103396
$45.05
236 Hehe ] Carte in Trent 65
305
11
!!
2L Janje UNCanty Sailing
41.35
"1 1880
900.00 $1033.96
By Circle
00
By Cash
OrideVidhane 189 200,00
annial Expense account la
1879
Individuare /1895 Ler Hozin Bill
.V.S. Neurons Smi'".
1890
1945
Many Ih Balance in the assny
19 10 Ricund from Common Collecting 1 75 25 1225 31 35
1888 Parce out for Common 4 por 7. Mayo bile 450
Die for making Coming him 300
Daniel for Conferi 440 Paid for interlocutor 1854
.2159
Bi albaner in Reading jay 1, 180g 976
1.88-91
B. Balance in the Inasmy
9 76
1889 2865
Pais out during the year 1889.
Parce le. Mayofor hend 450 for pulearly mine 11.
300 860
Enculots
. Confirmer das 400
2010
Balance in Suasny Jours 1. 1895 $8 55
1 Balance in treating Raid from Convincing Collection for the year 1891-
855 1260 2615
Paid for Supplies for Comme with Remise for. 1891 7.50 Pricefor Emailing 860
la Conferencia dues 226
2006 $ 609
tions for the year 1892 15.75
21.84 .
for preparing time
" Envelduits
" Confirme dias
4 50 300 8.60 396 2006 1.78
Balanch in Locating Jan 1 / 93 Rund from Communis Called troms for the riman 18.93 -
1575 1853
Paid for Commonin Suffiling 450 2.00 760 3.96
Emailoppure Comprar
Balance m headway fay T. 18-9:4
18.06 47
---
gary /1893 Balance in Foramy Jany 1891 Raid from Garantie Collet
Congregational Societe Reward Binde Nov. 4. 1839 A Web. 27 1864 Below is the account of the march 10, 1842 waiting setting Rev. Jacob white salary. also who should ning the bell, collection " founded . the Ladies Benevolent Association
Thomas diggins
The following Echoit was there read and achten
this day settled with the Freakout and find his a & Event rightly cast andwell avancede, and finis to the
9-11 Que Alex their les bills for 1.54 €80,00
207.29
The So wich is on to Now the White +800 50 Balance in favor of the Society, 29 elias Marchtott 1848
Voted to contact with the Nicht White as long as both perturare satisfied and when ever wither fiant
Faisonsanos Voted que the new lin White five parodied dollars this year as low as he shall remain with them.
Wanted to raise the time of five hundred dollars for the supply of the pulpit and fifty dollars for the ibeiden tax it hencis.
Sala the collection of the taxes to Alix Munich foi Que and seven eights per cent. hade choice of Aligi Henrich Constable
Solid the care of hunting singing the bill 0 to Blanchir Rogers for 2/ dollaro
Recorded by me Jonathandiggins Celist
Congregational Societys Account Books
June 1804 % March 1865.
2cl 19 Recievere de fire pit che Rogers. 1 0.0. 1. 27 1000 Receiveddetsa Rogers 200 Marcha A De crema de Miner Lagers 1:50€
800
2650
The above accountcialis to this
Gileaus March 5 #1844
Line SA Received of Jumis Percival 500 .
976 Eden ly Decuveden ), Le Rogues. 8000
- Recuerde of his W Li Knowles 1000 34.8.1.5
March 17. 1845 Joshua Doane
Nodo Ricerca of farier Rogers 150 1845-
808: 61000 8. 5. 0.
Jan 3, Decoura of Richard Atwood 800 March 200 Recuva of Window Sidenoulis 1000 4200
The above accounting for to the bourne March 30 H. 1846
Treasurer. Dr.
Subscription for colouring curtains 2 4.6 840 Read of the Female Abolition Jong for the use of how-
DE: 0. 1800 Manny Theart of foodfin 2. Rogers- .5 31, 4.6
Orleans March 13 /40 The above som accounting for to the Sercity committee
gothica Diane.
1840.
May 8th Reaverid of Parma Pharmfor coal 196 32
600
$3,
8:3 Odlicno OFily 19 # 1840
The whove accounting for to the for Barna throw
10,00 3 00
threethe Record of fame Perceval Tro Li Queena for therest of the fall
- 150.
8 00
50
852. 75
The ihave accounted for to the
Mich 25 Meaning of Jamais Percival 3 3 78. 11.
00.
Abril Riccivia Mayor Snow for coffee. and show 4 Reviewed of Whatman finley for How bottom
-.
from Congregational Society's Record Book/ Nov 4-1839 - Feb 27, 1864
1) Accordo of the Mar 10th, 1843 meeting setting the terms of Iter. Sacar White's salary, Tous placed fring the Bell, Called toledges ele Www. Jacar white founded the Ladies Benevaleur@soc.in 1842
(2) Record of accounts for June 1839, - Mar. 18,65
P3) Records from the Con- gregational treasures leer Book from March 1879-1881 and 1888- 1894
1
These two pages have notes by Rev. Jonathan Bascom for the years Feb. 23, 1779 through april 9, 1781
Brother Mathan el Mayo deap god brou wer chefin to Ettle tomake up with Ch tragens for fait year. preafon of extreem poverty any to be excused from paying any form Fyrpresent, twardy support of "Special enfinances. The Commit ferts of three; viz Mr. Wall not find Becker, & M's yon Twink Around to Next Lecture.
Same day it was vold by ych to have. but Vix communions for the year in- tuing affo that each male member holy Shit Filling , teach female for shillings to y treasurer toenable Him to provides Elements for the same.
y middle of next march.
In Cho maling Dug 19 79 2ch. treasury being exhausted, lotea - there be a contribution of ich to attain a supply for y two re- mais ion 9. Bakom March 8:5789 .The above Commits Loan to settle awmf with thetre Trea i Reported that they found Lille ay Teafry Lleven Killing The Report was usted & accepted. Bakan Committee Viz Cap.
tak they found due to f Treasure to Just hits & light Prise" The Report was Vold Vaccepted
same time The Ch volo to Love communion this year chance . were wiamy Hallo to make pro. wykon for the same , that each chile
BL Female Fifteen Phillips to he magerer a or before Theday,
Que G. Baicon par.
colore provifin not proving rent. The ithe being loge. June itt voted a är arditi- däck mät igniter wenty Dollars, Sicain fe- Fifteen dollari in to The be
nytank At the same time worked a che white to see if there be not some
Rein C.y Baja ale adjournment viz och 1 1780 % Commethe above nam reported iyimy Opinion; Del ah Smith, Widow Phili Paino, Wife of The paine god", Ruth For those of Theophilus May Wip of joseph try, wie Ale Snow ty Wp of Henry Roger ought to be executed fromy Charges of Special Ordina and The Wife of Henry Co Wip of jefu Cole I am Rogers & his Wife , & Mary Chace ought to be excep for ypresent hear The port we volio of accepted at y same time it was pr.
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