USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Shelburne > History and tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts > Part 11
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A Unitarian Society was organized in Shelburne in April, 1828 and a church was organized in 1841 with seventeen members. They never built a church or had a settled pastor, but held their meetings in their respective homes. One known place was in the upstairs room of the Archie Long place, now occupied by Robert Crafts.
SHELBURNE FALLS CHURCHES
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Alphabetically and also chronologically the Bap- tist Church was the first to be established in Shel- burne Falls Village, then boasting only a
few houses. At first called the Second Baptist Church of Shelburne, it became the First Baptist Church of Shelburne Falls after the Baptist Church in South Shelburne was discontin- ued.
At the request of 20 brothers and sisters who had met previously, a council of pastors and delegates from neighboring Baptist churches was called November 6, 1833, at the home of Apollos Bardwell on Main Street, in the house now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Shippee. It was the unanimous sense of the meeting that the church should be established as there was no organization to care for the religious interests of the community. Letters of dismission and recommendation were read and members voted in from Baptist churches in Shelburne, Buckland, West Boylston, Heath, Royalston, Winchendon, Leverett, Montague and Winchester, and two candidates were received for baptism. At an adjourned meeting the
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next day, in the dining room of the "Mansion House." articles of faith and the covenant were adopted.
These articles of faith were in force until July 25. 1840. when it was voted to accept the Bible as articles of faith. Some believing that there should be a definite and systematic statement of what the Church believes the Bible teaches, a committee was appointed which drew up the present covenant and articles of faith. There was strong opposition to their adoption but this was overcome by the vote that the articles of faith should be considered simply as declaratory of the general belief of the Church and not as changing the present Bible platform as regards membership and grounds of discipline. The members set before them- selves a high standard of obligation and conduct.
Of the constituent members. John Alden was princi- pal of the newly established Franklin Academy. and Mrs. Sarah Crouch was one of its teachers. Apollos Bardwell was a tanner and prominent citizen, and his wife, Lucinda, was esteemed a "mother in Israel." Members from Shelburne and adjacent towns regu- larly gathered in this home, between the morning and afternoon church services, to visit and eat their lunch, with tea and perhaps other additions provided by "Aunt Cinda." She was a ready talker and. when mild-tempered Apollos would hear her going on in another room, he would call out "I catch the tune all right. Cindy, but I don't get the words." To Silas and Nathaniel Lamson, who manufactured the bent scythe snaths, invented by their father. Silas, Sr .. and to Cyrus Alden and Ebenezer Lamson, who later came to the town and were associated in the business and active in the church, much of the future success and prosperity of the church were due. Benjamin Maxwell, later a deacon and pillar in the church, was steward of the Academy and had charge of the board- ing house, called the "Mansion House," later owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Legate and family, and still later by Walter Phillips, and now about to be torn down to make room for the new Elementary School building. He also had charge of the large farm where the students practiced agriculture. Samuel Morse and sons were manufacturers of scythe snaths. Thirteen members were added to the church by bap- tism and letter the first year, making a total of 35.
About this time new life began stirring in the dormant hamlet. Stagecoaches were running regu- larly through the town between Boston and Albany: there was talk of a tunnel through Hoosac Mountain. and a canal along the same route. A company had been formed to make larger use of the water power. and new industries had been started. Best of all there was evidence of new intellectual and religious life. for which the new Franklin Academy - non-sectarian by provision of its charter, but practically in origin and management a Baptist institution - was largely responsible. A three-story, brick building for the use of the school was being erected in the edge of the wooded region at the north of the village, and a long, two-story wing was being added to the "Mansion
House" to accommodate the students coming in from many states, from England, Cuba and other foreign countries. A farmer, who came to town on purpose to see this three-story building, went up to view it before breakfast and on his return said to Jarvis Bardwell. then keeper of the tavern, "Why, Jar. it fairly made me dizzy to look at it." The new Academy and the new industries were bringing many Baptists into town and the men establishing the industries were Baptists, so it was felt that a Baptist Church was called for in the community. The church was fortunate in secur- ing as its first pastor the Rev. John Alden, a descend- ant of John Alden of "ancient renown," a graduate of Amherst College and Newton Theological Seminary. a young man of unusual force and ability. Being also principal of Franklin Academy, he did the work of two men and did it well.
In 1835 a deed was given to the land on which the present church stands, and a stately brick edifice was erected, of about the same proportions and general arrangement of the present church, only smaller, and with a similar tower. The vestry was entered by stairways descending from the vestibule and its floor was a little below street level. The vestibule was on a level with the auditorium, and was reached by wooden steps and a platform extending along the eastern end of the building, with balustrade and a handrail. Stairways at the north and south ends of the vestibule led to the singers' loft above. There was no organ or baptistry in the church. In the early period a large choir was trained and led by Thomas Marshall. a singing master of some renown, and there was instrumental accompaniment of violin, bass viol and clarinet. Baptisms were held in the river, a few rods north of the church, near the old ford. The exact date of the completion of the church and its dedication is not known but there are records of meetings in the church in the summer of 1836. The Banner, published by Mirick in July. 1852, gave the cost of this first building as $3.000. As congregations increased, galleries were built along the north and south sides of the church.
The membership was 100 when Pastor John Alden resigned in 1840, being succeeded by Rev. William Heath whose salary was specified as $450 a year. the first mention of remuneration for the pastor.
A year and a half before Mr. Heath's resignation in 1844, some members became persuaded that the Lord's return was imminent and it was their duty "to come out and be separate" from churches that didn't share this belief. Eight renounced their mem- bership in this church and some who remained were a source of discord and weakness. Some members. however. invited a Universalist minister, Rev. William Wilcox, to come to town and preach on this subject. He evidently had made a study of it. for in a power- ful sermon, delivered before a large audience crowded into the Baptist Church, he thoroughly demolished the arguments of the dissenters. More of this appears on another page.
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Rev. Cyrus Smith, the next pastor, preached only one Sunday and resigned because of ill health, dying soon thereafter. Rev. E. H. Gray served as pastor from June, 184+ until February, 1847, with other matters troubling the church as well as the Adventists. Rev. Wheelock H. Parmly came in November, 1847 and left in May, 1850. An earnest preacher, model pastor, and tireless worker in all Christian efforts, the church was greatly built up during his ministry. At the time of his death he was pastor of the First Baptist in Jersey City, N. J., which later built the Parmly Memorial Church to preserve his name.
Rev. E. H. Gray resumed the pastorate in July, 1850 and remained until May, 1863, when he became pastor of the East Street Baptist Church in Washing- ton, D. C. During his six years there he was Chaplain of the Senate a portion of the time. In 1869 he again assumed the pastorate of this church, remaining until 1872 when he returned to Washington to organize a new church. Later he went to California where he was the State Missionary, and then the first Presi- dent of the Baptist Theological Seminary in Berkeley. Dr. Gray had extraordinary powers as a preacher, appealing alike to the heart, the intellect and the imagination, and large congregations attended his ministry.
In 1852, during Dr. Gray's second pastorate, the present edifice was erected, at a cost of $9,000. Hav- ing the largest auditorium in town it has been used for some Academy commencements and other large gatherings. The long winding stairs to the auditorium are admired but, by some, not enjoyed. During Dr. Gray's last pastorate the church was repaired and beautified, at a cost of $6,000. The organ was moved from the back gallery to the front of the church and a choir loft built.
Rev. A. J. Sage was pastor of the church from 1863 to May, 1867, and Rev. J. A. Goodhue from 1867 to 1869. In 1867 a town clock was placed in the tower of the church for the convenience of all. Of the total cost, $751.07, members of the Baptist Society paid $623. For a long time the janitors of the church cared for the clock without extra compen- sation but of late years the town has appropriated $50 for its care, and still later $100. In 1868 the church granted to the Selectmen of the town the privilege of locating the Soldiers' Monument on the north part of the church lawn, where it stood until 1884.
During Mr. Sage's pastorate there was a large in- crease in membership. He was a young man of marked scholarly tastes, vigorous intellect and Christ- like spirit. Going from here to the First Baptist Church in Hartford, he had a long and successful pastorate. Following Dr. Gray's third pastorate came Rev. P. S. Evans, 1873 to 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. H. M. Jones who remained until 1883. The son of missionaries, he had a genuine missionary spirit.
In the 1880's the Fairbanks Library was established in the church through a legacy from Mrs. Joanna Fairbanks. Mrs. F. E. Fairbanks was for many years
the librarian and 1200 volumes, comprising standard works of fiction, general literature, reference books and juveniles, were made available and greatly appre- ciated by members of the Sunday School and congre- gation until Arms Academy became free and offered greater facilities.
Rev. A. M. Crane served the church from 1883 to 1889. Early in his pastorate the present parson- age was purchased and fitted up at an expense of about $4,000. Previously the Baptist parsonage had been the present home of Mr. Carleton Davenport. Rev. E. X. Holloway was pastor from 1889 to 1890. After one very fruitful year he accepted a call to a church in New York City. He was a rapid, fluent speaker, and it is reported that when a minister, asked to open the Town Meeting with prayer, seemed hesi- tating and uncertain, Mr. James Leach whispered to the next man, "They ought to have called on the Baptist minister - his mouth's just full of words." Rev. A. C. Peck was pastor from 1891 to 1896; Rev. Neil Andrews, Jr., from 1896 to 1899; Rev. Jesse A. Hungate, 1899 to 1903. During this last pastorate over $1500 was expended in putting up a steel ceiling in the auditorium and in sheathing up the large back gallery.
Rev. Rolla E. Hunt became pastor in 1903. Towns- people as well as the church folks regretted having Mr. Hunt and his family leave town when he went to the Baptist Church in Summit, N. J., in 1915. Dur- ing his pastorate the church observed its 75th anni- versary in 1908, with appropriate services. A com- prehensive, discriminating history of the church was prepared and read by Rev. Daniel W. Wilcox, on which all subsequent histories have been based. Rev. J. Cromwell Hughes, whose acceptable ministry was cut short by death in 1917, came in November, 1915. Rev. W. J. Morgan was the pastor from 1917 to 1925. An excellent preacher, he was in demand as a speaker by various organizations. From 1925 to 1930 Rev. F. C. A. Jones was the pastor, during which time the tower was strengthened, the vestry and auditorium redecorated and a new carpet and pews installed in the auditorium, at a cost of $9,860.
Rev. R. Emerson Snethen came as pastor in 1930 and left in 1935. From October 29 to November 12, 1935 there were special services in a Centennial Cele- bration of the founding of the church. Former pastors, representatives of the Massachusetts Baptist Conven- tion and ministers from nearby churches were special speakers. The outstanding attraction was an historical pageant in five episodes, written by Mr. Snethen and directed by Mr. Stanley Cummings. It was a vivid portraying of the outstanding phases of the church's history and made a lasting impression on all who saw it.
The next two pastors were Southerners. Rev. Clar- ence H. Patrick served from 1935 to 1937. Young, unmarried, alert and genial, he kept a fine group of young people interested in the church. He returned to his Southland to resume his studies and to teach.
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For the next two years the church was served by Rev. W. H. Porter. His quiet sympathy and his disciplined mind soon brought him invitations to take over other and larger parishes.
Mr. Porter was followed in 1939 by the beloved Rev. Thomas J. Cate, whose ministry will long be remembered by the entire community. Because of the war and other circumstances he was, for long intervals, the only pastor on the Shelburne side of the Falls Village. Many tasks fell to him, and his sympathy and counsel were unfailing.
This brings to a close, perhaps permanently, the story of this church as an entirely separate organiza- tion. In 1951 Mr. Cate stated that he wished to retire from active pastoral work, and the church saw no way to meet the financial needs of a full-fledged, modern church organization, under post-war condi- tions.
There had been some discussion of possible coop- eration between the Congregational and Episcopal Churches and a unique plan was proposed whereby the three churches might combine their efforts without losing their denominational identities. There were months of study, discussion and genuine soul-searching, and finally each of the three churches voted to adopt the plan.
In 1952 the preliminary organization of Trinity Fellowship was set up, and its story is another part of this chapter.
At least one member of the church, a native son, Dr. Orrin P. Gifford, won distinction as a preacher and lecturer throughout the East, where he held pastorates in Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, and on the Pacific coast. Everywhere he was a successful pastor and master of picturesque speech.
Well known locally was another member, "Uncle" Jarvis B. Bardwell. Holder of many responsible positions in the town and church and county, he was a benefactor to many and most generous toward his church. When making any special pledge, Ebenezer Lamson, a man of wealth, would always say, "I'll give so much if Brother Bardwell will give the same," and Brother Bardwell always did. out of his moderate resources.
"MILLERISM"
In 1838 on the Shelburne side of the river in Shelburne Falls, there was one church, one school and no lawyer. The church was "close communion" Baptist. In the first months of 1843 a man named Preble, a former Baptist minister, gave a series of lectures on "MIillerism" - to the effect that all who did not heed this warning, repent, and be clothed in white robes ready to be taken up on high on April 23. 1843, would be consumed in the roaring flames of a universal conflagration.
It seems that eight of the most prominent members of the Baptists became converted to "Millerism" and held meetings every Sunday in the old schoolhouse.
These came very near to breaking up the Baptists, but through the influence of S. D. Bardwell and others, Rev. William Wilcox, a Universalist minister was sent for - he gave but one sermon in the Baptist Church, and the church was full to capacity. His text was Proverbs 18:17, "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him."
His remarks had an inspiring effect upon the few remaining Baptists - for he was a "master tonguey man." They believed what he said, and fortified with his proofs, the Baptists were saved and prospered both numerically and spiritually.
Needless to say, April 23, 1843 passed off just like any other day, and Shelburne Falls once more resumed its peace of mind.
TOWN CLOCK
A true copy and Statement about the Town Clock put into the tower of the Baptist Church in this village in 1867 by the inhabit- ants of this village on both sides of the river, by the Committee Chairman named to pur- chase it and set it up in running order.
SHELBURNE FALLS JULY - 1867
Whereas it has been thought advisable by many of the Citizens of Shelburne Falls to have a Clock placed upon the tower of the Baptist Church edifice in this Village for the mutual convenience of all, We, the Subscribers, to this paper promise and agree to pay the amount set opposite our names with the under- standing that when Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars have been subscribed to this fund, the Subscribers shall meet and appoint a committee whose duty it shall be to collect the several amounts subscribed and pro- cure the immediate erection of a superior town clock.
When the Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars was pledged, such a meeting was held, and Hiram Rich- mond was chosen to collect the subscriptions and J. B. Bardwell was chosen to purchase and set up the clock and to get an associate to go with him to Boston for the purchase of the same, and we went to Boston and bought one of Howard's Best Clocks, and warranted ten years at a cost of Five Hundred Eighty- four Dollars. When put up it was found that the expense of it, lumber and work cost considerable more than was subscribed and quite a number of persons subscribed more and some added to their first sub- scription, but not enough in full, and the Committee paid it themselves.
The whole cost was $751.07 as it stands today. Persons in the Baptist Society paid in $623.00
128.07
J. B. Bardwell
All the papers and subscription papers can be seen by calling on me. J. B. B.
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No plans having been made for the care of the clock, the Sexton of the church at the time contributed his services without pay for eighteen years. Later fifty dollars a year was raised by subscriptions, this service later being assumed by the town of Shelburne.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
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In the autumn of the year 1849 a number of people, residing in the village of Shelburne, united by subscription to raise money and procure Congrega- tional preaching. Their efforts were rewarded and Mr. George Bronson was preacher for a term of six months.
On Dec. 20, 1849 a religious society was formed under the name of the Congregational Society of Shelburne Falls, which was constituted a legal corpora- tion under the 20th chapter of the revised statutes of the Commonwealth.
The following officers were chosen - Zebulon W. Field, J. P. - presiding officer ; Henry Chase, Clerk ; Asa Severance, Carver Hotchkiss, Benjamin Andrews - Prudential Committee; Asaph Fairbanks, Otis Ford, Alexis Coleman - Assessors; Erasmus Good- now - Treasurer and Collector.
In February 1850 a number of professing Chris- tians interested in the formation of a Congregational Church met and adopted a confession of faith con- sisting of seven articles and a covenant.
March 6, 1850 the Ecclesiastical Council convened at the Baptist meetinghouse with Rev. Theophilus Packard as moderator, and Mr. A. B. Smith as scribe. The names of 45 individuals - 22 men and 23 women - were recommended and received into mem- bership.
Plans for building a meetinghouse were formulated at that time. While the Church Congregational was worshipping in the old Merrill Hall through the summer and winter of 1850, work on the new church building progressed until it was ready for dedication Feb. 19, 1851. This took place on the same day that their pastor, Mr. George Bronson, was ordained.
May 6, 1855 Sabbath School was organized with Mr. George Mirick as superintendent. It may be remembered that Mr. Mirick was an ardent abolition- ist and a member of the Free Soil Party at that time. He came to Shelburne Falls in 1852 and opened a small job printing office. He was town clerk for many years and instrumental in starting the Deerfield Echo.
The church grew and flourished during the next fifty years with a steady increase in membership and the formation of its societies. The Ladies Aid, Mis- sionary Society and Choral group contributed a great deal toward the growth of the church. The choir during these years was led by Mr. L. M. Packard, the owner of the village dry goods store. He was very active in Congregational and civic affairs and is well remembered for his remarkably pure tenor voice.
After the death of Mr. Packard, Mr. Frank Chand- ler assumed the directorship of the choir and carried on for many years. He was also a deacon of the church and later became Deacon Emeritus.
The young boys of the church as a part of the Boys' Brigade, an interdenominational group working together for spiritual training, had much the same ideals as the Boy Scouts of the present day.
At the end of this period there were nearly 200 members of the Congregational Church. In August 1924, a special meeting was held to reorganize and incorporate under the name of the Congregational Church of Shelburne Falls. They transferred all assets and liabilities of the old Corporation Congrega- tional Society of Shelburne Falls and elected new of- ficers and adopted a new constitution.
On May 10, 1928, a fire of undetermined origin burned the church building to the ground. At a meeting held in the Baptist Vestry it was voted to build a new church at a cost of $50,000. With $35,000 to raise, members of the parish subscribed $40,000. During the building of the new church, services were held in the hall of the Mountain Lodge of Masons. Dedicating services for the new house of worship were held December 18-23, 1928, inclusively. A new organ was given in memory of Charles Prentiss Hall by his wife and children. The Sunday School and Assembly Hall were named in honor of Miss Cora Smith, who was for many years the super- intendent of the primary department.
An Eightieth Anniversary Service was held March 6, 1930 with Dr. Claude Mckay of Springfield as speaker. At that time a lovely painting, a gift of the artist, Mr. Robert S. Woodward, was unveiled. The church approached the one hundredth anniversary of its founding with 325 members.
After 101 years, on May 31, 1951 during the pastorate of Rev. Arthur Weil, the Congregational Church entered a new era of spiritual living. At this meeting the church members met to consider the pos- sibility of yoking with the Baptist Church. A com- mittee was chosen to study the situation and on July 18 of that year the vote was passed to take this forward step into the future. This was the beginning
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of years to come of a united worship with each church maintaining its corporate identity.
Pastors serving this church have been: Rev. George Bronson 1849-1853; W. F. Loomis 1855-1863; P. S. Boyd 1865-1869; E. E. Lamb 1869-1875 ; C. P. Whit- comb 1876-1877; O. P. Emerson 1877-1879; W. D. MacFarlane 1880-1881 ; George Pelton 1881-1884; John Hoffman 1885-1889; W. H. Ashley 1889-1898 ; W. A. Bacon 1899-1901; John Hawley 1902-1914; Harrison Packard 1914-1918; Thomas Lutman 1919- 1922; John Sargent 1922-1927; Joseph Purdue 1927- 1933; Albert Katell 1933-1936; Harold Hannum 1936-1941 : Vernon Bevan 1942-1947 ; Arthur Weil 1947-1951.
EMMANUEL MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The organization of the Episcopal Church in our town seems to have sprung from the interest of Rev. P. V. Finch of Greenfield. He conducted services in the Methodist Church for some weeks, and in 1881 brought Shelburne Falls to the attention of the Church Missionary, Rev. John S. Beers, who arranged a meeting in Arms Academy Hall on December 18th. Mr. Beers also officiated at a service on February 19th, and the following day a meeting was called, at the home of Mr. Andrew W. Wait, to see what the people would do toward supporting a church. The Church Missionary Society offered to provide $400 if the people would raise $600. This amount was quickly subscribed.
Unique, in connection with the Episcopal Church, is its building and the acquisition thereof. In August, 1882, to this small, courageous group came Mr. Thomas J. Montgomery, an Englishman, proposing to build a memorial church and present it to the society. It was a compliment to the town that Mr. Montgomery, a man of wealth and taste, should have chosen to make his home here because of the charming scenery. He bought for his wife's sister, resident here, the present Parsons house, and he built three others, the McQuade house, the Charles Burnap house and the E. S. Decker house, and brought three other sisters here, with their families.
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