History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 21

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A committee of five was appointed with authority to build such a building as in their judgment was suitable to their requirements. George E. Keith, Preston B. Keith, S. Franklin Packard, Frank E. Packard and John J. Rackliffe constituted this committee, who pro- ceeded to erect the present neat and commodious structure, which is thirty - three by fifty-five feet on the ground, with a sharp pitched roof, and comprises a handsome auditorium, two anterooms, a kitchen, a library and an inviting vestibule. The building is finished in Carolina pine ; the seatings are of the latest style of folding chairs, to the num- ber of about three hundred. John R. McLean was the builder; the walls and ceiling were frescoed by Richard Holland, the mention of whose name for artistic excellence of work is enough ; the gas fixtures from R. Hollings & Co., of Boston ; the carpeting was furnished by John H. Pray's Sons, of the same city.

Among the interesting features in and around this chapel is an at- tractive memorial window put in by Mrs. Isaac Packard to the memory of her late husband, at a cost of one hundred and fifty dollars. A daughter of Mr. Packard, Mrs. Julia Packard Leach, contributed a beautiful pulpit set, consisting of the pulpit, two chairs, a flower stand, and communion table, all of antique oak. Mrs. Edwin Keith contributed an oak-cased clock. The circular window over the desk was donated by Mrs. George E. Keith. Mrs. Amelia Davis Pratt contributed two elegant polished collection plates, having a silk lining; and Miss Lizzie N. Fenno presented an exceedingly nice pulpit Bible. The pastor and the committee may well take pride in the completion of so valuable an addition to the facilities for doing evangelical work in Brockton. The edifice was dedicated Wednesday, December 21, 1892, with appropriate exercises as follows :

Selection by the Octette, from the South Congregational Church, followed by an invocation by Rev. K. F. Ohlson of the Swedish Con-

220

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

gregational Church ; Scripture reading by Rev. Frank S. Hunnewell, of Whitman ; report of the Building Committee by its chairman, Mr. George E. Keith ; selection by the quartette ; singing by the congre- gation ; sermon by the Rev. Nehemiah Boynton, of Boston, text from Ephesians v, 27 : "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having a spot or wrinkle;" prayer of dedication by Rev. L. V. Price of the First Congregational Church of Brockton; singing by the congregation ; benediction by Rev. N. B. Thompson.

The sermon was a learned and eloquent exposition of "What is a church and what is Christ's relation to it? What shall be the motive of the church, and how shall the church manifest herself in the world?"

The report of George E Keith in behalf of the Building Committee reported that Mr. Isaac Packard contributed three hundred dollars and the land towards the building of the chapel, and that all the auxiliary societies of the church had also contributed. The cost had been forty-five hundred dollars, and that three thousand dollars had been secured in pledges.

Rev. Adelbert F. Keith, presided over this meeting, and Frank E. Packard played the piano, while the octette rendered the " Te Deum " by H. Dow, and the quartette rendered "The Lord is Exalted " by West. The first sermon preached in this chapel was by the pastor on Friday evening, December 23, 1892.

Deacons of the South Congregational Church ( Campello) : Jacob Ful- ler, April 26, 1837 ; Sylvanus French, April 26, 1837 ; Cary Howard, April 22, 1845 ; Galen Pratt, April 22, 1845 ; S. Franklin Packard, December 4, 1865; George Sawyer, December 4, 1865 ; Eugene B. Estes, elected February II, 1886; Nathan H. Washburn, elected Feb- ruary 9, 1888 ; Albert W. Gibbs, elected January 1, 1888 ; John M. Wentworth, elected January 1, 1889; George A. Morse, elected Jan- uary 13, 1891 ; Frank P. Mills, elected February 9, 1893.

Ministers of the South Congregational Church, Campello .- Rev. John Dwight, settled April 12, 1837, dismissed January 2, 1839; Rev. Dan - iel Huntington, settled January 1, 1840, dismissed May 11, 1853; Rev. David Temple Packard, settled September 21, 1854, dismissed October I, 1856; Rev. Charles W. Wood, settled February 3, 1858, dismissed January 16, 1873 ; Rev. Leverett S. Woodworth, settled October 29,

Albert Beith

221

SOUTII CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.

1874, dismissed December 4, 1879; Rev. John T. Blades. settled September 14, 1880 dismissed March 19, 1889; Rev. Napoleon B. Thompson, preached from July 15, 1889, to July 15, 1893.

Clerks of the South Congregational Church, Campello .- Since the organization of this church the usual practice was for the pastor to per- form the duties of church clerk, till quite recently they have been elected yearly. The first name we find on the list of elected persons for that office was Josiah W. Kingman, elected January 9, 1837. Other persons were elected as clerks and clerk pro tem., among whom are the following names : Jason Keith, April 24, 1838; Rev. Daniel Hunting- ton, March 1, 1840; Cary Howard, May 5, 1851 ; Spencer W. Noyes, May 19, 1851, '52, '53; Albert Keith, April 13, 1854; Rev. David T. Packard, April 20, 1855; Albert Keith, September 18, 1856; Flavel B. Keith, February 1, 1872 ; Rev. L. S. Woodworthi, October 29, 1874, to December 4, 1879 ; Rufus P. Keith, January 22, 1879; George E. Keith, February 19, 1880, to January 1, 1889; Warren T. Copeland, January 1, 1889; Rufus P. Keith, January 22, 1890, '91, '92, '93, and is the present incumbent.

Sabbath School .- One of the first things done after the organization of the church at Campello in 1837, was to form a Sabbath school, which has been continued under able superintendents to the present time.

Josiah W. Kingman was the first superintendent on the list, followed by Martin L. Keith, Barnabas H. Gray, Arza B. Keith, Albert Keith, Russell Alden, Preston B. Keith, Harold C. Childs and Rev. Adelbert F. Keith.

SEMI CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION -One of the most memorable gatherings of the church at Campello was the celebration of semi-cen- tennial of the "South Congregational Church," which took place on Monday, the third day of January, 1887.

On the day previous, being Sunday, the pastor, Rev. John T. Blades, preached an historical sermon upon the fiftieth anniversary of the church. A large audience was present. An invitation having been given to the past members of the choir to be present and take part in the singing, between forty and fifty accepted the invitation, among

222

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

whom was Deacon Cary Howard, Mrs. Betsy Keith and Mrs. Susan C. Foss.

The music was under the direction of Deacon S. Franklin Packard, who had a long time been a leader of the choir, and Ziba Cary Keith, as organist. In the evening the Sabbath school held their anniversary, the exercises being under the charge of the superintendent, Preston Bond Keith. Barnabas H. Gray, an ex superintendent, was present, and favored the meeting with remarks appropriate to the occasion, after which Rev. Asa Bullard, the well known Sunday school teacher of Boston, delivered an interesting address.

At five o'clock Monday evening a supper was served to the members of the church, when two hundred and sixty-five persons sat down to the tables, who were waited upon by forty of the younger members. Ladies with white aprons, and gentlemen assistants.

A table was set in the ladies' parlor for the invited guests, among whom were Rev. Charles W. Wood of Bridgewater, Mass., a former pastor, and his wife, Rev. L. S. Woodworth, another former pastor, and his wife, of East Providence, R. I., Rev. Adelbert F. Keith, a native of Campello, then settled at Providence, together with his wife, Rev. Douglas Carlisle of the First Church in Brockton, and wife, Rev. F. A. Warfield of the Porter Church, Brockton, and wife, Rev. H. E. Cooke of the Methodist Church in Campello, and wife, ex Senator Hon. H. W. Robinson and wife of Brockton, Bradford Kingman and wife of Brookline, Mass., former residents of Campello, Arza B. Keith of Brain- tree, a former resident of Campello, Albert Keith and wife, and past and present deacons of the church.

Remarks of welcome were made by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Blades, then singing of the doxology, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow," after which prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Warfield. Next in order was the calling of the roll of church members by the church clerk, George E. Keith, followed with singing by a double quartette.

Out of three hundred and ten members only thirty were unable to respond to the roll call, and but one of the original members was pres - ent, viz : Mrs. Sylvia P. Howard. The Divine blessing was then in- voked by Rev. Charles W. Wood, and the company were invited to partake of the bountiful array of good things set before them. After

223

SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

an hour and a half had been spent in discussing the merits of the feast, the company repaired to the audience room of the church, where after congratulations were extended and old acquaintances renewed, the formal exercises were fittingly conducted, as follows : Singing, "Home- land," Hon. Ziba C. Keith, organist; quartette; reading of Scripture ; prayer; hymn composed by a former pastor 1 of the church, tune " Old Hundred."

God of our Fathers: hear the song Their grateful sons united raise,

While round their hallowed grove we throng,

To think and speak of other days.

To Thee, their daily vows were paid ; To Thee, their hearts and lives were given - And by Thy guidance and Thine aid, They trod the pilgrim path to heaven.

Rich is the heritage we claim, Whom Thou has made their favored heirs; Their cherished faith, their honest fame, Their love, their counsels, and their pray - ers.

They left us freedom, honor, truth ; Oh, may these rich bequests descend From son to son, from age to youth, And bless our church till time shall end.

Then followed interesting reminiscences by Rev. Mr. Wood of Bridgewater, Rev. Adelbert F. Keith of Providence, R. I., and Rev. L. S. Woodworth of East Providence, R. I. The following hymn com- posed by one of the oldest members of the church,2 especially for this occasion, was sung. Tune, "St. Thomas."

To God, who reigns on high, We bring our grateful song,

Nor was their trust in vain, For shelter in this place,

Ascribing to his love and power What doth to Him belong.

How many souls have learned to sing Of His redeeming grace.

Our Fathers, where are they ? They laid the corner stone,

Let us renew our strength

And trusted to a wiser hand To rear this church thereon.

And labor with our might ; Till all within our influence Have seen the glorious light.

Greetings were from the mother church by Rev. Mr. Carlisle ; from the sister church, by Rev. Mr. Warfield ; from the neighboring church, by Rev. H. E. Cooke.

After music by the double quartette, benediction was pronounced by Rev. Adelbert F. Keith, and a notable occasion came to an end.

RE-DEDICATION OF THE MEETING-HOUSE .- During the year 1888, the South Congregational Church having become straitened for want

1 Rev. Daniel Huntington.

2 Miss Sarah Packard.

224

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

of room in their church, in that rapidly growing section, known as Campello, thought it best to enlarge their church edifice. A commit- tee was chosen to have the charge of remodeling and improving the same. This committee was composed of the following persons, viz. : Caleb HI. Packard, Ziba C. Keith, S. Franklin Packard, Samuel French, Rufus P. Keith, George E. Keith, Preston B. Keith, George Churchill, George E. Taber and Elmer L. Keith.

Upon the completion of the same, the committee arranged a colla- tion for those who worship at this church, Thursday evening, January 3, 1889, being its fifty-third anniversary, from 5:30 to 7:30. By half past seven P. M. the church was filled by an audience estimated at twelve hundred persons.

The front of the pulpit was covered with potted plants, and flowers stood upon the desks on the platform. Behind this wall of natural beauty sat Rev. Messrs. J. T. Blades, F. A. Warfield, H. E. Cooke and G. W. Lawton of this city, and Rev. Smith Baker, D.D., of Lowell. After the organ voluntary the congregation rose and sang the old dox- ology, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Then the choir of twenty-one voices sang the anthem, " King all Glorious," and Rev. Mr. Cooke of the Campello M. E. Church invoked the Divine blessing, After this the church quartette, consisting of Misses Clara F. Drake and Eliza J. Porter, and Messrs. F. A. Dunham and M. F. James, sang "The Lord is Exalted." Rev. Mr. Lawton of the Warren Avenue Baptist Church read the Scriptures, and then the male octette gave a selection, " Remember Thou Thy Creator." This octette consists of Messrs. F. A. Dunham, George Churchill, S. Frankin Packard, Frank E. Packard, M. F. James, Dr. J. S. Allen, Preston B. Keith and Dr. N. D. King.

An eloquent address then followed by Rev. Smith Baker, D.D., of Lowell. The reverend speaker took his text Haggai II., 9: "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former." Houses, the preacher said. have ideas. The Indian's wigwam and the New Englander's cottage have the same object, but they present different ideas. This is even more true of meeting houses. The mosque, syna- goge, cathedral. and Protestant church all have the object of worship- ing God, but they present different ideas. And in like manner do the

225

SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

meeting houses of the different sects of the Protestant faith show diver- sified ideas.

But, the speaker said, I speak on the " latter glory of this house." The coming church will greatly differ from the present. The Catholics have the right idea in having their houses of worship continually open. The coming church will do this. It will be a house where all may feel at rest in peace. Every church will be the people's church. It will be a school house, where the Christian religion will be taught ; it will be a work -shop, where the work of attacking sin will be laid out. The church, then, will be a young men's Christian association in its care for young men It will be a laboratory where men may meet, compare notes, and lift each other up higher. Here the experimental work will be discussed. It will be a temple of worship all the time, as our Roman friends have it-not a temple on Sunday and a tomb the rest of the week. By-and-by the church will be as far in advance of us as we are in advance of our forefathers. Then it will be a type of the Heavenly home to which we will all soon go.

After the address the choir sang an anthem, " Gloria," with cornet obligato by Mr. Otho Hayward. A fervent dedicatory prayer was made by Rev. F. A. Warfield of the Porter church, after which the congregation sang the Congregational hymn to the tune "Boylston."

I love Thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode,

The Church our blest Redeemer saved With his own precious blood.

For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend ;

To her my cares and toils be given,

Till toils and cares shall end.

I love thy Church, O God ;

Beyond my highest joy

Her walls before Thee stand,

I prize her heavenly ways,

Dear as the apple of Thine eye, And graven on Thine hand.

Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.

The alterations in the church, which were very much admired by those in attendance at the opening services, have been made by Con- tractor S. L. Ryder of this city, under the direction of the building com- mittee. A new entrance has been put in the southwesterly corner of the building. Entering here the door on the right leads to the vestry, and the stairs on the right lead to the choir gallery and rooms. Fif- teen feet have been added to both the north and south sides of the ves- try, and when desirable this capacious room can be divided into two

226

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

by the sliding doors, the whole then making a large and a small vestry. The ladies' parlor opens from the vestry on the west side, and upon the east side is the entrance to the kitchen and library, and also to the vesti - bule. The windows of the vestry are all new and of cathedral glass.

The new and improved auditorium is one of surpassing beauty in all its appointments, and now eclipses any other auditorium in this portion of the State. Additional width has been given to the floor of this room, and the gallery has been extended until it occupies three sides. The pulpit and the organ have been brought forward four feet. There are three entrances to this room, two from the vestibule and one on the right of the pulpit which leads up from the little new vestibule.

The pews are of ash, with curved backs, and are set in semi- circular rows. They were made by Geo. H. Grant & Swayne, Richmond, In- diana, and put in by their agent, T. B. Bridgeman of Boston. The chairs in the gallery number 206, and are of the Cincinnati Music Hall pattern, made by Robert Mitchell & Co., Cincinnati. The cushions are of felt, and were made by Geo. C. Bent of Boston. The carpets are in- grain. That upon the floor was from Goldthwaite's, and that in the gallery from Pray's, and both were furnished by the ladies. The chan- delier is one of the Fisk reflectors, and is a beautiful piece of work.

The most strikingly beautiful features of the new interior are the sev- eral memorial windows, in which the light is sifted through glass pic- tures of lovely coloring and impressive design. The first, placed at the right of the pulpit, represents Rebecca at the well, and is inscribed :

IN MEMORY OF JOSIAH W. KINGMAN, DIED DECEMBER 4, 1884.

A window on the left of the pulpit represents "The Sower," and is IN MEMORY OF ZIBA, ARZA, BELA, CHARLES AND JASON KEITH, FOUNDERS AND BENE- FACTORS OF THIS CHURCH AND SOCIETY.

On the south side of the auditorium, above the gallery, Caleb H. Packard has placed a window representing "Faith," in memory of his father and inscribed "Packard." On the north side, above the gallery, is a window from which Miriam looks down in all her loveli- ness. This piece of art was paid for by the church. Besides these there is a scroll window and a window of the golden candlestick, and one in the vestibule displays an open Bible.

227

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCHI.

The frescoing of the auditorium, which was done by Pindikowsky, is in the highest degree artistic in drawing and in the harmonious blend- ing of soft tints, and is most agreeable to the eye. The decoration around the organ loft and on the organ pipes is particularly noticeable.

All the windows of the auditorium and the vestibule are of stained glass. A new boiler and engine have been put in, and nothing has been left undone to make this at once one of the finest and most com- plete church edifices in Plymouth county. About 400 additional seats have been put in, giving a total seating capacity of 1,000. The im- provements and alterations have cost $20,000.

CHAPTER XI.

New Jerusalem Church-Original Members-Doctrines of Charity and Faith- First Meeting-house -- Second Meeting-house-Description of the New Church Temple -Fiftieth Anniversary-Ministry of Rev. Warren Goddard-Ministry of Rev. Henry E. Goddard - Memorial Windows-Young People's Society-List of Officers for 1893- Quakers or Friends -- Second Congregational Society-Act of Incorporation-Dedica- tion of Meeting-house-Ministry of Rev. John Goldsbury.

N EW JERUSALEM CHURCH .- The knowledge of the " New Church " doctrines were introduced into this part of the country by the Rev. Holland Weeks, of Abington, Mass., who was dismissed from his society in that town about the year 1820 for having become a believer in them, which circumstance created no little excitement at the time, and was the means of inducing some others to look into the subject, and to become believers themselves. The first society of receivers of the doctrines in this place was formed in 1827, and consisted of ten members, namely, Sidney Perkins, Nathaniel B. Harlow, William French, Martin Beal, Jabez Field, John Field, of North Bridgewater, Isaiah Noyes, Daniel Noyes, Elisha Faxon, and Austin Cobb, of Abington. In 1828 the number had increased to twenty. During that year a hall was fitted up in the house of Jabez Field, to hold public meetings. Rev. Eleazer Smith preached for them once a month, from 1827 to 1831, and after- wards every Sabbath, till 1834. In 1831 the hall owned by Maj. Nathan

228

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

Hayward was occupied by the society for meetings, and, still later, the building previously used by the Second Congregational Society, or better known as the " Unitarian Meeting-house." Also the hall over the hotel, then kept by Edward E. Bennett. In 1832 the society petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation as a religious society, which was granted, as may be seen by the following, act dated March 3, 1832, and styled,-

THE FIRST SOCIETY OF THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH IN NORTHI BRIDGEWATER.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by authority of the Same.

That Jabez Field, Lucius Field, James A. Tolman, Ruel Richmond, Robert Stoddard, Nahum Smith, Rufus Dorr, Orville Handy, Winslow B. Cushman, James Humphrey, William French, Ephraim Howard, Josiah Packard, Charles Howard, Nathaniel B. Harlow, Lyman Clark, Sidney Perkins, Eleazer Smith, John Field, Sanford Brett, Samuel Howard, Marcus Shaw, William Faxon, John Ide, and Arnold Hunt, together with those who have associated, or may hereafter associate with them, or their Successors, for the purpose of public worship, be, and they hereby are, incorporated into a religious Society known by the name of the " First Society of the New Jerusalem Church," in the town of North Bridgewater, with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all the duties and liabilities of Parishes, according to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth.

Be it further enacted, that the said Society shall be capable in law to purchase, hold, and dispose of any estate, either real or personal, not exceeding the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars, for the Support of public Worship, and for other lawful Parochial pur- poses.

The first meeting held under the provisions of the above acts was held April 5, 1832, at the house of Jabez Field, at which William French was chosen moderator ; Lyman Clark, clerk and treasurer ; Jabez Field, collector ; John Field, Nathaniel B. Harlow, and Marcus Shaw, prudential committee. In August, 1834, Rev. Haskell M. Carll was in- vited to preach to the society, which he continued to do about three years. On the 7th of December, 1834, he organized a church in the society. Soon after in September, 1835, the building of the first house of worship in the town of that denomination was commenced, and was dedicated on Saturday, January 16, 1836. There were present at the dedication Rev. H. M. Carll, the pastor of the society ; Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Boston; Rev. Adonis Howard, of East Bridgewater. The dedicatory service was read by Rev. Mr. Carll ; sermon, by Rev. T. Worcester ; reading of the Word, by Rev. Adonis Howard. Mr. Carll

229

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.

left the society in the fall of 1837, and Rev. Warren Goddard, the late pastor, commenced preaching for them October 14, 1838 ; and January of the next year (1839), an invitation was extended to him to settle with them as their pastor. This call was accepted, and he was ordained the 19th of September, 1839. The following are the doctrines of Charity and Faith :

1. That God is one in essence and in person, that from love towards men he assumed humanity and glorified it, and that he thus became God with us. the Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

2. That the word is divine Truth proceeding from the Lord; that it was written by inspiration, and is adapted to all the various states of Angels and men, and that thus it is the divine Medium by which men are consociated with Angels and by which men and Angels are conjoined with the Lord.

3. That the Lord alone is the Source of Genuine life, the precepts of which are the ten Commandments; that these precepts are to be obeyed by man as of himself, with the acknowledgment that the will and power to do them are of the Lord alone. And thus that men are regenerated and Saved by the Lord, by means of a life according to his precepts."

FIRST MEETING-HOUSE .- The first house of worship was fifty-eight feet in length, forty feet in width, and twenty feet high ; spire, sixty five feet high, painted white, with green blinds. The interior contained fifty-two pews, besides a neat, plain pulpit and a small choir-gallery. The building was situated on land purchased of Sidney Perkins, and was near the head of Linden street, the building and land costing about three thousand dollars. This building was afterwards sold and used as an academy by S. D. Hunt, but has since been given up for that pur- pose.

SECOND MEETING. HOUSE -This society worshiped in the old house above described until the dedication of another house, which had been built to suit the wants of the growing society, and which took place January 22, 1857. The services commenced about ten o'clock in the forenoon, and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Goddard, and were of a deeply impressive character, well fitted to bring the hearer into a state receptive of his love who desires our offerings, "to the end that he may more abundantly enrich us with spiritual blessings." The weather was such on that day, so very severe, that but few, com- paratively, were present, and those mostly from the people of the town. The services were reading of the Psalm cxxii., followed by a chanting

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 21

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170