USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 27
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Rev. Augustus W. Kingsley was born in Montville, Conn., October 2, 1840, son of Charles and Evelina (Spalding) Kingsley ; graduated at Middletown University, Connecticut, 1863 ; joined the Providence Con- ference, 1868; settled in South Manchester, Conn., 1868-70 ; in Burn- side, Conn., 1873-75 ; with Hope Street Methodist Church, Providence, R. I., 1876-78 ; Middleboro', Mass., 1879-81 ; in Burnside, Conn., 1882; in Campello, Mass., 1883-84.
FRANKLIN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Montello) .- In the fall of 1887 Mr. W. E Beals, a member of the Central M. E. Church and resident in Montello, began to realize the need of religious instruc- tion for the children of the neighborhood, many of whom were not con- nected with any Sabbath-school. He accordingly invited a few of the boys to spend an hour with him each Sunday at his home in the study of the Bible. Many of them seemed pleased with the idea, as did their parents, and on the 24th of October a class of seven boys was duly organized.
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During the week several of the girls waited upon Mrs. Beals and asked permission to form as a class with Mrs. Beals as their teacher. The next Sunday the new class was organized, and its numbers were doubled the following Sabbath. The classes continued to increase, until by January, 1888, eighteen scholars were enrolled in both classes. Books were at first loaned from Mr. Beals's private library and that of his son, and others were afterward solicited or borrowed. From the be- ginning it was understood that this school should be considered a branch of the Central Sunday-school, and not as an independent enterprise. Later the school was organized as a mission under the charge of the Central School.
During the winter it was inconvenient to accommodate more than those already enrolled, but as the weather became warmer more were per- mitted to come, until by May I there was a total membership of fifty, com- prising six classes, each under a competent teacher. Mr. Beals was obliged to give up his class and act as superintendent.
The school continued to grow and prosper. Classes were held in all of the living rooms, where benches were provided for the Sabbaths and stored in the cellar through the week. The need of more room now became apparent, and many plans were suggested and considered. At one time it was thought that a cheap frame building, somewhat after the style of a camp meeting cottage, would answer every purpose, for awhile at least, until it should be seen whether the work was to be permanent or temporary. The matter was finally brought before the quarterly conference, and a committee consisting of Philip Reynolds, E. T. Sampson, and Wm. E. Beals was chosen to secure a lot, solicit sub- scriptions, and erect a building to accommodate the school.
A lot on Snow avenue was considered, but it was finally decided to purchase two lots, so that in the case of possible future and greater need, land sufficient for the purpose would be owned. The two lots were accordingly purchased of Thomas Baxendale, June 16, 1888, by Philip Reynolds.
The contract for building the chapel was awarded to Barnabas Snow for $1,000. The building was named Franklin Chapel by request of the friends of Franklin Reynolds, son of Philip Reynolds, who died about the time the school was started.
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Franklin Chapel was dedicated the following September by presiding Elder Jordan, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Hutchinson of the Central Church, J. H. James, of Plymouth, and A. P. Palmer, of New Bedford. The next Sunday there was an attendance of eighty four scholars and teachers, and by January I there was a gratifying increase over the number at the time of the dedication.
At the second quarterly conference a board of trustees was chosen to hold the property. The mission now became a regular school, and Mr. Beals was confirmed as superintendent A prayer meeting was ap- pointed for Sabbath evening, and one during the week. These were usually led by lay members of the Central Church appointed by its pas- tor. It soon became evident that if the influence gained by these meas- ures was to be held, there should be preaching also. The pastor was unable to assist at a great extent, the work of the mother church de- manding all his time. Permission was obtained to have preaching on Sunday morning, the regular hour for this service at the Central being 1:30 P. M. Mr. Frank Borton, of Boston University, preached at the chapel until conference most acceptably.
The members of Franklin Chapel attended the afternoon services at the Central Church as before, until conference, when it was thought ad- visable to establish the chapel as a separate church. Shortly after, the church was duly organized, and Rev. Mr. Borton installed as pastor. Mr. Borton's health failing, he went to California to recuperate, and Rev. Mr. Keefe, of Boston University, supplied the pulpit until con- ference.
In April, 1890, Rev. Hartley A. Ridgway was appointed to the charge. Two years later he was succeeded by Rev. Francis H. Spear, the present pastor, who has been made to realize that the time appre- hended by the committee chosen to purchase the building lot for the chapel had arrived.
There is a present church membership, including probationers, of ninety-one, a net increase of twenty-nine over last year ; a Sunday- school of more than two hundred; and a working Epworth League of one hundred members. The work of both the Sunday- school and the league is being sadly crippled by lack of suitable accommodations, and they are entering with zest into the plans devised for a more convenient
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and commodious house of worship. The Sunday-school, under the able superintendency of Mr. Benjamin S. Kingman, has already raised $300 toward the building fund, and doubled these figures as the school pledge. The Church Aid Society is also doing excellent service, and will make a liberal donation to the building fund. There is a wide and growing field for Montello Methodism, which is destined to yield a rich harvest.
Preparations are being made for the erection of a new church cdifice by this society, and the plans having been made and adopted, we give them as near as may be in advance. The building is to be built on Snow avenue by the Franklin M. E. Church, from designs made by Mackie Bros., builders. There is a basement wall of brick. Above this the walls are of wood, clapboarded. The roof will be slated. The en- trances on either side are conveniently arranged, with a railing at the sides continuing down the steps. The extreme length is eighty-five feet, the width fifty feet in the widest part. The auditorium is fifty feet long by forty feet wide, with a seating capacity of 300 persons. It is wainscoted three feet high with narrow vertical sheathing. Over this the walls are plastered.
The ceiling is gothic in form, having four gables, coming to a point over the center of the auditorium. The walls and ceiling will be fres- coed, and the woodwork will be painted in tints to match. The ladies' parlor is separated from the auditorium by folding doors, with a balcony over, which increases the seating capacity to 500 persons. The finish around the pulpit will be in hard wood. The choir is located in the rear and on the same level as the pulpit, and separated from it by a railing. The main Sunday- school room, lecture room, and primary department. below, may be opened into one room, giving seating capacity for 400 per- sons. The windows are of stained glass. Stairs lead to the auditorium both front and rear. There are closets, a library, fuel room, etc., con- veniently arranged. Furnaces will provide the heat.
The cost of the church, complete, will be in the neighborhood of $10,000. It will be an attractive addition to the city's houses of worship, and a credit to the young and flourishing society whose new home it will be.
Officers of the Church for 1893 .- Francis H. Spear, pastor; trus- tees : Philip Reynolds, Wm. E. Beals, Barnabas Snow, Benjamin S.
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SWEDISH METHODIST CHURCH.
Kingman, Frank Herbert Snow, Edwin Sawtell, George E. Norris; recording steward : Charles E Thayer; stewards: Philip Reynolds, William E. Beals, C. E. Thayer, George E. Norris. Mrs. Isabel Snow, Mrs. Rebecca Thurston, J. F. Billings, Mrs. B. S. Kingman, J. R. Bart- lett, Edwin Sawtell.
Epworth League .- Miss Cora E. Grover; presiding elder, Rev. D. A. Jordan ; pastor, Rev. Frank Borton ; superintendents of Sunday- schools : William E. Beals, John A. Brownell, Benjamin S. Kingman ; stewards : Philip Reynolds, William E. Beals, F. B. Lowe, C. E. Thayer, Alice Webster ; recording steward : John A. Brownell ; trustees : Philip Reynolds, Barnabas Snow, Frank B. Lowe, E. E. Goodwin, William E. Beals.
SWEDISH EMANUEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (Campello) .- This is a church intended to supply a want felt by a large number of the Swede population, who have become very numerous in that section of the city known as Campello. A meeting was held one Tuesday evening in the middle of September, 1890, in room twelve. Franklin building. Presiding Elder S. O. Benton, of Providence, R. I., was pres- ent, and organized a church as follows: Rev. S. L. Carlander, pastor ; O. F. Forsgren, local preacher and class leader ; E. P. Holmstrand, C. P. Hilstrum, John Aronson, stewards ; Gus Carlson, superintendent of the Sunday -school ; C. P. Hilstrum, John Aronson, E. P. Holmstrand, Augustus Haldin, and Gus Carlson, trustees ; The Pastor, C. P. Hils- trum, and Gus Carlson, committee on location of church edifice. Im- mediately following the organization, the pastor preached a sermon in the Swedish language, which was followed by one in English by the presiding elder. The pastor had been preaching for several weeks as a mission, starting at first with only nine members; at the time of the church organization it numbered thirty members.
The church very soon purchased a lot of land on the south side of Nillson street, and have erected a building in which they worship. It is furnished with chairs, and has a seating capacity of about two hun- dred. They have a pulpit, cabinet organ, and have a fair attendance at their service. Measures are now in progress looking to the erection of more commodious accommodation. Rev. Herman H. Young, the pres- ent pastor, is a young man, and is growing popular with his congrega-
37
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tion, and with such pastors it is expected this will be a valuable addi- tion to the community where it is located. The officers of the church for 1893 are : Rev. Herman H. Young, pastor ; Charles P. Hilstrum, Edward Holmstrom, Alfred Blade, A. Aronson, Swan Pearson, stewards ; Charles P. Hilstrum, secretary, treasurer and clerk ; Charles P. Hils- trum, A. Aronson, Augustus Carlson, August Haldin, trustees ; August Erickson, superintendent of the Sunday-school, Swan Pearson, sexton.
CHAPTER XIV.
The First Baptist Church -- Original Members -- Organization -- Dedication of First Meeting House -- Rev. James Andem -- New Organization -- Ministry of Rev. Oscar D. Thomas -- Second Meeting House -- Officers for 1893 -- Warren Avenue Baptist Church, (Campello) -- Description of the Meeting House -- Dedication -- Ministry of Rev. Geo. B. Lawton -- First Swedish Baptist Church (Campello) -- Description of the Meeting House -- List of Pastors -- Officers for 1893 -- North Baptist Church (Montello) -- Free Will Baptist Church -- Description of the Meeting House -- Ministry of Rev. Henry T. Barnard -- Original Members -- Olivet Memorial Church -- Officers for 1893.
F FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church was constituted January 10, 1850, and consisted of seventeen members, the names of which are as follows :
ORIGINAL MEMBERS .- Rev. James Andem (pastor), Emma A. An- dem, Williams Alden, Persis Packard, Nathaniel Shepardson, Alpheus Alden, Priscilla C. AAlden, Edmund R. Wade, Julia Ann Wade, Harriet Thayer, Joanna Packard, Olive T. Packard, Caroline F. Packard, Sally Hall, A. Amanda French, Frederick L. Trow, Jonas P. Jameson. Offi- cers of the church : Rev. James Andem, pastor ; Edward S. Packard, George F. Parish, deacons ; Alpheus Alden, clerk ; Edmund R. Wade, treasurer : Deacon Edward S. Packard, Deacon George F. Parish, Na- thaniel Shepardson, F. L. Trow, standing committee.
ORGANIZATION .- Previous to the organization of this church in 1850, the members belonging in the town had met in a hall. where they had preaching from February, 1849. Rev. Isaac Woodbury, of Haverhill,
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Mass., being the first preacher, who preached for four successive Sab- baths. The people were next supplied with transient ministers, mostly from the Newton Theological Institute, among whom was Rev. S. A. Thomas, of Dighton, who spent one of his vacations with them. Rev. James Andem, of Brookline, commenced to supply their pulpit for one year. from October, 1849. During the year 1850 the church had great encouragement to erect a house of worship, the numbers having already increased from seventeen members to fifty seven in the short space of one year. Its members consisted mostly of young persons, and not be- longing to the most wealthy class, their perseverance in erecting and sustaining a church is all the more creditable.
DEDICATION OF THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE .- A small but neat house of worship was erected by this society in September, 1850, fifty feet long, thirty five feet wide, twenty feet high, without steeple or bell, costing about two thousand five hundred dollars, which was dedicated January 22, 1851, with the following exercises : I, chant; 2, invoca- tion ; 3, hymn, written by the pastor, Rev. James Andem (music, by Isaac T. Packard),-
Praise dwell on every tongue, While Zion's courts we throng, -- Auspicious day ! Let every heart unite To hail thy cheering light. Chasing dark shades with bright And heavenly ray.
The grace thy love bestows Like streams in fullness flows, Ancient of days ! Thon who on earth once dwelt, Make thy pure presence felt Where humbly we have knelt In prayer and praise.
In this thy dwelling-place, Let wisdom, truth, and grace In worship blend. These courts thy glory fill, As dew on Hermon's hill, Thy purer love distill, And here descend.
4, reading of the Scriptures ; 5, introductory prayer ; 6, hymn, written by Rev. James Andem,-
Great God, our Father and our Friend, Before thy throne thy children bend ; Let songs of praise before thee swell, While in thy courts thy children dwell.
Great Source of truth, to thee, in prayer, We give this house ;-- make it thy care. Here let thy samts, a goodly vine, Nurtured by grace, be wholly thine.
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Be thon their shield and thon their rock,-
From year to year lond anthems rise
Be Christ the shepherd of his flock, -- In sacred numbers to the skies,
And hoary age and blooming youth And prayer ascend from Zion's hill
Here drink of living wells of truth. That heavenly grace may here distill.
Praise to thy name, through Christ thy Son,
Great God, for what thy love has done ; When praise on earth is still in death, We'll praise thy name with nobler breath.
7, sermon, by Rev. Pharcellus Church, D.D .; 8, dedicatory prayer ; 9, anthem ; 10, benediction, by the pastor.
The land on which their building stood is on the west side of Mon . tello street, and was purchased of Mr. Sidney Perkins for the sum of three hundred dollars.
The second minister ordained was Rev. Richard K. Ashley. The ordination was September 29 1852, and consisted of the following :
I, voluntary, by the choir ; 2, reading of doings of council ; 3, read. ing of Scriptures and introductory prayer ; 4, the Lord hath chosen Zion ; 5, ordination sermon on that occasion was by Rev. J. Aldrich, of Middleboro', Mass. ; 6, anthem, " How Beautiful upon the Mountains ;" 7, ordaining prayer, by Rev. I. Smith, of East Stoughton ; 8, charge to the pastor, by Rev. N. Colver, of South Abington ; 9, right hand of fel- lowship, by Rev. A. E. Battelle, of Marshfield ; 10, address to the peo. ple, by Rev. Thomas E. Keely, of Kingston, Mass .; 11, hyinn, "We bid Thee Welcome in the Name ; " 12, concluding prayer ; 13, dox- ology, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow ;" 14, benediction, by the pastor.
Their building was sold at auction, July 13, 1854, to Samuel S. Brett and Fearing W. Bent, and was used as an armory for the North Bridge- water Dragoons.
NEW ORGANIZATION .- For many years the society had no regular church services, until at length new life was infused into the Baptist brethren, and a new fire was kindled from the remaining embers of the old society with gratifying results, and a new organization took place under the name of the " First Baptist Church."
Here follows the record of the new enterprise :
The movement which had been in progress several weeks, under the direction of Rev. G. H. Perry, of Middleboro', resulted in the formation
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of a Baptist church under the above name, and started with a member- ship of thirty five. The meeting for organization took place on Tues- day evening, April 17, 1877, the venerable Father Fitz being present and taking part in the devotional exercises. It was voted that the new church meet the council called for the purpose of extending recognition and present the articles of faith adopted.
On Wednesday afternoon, April 25, 1877, a council assembled in the First Congregational Church for the purpose of formally recognizing the new organization. It was composed of pastors and delegates from the following churches :
Middleboro' : Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, pastor; Stephen B. Gibbs, J. T. Wood, delegates.
South Abington : Rev. L. B Hatch. pastor ; D. B. Gurney, J. L. Corthell, delegates.
South Hanson : Rev. J. B. Reed, pastor.
Plymouth : Rev. B. P. Byram, pastor ; A. J. Whiting, E. C. Turner, delegates.
New Bedford : Rev. C. A. Snow, pastor ; G. H. Perry, George Mat- thews, delegates.
Cochesett : Rev. H. H. Beaman, pastor ; G. W. Hill, H. Merritt, delegates.
Carver : Rev. G. N. Fullerton, pastor ; H. A. Lucas, H. C. Corvill, delegates.
Boston : Rev. A. Pollard, D.D.
Middleboro' : Rev H. Fitz.
Rev. Mr. Fairbanks was chosen moderator, and Rev. B. P. Byram clerk. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Pollard. Statements were pre- sented showing the action which had been taken in the organization of the church, and it was unanimously voted that the proceedings be ap- proved, and that the public service of recognition take place. The order was arranged and carried through as follows :
Invocation, Rev. J. B. Reed, of Hanson ; hymn, Rev. H. H. Beaman, of Cochesett ; reading of the Scriptures, Rev. B. P. Byram, of Plym- outh ; hymn, Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, of the Porter Church, Brockton ; prayer, Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, of Middleboro'; sermon, Rev. C. A. Snow, of New Bedford ; prayer of recognition, Rev. Dr. A. Pollard, of
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Boston ; right hand of fellowship, Rev. L B. Hatch, of South Abington ; charge, Rev. H. Fitz, of Middleboro'; benediction, Rev. G. N. Fuller- ton, of Carver.
The services were all of deep interest, the sermon being an able elu- cidation of the text, " He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit."
The next pastor was Rev. Joshua Tillson, of Hingham, Mass., a preacher of the Massachusetts Baptist Convention.
Mr. Tillson was succeeded by Rev. Oscar Dwight Thomas, of Spring- field, Mass.
MINISTRY OF REV. OSCAR D. THOMAS .- The public services at- tending the recognition of Mr. Thomas as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Brockton took place on Wednesday evening, December 18, 1878, in Perkins' Hall, Main street. The apartment was neatly and tastefully trimmed with festoons, mottoes, etc., and presented a very attractive appearance. A large audience was present to witness the services, which were of deep interest throughout. The exercises took place in the following order :
Invocation, by Rev. D. A. Jordan, of the Central Methodist Church, Brockton; anthem, by the choir, under the direction of T. G. Nye ; reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, of the Porter Church, Brockton ; prayer, by Rev. C. D. Sweet, of Middleboro'; singing, hymn read by Rev. H. I. Kelsey, of the First Congregational Church, Brockton ; sermon, by Rev. H. K. Potter. of Springfield; prayer of recognition, by Rev. L. G. Barrett, of South Abington ; singing ; wel- come address to the pastor, by Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, of Middleboro' ; address to the church, by' Rev. G. W. Bosworth, D.D., of Haverhill ; doxology, by the congregation ; benediction, by the pastor.
Rev. Oscar D. Thomas is from Springfield, where he held the pas- torate of a young Baptist Church for three or four years. His suc- cess in the field he left, and the exceedingly favorable impression he has made, both among the people to whom he comes as a minister and others in the place whom he has met, encourage great hope that his labors here may not only strengthen and establish the ecclesiastical or- ganization of which he has now become the head, but may also add largely to the Christian forces in operation here for the diffusion of
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religious truth and light among the people. Our friends of the Baptist Church are to be warmly congratulated on the consummation of their relations.
SECOND MEETING HOUSE .- This church has a neat edifice for church worship. occupying a commanding position, at the corner of Belmont and Pond streets, seventy-four by forty-one feet floor, with a bell tower and spire, one hundred feet high, on the prominent corner, through which, as well as at the other front corner, are the entrances to the building. The audience room presents an exceedingly attractive ap- pearance, the ceiling being carried up under the roof, stained Gothic windows admitting light, and handsome pews of ash furnishing the sitting accommodations for the congregation. At the southerly end is the preacher's platform, which has been furnished with a neat and tasteful desk, chairs, etc., and underneath the floor is arranged a large tank or baptistery. At the right of the platform and under an arched alcove are the seats for the choir, while on the opposite side is a retir- ing-room for the pastor and stairway to the vestry, and over the en- trance-ways is located a commodious gallery. A pretty carpet covers the floor, comfortable cushions are provided for the pews, while har- monizing with both is the neat and pleasing fresco that covers walls and ceiling. In the recess, in the rear of the pulpit, is the cabinet organ, and on the wall is the following :
" THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE."
The lot on which the building stands cost two thousand three hun dred and eighty-one dollars. The house was built by James Beal, master builder, at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars, and has sit . tings in the main audience-room for about four hundred and fifty people. The vestry will seat about two hundred and fifty persons. The new edifice was dedicated to the worship of God on Thursday, March 17, 1881, in the presence of a large and deeply interested con- gregation, who came from towns adjoining and from places more re- mote. The services were in charge of the pastor. Rev. O. D. Thomas, and were arranged in the following order : Voluntary; invocation, by Rev. N. N. Glazier, of South Abington ; reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. C. Foster, of Randolph ; singing, by the choir ; prayer, by
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Rev. G. G. Fairbanks, of Middleboro'; hymn, sung by the congrega- tion ; report of the building committee; sermon, by Rev. Dr. Gordon, of Boston ; hymn; dedicatory prayer, by Rev. G. W. Bosworth, D.D., of Boston ; singing ; benediction.
The musical part of the services were under the direction of Loyed E. Chamberlain, esq , with Miss Minnie Chamberlain at the organ, and a well drilled choir, reinforced for the occasion by some of our well known singers.
The report of the building committee was read by the pastor, show- ing the church as substantially free of debt, and thanking the many who have aided in the enterprise.
The sermon by Dr. Gordon was founded on the text in John xv. 24: " If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin," from which the preacher developed the two-fold theme,-the approving and reproving character of Christ's works. It was an able presentation of the subject, and was listened to with deep attention.
This society is in a flourishing condition, and the numbers are in. creasing rapidly,-so that the work of the church is not confined to this locality, but it has branched out in the good work of the gospel ministry. Rev. Oscar D. Thomas had the elements of strength for a new church in the northerly portion of the city, where he organized a mission church, which originated in the starting of preaching in what is known as "Snell's Grove," on North Main street, June 14, 1883. In September of that year a Sabbath-school class held services in a vacant store at the corner of Main and Oak streets. In March, 1884, they moved to the shop of Bradford Snell.
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