USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fall River > History, annals and sketches of the Central Church of Fall River, Massachusetts : A.D. 1842-A.D. 1905 : with portraits and views > Part 4
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In March, 1872, a fresh effort was made, and Thomas J. Borden, Robert K. Remington, and William H. Jennings were appointed a committee to report upon a suitable location and to obtain plans for a building. This committee continued in office, with the later addition of Holder B. Durfee, until the completion of the enterprise, their duties being increased to include the raising of funds, the contracting for the building, and the supervising of its erection and furnishing; and to their faithful and efficient service we are in great measure indebted for the beautiful and homelike structure which quickly won its way into the affections of our people.
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A subscription paper was started with two gifts of forty thousand dollars each, from Dr. Nathan Durfee and Col. Richard Borden, and these amounts were later liberally in- creased. Many other members of the Church and congrega- tion made generous contributions, and with a subscription of over one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, the work of building was undertaken.
The location on Rock Street, between Franklin and Bank streets, comprises nearly one hundred and ten square rods of land. The building, designed by Hartwell, Swasey & Co., of Boston, is of brick, with trimmings of Nova Scotia freestone, and is in the Victoria Early English Gothic style. It has a regular seating capacity of twelve hundred, which may be increased to eighteen hundred when necessary.
Work upon the foundations was commenced in May, 1874. The basement walls and brick pillars to support the floor were put in, and on July 22 of the same year the congregation assembled, and with appropriate services the cornerstone was laid by the senior deacons of the church, Benjamin Earl and Dr. Nathan Durfee. A box, properly sealed and placed under the stone, contained the " Confession of Faith of the Central Congregational Church "; a list of past and present pastors, officers, and members; a list of subscribers to the building fund; the architects' specifications; " History of Fall River "; and copies of the local and religious papers. (See order of exercises in Supplement.)
For the especial purpose of securing a suitable church organ, the building committee was increased by the addition of Lyman W. Deane, Newton R. Earl, and Charles Durfee, and the notably sweet-toned instrument which was pur- chased under their direction still testifies to the success of their efforts. The organ was manufactured by Hook & Hastings, of Boston, and voiced by John H. Willcox, an accomplished organist and musician, who gave to the instru- ment the stamp of his individual genius. The organ has
Colonel RICHARD BORDEN
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CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Auditorium (looking west)
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what is known as the tracker action, 2,147 pipes, 33 speak- ing stops, and 2 manuals.
The bell which was hung in the tower of the church, and which still calls us to worship, is the one which was presented by Col. Richard Borden at the time of the building of the old meeting house.
On the exterior of the building the following mottoes cut in stone invite the passers-by to worship: "Praise ye the Lord "; "Let us exalt His name together "; "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near "; and on the arches over the pulpit platform are the inscriptions: "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord "; " Worship the Lord in the beauty of holi- ness."
The hieroglyphic character of the decorative fresco design, which was finally used for the upper background of the pulpit recess, has aroused so much curiosity, as people have seen it for the first time, that an interpretation of this quaint Latin symbol may be found interesting. It is in triangular form, and is an illustration of the doctrine of the Trinity as pre- sented in the Athanasian creed. In the center is the word " Deus," from which radiate three lines, each bearing the Latin "est," and each reaching to one of the three points of the diagram, where are the letters "P," "F," "SS," respect- ively; thus signifying: "The Father is God "; "The Son is God "; " The Holy Spirit is God." The three sides of the triangle each bear the inscription, " non est "; thus com- pleting the reading: "The Father is not the Son," " The Son is not the Holy Spirit," " The Holy Spirit is not the Father." In this way is symbolized the completed doctrine of the Trinity: "One Substance, Three Persons."
North of the pulpit, upon the projecting wall of the pastor's room, is the beautiful Memorial Tablet which was presented by the Ladies' Beneficent Society. It is of Tennessee marble, set on an arched panel of fine-finished
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gray sandstone richly carved, the whole rendered effective by its black-walnut background. It bears the following inscription :
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ORGANIZED NOVEMBER 16, 1842.
First Pastor. Rev. SAMUEL WASHBURN Installed April 24, 1844. Dismissed Jan. 2, 1849. A refined scholar, A genial and beloved pastor.
Second Pastor. Rev. ELI THURSTON, D.D.
Installed March 21, 1849. Died Dec. 20, 1869. As a preacher able and bold, As a pastor faithful and devoted, In the community Fearless to expose evil, And a power for good.
In Memoriam
Among other gifts at the time the church was built, were the beautiful stained-glass picture of " Jerusalem," set in the cloister window of the south parlor, and five large framed photographs which have ever since hung in the north parlor, all presented by Robert K. Remington; also the piano, which was until recently used in the parlors, and which now does service in the Primary Department of the Bible school, given by Niels Arnzen. The pictures above referred to are from bas-reliefs of Thorwaldsen. They represent the four evan- gelists, each riding upon a winged creature, Matthew's, with the face of a man; Mark's, with the face of a lion; Luke's, with the face of an ox; and John's, with the face of an eagle, - in accordance with the symbols in Ezekiel's vision. The fifth picture is "Mary with Jesus and John."
(0)
Central Congregational Church ORGANIZED NOVEMBER 16,1842.
FIRST.VASTOR. REV. SAMUEL WASHBURN Sudalled April 24. 1344. Dirmioned Jan. 2, 140, A refined whelan A wniet and beloved paolod'
DECOND PAUTON. GOA REV. ELI THURSTON B ... Thetn Hod March 21, 18 48, Diid Des, 80, 1961, Ar'a preached able and bott,
PASTORS' MEMORIAL TABLET Central Congregational Church, Fall River, Mass.
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A little more than a year and a half was spent in the con- struction of the building, and on Monday evening, December 13, 1875, more than two thousand people assembled for its formal dedication according to the following program: Organ voluntary; anthem, " Praise the Lord," Mozart; invocation by Rev. J. W. Wellman, D.D., Malden (because of the ab- sence of Rev. Thatcher Thayer, D.D., to whom the part had been assigned); response by the choir, "Ponder my words, O Lord," Haydn; reading of the Scriptures, Rev. W. W. Adams, D.D., Fall River; hymn, " Christ is our Cornerstone "; sermon, text John 17: 20, Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., Brooklyn; hymn, " Oh, bow thine ear, Eternal One "; dedi- catory prayer, pastor; anthem, " How beautiful are Thy dwellings!", Leach; doxology; benediction by the pastor. (See copy of program in Supplement.)
But not all was joy on this seemingly bright occasion. A most trying combination of circumstances had thrust a heavy financial burden upon the Church, and at the annual meeting soon after the dedication of the building, the assessors reported " the old property still on hand, with an indebtedness of one hundred thousand dollars." Under this debt, annually increased by interest charges, the Church struggled for four weary years, until, in a single day, by an almost superhuman effort, the weight was lifted. That eventful day will ever remain one of the most memorable in the history of the Church, and its story is here told with vivid realism by Mrs. Eli Thurston, who participated in its events and wrote under their inspiration.
It was Sabbath morning, February 1, 1880. A radiant and sunny morning, with the air just crisp and cool enough to give zest and tone to the body, and cheerfulness and hope to the heart.
The congregation of our people had assembled at our usual hour of worship, and with no intimation that anything unusual was to happen. The multitude were seated; there was the accustomed stir and tread of the few late-comers, and then in reverent silence we awaited the
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entrance of the pastor. Immediately, and to our surprise, another door of the pastor's anteroom opened, and in solemn procession came forth some eight or ten of the gentlemen of the Church who quietly seated themselves in their usual places. We had recognized in their grave and careworn faces all the officers of the Church and the busi- ness committee of the Society. Something of serious importance was to take place! A thrill of expectant foreboding was taking possession of all minds when the pastor entered the pulpit, and with him, our friend and almost colleague pastor, Rev. Alexander McKenzie, D.D., of Cambridge. This, for a moment, increased the wonder, but the little spasm of doubt and fear was coming rapidly to be displaced by an inward smile of welcome and gratulation, when, after the doxology and a brief invocation by the pastor, we were called upon to sing the hymn beginning " Awake, ye saints, awake."
This seemed ominous, and was followed by fervent prayer from Dr. Mckenzie for strength, and grace, and blessing, in the performance of some exalted, but specially trying duty. Devout, also, were his uttered thanksgivings for the history of the Church, in all its years of the past. There was in that prayer much that reminded one of the deep sympathy and pathos which came out in the supplications for the Church, by our dear friend Professor Barbour, last summer, when he said: " O Lord, thou hast sore wounded, cast down, and broken this Church, but it is not destroyed; hast thou not ever had a rivulet of blessing running through it?" Then we sang again - the hymn which has upheld and supported thousands of faint and weary hearts, from the time it was written, until now, -
" How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word."
Had some calamity again overtaken us? Were we to pass once more through some fiery trial? Had we not long been abased in the dust, and our very name cast out as evil? Had not the furrows of time, and the gray hairs of age, come upon our young men in this Church simply through suffering? Had not our dear pastor for long months been an invalid in exile for the same cause, and now what more was God about to require of us?
Breathlessly we listened to the announcement that we were to lift that day, from off the Church, the great burden of debt which op- pressed it! Nothing could be more unexpected and strange than such a proposition, and to the majority of the congregation, nothing could
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seem more impossible. Then our pastor told us that our debt amounted to one hundred and twelve thousand dollars. As an offset to this, we held the old church property, which the committee esti- mated as worth thirty-two thousand dollars, the interest of which had been provided for. This left a debt of eighty thousand dollars, which we were to undertake to raise, and which he felt sure would be accom- plished before the day was done.
Among the crowded and exciting scenes which followed on this most memorable day, the impression made by our pastor's brief address was not for a moment effaced. He spoke with a calmness and quiet assurance, which only strong faith can give, and with the force of reason and facts that give to language its truest eloquence. Few of us knew of the days and weeks of labor he had devoted to this work in preparation for this hour -of the fraternal encouragement, the liberal gifts, the large-hearted sympathy, which his solicitations and representations of our need had elicited from other men and other churches, and which helped him now to look with some hope upon the work before us.
Then our friend Dr. Mckenzie came forward and prefaced his address by saying that no one outside of our church could feel a deeper and warmer interest in its welfare, than he. For seven consecutive seasons he had ministered to this people, in the absence of their pas- tor. They had been seasons of profit and enjoyment, and the culmina- tion of this interest was reached during the past summer, when he was permitted to be with us for five Sabbaths.
He had come to help us pay our debt; many friends were praying for us, and we should be specially remembered in the prayers of his own church that day. His pulpit was supplied by Dr. Alden, who knew us, and knew our pastor, and with warm sympathy was giving the labor of this day to help us. He was somewhat prepared for this work through his acquaintance with the methods pursued by Mr. Kimball, who had so successfully devoted his talents to this peculiar business, and from having passed through the experience with his own church.
" But," said he, " I shall not expect the thing to succeed unless a great many of you say ' It cannot be done.' I have never yet heard of a people where this work was undertaken, who did not say ' It can- not be done.' I want to see some of you drop your heads, and show by your manner that you feel the thing to be hopeless. It may not be philosophy, but it is the history, so far as I know, of this movement, and I shall not feel sure of success if you all feel so yourselves."
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He said it would more than all things else require patience. It was a slow process, and we must make up our minds to spend the whole day upon it, and it would probably take till midnight. But to be free from debt would be like resurrection to new life. To be fettered and crippled in all our work and usefulness by a debt which cost us yearly seven thousand dollars, and then the next year seven thousand more, and when we had given this sum for five years or ten years the sum still remained; we could only look upon it as a burden which good sense and every high and christian motive should lead us to remove.
He thought it a sacred work, most intimately bound up with the honor and glory of the Church of God, and therefore most appropri- ate to the Sabbath day and the house of His worship.
He urged that our service would be a better service - our preaching - our prayers - our singing - our sacraments, all better.
We were told that lunch would be served in the middle of the day, and supper at night, and all were requested to remain and aid in the work.
The canvassers were now requested to distribute cards throughout the house, upon which the several subscriptions should be written - the whole amount was to be raised, or the individual contract become void, and three years allowed for payment, interest to be collected after the first year.
Dr. Mckenzie then said he would call first for five subscriptions of three thousand dollars each, and no less sum would be received until those were made.
It was a moment of breathless suspense, and in the faces of our canvassers we read the thought that all felt, that not one man in that house had three thousand dollars that he could give away if he would. The silence seemed long and oppressive, though it was only for a mo- ment, and then some voice hinted that the collectors were not on duty. This gentleman held in his hand the talismanic card, the first three thousand dollars given for the canceling of eighty thousand! What a relief to see it actually carried to the pulpit and to hear the sum announced. Only a moment or two more, and the five subscrip- tions were filled. Could it be possible! - was it no miracle that so soon we had fifteen thousand dollars in the treasury?
This sum was so easily raised that it was proposed to double it with five subscriptions more of three thousand dollars each. If this could be accomplished, it would give thirty thousand dollars from ten indi- viduals. People began to walk about and to speak with one another.
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It would occur to several at the same time that here was a man, and there was another, who had through life-long industry and economy acquired more than a competency. Would they give three thousand dollars, at once, and on the instant, to this object? They would not spend three thousand dollars to augment their style of living, nor half that sum in recreation or pleasure. Did they truly love the Church of God, and the moral welfare of our city more than these? Yes, they did, and they gave this large sum, not only with a generous hand, but with a christian heart.
The pastor offered to give the last three thousand dollars from the reserved funds held in trust by him, and this proved a stimulus greatly to be prized. It helped to move the hinges of the half-opened doors, and to strengthen a wavering purpose, to feel that the goal was so near.
It was past one o'clock when this crisis was reached, and we adjourned, joyfully and hopefully, to a very simple lunch in the parlors.
Some went to their homes, but returned speedily with many of the absentees from the morning service, and the afternoon work was resumed after prayer by Rev. Mr. Buck, and some very pertinent and interesting remarks from Dr. Mckenzie.
It was now proposed to obtain ten subscriptions of two thousand dollars. This consumed more time than the first subscriptions. The full result was not reached until nearly dark, when a recess was taken, and supper served in the parlors to all who wished it. Many remained from intense interest in this novel and absorbing work - too excited to care whether they ate or not - too excited to know that they were very weary.
We had now a pledge for fifty thousand dollars, and had thirty thousand to raise. We had been warned that it would be a slower process to obtain the smaller amounts than the large, but all were now inspired with zeal and hope, and felt sanguine of ultimate success. We took fresh courage, and went on.
Without, the weather had grown severely cold, and the wind strong . and piercing, but within, the thermometer was constantly on the rise, not only as connected with the furnace, but in the quickened pulsa- tions of heart and brain.
There was still much to do, and time could not be taken for gratu- lation or rest, and the evening work was resumed, after prayer by Mr. Holmes. Fifteen subscriptions of one thousand dollars each were called for, which was followed by a quick response from many quarters, and the list rapidly filled. Individual contributions were numerous,
£
.
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and were supplemented by one card from the ladies of the Beneficent Society, and one from the young men.
When the five hundred dollars were called for, the young ladies sent up a card for that amount, having had a meeting and voted to earn it. And the boys had been busy with pencil and paper, and when these smaller sums were collected, had ready their cards representing many names and a delightful enthusiasm, and the children entered warmly into the spirit of the occasion, and added their mite to some of the lists of lesser sums.
It was growing late, when, without further formality, it was an- nounced that all sums of greater or less value could be sent in, and it was here that the feeling of the long day culminated. It was when the dear names of the poor in this world's goods, but the rich in faith, laid their offerings on this sacred altar. Very many were the precious gifts that came from the members of the Mission School, and often and always has this Church been cheered and helped by their affectionate devotion. Some of the classes pledged fifty dollars, others twenty- five and fifteen, and men and families who depended on their daily labor for all their needs, gave most heartily and generously. The spirit of the occasion throughout the day, had been most fitting to the holiness of the Sabbath and the house of the Lord. A subdued and quiet tone of feeling rested on all the people.
We had received, as the aggregate of all the money pledged, about seventy-six thousand dollars, and some were absent who would claim the privilege of making up the deficiency, and so, at half-past eleven, with a glad heart we sang
" Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
Thus ended this most remarkable day in the history of the Central Church in Fall River. "It was the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes." His covenant with his people had been renewed before our eyes. " Zion said, 'The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me.' " And he had said by his dealings with us: "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy, and I am very sore displeased with those at ease in her, and who have helped forward her affliction." And now - " Thus saith the Lord, I am returned unto Zion and will dwell in the midst of her. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me, and the covenant of my peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."
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This story is not complete without some mention of the people's expressed appreciation of the labor and devotion of the two men who had succored them in the time of distress. At the annual meeting of the Society, April 28, 1880, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously adopted: "The Society acknowledges, and desires to place upon its records, its great obligations to Rev. M. Burnham, pastor, for his conception and prosecution to a successful issue, of a plan for lifting Eighty Thousand dollars of the indebtedness of this Society." At a meeting, February 9, 1880, the Church delegated to the pastor and Deacon Holmes the duty of sending a suitable written expression of thanks to the Rev. Dr. Mckenzie; and some eighteen months later they proved that they still held him in grateful remembrance, by depositing a sum of money with a book-dealer in Boston, requesting Dr. Mckenzie to replenish his library therefrom at his pleasure.
Having thus traced through a period of five years the course of those events which were immediately connected with the new church building, we turn back to 1875, to note other items of record for the same half-decade. We are impressed with the fact that during this period of great sorrow and bur- den-bearing, both on the part of the church and of its indi- vidual members, the people were much in prayer, and were richly blessed in spiritual things, as the following facts do testify.
1876. On April 10, "The pastor expressed the desire that a prayer and conference meeting be held on Thursday afternoon, 'Fast Day,' and it was cordially approved." A morning preaching service on this state holiday, as well as on Thanksgiving Day, had long been an understood custom.
From the time the new church was occupied until the chapel was built, 1875 to 1891, the prayer and conference meetings were held in the parlors. These services were of special power during Mr. Burnham's ministry. On Thursday evenings one parlor, often supplemented by the hall, was
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occupied, and on Sabbath evenings the pastor's table was before the main door into the auditorium and, from this central position, he looked out to the right and to the left into the many earnest faces of the assembled company.
1877. In the pastor's annual report of April, we read:
Our evening meetings have been often filled to overflowing. A spirit of earnest attention and feeling has attended them and many, some of them heads of families, have found the Saviour. It has been, for Massachusetts and for the country, a remarkable year in certain features religiously, and we have felt something of the tidal wave of God's power. Many of our prayer-meetings have been places of the revelation of God. Our ladies' prayer-meetings have been of marked power, I am told. A spirit of prayer has been developed. A spirit of prayerful effort has been developed in answer to it.
1878. January 26 was set apart as a day of special prayer for this Church. The meetings were " largely attended by the members of the Church and others to some extent. Prayer and confession were earnest, and the Holy Spirit was present to subdue and sanctify all hearts, and to awaken an earnest desire to be more faithful in His service."
We quote from the pastor's annual report in April:
There have been but five other years in the history of the Church when so many have joined us as in this year, and those were years of extended revival influences. For three or four years past, especially, the growth in numbers has been steady, almost every communion adding some. We have increased in membership since 1870 just about one hundred. In the midst of seeming obstacles, we are glad to record the earnest, loving fidelity of so many. In christian labor, the Church has never been more abundant than during this year. Never has it had a greater care for God's poor; never have so many of its member- ship been importunate in prayer.
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