USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 24
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
Trinitarian Church of Bridgewater : Lewis S. Hopkins, delegate.
Second Church of Abington : Rev. W. F. Ober, A. B .; Samuel Blake, delegate.
First Church of Randolph : Ebenezer Alden, M.D., delegate.
Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Rev. Ezekiel Russell, pastor ; Elisha N. Holbrook, delegate.
First Church of Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor ; Deacon Ebenezer Drake, delegate.
Evangelical Congregational Church of Brighton : Rev. David Temple Packard, pastor.
Village Church of Dorchester : Rev. H. M. Tenney, pastor ; John A. Tucker, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of Hadley : Rev. W. H. Beman, pas- tor ; Benjamin Adams, delegate.
North Congregational Church of New Bedford : Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, pastor ; Deacon John Bryant, delegate.
Highland Church of Boston : Rev. Charles L. Mills, pastor ; Deacon Samuel W. Hall, delegate.
Rev. Abel Kingman Packard, of Anoka, Minn., now of Greeley, Col. Rev. W. S. Tyler, D.D., of Amherst, Mass.
253
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCHI.
The council organized with Rev. Charles W. Wood moderator, and Rev. H. M. Tenney as scribe, and the following order of exercises was arranged, viz .: I, voluntary ; 2, introductory exercises, Rev. H. M. Tenney ; 3, anthem ; 4, sermon, by Rev. W. S. Tyler, D.D. ; 5, an- them ; 6, ordaining prayer, by Rev. W. H. Beman ; 7, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D. ; 8, hymn ; 9, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Henry A. Stevens ; 10, address to the people, by Rev. Charles L. Mills ; 11, anthem ; 12, benediction, by the pastor.
MINISTRY OF REV. ROBERT G. S. McNEILLE .- Several ministers were heard till April 1, 1872, at which time it was voted " that we ex- tend a call to Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille, of New Haven, Conn., to become our pastor." This call was accepted, and a council was called April 25, 1872, at three o'clock P. M.
The roll of the council consisted of the following churches repre- sented :
Shawmut Church of Boston : Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D., pastor; Alvah White, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pas- tor ; Jonathan White, delegate.
First Church of Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor ; Samuel Clapp, delegate.
Second Church of Weymouth : Rev. George F. Stanton, pastor.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. Austin Dodge, pastor.
First Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Freeman, pastor ; Deacon H. A. Noyes, delegate.
Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Rev. Horace D. Walker, pastor ; H. D. Sanford, delegate.
North Church of New Haven, Conn. : Rev. Edward L. Clark, pas- tor.
East Church of New Haven, Conn. : Charles Wilson, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; Ziba C. Keith, delegate.
After the usual examination of the candidate, and everything found satisfactory, the following order of exercises were arranged, viz .: I, read- ing of the Scriptures, by Rev. Heman Packard De Forest ; 2, prayer,
254
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
by Rev. Thomas Wilson ; 3, sermon, by Rev. Edward L. Clark ; 4, in- stalling prayer, by Rev. Charles W. Wood; 5, charge to pastor, by Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D .; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. A. Stevens ; 7, address to the people, by Rev. Horace D. Walker ; 8, benediction, by the pastor. Rev. Edwin B. Webb, D.D., moderator ; Rev. George E. Freeman, scribe.
November 15, 1877, Mr. McNeille tendered his resignation as pastor of the church, and a mutual council was held to advise in the matter of dismissal, consisting of the following persons :
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. E. P. McElroy, pas- tor ; Deacon Joseph S. Smith, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. John Herbert, pas- tor ; Deacon Ebenezer Drake, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Freeman, pastor.
First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pas- tor; Deacon O. H. Leach, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. L. S. Woodworth, pastor.
The council organized by the choice of Rev. George E. Freeman, moderator, and Rev. L. S. Woodworth, as scribe. The resignation was read, and all parties interested were heard, and the council advised " that the pastoral relation to this church cease," as follows :
Having heard Rev. R. G. S. McNeille's letter of resignation read, and also the action of the church and parish accepting the same, we hereby as a council adjudge the action to be orderly, and advise that Bro. McNeille's pastoral relation to this church hereby cease. And in coming to this conclusion, we with pleasure bear witness to Bro. Mc- Neille's high abilities as a preacher, to his genial social qualities, which have secured for him a warm place in the hearts of his friends and associates in the ministry, and have given him a strong hold upon this church and community, and also to the peace and prosperity which have attended his ministry here.
We heartily commend him to the field of his future labors, and trust that there he will prove himself a good minister of Jesus Christ and be eminently successful in the edifying of the church and in the salvation of souls.
We tender our sympathies to the church in the dissolution of the pastoral relation, and pray that the Great Head of the church may soon fill this vacant place with a teacher and guide who will lead this people on to future peace and prosperity, and to great success in advancing the kingdom of Christ in this place.
The council then dissolved.
255
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
MINISTRY OF REV. Z. T. SULLIVAN .- On the Ist day of April, 1878, the following vote was passed by the church : "Voted, unanimously, that we extend a call to Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, of New Bedford, Mass., to become pastor of this church."
The call was accepted April 15, and a council met on the 2d day of May, 1878, for the purpose of installing Mr. Sullivan. The churches represented were as follows :
First Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Freeman, pastor; Dea- con J. L. Nash, delegate.
Maverick Church of Boston : Rev. John V. Hilton, pastor ; F. E. Dimmock, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. L. H. Sheldon, pas- tor ; Luke S. Greenleaf, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. L. S. Woodworth, pastor; Josiah W. Kingman, delegate.
Trinitarian Church of New Bedford : Rev. M. C. Julien, pastor.
North Church of New Bedford : Rev. A. H. Heath, pastor; Deacon Zachariah Sturtevant, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pas- tor; Jonathan White, delegate.
Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Deacon Newton White, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of South Abington : Rev. Frank I. Tompkins, pastor ; Martin S. Stetson, delegate.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. D. W. Richard- son, pastor ; James S. Allen, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. John Herbert, pas- tor; Deacon Nathaniel Gay, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pas- tor ; George H. Wilkins, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of South Weymouth : Rev. George F. Stanton, pastor ; William Dyer, delegate.
Central Square Church of Bridgewater: Rev. Horace D. Walker, pastor; Deacon H. D. Sanford, delegate.
Salem Square Church of Worcester : Rev. Charles M. Lamson, pas- tor ; Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D.
The council was organized by the choice of Rev. George H. Free- man, moderator ; Rev. Horace D. Walker, scribe. After the usual ex-
256
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
amination of the candidate, and his reasons for changing his pastoral relations, the council advised his settlement, and assigned the various parts of the installation services, as follows :
I, Invocation and Scripture lesson, by Rev. John Herbert; 2, ser- mon, by Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D .; 3, installing prayer, by Rev. M. C. Julien; 4, charge to the pastor, by Rev. A. H. Heath ; 5, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. L. Kelsey ; 6, address to the people, by Rev. Charles M. Lamson ; 7, concluding prayer, by Rev. L S. Woodworth.
May 28, 1881, Rev. Mr. Sullivan sent his resignation to the church, with a request that the pastoral relation between him and the church should terminate July 1, 1881. Accordingly a council was called to take action in the matter of his dismission, represented by the following churches, viz. :
First Congregational Church of Brockton : J. R. Perkins, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello : Deacon George Sawyer, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Randolph: Deacon Joseph Graham, delegate.
Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Rev. J. C. Bodwell, pastor ; Deacon Abiel Bassett, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. D. O. Clark, pas- tor; Deacon E. M. Morton, delegate.
The above persons convened in the Porter Church on the 28th day of June, 1881, agreeably to the request of pastor and church, and or- ganized by the choice of Rev. J. C. Bodwell, moderator, and Rev. D. O. Clark as scribe.
The council, after listening to the above representations, voted unan- imously to confirm the doings of the church and society, and agreed to the following resolution :
WHEREAS, in the providence of God it has become necessary, on account of the loss of health, for Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, pastor of the Porter Evangelical Church and society of Brockton, to discontinue his ministerial labors, and to tender his resignation of the pastorate; and whereas, the Porter Church and society have accepted his resignation;
Resolved, That this council hereby approves of the action taken by pastor and church, and advises the dissolution of the existing pastoral relation. We desire to say further that we accede to the termination of this relation with deep regret. We deeply sym- phathize with Brother Sullivan in the affliction that has befallen him, and praying that he may be restored to health by a change of residence, commend him to the churches
257
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCHI.
as a faithful and able minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. We extend also to the Porter Church and people our sympathy in the loss of the pastor for whom they have testified so much love, and trust that in His own good time the Lord may send them another to be their spiritual guide.
J. C. BODWELL, Moderator.
D. O. CLARK, Scribe.
The council then dissolved.
MINISTRY OF REV. F. A. WARFIELD .- On the 31st day of January, 1882, the church " voted, that we extend a call to Rev. F. A. Warfield, of Boston, to become pastor of this church." This call was accepted by letter from Mr. Warfield, March 7, 1882. A council was held in the Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton on Tuesday, March 28, at three o'clock P. M., for the purpose of installing the pastor-elect. The following churches were represented, viz. :
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pas- tor ; Dr. S. J. Gruver, delegate.
South Congregational Church of Campello: Rev. John T. Blades, pastor.
Central Square Church of Bridgewater: Deacon Levi Walker, dele- gate.
Union Church of West and East Bridgewater : Rev. P. M. Griffin, pastor; John C. Gates, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pas- tor ; A. W. Whitcomb, delegate.
Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Rev. H. A. Loring, pastor; E. Ever- ett Holbrook, delegate.
First Congregational Church, Stoughton : Rev. D. O. Clark, pastor, H. W. Darling, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Abington : Rev. R. W. Haskins, pastor ; Deacon John A. King, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of South Abington, Rev. B. M. Frink, pastor ; Deacon Luke Noyes, delegate.
Congregational Church of Rockland : Rev. L. Z. Ferris, pastor ; J. S. Smith, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. W. H. Dowden, pas- tor ; A. C. Heath, delegate.
33
258
IHISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Phillip's Congregational Church of Boston. Rev. R. R. Meredith, pastor ; William Gallagher, jr., delegate.
Union Church of Boston : Deacon W. W. Whitcomb, delegate.
Trinitarian Church of Taunton : Rev. Heman Packard De Forest, pastor ; Elijah E. Richards, delegate.
Congregational Church of Assonet: Rev. George F. Walker, pastor ; Deacon Thomas G. Nichols, delegate.
Prospect Hill Church of Somerville: Rev. A. E. Winship, pastor; Alvin L. Lovejoy, delegate.
Second Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Conn .: Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, pastor; Frederick Truber, delegate.
Rev. H. L. Kelsey was chosen moderator of the council, and William Gallagher, jr., as scribe.
The examination of the pastor elect having been declared satisfac- tory, the council assigned the following as the order of services at the installation held at seven o'clock P. M., March 28th, viz .: I, reading of the minutes of the council, by the scribe ; 2, invocation and Scripture lesson, by Rev. H. L. Kelsey ; 3, sermon, by Rev. R. R. Meredith ; 4. installing prayer, by Rev. J. C. Larrabee ; 5, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Heman Packard De Forest ; 6, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John T. Blades ; 7. address to the people, by Rev. R. G. S. McNeille ; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. H. A. Loring.
Number of members at the time of organization of the church was ninety-five.
PORTER EVANGELICAL SOCIETY .- This ecclesiastical society was legally organized March 20, 1850, and a committee, consisting of Sim- eon Leach, David Howard, and Edwin H. Kingman, was chosen to select a lot of land, and procure plans for a house, who were subse- quently authorized to purchase a lot, and proceed with the building. The lot on which the edifice now stands was purchased of the late Silas Packard, esq., for the sum of one thousand dollars, and contains about eighty-four square rods, having a front on Main street of seven rods, with a depth of twelve rods. The house is situated between the resi- dence of the late Silas Packard, esq., and that of Franklin Ames, esq., and but a short distance north of the First Church. The plans of this building were drawn by Messrs. Melvin and Young, of Boston, and the
259
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
building is sixty feet wide, eighty-eight feet in length, with twenty feet posts, with a spire one hundred and seventy-five feet in height. The house has ninety pews on the main floor, besides the front seat, which is held free ; has twenty-four pews in the side-galleries with seats for sixty persons in the choir-gallery, in front of the organ. There is a large and commodious basement, finished into three rooms, the largest being used as a chapel, which is forty-three feet by fifty-eight, and eleven feet high. Mr. Joseph Sanger, of Watertown, was the contrac- tor, who furnished all the material (excepting foundation and brick work for the basement), for the sum of seven thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven dollars. The house was raised about the Ist of August, 1850, and so far completed that the chapel was first used for public worship Sunday, October 13, 1850.
DEDICATION OF THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE .- The house was completed and dedicated January 9, 185 1, with the following order of ex- ercises : I, voluntary ; 2, invocation ; 3, chant, " I was glad," etc .; 4, introductory prayer ; 5, hymn, by a member of the Porter Church,- From thy high throne, Eternal King, Within this house shall mortal tongues Begin to chant immortal songs ; Whilst listening angels, hov'ring round, Join to prolong the sacred sound. Oh listen, while thy children sing ; And tune our hearts to lofty praise, As we the joyful anthem raise.
But will the great Jehovah hear Our humble song, our fervent prayer ? Will he within his temple meet His children, bowing at his feet ?
Then let us lift our voices high, Let shouts of praise ascend the sky Loud let the solemn organ peal, Whilst we express the joys we feel.
Yes, in this house, ' Thus saith the Lord,' Great God of sov reign power and grace, Oh, with thy presence fill this place ; This temple make (in mercy given) 'The house of God, the gate of Heaven.' I'll magnify my holy word; And sinners, humbled in the dust, Shall learn my holy name to trust, 6, sermon, by the pastor, Rev. John F. Norton, from the text, Psalms xi. 3, " If the foundation be destroyed what can the righteous do ?" 7, anthem ; 8, dedicatory prayer, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of Cam- pello; 9, dedication chant ; 10, concluding prayer; 11, hymn, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of the South Congregational Church, Campello, tune, " Old Hundred," by the congregation,-
To Thee, Most Holy and Most High, Whom all the hosts of Heaven adore, Again we raise our earnest cry, Thy gracious presence to implore.
Within these walls, oh, deign to dwell And here thy suppliant people meet, Oft as they come their wants to tell, Or lay their offerings at thy feet.
260
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Ilere let Immanuel's glory shine, And songs of graceful praise ascend ; While souls subdued by love divine, Beneath his golden sceptre bend.
Nor here alone this grace be given, Let all around thy glory see ;
Each house become a 'gate of Heaven, Each heart a living temple be.'
Doxology.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow ; Praise him all creatures here below ; Praise him above ye heavenly host ; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
12, benediction.
The total cost of house, land, furniture, and organ, including interest on borrowed money, up to the time of selling the pews (January 10, 1851), was fourteen thousand nine hundred and thirty-five dollars. The amount obtained from the sale of pews was twelve thousand five hun- dred dollars, beside other pews taken soon after the adjournment of the sale, making nearly enough to cover the entire cost to the society. Various donations were made to the society toward furnishing the house, amounting to four hundred and thirty-five dollars, from different individuals. The church and society paid two hundred dollars for a new collection of hymn-books for church and chapel use, making about sixteen thousand two hundred dollars paid and pledged for future pay- ment during the first year of its existence.
In 1866 extensive repairs and improvements were made, particularly in the audience-room ; the ceiling and walls were neatly frescoed, the singing gallery was lowered, new windows were put in, and the original pulpit replaced by platform furnishings of a more modern pattern. More than all, the pews on the main floor were rearranged, and twenty- four new ones were added, increasing the number of sittings to about seven hundred. The expense attending these improvements was not far from seven hundred dollars.
REDEDICATION .- The congregation worshiping with the Porter Evangelical Church had so increased during the past seventeen years since the last repairs were made in 1866, that there was a long-felt need of enlarged accommodations. The sum of ten thousand dollars was subscribed for providing the same, plans were elaborated and completed by the well-known architect, T. M. Silloway, of Boston.
A new section was added in rear of the original edifice, forty by sixty-eight feet in size, the transept projecting eight feet outward from
261
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCHI.
he main building on either side, chiefly for architectural effect. The new section, which in itself contains more than half as many square feet as the original structure, not only affords space for the introduction of over sixty additional pews, but an opportunity of carrying out an im- provement for a long time desired by many, viz., the transfer of the choir gallery to a position in the rear of the pulpit. Other improve- ments embraced in the plan were the topping out of the spire, which, since the day it had been so rudely assailed by the winds, had remained an ill-proportioned and unsightly stump, suggestive of amputated strength as well as of departed beauty. Enlarged and convenient vestry accom- modations were also features provided for in the plans, and these, as they have, been realized, are proving to be among the most valuable and most thoroughly appreciated of the acquisitions gained by the en- largement. To note in brief the results of the work which has been brought to completion, it may be said that sittings in the audience- room of the church will comfortably accommodate eleven hundred peo- ple; the choir and organ have been moved to a better location, steam- heating throughout the building has been provided, the main audience- room has been furnished throughout with new pews, pulpit furnishings, cushions and carpets, and new and improved lighting fixtures have been introduced, while below there is a main vestry or lecture-room fifty-two by fifty-six feet in size, occupied also by the upper depart- ment of the Sunday-school, newly furnished, and with sittings for six hundred. Opening out of this room, and connected with it by large sliding sashes, are two smaller rooms, one of which has been furnished as a ladies' parlor and the other fitted for the use of the primary de- partment of the Sunday school, for social purposes, and for the weekly prayer-meetings of the church. Contiguous to the above are other apartments used as kitchen, committee-room, etc. All are convenient and pleasant, and well adapted for use as work-rooms of the church.
The entire expense incurred to bring the work to completion, includ- ing the outlay for the new carpet, paid for entirely by the ladies, in ad- dition to the one thousand dollars subscribed by them to the general fund, is, as near as can be ascertained, about seventeen thousand dol- lars. This is some six thousand dollars in excess of the amount pledged at the outset.
262
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
The house was rededicated on Wednesday evening, December 26, 1883, marking a notable event in the history of the society. The exer- cises by which this event was commemorated was witnessed by over one thousand persons.
The musical selections were prepared with special care, and were rendered in a way to indicate in an even more than usual degree the musical intelligence and skill of the choir, and the results of the careful training of Organist and Director Burrell. Perhaps these points were best shown on this occasion in the singing of Randegger's anthem, " Praise God," which was not only artistically sung, but was to the con- gregation the most impressive of the musical numbers in the order of services.
After the opening exercises, including the organ voluntary, the anthem " Come all ye Faithful," the reading of Scripture by Rev. John T. Blades, of the South Congregational Church, Campello, prayer by Rev. George E. Martin, of the First Church, and a fine rendering of Buck's paraphrase of the forty-sixth Psalm by the quartette, a statement of the building committee was read by A. T. Jones, esq., giving a brief history of the church from its organization to the present time. Rev. Dr. Reuen Thomas, of Brookline, Mass., after a few congratulatory re- marks to the people, preached the dedicatory sermon from the text, Matthew xxiv. 35, " Heaven and earth shall not pass away," which was an eloquent and forcible discourse.
DEACONS OF THE PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
Simeon Packard. March 19, 1850 Joseph S. Smith January, 1883 Elbridge H. Packard. March 19, 1850 Edmund W. Holmes . January, 1884 S. W. S. Howard. January 19, 1865 William Balch January 22, 1891
. George H. Cushman January 18, 1866
Charles A. Ray January 22, 1891 George C. Cary January 21, 1869 Joseph S. Taylor January 22, 1891 Huram Wade. January, 1883
TREASURERS OF THE CHURCH .- David Howard, February 12, 1850, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59, '60, '61 ; Samuel W. S. Howard, January 16, 1862, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73; George C. Cary, January 15, 1874, '75, '76, '77, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93.
263
PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
CLERKS OF THE CHURCH .- David Howard, February 12, 1850, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59, '60, '61; Samuel W. S. Howard, January 16, 1862, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73 ; George C. Cary, January 15, 1874, '75, '76, '77, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL .- From the beginning a flourishing Sunday school has been sustained by the members of the church. The first superin - tendent, was Deacon Simeon Packard, who held that office five years, and then follows Hon. Henry W. Robinson, John F. Hale, George C. Cary, and Augustus T. Jones. Mr. Robinson served in this office at two different periods of time, and both with marked success. In 1876 Charles R. Ford was elected, and under his administration the school witnessed a rapid growth, and many new features were introduced, among which was a special primary department which has been under the charge of Miss Lizzie A. Kingman, whose whole heart has been in the young people of the church and school, which has been admirably conducted. Upon the death of Charles R. Ford in 1881, Edmund W. Holmes was elected superintendent, who was succeeded by George W. Alden, with Herman Howard as assistant superintendent.
The attendance was good, the members numbering upwards of a thousand.
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.