History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 26

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 26

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This house was dedicated to the worship of God June 1, 1854, with the following order of exercises, commencing at ten and a half o'clock :

I, voluntary, on the organ ; 2, reading of the eighty-fourth psalm, by Rev. George W. Stearns; 3, voluntary, by the choir; 4, reading of

1 This name has been changed to the Central Methodist Episcopal Church.

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the 964th hymn of the Methodist collection, by Rev. J. B. Gould ; 5, reading of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple (1 Kings viii.), by Rev. J. Mather ; 6, dedicatory prayer, by Rev. F. Upham ; 7, voluntary, by the choir ; 8, sermon, by Rev. Minor Raymond (princi- pal of Wilbraham Academy), text, I Tim. i. 15,-" This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ; " 9, concluding prayer, by Rev. I. J. P. Collyer ; 10, reading of the 970th hymn, by Rev. W. T. Harlow.

The sermon was spoken of as a masterly exposition and defence of the cardinal doctrines of the gospel as taught by that denomination.

Pews were sold to the amount of sixteen thousand dollars a short time after the dedication, and everything bade fair for a prosperous and use- ful society.

This church was blessed with a great revival in January, 1843, the re- sult of which was, large numbers were added to the church, and a flour- ishing Sabbath-school organized in August, 1842.

Officers for 1893 :

Rev. Frank P. Parkin, pastor ; Elnathan T. Sampson, Frank E. Lyon, John E. Tibbetts, William H. Gray, Henry M. Hall, class leaders ; Nehemiah S. Holmes, president; Daniel B. Lovell, secretary ; Charles A. Eaton, treasurer ; Sanford Winter, Elnathan T. Sampson, Albert H. Mackie, Loyed E. Chamberlain, Frank W. Luce. Albert F. Small, trustees ; Apollas Eaton, William A. Parmenter, William J. Loheed, Lendol Snow, jr., Stephen Snow, J. H. K. Dickerson, Norman L. Dun- bar, Edward E. Goodwin, Frank L. Boyden, W. H. Nickerson, Frank B. Lowe, Herbert T. Lovell and C. Barney Rounds, stewards.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION .- March 6 and 7, 1892. One half a century had passed since the Central Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in what is now Brockton. This church with a fitting propriety had made arrangements to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, on Sunday, the 6th of March. It was a joyous day to those of the origi- nal members who lived to witness it. It was indeed an occasion in which deep and devout thanksgiving for Divine favors in the past. with a faithful trust in the blessings which are yet held in store by the great and good Giver, for this society. The committee of arrangements con- sisted of Rev. Frank P. Parkin, Daniel B. Lovell, Charles A. Eaton,

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Elnathan T. Sampson and Cyrus F. Copeland. The church was hand somely decorated. From the centerpiece over the pulpit, formed of the national colors, broad streamers of red, white and blue were radi- ated to the four corners of the auditorium. The space around the speaker's desk was massed with beautiful plants, with heavy green foliage and sweet scented flowers, the prominent ones among them be- ing the large annunciation flowers, which were principally about the pul- pit itself. Directly over these was a beautiful dove with outspread wings, while two smaller "winged messengers of peace" were sus- pended on either side.

Above all and affixed to the centre of the alcove was a white tablet bearing the following legend : " What hath God wrought. The Semi Centennial of Our Church House, 15-1842, 614-1842." The figures denote the numbers at the organization and at the date of the cele- bration.

Wound around the pillars of the alcove were the names of the fifteen original members of the society, which have been already printed. In other conspicuous places on the walls were tablets containing the list of all the pastors to date, and the names of the superintendents of the Sunday school.

Superintendents of Sunday School .- The latter list of which is as follows : Liberty Packard, 1842, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1850, 1860; Alba Pratt, 1845 ; Prof. L. F. C Loomis, 1848, 1849; R. Parker Thurston, 1851, 1852; Israel Packard, jr., 1853; Henry Baylies, 1854; Charles Worth, 1855 ; Philip Reynolds, 1856, 1857; R. L. Thacher, 1858, 1859, 1865, 1867; John Filoon, 1861, 1862, 1868; C. M. Copeland, 1863, 1864, 1873, 1876; Uriah Macoy, 1869; Edwin Sawtell, 1870, 1871; J. W. Wiswell, 1872; C. F. Copeland, 1877, 1878, 1879; W. J. Loheed, 1880, 1883 ; E. T. Sampson, 1883 to 1892

The services, which were very fully attended, were as follows: At 9:45 A. M. was the Men's Prayer Meeting. conducted by Rev. Dr S. F. Upham, of Madison, N. J. Then followed a beautiful anthem. Ser- mon by the pastor, Rev. Frank P. Parkin, from the text, Leviticus, xxv. 10, " And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year *

* * and it shall be a jubilee unto you," also from Psalms, xliv, I, " We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their

1 -

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days in the times of old." This sermon is spoken of by those who listened as being clear. sound and incontrovertible in doctrine, and logi- cal in its deduction. He alluded to the days of Jesse Lee, during his itinerate labors in the vicinity of Brockton, and the first introduction of Methodism, and traced in a careful manner the origin of the churches in the old colony, and particularly the history of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Brockton from 1842 to the present pastorate, with a brief account of the branches of the church in Campello and Montello, which have grown out of the original plant. The church now has a membership of 566 full members, and fifty on probation, making with others in the last named places, a total of 1,038 Methodists in the city in 1893. After an anniversary offering being taken, the following semi-centennial hymn, composed by J. A. Handy, of Boston High- lands, a former member of this church, was sung in a very enthusiastic manner to the familiar tune of " St. Catherine."

Where oft the fathers met to pray Their sons and daughters meet to-day,

From far and near we gladly come

Back to the good old church-our home ;

For here it was in early days,

Our fathers' God, to Thee we raise A song of gratitude and praise.

Within these sacred walls once more

Thy benediction we implore ;

With glory now Thy temple fill

We learned to walk in wisdom's ways. And all our hearts with rapture thrill.

The fathers who once worshiped here No more among their sons appear,

But we below and they above Still sing of "Jesus and his love." Oli smile upon us Lord we pray ! And bless the Mother church to-day.

At the conclusion of this service of song, the Rev. Edward Williams, of New Bedford, Port Society, who was converted and licensed to preach by this society, closed the morning exercises with the benedic- tion.

An elegant Bible, Hymnal and satin book mark, were presented to the church by the "Epworth League," valued at over fifty dollars, and were used for the first time on this occasion.

The Sunday school assembled at 12, or immediately after the fore- noon exercises. E. T. Sampson, the superintendent, in his ninth year of continuous and faithful service, presided, and called the roll. Upon the platform were past superintendents Philip Reynolds, G. M. Cope-

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land, Edwin Sawtell, C. F. Copeland and W. J. Loheed, besides Revs. E. S. Fletcher and Edward Williams, cach of whom had a kind word for the school and church.

At 3:30 P. M., the time for the laymen's meeting, again found a large number, the auditorium being well filled with people, many of whose heads were gray with the frost of years. Among those on the platform were old time Methodists, as Father Nason, George Dunham, Philip Reynolds, Fearing W. Bent, John Montgomery and others. The pastor introduced Dr. Liberty D. Packard, a son of one of the original members of this church, a prominent homeopathic physician, and an active member of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church of South Boston, who presided, and made a very interesting and highly entertaining address, replete with early reminiscences of early days in his native village. He told of the struggles of the church in the days when Methodism was unpopular, and described the scenes of his boy- hood, the early meetings, the first church service he attended, the first Sunday school, the first class meeting, the educational establishments, the dedication of the first and the present church edifices, and many other recollections of the good old town of North Bridgewater, now grown to a city. Dr. Packard called for remarks from old members present, which were responded to by Messrs. Reynolds, Dunbar, Fletcher, Handy and Montgomery.

A pleasing feature of the hour was a beautiful and thoughtful poem, of much interest, by Miss Mary L. Andrews, paying a tribute to the achievements of the past, and with prophetic vision, described the "New Granite Church," that is to be, thus voicing in pretty rhyme the sentiment that prevails amongst the Central Methodist people.

Many letters of regret of inability to be present were read from Messrs. Prof. Silas L. Loomis, of Fernandina, Fla., formerly a principal of the Adelphian Academy, Cyrus Jernigan, of Hamilton, Ia., Henry Baylies and E. J. Benner, of Lowell, William T. Worth, of Worcester, and others, with their best wishes. The exercises were closed with a benediction by Rev. Prof. Upham.

At 6:15 an interesting love feast was held in the large vestry, pre- sided over by Rev. Edward Williams.

In the evening at 7:30 the auditorium was again crowded to listen to a sermon by Rev. Prof. S. F. Upham, D.D., a prominent member of

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the faculty of Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, N. J. It was in this Central church that Prof. Upham preached his first sermon

On Monday, at 3 P. M., the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society held a meeting, at which Mrs. J. H. James, the wife of a former pastor, delivered an address of especial interest. Mrs. J. H. James, now of Rockville, Conn., established the local auxiliary of the Central society while her husband was pastor of the church many years since.

At 7:30 the church gave a reception to former pastors in the audi- torium, where public exercises took place. In the pulpit with the pas- tor were seated Rev. "Father" John B. Husted, of Watertown, the oldest living ex pastor, who had served the church in 1849. Rev. Dr. Andrew McKeown, of Boston, Rev. C. B. Pitblado, of Ansonia, Conn., Rev. H. H. Martin, of Attawaugan, Conn., and C. F. Copeland, esq., one of the official board of the church.

A selection, " Allelina," was rendered by the choir, under the direc- tion of Frank E. Packard, esq , after which Rev. Dr. A. Mckeown of- fered a fervent prayer. As a fitting response Miss Mary L. Andrews, contralto, gave a sweetly rendered solo, " The Twilight Falls," her clear and resonant voice being heard with a deep and attentive interest.

C. F. Copeland then followed with a historical account, carefully pre- pared, of the twenty-eight pastors who had labored with this church, relating many interesting incidents. At the close of the reading of this history, Rev. John B. Husted, who was in his eighty- eighth year, arose and said, " I have been wonderfully kept by the grace of God." When he came to North Bridgewater in 1849 it was to fill his twenty-third appointment in the conference, dwelling upon his early experiences here, and heartily congratulated the church upon its successful experi- ence in this community.

At the close of Father Husted's remarks, " Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian Love " was sung with a hearty good will. Rev. Mr. Parkin thanked all who had contributed in making this celebration a success, and the exercises in the audience room were closed by sing- ing "The Sweet Bye and Bye " by the quartette of the choir, and the benediction was pronounced by "Father " Husted.

An adjournment was made to the large vestry, where supper was served by the ladies of the church, under the direction of the following

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persons as the committee : Mrs. E. T. Sampson, Mrs. C. F. Copeland, Mrs. Robert Frazier, Mrs. E. Bailey and Mrs F. W. Luce. After jus- tice had been done at the table, two hours were spent in listening to the former pastors and others, prominent among whom was Rev. C. B. Pitblado, of Ansonia, Conn., Rev. Dr. McKenna, Rev. H. H. Martin, of Connecticut, George R. Pierce, of the South Church, Campello, Dr. Liberty D. Packard, of South Boston, and others.

The music on this occasion was under the direction of Frank E. Pack- ard, esq., organist of the church.

Here closed a most interesting anniversary, and a prominent mile- stone has been set in the roadway, marking the end of the first half century of the existence of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church and Society of Brockton.

Philip Reynolds .- In nearly all churches in the country, a few persons have to become responsible for its success, and in many cases take a great responsibility upon themselves pecuniarily and otherwise, not merely for the show of doing good, but because of their interest in the prosperity of the same, and the names of such should be held forth as an example to others. The history of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Brockton, would not be complete without a mention of one whose life has been not only one of constant interest in that church in a religious point of view, but one whose life has been consistent with his religion, and whose name will ever be associated with the welfare of the same.

Philip Reynolds, otherwise known as "Father Reynolds," although not born within the limits of Brockton, was a descendant of one of the earliest families of North Bridgewater, now Brockton. His great-grand- father was Nathaniel Reynolds, who came from Boston and settled in that part of the city now known as "Brockton Heights."

He was born in Stoughton, Mass .. April 14, 1820, but has been a resident of Brockton since 1854. He has allied himself with Methodism for fifty-four years, and by his steadfast adherence to christian principles won the esteem and respect of all his brethren. In early life he attended the oldest Methodist church in Stoughton, and in 1835, then a lad of fifteen years, he played the violin, one of his own make, in the orches- tra, at the dedication of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in

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Stoughton, and three years later become a permament member of the choir, "and in 1839 learned the new song of freedom from guilt and dominion of sin. So marked was his transformation that he designates the twenty - second day of May as his spiritual birthday." From that date forward he has taken an active part in everything pertaining to the church. He has been a classleader for forty years, beginning in the house of Nathan Drake in Stoughton. In 1846 he married Lucy, daughter of Mr. Drake. For many years he was the efficient chorister, a devout classleader and a faithful trustee of the Central Church of Brockton. When this society was under a reproach, through no fault of his, and financial difficulties threatened ruin, he came to the rescue and saved them from utter failure, and took the burden upon himself, and it is due to him to say that the success of the society is largely owing to his sacrifice in the substantial manner indicated. During the past few years he has been greatly interested in the establishing and building up of the " Franklin Chapel " at Montello, now the " Franklin Methodist Episcopal Church."

REV. AZARIAH BRAINERD WHEELER was the son of Beriah and Lucy Wheeler, of East Haddam, Conn., born March 23. 1817. He pursued his academic studies at the East Haddam Academy ; was ordained in the ministry in 1840 After preaching in various places he was stationed at North Bridgewater as pastor of the Second Metho- dist Episcopal Church in April, 1851 He has held several public offices ; at one time was president of the North Bridgewater Loan Fund Association. In 1855 he was a representative to the General Court from North Bridgewater. In 1856 was senator from Plymouth County, also a member of the Fremont Electoral College.

Mr. Wheeler married Clarissa Jane Pease. The wife died January 19. 1842. He then married Elizabeth Baker, daughter of John Chad- wick, of Nantucket, Mass. Children :

William Brainerd, born September 2, 1844.

Charles Augustus, born June 28, 1846; died September 7, 1862. Asa Bradford, born September 19, 1853.

Lizzie Louise, born May 7, 1858 ; died September 15, 1859. Ida Barnard, born August 25, 1860. Nellie, born February 19, 1863.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

SOUTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Campello) .- In 1879 the number of attendants upon the Methodist Church worship in the central village of Brockton had become so numerous, and the many inconveniences of attendance on all the meetings were such, that a few members thought the time had arrived when this denomination should have a church of their own in Campello. Accordingly, Rev. John Live- sey, a preacher, who had formerly supplied in the First Church at the " West Shares," was appointed to preach to the people of Campello by the New England Southern Conference of Methodist Churches, form- erly known as the Providence Conference. Services were commenced by preaching in Huntington Hall, on Main street, in the early part of 1879. On the 18th day of May of that year John Montgomery, a well- known and active member of the Second Church in the village, was ap- pointed class-leader. The first year the church numbered fifty-four members, which has increased to a membership of one hundred and fifty members, and is rapidly increasing with the growth of the city.

In 1880, a lot of land was purchased on the south side of South street, sufficiently large for a church and parsonage buildings. William S. Green and George R. Pierce were building committee. A neat wooden building, with an addition of twelve by twenty feet, was erected, sur- mounted with a small tower, in which is a bell.

Philip Reynolds, of Brockton, contributed one thousand dollars to the general building fund.

The interior is furnished with a good cabinet organ, manufactured by George Woods & Co., a neat black- walnut pulpit, presented by George M. Copeland, of Brockton, and chairs inclosed within a rail of the same material. It contains sittings for three hundred persons, in fifty-eight pews. In 1883 the society added a two-story parsonage at an expense of twenty-five hundred dollars, the church cost about five thousand dol- lars, besides the improvements now being made in the raising of the church and adding a vestry.

Since the organization was started it has had the kind assistance, co operation, and good wishes of all the other churches, and is in a flour- ishing condition, bidding fair to become a large society.

The following persons have been their pastors from the commence- ment :

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SOUTH STREET METHODIST CHURCH.

Rev. John Livesey, April, 1879, to April, 1881 ; Rev. S. F. Chase, April, 1881, to April, 1883 ; Rev. Augustus W. Kingsley, April, 1883. The following persons were officers the first year of the organization : Trustees : L. P. Pratt, Charles Peterson, John Montgomery, George A. Haven, George R. Pierce, Willard Howard, William S. Green, Charles H. Eldridge, Howard P. Keith ; stewards : George A. Haven, George R. Pierce, James L. Robinson, Arthur P. Alden, John Mont- gomery ; superintendents of Sunday-schools : George R. Pierce, George S. Cobb.

During the present year this church has made extensive alterations and enlargements to accommodate the rapidly growing number of their members. Here follows a description of the changes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW EDIFICE .- The original South Street M. E. church edifice was simply a chapel, erected in 1879 under the pastorate of Rev. John Livesey, who was the organizer and the first preacher of this society. Four years later, under the pastorate of Rev. E. W. Kinsley, the building was raised a story and a vestry added to it.

The present pastor, Rev. Geo. W. Hunt, was appointed in the spring of 1892, and early in the present year he made known to the society his plans for the enlargement of the church edifice, which have developed into the structure as it now stands-more pleasing in its architecture, more commodious. and better suited for all church purposes.

The edifice has been enlarged by adding gable wings 10x38 feet to each side. On the northeast corner is a tower thirteen feet square, and on the northwest corner a Gothic porch 1 1X13 feet. Through these are the entrances from South street to both the auditorium and the vestry. The old vestibule has been thrown into the audience room, which is in the form of a cross. The pulpit platform and chancel have been en- larged in circular form. The audience room has a seating capacity of about 500, and is seated in half circle form, with opera chairs from the Grand Rapids School Furniture Company, Michigan. The carpet was furnished by A. C. Titus & Co., of Newport, R. I. The new organ was purchased of G. H. Hutchins & Co., Boston. The audience room has been frescoed tastefully, yet simply, in light colors by H. W. Robinson & Co. The alterations to the vestry have been to reverse its length, and to di-

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vide it in the rear by rolling doors, behind which are two class rooms that can be thrown into one. The vestry is carpeted, and is seated with folding chairs from the Globe Furnishing Company, Northville, Mich. Provision for additional heating has been made by placing in the vestry a new Barstow furnace from J. E. Carr & Co.

The exterior painting is in two colors and was done by John Jamie . son ; the carpentering by Mackie Bros., and the masonry by Eldredge & Sylvester. The entire expense of the improvements has been $6,200.

RE-DEDICATION .- On Sunday morning, June 26, 1893, the enlarged South Street Methodist Episcopal Church at Campello was filled to re- pletion with an audience gathered to hear Bishop Andrews's sermon on the occasion of the rededication of the church. An organ voluntary by Miss Lillian B. Smith was followed by an anthem by the choir, assisted by the orchestra. A. W. Brown, leader ; Scripture reading, by Presiding Elder S. O. Benton ; prayer, by Rev. D. A. Jordan ; solo, " Jesus, My Lord," by Miss Helen E. Wade ; and hymn by the choir and congrega- tion.

Presiding Elder Benton, after remarking how the hand of God had led the people, and that the re-dedication marked a new era in the his- tory of that church, said he was glad they had with them Bishop E. G. Andrews, of New York, who would then address them.

The bishop, whose apostolic features in themselves are an inspiration, took for his text a fragment of the twenty-fourth verse of the fourth chapter of St. John-" God is a spirit."

" God is a spirit" That is, said the bishop, He is not matter but mind. Matter has form, divisibility, inertia ; mind has affections, has will. We reach out after Him with our hand ; He eludes our grasp. He is the infinite mind, heart, will, force. God's love irradiates the Christian's heart. He never comes-He is always here. He is always penetrating us, speaking to us here.

Rev. John Livesey, the first pastor of the above church, died in New Bedford, Mass., Tuesday, June 27, 1893, aged seventy. three years.

He was of English birth, but came to this country at the age of seven years, and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1843, and for fifty years did faithful and successful work in the Christian ministry. He ever bore an irreproachable character. Sometimes con-

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sidered a little puritanical in his views and methods, but always com- manding the respect of the community in which he lived. This was so in a special sense when he lived in what is now Brockton.

In 1849 he was pastor of the mother church in what was then called Northwest Bridgewater, and in 1850 pastor of the Central Church in what was then known as North Bridgewater. He did good work in both places, and did much, through laying a good foundation, for the present standing and success of Methodism in this city. In 1879 he was appointed to Campello, now the South Street Church. When he arrived he found no church organization here ; nothing but a class com- posed of members of the Central Church. But, though somewhat broken in health, he entered upon his work with much vigor, and soon had a church of twenty six members organized and steps taken for the erection of a chapel. How well he did his work here the present suc cess of Methodism in Campello attests.

He will ever be held in grateful remembrance by many in this city, as the one who led them into a better life, and no where in all the places that he has served will there be a deeper sorrow, caused by his death, than here in Campello, where he will be mourned as a brother be- loved.

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History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 26

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