USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lowell > Historical sketch of Saint Anne's Church, Lowell, Mass > Part 5
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I do, therefore, solemnly, and in the name of God, pronounce and declare that this House, called St. Anne's Church, is duly set apart and consecrated to Almighty God; and is not hereafter to be appropriated to any common or profane use, requiring that henceforth it be held as sacred to religious purposes; that it shall be entered with reverence, considering that God is in heaven and men upon earth; that in this place men shall humbly and de- voutly confess their sins before God and set forth his most worthy praise; that the Sacraments and other religious rites be in this House regularly celebrated and performed, according to the institution of our Lord Jesus Christ and the practices of the Holy Apostles; that the Holy Scriptures shall be here read for the instruction of the people; and the word of God be duly and faithfully preached, according to his own appointment.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this six- teenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.
Alexander V. Griswold.
The Holy Communion was administered for the first time on the first Sunday in April, 1825, it being Easter Day. There were twelve communicants.
After reviewing the history at the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Consecration, Dr. Edson says:
"And the names of those who were active and foremost in the event which we now celebrate, come up in our cursory retro- spection. Boott, who was then the man of this community, whose personal attention and taste are marked in every feature of this building-a monument with which his memory will ever be favorably associated. Worthen, who, then occupying a place of peculiar influence, and fully apprehensive of a sudden death near approaching, put his strong hand seasonably to this enter- prise, with a force and decision which he knew both how to appreciate and how to apply. He died, as he expected, soon and suddenly after the foundations were laid but before the walls were erected. Moody stood by the undertaking, and contributed to its success; unfailing in his attendance here, a worshipper to the last Sunday of his life, and was carried through these aisles on his way to his last resting place. The Wardens were Allan Pollock, Esq., now (1855) living in a calm, serene old age, in-
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KIRK BOOTT
CHARLES HOVEY
JOHN O GREEN, M. D. ..
OLIVER E. CUSHING
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telligent, devout and hopeful, surrounded by the surviving portion of his endeared family, and waiting to join the departed; and Colburn, the talented and lamented Colburn, here baptized, here confirmed, here joined with Christ in the Sacrament of the Saviour's body, and hence carried forth to his early grave.
"But I see before me faces living and beloved, of those who took part in the scenes of that day, and in the success of this enterprise; who in their place and station stood by the work, and deserve to be had in remembrance. Years with us have quickly passed. God grant you many more, and every additional one to be better and happier to the last. I see old faces-God's blessing rest upon you. I love the young, their faces shining with gladness, sprightly and hopeful-spem gregis-God bless them a thousand fold, for what they are, and for what they are to be! But I honor the familiar faces of fellow travellers. Time may have left his record upon you, may have furrowed you with wrinkles, may have sprinkled you with grey : I mark it not, I heed the traces of his steps only to strengthen respect and affection.
"In view of this occasion I thought of naming over the de- parted; and from the Records of St. Anne's prepared me a list of those whom we have consigned to the grave. But O! the roll was too long to be called here. Yet as I freshened those scenes of affliction which live in your remembrance, my heart entered into them again; and I wept again. Memory stirs the affections, and affection prompts the memory. How that the thread was snapped in a moment; or how that life lingered; how their grafting in the Lord was our consolation; how they trusted in the Saviour: how they loved the Church, and the place where His honor dwells: how our sympathizing recollections associate them with this house and this occasion! O could the dead speak! Could voice be had from that cloud of witnesses with which we are compassed about, which has been gathering from our numbers for these thirty years, from your own flesh and blood, what would be their testimony as to the comparative profit of this investment? of the comparative importance of the Lord's service; of being in Christ; of abiding in him by means of grace and by faithful service; of training in his house on earth preparatory to that not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
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CHAPTER IV.
ST. ANNE'S UNDER MILL OWNERSHIP
The members of the Merrimack Manufacturing Company were wealthy and enterprising, and were seeking to make the most profitable investments. The founders and pioneers of Lowell believed religion to be necessary to the stability and safety of their investments and to the prosperity and happiness of the new community. Attracted by the opportunity to earn a little ready money, there was gathering here a population who had left behind them their old homes, their religious and school associations. Upon Chelmsford Neck, or East Chelmsford, when the work on the Mills began in 1822, there were living about two hundred people. In two years the number had in- creased to about one thousand. In 1826 the population numbered 2300. These people even for the good wages offered them would hardly be willing to forego their accustomed privileges, and the mill owners wished to attract the better class for their opera- tives. The Merrimack Company owned above three-fourths of the land and other taxable property within the limits of the Neck, and were liable to be assessed by the town of Chelmsford for this property for town expenses, including the support of public worship, it being within the limits of the First Parish of Chelmsford whose meeting-house was four miles distant. . East Chelmsford became a separate town in 1826. The first town meeting was held March 6 of that year.
The city charter was granted in 1836. .
The first item recorded in the Parish Register of St. Anne's is the baptism of John Wright, son of Kirk and Anne Boott, March 20, 1825.
KIRK BOOTT'S LETTER TO THE REV. THEODORE EDSON
My dear Sir: Mrs. Boott informs me that she has arranged with you that our boy is to be christened tomorrow. His name is to be "John Wright."
In compliance with old customs which I admire, I have taken the liberty of sending you a dozen of wine, and I shall be glad
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- -
JAMES B FRANCIS
FRANKLIN NOURSE
EDWARD N BURKE
WILLIAM A. BURKE
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to know that your fees increase with the growth of the Church.
Upwards of 550 seats have been taken in the church already, so that you will not have many empty pews.
With respect and esteem,
Yours very truly, Kirk Boott.
March 19, 1825.
The first confirmation in St. Anne's was by Bishop Griswold, August 20, 1826. Those confirmed were Joel Lewis, Samuel McBurney, Hepzibah Bridge, Martha Bridge, Nancy Bridge, Ann Grace Livermore and Caroline Livermore. About two years later there were twenty-four confirmed. The various lists of names on the Parish Register include many of the noted people of Lowell: Colburn, Prince, Carleton, Green, Mather, Whiting, Cushing, Wright, Mansur, Brownell, Cook, Butler, Russell, Gilman, Burke, Carney, Hovey, Swan, Whipple, Cowley, Livermore, Lawrence, Worthen, Walker, Wentworth, Pillsbury, Huntington, Francis, Ayer, Norcross, Abbott, Wyman, Motley, Greenhalgh, Savory, French, Moody, Whistler, Appleton.
The following letters will explain themselves.
E. Chelmsford, April 9, 1825.
Dear Sir:
With a view to preserve some record of the conversations I have had with you in relation to your settlement, I will now repeat the tenor of my observations and shall be happy to receive from you a written reply.
As Agent for the Merr. Mang. Co. I will engage to give you Eight hundred dollars pr. ann. in quarterly payments and to furnish you a house rent free.
In case the form of worship we have adopted shd., contrary to my belief and expectations, be found so unpalatable to the ma- jority of our people that the church is neglected, and the Co. should deem it prudent to substitute some other, I agree that you shall receive a year's notice of their intention, or your salary for the same period, as may be thought most advisable.
I have only to stipulate on your part that if from any cause you desire to be dismissed, that you should give us the like notice, and should this desire arise from more advantageous proposals,
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that upon our offering you an equivalent you will consider your- self bound to give us the preference.
I do not anticipate but with reluctance any of these occur- rences but rather look forward with confidence to a belief that every year will render a separation less probable, and far more painful.
I am, Dr. Sir, With great respect,
Very truly yr. friend, Kirk Boott, Agent M. M. Co.
Rev. T. Edson.
East Chelmsford, April 11, 1825.
Dear Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 9 inst. I agree to become your minister on the terms therein stated.
In regard to the cases you mention which may possibly lead to a dissolution of this relation, I am willing to submit them to the direction of a superintending Providence. The nature of my connection here is obviously such as not well to admit of com- pulsion on either part, and I am aware that whenever a separa- tion becomes expedient it will in some way or other be effected. The provisions on that point contained in your letter are per- fectly fair and satisfactory to me.
I am, dear Sir,
Your obliged friend and servant,
Theodore Edson.
Kirk Boott, Esq., Agent of Mer. Man. Co.
In February, 1827, Mr. Edson mentioned to Mr. Lewis his thoughts respecting giving the Agent notice required on leaving. He sees no prospect of his being successful as a minister of the Gospel and the Church under existing circumstances, but is willing to make great sacrifices and engage to stay for life at a reduced salary, "if this congregation can be allowed equal facil- ities with the other denominations here." He talked with Mr. Colburn and Mr. Lewis, the wardens who seemed "to be truly friendly to the interests of the congregation." The corporation were doing much to aid the departing societies. But his dis-
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GEORGE MOTLEY
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couragement passed away, and he remained in Lowell. It may be that his frequent absences indicate a certain restlessness, or that he was in demand as a preacher, or both.
The Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists and Univer- salists were now withdrawing and forming separate organizations. The Unitarians withdrew in 1829. Dr. Edson maintained the kindest relations with them.
"May 20. Preached three times at Bridgewater.
"June 20. Preached the Convention sermon in Boston.
"June 24. Preached at St. Paul's, Boston.
"July 8. Preached in Newton.
"Sept. 16. Preached in Cambridge.
"Sept. 26. Preached Convention sermon at Claremont, N. H.
"Sept. 27. Preached at Windsor.
"Sept. 29. Attended commencement at Cambridge.
"Oct. 4. Preached in Berkshire, Montgomery, St. Alban's, and other places."
He seems to have travelled with the Bishop on a sort of preach- ing tour.
LEASE OF THE CHURCH
From April, 1825, to November 23, 1827, the Rev. Mr. Edson received his salary directly from the Merrimack Company. During this period the Company, being responsible for the tax required by the Constitution and Laws of Massachusetts, re- tained from each of its operatives the sum of thirty-seven and a half cents, quarterly, for the support of public worship. The Company received the rents of the pews. But a reaction was taking place, The directors felt that they had done too much for the Episcopal Church, and, after the formation of other religious societies, they were annoyed by the clamor of sectarian partiality. Dr. Edson saw that if his position were to become vacant, the Directors could fill it as they might choose. The original contract was that there should be no change except on his initiative. In order that St. Anne's might be independent of the Company, it was necessary that the Company's contract with him should be assumed by the Religious Society, and that St. Anne's should have the use of the Church and Parsonage.
October 20, 1827, the committee of the Merrimack Religious Society (Samuel Batchelder, Walter Colburn and John O. Green) reported that they had conferred with the Rev. Mr. Edson
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respecting the terms of the proposed contract between him and the Merrimack Religious Society, as their minister, and that he had expressed his willingness to renew the contract with the Society on the same terms as that now subsisting between him and the Merrimack Manufacturing Company, by taking upon himself the risk of any deficiency that may arise from the rents of the seats not being sufficient to pay his salary and the ordinary expenses of the church. The contract was to be terminated on three months' notice from either party.
In a letter to Mr. Edson, Kirk Boott writes, Nov. 20, 1827:
"I do not approve the change, because I think your situation will not be altered for the better; yet while Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Moody and Mr. Colburn remain attached to the Church, I do not think it will be worse. I do not think it was happily timed. There existed a strong religious excitement, and I could have wished it might have passed away without disturbing the Church. One of the strongest feelings of attachment to the Church is derived from the fixedness of its character and its little liability to be affected with the changing sentiments of mankind."
The obligation to pay Mr. Edson's salary was transferred from Mr. Boott, the agent, to the Merrimack Religious Society. At this time the Church was leased to the Society, in consideration of the Company's contract with Mr. Edson, one condition being as before that the salary should be paid.
This lease was for the term of fifteen years at most, and was to end at the expiration of the Company's contract with Mr. Edson-whether by the providence of God or at his instance. It was on the twenty-seventh of November, 1827, that the Com- pany executed the lease conveying the use of the Church and Par- sonage for fifteen years without rent other than that the lessees should pay all taxes levied during the term they should hold the same. Within the next few months the compulsory obli- gation laid upon property, to support public worship, was removed from the State Constitution and Laws, and the Society was relieved from taxes.
In the correspondence on this matter between Mr. Edson and Mr. Boott, the latter writes, "I am willing to bear you witness that your conduct has fully sustained you in the assertion that your views have been steadily directed to the interests of re- ligion and the welfare of the Church, and further I am not only willing but anxious-to assure you that I think your exertions
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have been successful, and that the very existence of the Church depends upon their continuance."
Notwithstanding the losses by the separation from St. Anne's of the Baptists, Methodists and Congregationalists, toward whom the kindest feelings were maintained, the church was all the time well filled and the Sunday School flourished. "When St. Anne's was pruned it put forth anew." During this period, Dr. Edson says, nothing was more natural than the use of all sorts of measures to disaffect those whose attendance at church had not been long enough to attach them strongly to its principles and worship.
At this time Dr. Edson was much besought by influential men (he mentions Dr. Gardiner, Dr. Greene and Col. Apthorpe) to accept the position of assistant minister at Trinity Church, Boston, on the Green Foundation, under Dr. Gardiner. But he declined this flattering offer because he felt that the success of St. Anne's and even the continuance of the services of the Church in Lowell depended upon his remaining here.
In 1826, he was requested to consent to be a candidate for President of Burlington College, Vermont. Two years later he had a call from the Vestry of St. Stephen's Church, Middlebury, Vermont. He was also called to St. Stephen's, Philadelphia. In 1831 a call came from Pittsfield in this state, and he was strongly urged by prominent persons there to accept it. The same year renewed calls came from Vermont.
He was wanted also at Chatham, Connecticut, at St. Luke's, Rochester, N. Y., Trinity Church, Portland, and at Litchfield, Connecticut.
The Merrimack Manufacturing Company, for various reasons, on January 2, 1826, conveyed all their property including the "Church Lot" to the Proprietors of Locks and Canals. On May 3 of the same year, "in consideration of one dollar, and for the purpose of supporting divine worship," the Locks and Canals conveyed back to the Merrimack Company the property known as the "Church Lot," which included the Church and Parsonage thereon standing.
The deed reads in part: "To have and to hold the above de- scribed premises to them, the said Merrimack Manufacturing Company, their successors and assigns forever, so long as they
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shall use, or permit the same to be used and appropriated to divine worship and for the residence of a minister of the gospel, and no longer, these being the whole object and intention of the parties to the said conveyance, and neither the said proprietors, nor their successors, nor any other person or persons, claiming by, from or under them, or in the name, right or stead of them, shall or will, by any way or means, have claim, or demand any right or title to the above released premises, or to any part or parcel thereof, forever, so long as the object and intention of the parties hereto, as above expressed, shall be complied with."
A release of the Church property in the following terms was executed and recorded, the date of which was May 22, 1830, the object of which was, no doubt, to cancel the provisions of the deed of 1826, and to make the land and buildings thereon liable to be transferred to anyone, free of such limitations. But it was the opinion of the counsel for the plaintiffs in an action taken later that this release and all transactions intended to defeat the object and intention of the original deed of 1826, were void.
"Now know all men by these presents, That the said Pro- prietors of the Locks and Canals on Merrimack River, in consid- eration of ten dollars to them paid by the said Merrimack Manufacturing Company, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl- edged, do hereby forever release to the said company, their successors and assigns, the provisions and conditions expressed and contained in the deed aforesaid (meaning the same as has hereinbefore been rehearsed), so that the said Company, their successors and assigns, shall hereafter hold, have, possess and enjoy all and singular, the aforesaid premises, with all their privileges and appurtenances, free of all conditions, to their own use and behoof forever."
In 1825 the Merrimack Company appropriated $500 for a Sunday School library, and in 1828 gave $1000 towards the pur- chase of an organ. The organ was made by William Goodrich. This was exchanged in 1853 for one made by George Stevens, and $600 was paid him.
The Goodrich organ was paid for partly with money raised by subscription. It is believed that this was the first organ ever used in this region.
In 1827 the church was trimmed for Christmas.
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N. W. VIEW OF ST. ANNE'S CHURCH
THE MERRIMACK CANAL
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE ORGAN, ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, 1827 AND 1828.
Paul Moody $25.00
Thomas J. Greenwood $ 5.00
Samuel Batchelder
20.00
J. H. B. Ayer. 10.00
Walter Colburn 20.00
George Brownell 10.00
J. D. Prince 20.00
Thomas Budlong 10.00
Samuel Law 1.00
Cyril French 10.00
Weld Spalding
1.00
Joshua Swan
10.00
Harlin Pillsbury
5.00
Richmond Jones 5.00
Moses Shattuck
5.00
James Derby 5.00
Ira Frye 5.00
A. W. Fisher 5.00
A Friend
2.00
James Chandler 3.00
James Russell
5.00
Charles Smith 5.00
Alpha Stevens
3.00
Hiram Corbett 2.00
Stephen Cushing
5.00
John Udall 2.00
Stephen Webster
5.00
Nathan Leonard 2.00
Stephen Dickinson
10.00
Joseph Bedlow
2.00
G. B. Pollock. 7.00
Nathaniel Currier 3.00
Ed. J. Payne
7.00
Maynard Bragg 1.00
Richard Worswick
5.00
Rufus Paul
1.00
Abner Ball
5.00
Elihu Gates 1.00
Benjamin P. Brown 5.00
John Bates
3.00
John Dummer
10.00
William B. Winch.
2.00
Thomas Billings
5.00
Charles Shenvin
1.00
John O. Green. 10.00
William Paul
1.00
John Richardson
5.00
Thomas Clark 1.00
Charles Green
5.00
Hiram Thompson
3.00
Jonas Balcom
5.00
I. Leighton 2.00
Charles Nichols
5.00
Samuel Dyer
1.00
Christopher Coates
7.00
John Wood
1.00
Jonathan Tyler
10.00
Christopher Bearon
2.00
Danforth Atherton
3.00
Amos Proctor, Jr 2.00
Joseph Plimpton 1.00
Michael Gannon
1.00
Benjamin Parker 1.00
James Brogdon 1.00
Joseph Bowers 1.00
2.00
Benjamin Gannon
.25
J. Phelps
1.00
James Dougherty .25
Ezekiel Morrill 2.00
John Gannon .50
William Roby
1.00
Joshua Matthews
.50
Cyrus Rollins 1.00
Peter Curran .50
John Fletcher 1.00
John Conliff .50
Charles Bacon
.50
Ithamar A. Beard. 2.00
A Friend
3.00
Peter Gannon
.50
Charles Smith
1.00
$360.00
William Brogdon .50
Peter Taylor
In the year 1831 the name of the Merrimack Religious Society was chang- ed to that of "The Congregation of St. Anne's Church." Neither the release from the "Locks and Canals," nor the change of name of the parish had any effect on the operation of the lease, which had then eleven years to run.
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CHAPTER V.
ST. ANNE'S BOUGHT BY A CORPORATION OF PROPRIETORS
During the financial embarrassment of 1837 manufacturing interests were much depressed, as was business of all kinds. Banks suspended specie payments, paper currency depreciated in value and prices were correspondingly high. Dr. Edson says he was at that time indebted to two men for relief in a trying situation. James Cook, Esq., Church Warden, and Calvin W. Cook, Esq., superintendent of the Sunday school. The former was the successful superintendent of the Middlesex Company's mills, and the latter, a very skilful and faithful overseer of the same establishment. Of men in their respective positions they were among the most useful in the community. By their thought- ful kindness, without solicitation, Dr. Edson's salary was raised to $1000, with the free use of the Parsonage continued.
In 1839, he added to his exacting duties the editing of the "Christian Witness," a Church paper published in Boston.
During the years 1841 and 1842 the Rector's health became impaired and he was advised to go south. Two hundred dollars was provided by the Vestry for his expenses. He went as far as Charleston, S. C., by water, and returned leisurely by land, at the end of three months. At Baltimore, Philadelphia and Brooklyn he was the guest of friends. He finished with a trip to Niagara Falls. During his absence his parochial duties were performed by the Rev. Mr. Leeds of Salem.
His ill health was supposed to be connected with the lungs. In Philadelphia he consulted Dr. Gerhardt, a physician of note, who told him his lungs were sound, and gave him a note for Dr. J. O. Green of Lowell. The advice of a brother clergyman of Philadelphia probably saved him from further trouble. He was given some rules and illustrations, the practice of which enabled him to use a natural note in reading and speaking without special effort or fatigue. Dr. Edson had a clear, silvery voice of suffi- cient depth of tone to be pleasing and impressive.
In 1835 and again in 1839 efforts had been made to ascertain on what terms the Religious Society could become possessed of
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the Church and Rectory, with the idea of enlarging the church to extend the work for the benefit of the Merrimack Company's operatives, the original purpose of the Directors, and which as an experiment Mr. Boott had declared was successful.
In 1840 and 1841 there were further ineffectual proceedings, with the same end in view. So cramped for room was the con- gregation that Chapel Hall was rented as a chapel-of-ease, and the Rev. Mr. McCoy was engaged for a year to minister to the mission which before the end of the year was independently organized as St. Luke's Church.
ST. LUKE'S CHURCH
It has been stated that the services held in St. Anne's Sunday school house simultaneously with those in the church were for persons who could not find accommodation in the crowded church. -These included many children. Calvin Cook, Robert Morville and other laymen read the service. It became a sort of mission and quite a congregation. Dr. Edson wished that the Church in Lowell should expand into a second parish, and a hall was procured in the upper part of Wyman building, now "Wyman's Exchange", at the corner of Merrimack and Central streets, and was named "Chapel Hall", where services were held July 13, 1840. Rev. Mr. Pollard officiated in the morning, and Rev. Amos D. McCoy in the evening. The latter was engaged for one year beginning August 23, 1840. He was a pleasant, not particu- larly intellectual, man, an eloquent preacher and a good reader. George Hedrick was organist. The hall was filled, and Mr. McCoy anxious to build a church. There was indifference and opposition, but he gathered money and a company was formed, known as the Proprietors of St. Luke's Church. For nineteen cents a foot the Nesmith brothers, with others, sold to the Pro- prietors a lot of land opposite High street on East Merrimack street, and then built a church of wood at a cost of $14,000. August 9, 1841, a parish was organized, and Mr. McCoy elected rector at $800 a year. Twenty-five communicants were trans- ferred from St. Anne's, making the total number on the register of St. Luke's 140. When the lease of St. Anne's should expire, it had been purposed to combine with St. Anne's people in build- ing up the new parish that it might help in purchasing the church, and so have two strong parishes. But the opposition was enough to affect success. Samuel Lawrence gave assurance that the
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