USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Historical address commemorating the semi-centenial anniversary, of the dedication of the 1st Congregational Meeting-house, in Leominster, 1874 > Part 2
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Piece by piece the parish has surrendered the ground which once stretched out so generously around the Mect- ing-House. The first important disposal was that of the ground now known as the common; the site of the old Meeting-House. In November, 1841, the transfer of it was made for six hundred dollars, to the town, under these conditions : That it shall never be used for any other purpose ; never have buildings placed upon it; the privilege was allowed of enclosing it with a slight fence, if deemed advisable. These legal stipulations, now on record, will settle, I hope, the future of this small piece of green, and preserve it always from being made smaller, or from perverted uses by any parties.
Many years before the sale of this common to the town an important point of law was decided by the Su- preme Court, affecting parish property. This test case occurred in 1826, being the first parish of Medford vs. Pratt. (4th Pickering, page 222. Rights of parishes to succeed towns in parochial capacity.) Town meetings
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in Leominster had been excited over this question : Did the first parish own the land which the town held before the first parish was created ? New religious societies had sprung up and they naturally contested the claim of the first parish to this property. The town was also desir- ous to prove its title to the land, since it was in need of some for public buildings. The Supreme Court had decided that when a parish succeeded to a town in its parochial capacity, it took possession of all lands formerly held in trust for the use of town meeting-house and the worshipers in it. This was of great significance. It settled the main question, but there were never wanting persons who sought to question the decision and evade it. When the disposal of the common, and ground for the town house and engine house came up, a hot and stir- ring debate arose over the adjustment of the sale. A committee was chosen by the town, consisting of one from each Trinitarian society, viz : James Parker, of the Evan- gelical society, Seth Coggswell, of the Methodist, and Micah R. Ball, of the Baptist. They were to consult with a committee from the first Congregational Society, composed as follows : Solomon Strong, Charles W. Wilder, William Perry. As a result of the consultation, a re- port was rendered to the town, written by Judge Strong, recommending that the first Parish go back six years before the death of Mr. Chase and pay the interest on two thousand dollars for that time; also, pay other claims made by the town, making in all one hundred and ninety
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two dollars and thirty-eight cents. Some claims on the part of the first parish were allowed, and the result was a friendly compromise in which the bitterness of contro- versy was buried.
In the year 1844, Mr. Stebbins brought his minis- try in this town to an end by accepting a call to the charge of the Meadville Divinity School. Soon succeed- ing `him came Hiram Withington, whose ordination in this house took place December 25th, 1844. (10) Withing- ton's memory survives among this people as the memory of something musical and gentle survives. His record was that of a brilliant, loving character, whose frail body broke before strong energies. He died October 30th, 1848, having retired from the pulpit some time previous.
A call extended to the Rev. Amos Smith was ac- cepted by him, and his installation was held on Sunday, November 26th, 1848.(11) Soon after Mr. Smith's com- ing, measures were launched to effect a complete remod- elling of the Meeting-House. Consequently, on April 28th, 1849, the parish decided to appropriate forty-five hundred dollars towards a remodelling of the edifice, and chose for a committee to superintend the work, the fol- lowing persons : Augustus Morse, James H. Carter, Abel Bowers, J. C. Allen, Ward M. Cotton. Fifteen hundred dollars were afterwards added to the original sum voted, making the whole appropriation six thousand dollars. The work of modernizing the church of '23 was successful. Changes came upon it more radical than those so lately
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introduced. The main floor was raised, a large vestry created, the pulpit cut down, frescoing introduced, and the pews shorn of their large proportions. Dr. Stebbins was invited to preach a discourse appropriate to the last day of worship in the old audience room, which he did. During the time of renovation, this society, by the kind- ness of the Evangelical society, held 'services in their Meeting-House. At last, on Thursday, February 28th, 1850, the improved edifice was re-dedicated. Mr. Henry Allen had generously presented the church with a Com- munion table and two chairs. They are now in use. From the Ladies' Benevolent Association was received money for lamps and fixtures.
A few years after the re-dedication a new organ was purchased ; so well made was it that even now the tones and compass of the pipes are not easily excelled. A piano was also purchased for the vestry. Not until 1856 were hand-rails and balustrades placed along the entrance steps. In that year Mr. Smith resigned his charge, and on Wednesday, September 2d, of the following year, Stephen Barker was ordained and installed his successor. (12)
No changes in the house of worship occurred during Mr. Barker's pastorate. Additional pieces of land the parish had sold until over the once vacant spots a Bap- tist Meeting-House had risen, and the present Town Hall had sprung up. Ever enlarging and populating, the centre of the town presented altered aspects from its ap- pearance in 1823.
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Rev. Mr. Barker severed his relations with the soci- ety in 1860, and on the succeeding year, Wednesday, June 1st, Rev. Eli Fay was settled in his place. (13)
I find no records which refer to external changes during Mr. Fay's active ministry. The Meeting-House remained the same. In the year 1864, this pastor re- signed and was followed by Rev. J. B. Green, whose installation occurred Wednesday, August 3d, of that year. (1+)
During Mr. Green's service an elegant chandelier was procured and presented to the society. It has now been displaced by the different methods of lighting the audi- ence room.
I have now brought you, my hearers, down to 1867, when Mr. Green ceased his service here; down to 1868, when your present pastor came. His ordination occurred Thursday, October 1st, of that year. (15)
Concerning the changes which have occurred in this Meeting-House since that time, I must speak, in order to fulfil my task. In 1870 an important step was taken by building the present Chapel, which now serves so well the wants of the society. (16) This portion of our house was dedicated December 1st, 1870. Form- ing no slight, addition to the exterior form of the Meet- ing-House it has proven by its interior arrangements a very great improvement on the usefulness of the parish. A piano was permanently placed in the parlor; your pastor's study was generously filled with furnishings, gifts of valuable articles were placed in the kitchen, and now
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but recently given, a fine array of pictures decorate the parlor walls, the gift of a former resident of this town. For much of all this we are indebted to the ladies.
In the spring of this year it was deemed best to again apply the hand of alteration to the audience room. For three months we worshiped in the public hall. With skill the committee, viz, Isaac Cowdrey, C. H. Merriam, George F. Morse, J. G. Tenney, and George E. Tisdale, superintended the work. On the first Sun- day in August, the 3d of the month, we re-entered with songs and praise, our old home freshened and beauti- fied. (17) On that day the services were conducted by Rev. R. R. Shippen. These changes you behold, -they
are before you.
I need not detail their extent or char-
acter. Of the gifts which accompany these alterations I would mention the fine Bibles and handsome table, con- tributed by Stow F. Haws, and the carpet which was from the ladies.
With as much mellowing of hard facts as I could achieve I have led you over that part of your history as a society relating to the Meeting-House. I have re- ferred to the service of those whose voices have spoken to this people in the sermon's exhortation or the prayer's entreaty. (18)
Here I pause. More than full is my allotted space. If to me there is a fullness at heart, and a quick sense of gratitude, as I recount the signal mercies of God to this people, how much richer must be the emotion per-
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vading the more aged; dwellers for half a century in this holy place. House of our fathers, we love thee ! Altar where the saintly and pure have prayed ; where the erring and sorrowful have found peace, - let no ob- livion dim our affection for thee !
When time shall have levelled thy roof, or the hand of change smitten thee, O rise, beloved house, into some new and fairer form, to perpetuate thy blessings unto future generations, and bequeath thy dear memory to the children's children !
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NOTES.
(1) The exercises commemorating the half century age of this Meeting- House occurred Wednesday evening, Oct. 15th, 1873. A social hour was spent in the Chapel rooms, after which, at 7 1-4 o'clock the people gathered in the audience room of the Meeting-House. A large congregation was pres- ent. The decorations of autumn leaves and flowers were beautiful. After an anthem by the choir, selections from scripture were read by Rev. E. J. Gerry, of Boston. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Geo. S. Ball, of Upton. Following these devotional services came the historical address by the pastor, herewith printed. Solon Carter then assumed the chair and called on the following gentlemen to address the meeting: Rev. Augustus Woodbury, of Providence, R. I., Rev. E. J. Gerry, of Boston, Benjamin Johnson, of Woon- socket, R. I., Rev. Geo. S. Ball, of Upton, and Rev. Seth Chandler, of Shir- ley. All but the first and last speakers were natives of Leominster. 'Their re- marks were appropriate reminisences of early days spent in the town, with allusions to the ancestors and influences of the church. Communications were read from Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D. D., Rev. Eli Fay, and Rev. Amos Smith, former pastors of the society, and from Prof. E. J. Young, of Cam- bridge, expressing regrets at their inability to be present, and extending cordial greetings. The exercises closed with a benediction by the pastor. Messrs. Solon Carter, J. C. Allen and C. H. Merriam constituted the com- mittee under whose charge this semi-centennial observance was conducted, and all its arrangements perfected.
(2) The original founders of this church, from whose compact and aim sprang the Meeting-House, were these: John Rogers, Ebenezer Polley, James Boutelle, Thomas Houghton, Benj. Whitcomb, Thomas Wilder, Joseph Wheelock, Nathaniel Carter, Jonathan White, Ephraim Stone, Daniel John- son, Simon Butler, Oliver Carter, Thomas White, Phillips Sweetzer, Gardner Wilder.
(3) At the ordination of Rev. John Rogers, Rev. Thomas Parker, of Dra- cut, preached the sermon; Rev. Daniel Rogers, of Littleton, offered the or- daining prayer; Rev. John Prentice, of Lancaster, gave the charge, and Rev. W. Hall, of Westford, extended the Right Hand of Fellowship.
(4) The following clergymen participated in the ordination of Rev. Francis Gardner: Rev. Mr. Smith, of Marlborough, preached the sermon; the open- ing prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Harrington, of Lancaster; Rev. Mr. Gardner, of Stow, gave the charge; Rev. Mr. Goss, of Bolton, made the or- daining prayer and Rev. Mr. Swift, of Acton, gave the Right Hand of Fellowship.
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(5) The order of exercises at the installation of Rev. Win. Bascom was as follows: Rev. James Murdock, of Princeton, preached the sermon; Rev. John Cushing, of Ashburnham, gave the charge, and Rev. T. B. Gannett, of Cam- bridgeport, offered the Right Hand of Fellowship. The ordaining prayer, Rev. Dr. Abiel Holmes, of Cambridgeport, offered; Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, of Lancaster, made the introductory prayer, and the concluding one, Rev. Charles Wellington, of Templeton, offered
(6) Evidently the Lodge felt highly complimented by the request, if we may judge from the tone of the resolutions passed at a Lodge meeting, March 11, 1822, which I copy from their records:
Voted, that the thanks of Aurora Lodge be presented to the inhabitants of Leominster for the honor they have conferred in requesting the Lodge to take measures to lay the corner-stone of the new Meeting-House, about to be built in this town, according to ancient usages in such cases.
Voted, that the Lodge, with pleasure, do themselves the honor of comply- ing with the request of the town.
Voted, that the Lodge, with due submission, will wait for the town to ap- point the time, but at the same time beg leave to suggest that provided it should not incommode the town or the undertaking, it would be more conve- nient for the Lodge to perform the exercises on the 24th of June next."
(7) At the ordination of Rev. Abel Conant, Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford, N. H., preached the sermon; Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer, of Lan- caster delivered the charge; Rev. Thomas Bede, of Wilton, N. H., proffered the Fellowship of the churches, while to Rev. Reuben Puffer, D. D., of Ber- lin, fell the address to the people.
(8) The First Congregational Parish and Society, of Leominster, was or- ganized the 4th day of May, 1835. The petition for the right to hold the meeting was signed by Ward M. Cotton, Amos Haws, Thomas Hills, Thomas G. Merriam, Bartemas Tenney, William Wilder, Artemas Bowers, Silas Al- len, William Burrage, David Wilder, John Taylor, Bazaleel Lawrence, Charles W. Wilder.
(9) Exercises at the ordination of Rev. Rufns P. Stebbins. Prof. Henry Ware, Jr., of Cambridge, preached the sermon; Rev. Isaac Allen offered the ordaining prayer; Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, D. D., gave the charge; Rev. Cal- vin Lincoln extended the Right Hand of Fellowship; Rev. A. B. Muzzey de- livered the address. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Mr. Osgood, of Sterling, and Rev. Joseph Allen, of Northborough, made the concluding prayer.
(10) At the ordination of Rev. Hiram Withington, Rev. Nathaniel Hall, of Dorchester, gave the sermon; Rev. Geo. Putnam, of Roxbury, the charge; Rev. J. H. Allen, of Jamaica Plain, the Hand of Fellowship. Rev. Joseph Allen, of Northborough, addressed the people. Other parts were taken by
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Rev. Messrs. Calvin Lincoln, Alonzo Hill, Huntington, E. B. Wilson, R. S. Edes and W. Gilbert.
(11) The sermon at the installation of Rev. Amos Smith was preached by Rev. Ezra F. Gannett, D. D. Rev. Messrs. Calvin Lincoln, E. B. Wilson, and Dr. Parkman also participated in the services.
(12) The principal parts at the ordination of Rev. Stephen Barker were filled as follows: Rev. H. W. Bellows, D. D., preached the sermon; Rev. F. Hinckley gave the charge; Rev. E. M. Wheelock, of Dover, N. H., extended the Right Hand of Fellowship; Rev. W. P. Tilden addressed the people. Rev. Messrs. T. T. Stone, James Thurston, W. H. Knapp and E. M. Bartol also participated.
(13) At the installation of Rev. Eli Fay, Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D. D., then of Woburn, preached the sermon. The installing prayer was made by Rev. Alonzo Hill, D. D. Rev. Horatio Stebbins, of Portland, gave the charge, and Rev. W. P. Tilden tendered the Fellowship of the churches. Rev. R. R. Shippen addressed the society.
(14) Rev. J. B. Green's installation was conducted by the following cler- gymen: Rev. Geo. Putnam, of Roxbury, preached the sermon; Rev. Stillinan Barber extended the Right Hand of Fellowship, and the charge was given by Rev. Joseph Allen, D. D. Rev. Alonzo Hill, D. D., made the installing prayer, while the address to the people was made by Rev. Geo. S. Ball. Rev. Messrs. Shippen, Bartol and Brown, also assisted.
(15) The ordination of E. A. Horton was participated in by the following clergymen : Rev. James Freeman Clarke, D. D., preached the sermon. Rev. W. S. Heywood gave the charge; Rev. C. Nightingale, addressed the people; Rev. G. H. Young extended the Right Hand of Fellowship and Rev. Joseph Allen, D. D., made the ordaining prayer. Rev Messrs Nickerson and Browne took parts.
(16) The committee on building the Chapel were J. H. Lockey, and Howard M. Lane.
(17) These changes were quite significant. The choir seats were trans- ferred to a recess behind the pulpit; one hundred new seats were thus secured, making in all nearly 900 sittings. Gas was introduced, new frescoing entirely made, the old carpet displaced by a new one, a modern platform and desk substituted for the former pulpit, and the steep entrance steps altered to an easy and gradual ascent. These and other alterations were made at a cost of about $6000.
(18) For reference, I have placed the list of pastorates of this society,- the majority of which were since the erection of this structure, in one table. Eleven pastors has this society had, including the present one.
John Rogers was pastor 15 years, from 1743 to 1758. Francis Gardner, 52 years; from 1762 to 1814.
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Wm. Bascom, 5 years; from 1815 to 1820.
Abel Conant, 15 years; from 1820 to 1836.
Rufus P. Stebbins, 7 years; from 1837 to 1843. Hiram Withington, 4 years; from 1844 to 1848. Amos Smith, 8 years; from 1848 to 1856. Stephen Barker, 3 years; front 1857 to 1860. Eli Fay, 3 years; from 1861 to 1864. J. B. Green, 3 years; 1864 to 1867.
(A) Possibly it may not be uninteresting to state the dates of the dedica- tion of all other Meeting-houses in this town.
The Evangelical Society dedicated its first house of worship in 1824. It was that building now occupied by the Catholics. Their second one was ded- icated February 8th, 1837, and their third, being the present one, standing where the second one did, was consecrated this year, August 15.
The Baptist society dedicated its first house in June, 1832. It was located on the North Village road between the two villages, and was at one time oc- cupied by the Catholics. On June 2d, 1850, this people dedicated a new one which is their present house of worship, built on land purchased of this parislı,
The first Meeting-house occupied by the Methodists was placed at the junc- tion of the Shirley and Harvard roads, in the North Village, dedicated 1829. They afterwards bought the Evangelical Society's house of worship, on Main Street, and used it for the first time in January, 1839. Their present edifice was dedicated in 1873.
The Catholics having occupied the former Baptist house at infrequent times, finally sold it and purchased the Methodist Meeting-House in 1871, which they now occupy. That building has thus been tenanted by three different denominations.
(B) Appended is a list of the Superintendents of our S. School, since its organization in 1838:
Solon Carter served from 1838 to 1850; Luke Lincoln from 1850 to 1855; Abel C. Wilder, from 1855 to 1865; Porter M. Kimball, 1865 to 1866; Chauncy W. Carter, 1866 to 1868; Frank C. Bowen was elected April 16th, 1868, and now serves.
(C) For many valuable facts and statistics relating to the church, the early inhabitants, and past ecclesiastical transactions in Leominster, the reader inay profitably consult David Wilder's History of the Town, Dr. Stebbins' Centennial Discourse on the organization of the First Congregational Church, and some pamphlets and papers deposited in the Museuni archives; an insti- tution as yet young and scant in materials, but destined, I hope, to be the re- pository of much local historical matter. There is a great need, already, of a well written history of Leominster. By a little care now, in saving tlie ma- terial, some future writer will be able to prepare his work from satisfactory data.
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