History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 30

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 30

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V .-- The stone which the builders refused,

R .- Is become the head stone of the corner.

V .- This is the Lord's doing :

R .-- And it is marvellous in our eyes.

All .-- Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ.

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully be pleased to give thy blessing on our work as we place this stone for a foundation in the Name and Strength of Him Who is the tried and precious stone ; and grant that in this and all else that we seek to do accord- ing to Thy will, we may have such success as shall be pleasing unto Thee; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

The stone being laid in place, the Minister said :

In the faith of Jesus Christ, we lay this Corner Stone, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

V .- O Lord, open Thou our lips;

R .- And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

V .-- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R .-- As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hymn 190. Beginning as follows :

Glorious things of Thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God ; He, Whose word cannot be broken, Form'd thee for His own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose ? With salvation's walls surrounded, Thou may'st smile at all Thy foes.

Prayers. Benediction.

The following account of the ceremonies at the laying of the corner stone, found in the Churchman, may be found of interest :

Holy Thursday just passed will long be regarded as a red-letter day for the people of St. Paul's Church, Brockton. On that great festival day was laid the corner stone of the new church. Punctually at 5:30 r. M. the procession, composed of clergymen and choir, marched from the parish church, and mounted the scaffold where rested the corner stone. The prayers were said by the pastor, the Rev. George Alexander Strong, and the stone was laid by the Rev. Dean (now Bishop) Lawrence. The music was excellent. Later in the evening, service was held in the church, a very large con- gregation being present and an excellent sermon preached by Rev. Dean (now Bishop)

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

Lawrence, on the lessons to be gathered from the conduct of David, when the thrce mighty men had brought him water, at the risk of their lives, from the wells of Bethle- hem, which were by the gate.

The following description of this edifice as it has progressed and is still being constructed (1893), is in accordance with the design of the church, and will be an elegant structure, when completed.

Among new churches now being built or planned in this vicinity none is more inter- esting to the general public than that of St. Paul's parish, Brockton, owing to the pe- culiar relation in which it stood to the late Bishop Brooks.

When that great leader became bishop of Massachusetts, he found Brockton one of the important and growing centres of his diocese, with an absurdly inadequate plant and equipment for the work of the Episcopal Church. For some 18 years a mission had been established there, but during much of that time had maintained only a feeble aud struggling existence in the face of great difficulties.

While the place had grown to a city of 30,000 inhabitants, with a suburban popula- tion of nearly as many more, the Episcopal church was still trying to get along and do its work in this great community with an insignificant wooden chapel seating scarcely more than 100 people.

The new bishop, with his characteristic large and energetic grasp of the situation, de- termined at once on a vigorous and aggressive policy at this important point. The rec- torship of the parish was vacant at the time, and finding a man to his mind in the per- son of Rev. George Alexander Strong, Bishop Brooks arranged that he should take the position.

On November 1, 1891-less than three weeks after his consecration as bishop-he made an extended visit to Brockton, and installed the new rector, with orders to try and build up the parish, and above all to get a suitable church building started as soon as possible. From that time the development of the work went on with rapid strides. The old chapel was enlarged by a rough, temporary structure to more than double its original size to meet the immediate demand for increased space, a vested choir was in- troduced and other improvements made. The society had already a splendid building site on Pleasant street, near the corner of Main street, containing 16,000 square feet, and valued at $15,000, which had been acquired some years previously, partly through the efforts of Messrs. Robert Treat Paine, Edward L. Davis and A. J. C. Sowden of Boston, a committee of the board of missions.

The first steps toward the church building were taken late last spring, when a de- . sign, submitted by Messrs. Cram, Wentworth & Goodhue, architects of Boston, was selected from among others, and the raising of the necessary funds was undertaken.

During summer and autumn there were many unavoidable delays, but, in November the plans having undergone a very careful and thorough revision, and nearly two-thirds of the necessary amount of money having been secured, the contracts were awarded and work actually begun.

The extensive excavations were well under way when the extreme weather stopped further operations until spring. Meanwhile much material is being accumulated, stone

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ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

is being cut, and as soon as the season allows, the building will be begun and pushed to completion.

This enterprise, like so many others in Massachusetts, has suffered what seems an irreparable loss in the death of Bishop Brooks. From its inception he had given it his most cordial, enthusiastic support. A very striking illustration of this is the fact that when, as the occasion of Dr. Donald's assuming the rectorship of Trinity, the collec- tion was given to Bishop Brooks to use wherever in all his diocese the work seemed to him most interesting and important, he sent the whole amount, nearly $1400, to Brock - ton to be added to the building fund of the new church.

Despite the loss of such a friend and backer, the people of the Brockton parish are going bravely on with the work, feeling that so only can they show themselves worthy of his confidence.

The design includes three buildings-the church, the parish house and the rectory -- combined into a single harmonious group, and providing in the most comprehensive way for the future needs of the parish.

The church, which is planned to seat 500, consists of nave and aisles, without tran- septs, spacious choir and sanctuary, baptistery, porch tower and appropriate vestries for clergy and choir. It will be built of natural seam faced granite, on rubble masonry, with trimmings of Nova Scotia brown stone.

The most striking feature of the exterior, after the tower, will be the deeply recessed arch, with heavy perpendicular mullions, inclosing the three great west windows. The baptistery will be an octagonal projection from the north aisle, near the front of the church and directly opposite the tower entrance.

In the interior the seats will be wholly inside the columns, thus giving to all an un- obstructed view of the chancel. The roof will be timbered with massive hammerbeam trusses and finished in natural wood. The pews and chancel furniture will be from de- signs prepared by the architects, in harmony with the rest of the interior woodwork. High above the altar will be a large, richly traceried window, which, with the other windows, will be filled for the present with plain leaded cathedral glass. In general, the architecture of the building is the gothic of the 15th century, developed and freely adapted. The principal dimensions of the church are: Extreme length, 128 feet ; length of nave, 95 feet; extreme width, 45 feet; width between columns, 32 feet ; height to ridge, 48 feet.

The cost of the church proper is to be $30,000, but it is intended to build at present only the nave, at a cost of $22,000, leaving the chancel and tower, as well as the other buildings, to be added at a subsequent time.

The sum of $15.000 is already secured, with some additional subscriptions promised, and it is earnestly hoped that, with the help of friends and perhaps of some who would gladly honor the memory of the late bishop by carrying on this cherished plan of his, the first part of the building can be completed and used, free of debt, in a short time.

Connected with this society are the Ladies' Church Building Fund committee ; Girls' Friendly Society ; the King's Daughters and the As- tral Club.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

The following is the list of officers of St. Paul's Episcopal church, for 1893.

Rector, Rev. George Alexander Strong ; wardens, Alexander F. Burdon and David H. Blanchard; clerk, Calvin R. Barrett ; treasurer, Edwin H. Blake; vestrymen, Charles E. Barrett, George Dupree, George H. Cash, Samuel Goodwin, William H. Hobbs, J. Arthur Nel- son ; choir master and organist, George Shaul; janitor, Ernest H. Cooper.

CHAPTER XVI.

First, Universalist Church and Society-Officers for 1857 -- Pastors -- Original Members of the Society -- Dedication of the First Meeting House -- Ministry of Rev. William A. Start -- Rev. A. P. Cleverly -- Rev. Joseph Crehore -- Officers for 1872 -- New Universalist Society, 1880 -- Rev. J. P. Eastman -- Incorporation of the First Universalist Parish of Brockton -- Officers for 1883 and 1884-Ministers -- Installation of Rev. Albert Ham- mett -- Description of the New Church of 1888-Dedication of the Same-Services -- Re-dedication, 1892-Order of Exercises-St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church- Meeting House -- Dedication -- Exercises-Ministry of Rev. Thomas B. McNulty -- Ministry of Rev. Michael Doherty-Rev. Edward L. McClure -- Church of the Sacred Heart -- Meeting House -- Dedication of the Same -- Description -- Ministry of Rev. George Alphonso Rainville -- Advent Christian Church -- African Methodist Episcopal Church -- Rev. W. N. Berry-Latter Day Saints -- First Free Baptist Church.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY .- The first move toward establishing a Universalist parish began in 1855. A ladies' circle was formed, and two hundred and fifty dollars raised in one year. Soon after this a society was organized, and Rev. A. P. Cleverly was settled in May, 1857. He was the first permanent preacher. Meet- ings were held in the lower hall of Baker and Kingman's building, which stood where "Green street" now is. In 1858, this building having been burned, meetings were held in "Tyler Cobb's Hall," where the Metropolitan Hotel is, corner of Main and High streets.

Mr. Cleverly preached till the war broke out. Rev. Joseph Crehore was the next preacher for about one year, followed by Rev. William A. Start, who was ordained May 20, 1863.

- -

323

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCHI.

This society was organized August 31, 1857, at which time Josiah V. Bisbee was chosen clerk ; David F. Studley, treasurer ; Ellis Packard, O. O. Patten, Lorenzo D. Hervey, F. O. Howard, William H. Cooper, executive committee ; Thaddeus E. Gifford, collector.

Previous to this time this denomination had no regular preaching, and since its organization it had transient preachers until the settlement of Rev. William A. Start.

In 1864 Mr. Start was drafted and entered the army. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Stephen L. Rorapaugh, who was pastor from May, 1864, to December 16, 1866, when he resigned, though he continued preaching till March 24, 1867.

The next pastor was Rev. Isaac M. Atwood, who took charge in May, 1867, to 1872, then succeeded by Rev. S. S. Hebard, April, 1872. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Atwood a costly new edifice was erected, afterward known as the " People's Theatre." In conse- quence of a lack of interest and other causes, and after struggling with many hardships, the society ceased to exist in 1875. Meetings after that time were held occasionally, the expenses paid by voluntary con- tributions till 1883.

The following persons composed the society at its formation : Otis Hayward, Lorenzo D. Hervey, Ellis Packard, David Hall, David F. Studley, F. O. Howard, Amasa O. Glover, Marcus Holmes, Oren Bart- lett, Thomas Swift, E. L. Thayer, Jerome Thomas, F. A. Thayer, Luther Tower, Martin Packard, Isaac Harris, Waldo Field, Thaddeus E. Gif- ford, Edwin E. Pollard, John W. Hayward, A. B. Marston, Seth Leon- ard, Joseph E. Estes, Josiah V. Bisbee, O. O. Patten, Charles E. Tribou, Samuel F. Tribou, Elijah Tolman, C. G. Swift.

The society erected a neat and commodious house of worship on Elm street in the month of May, 1863. Its dimensions were sixty feet in length, thirty-eight feet in width, and contained sixty pews, capable of seating three hundred persons comfortably. The pews were of a circu- lar form, with the seats nicely cushioned, floor carpeted, and, in all re- spects, the house was complete. In the rear of the pulpit was the following inscription upon the wall, which was nicely frescoed : "Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people." Underneath this house was a capacious and convenient vestry.

324

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

The house was dedicated, with appropriate exercises, on Wednesday, May 20, 1863, commencing at 10 o'clock A. M., as follows : 1, volun- tary, by the choir; 2, prayer of invocation, by Rev. E. Hewitt ; 3, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. G. B. Heath ; 4, anthem, by the choir ; 5, consecrating prayer, by Rev. A. P. Cleverly ; 6, hymn ; 7, sermon, by Rev. A. A. Miner, of Boston; 8, anthem ; 9, prayer, by Rev. H. Jewell; 10, hymn; II, benediction. The sermon was from the text in Psalm xxii. 27, 28: "For the kingdom is the Lord's ; and he is the governor among the nations." At the conclusion of these services the friends were invited to a most generous repast in the ves- try, and the society spared no pains or expense to secure temporal as well as spiritual comfort to their visitors. After a short intermission the services of installing Rev. William A. Start as pastor of the church was commenced in the following order of exercises : I, anthem by the choir ; 2, invocation, by Rev. J. Eastwood, of Brighton; 3, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. M. R. Leonard, of South Dedham ; 4, hymn ; 5, sermon, by Rev. J. Crehore, of Abington, text, Eph, iv. 12, 13 : "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." The sermon was very timely and effective, as well as practical, showing fully the needs of a minister, his dependence on the people for support, the minister's re- lation to the sorrowing, the various relations of the people, and the sources of inspiration to his labor, and the awards as fruits of his toil. 5, hymn; 6, installing prayer, by Rev. G. H. Emerson, of Somerville ; 7, charge to the pastor, by Rev. A. A. Miner, of Boston ; 8, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. James Eastwood, of Brighton ; 9, charge to the people, by Rev. A. P. Cleverly, of Boston; 10, prayer ; II, anthem ; 12, benediction, by the pastor.

This society owe much of their success to the active, zealous and per- severing efforts of Rev. A. P. Cleverly and Rev. Joseph Crehore.

Officers in 1872 : Ellis Packard, Oliver O. Patten and David F. Studley, deacons ; Sumner A. Hayward, clerk; Alpheus Holmes, super- intendent of Sunday school.

Several changes took place in the affairs of the society from 1872 to 1877. It was about the last named date that Rev. Samuel L. Beal re-

325

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

moved from Provincetown to Brockton, and undertook the work of bring- ing together the elements of the old, and gather a new organization. To do this he hired a place of worship in the old Universalist Church building, then unoccupied, where he remained a few months, and then removed to the "Grand Army Hall," East Elm street, where he re- mained for two or three years. His first and chief effort was to organ- ize a Sunday school, which he did on the fifth day of June, 1877. In 1880 this society removed to " Cunningham Hall," a name given to the old Universalist church, where he remained about three years.

On the ninth day of November, 1880, a new and legal organization of the society took place under the name of the " New Universalist So- ciety," and the success of that society was largely due to Rev. Mr. Beal, who retired from the service of the church in August, 1883, and who had gathered an assembly representing one hundred families, and a Sunday school having a library of about one thousand volumes, a work- ing ladies' circle, who owned the organ, and piano, used by the society, who have collected and expended several hundred dollars in material advantages for the organization, and had seven hundred dollars in bank for future enlargement of the church enterprise. Mr. Beal was an ac- tive and earnest preacher in the pulpit, and his efforts in behalf of tem- perance and other reforms in the city and vicinity are well known. He labored vigorously, with tongue and pen, to check the tide of in- temperance and vice, and with telling effect. Mr. Beal did excellent work on the School Committee in Brockton in 1882.

On the first of September, 1883. Rev. J. P. Eastman, of Manchester, N. H., a graduate of Tufts College, was invited to supply the pulpit, and immediately began preaching, and on Thursday, the twentieth day of December, in " Cunningham Hall," he was ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of the church. The hall was trimmed with ever- greens, and over the pulpit the words "God is our strength." The service commenced at two o'clock P. M., and was largely attended. Rev. C. R. Tenney, of Stoughton, led the praise meeting, and the ser- mon was preached by Rev. W. C. Biddle, of North Cambridge. The regular ordination services at seven o'clock were well attended, the hall being completely filled. Reading of the scriptures and prayer, by Rev. R. P. Bush, of Everett. After the ordination hymn a sermon was

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

delivered by Rev. L. F. Mckinney, of Manchester, N. H., which was an eloquent discourse. The charge to the pastor was by Rev. C. R. Tenney, of Stoughton. The fellowship of the church was by Rev. R. T. Sawyer, of Quincy. Rev. B. F. Bowles, of Abington, delivered the charge to the society. After singing, " Jesus, Lover of my Soul," by the congregation, benediction was pronounced by the newly ordained pastor.

Measures were taken in the latter part of 1883, to become incor- porated under the laws of Massachusetts as a parish. For that purpose the following persons entered into an agreement on the thirteenth day of November to become a parish by the name of the " First Universal- ist Parish of Brockton," viz .: Andrew F. Packard, James L. Hough- ton, E. J. Hartford, Frederic M. Atwood, Granville W. Hallett, Almon B. Terry, Judah F. Wright, Z. Marshall Wright, Edward W. South- worth and Silas H. Murdoch.

A meeting was called by Andrew F. Packard, one of the above mem- bers, to be held on the twenty-second day of November, 1883, at " Cun- ningham Hall," East Elm street, for the purpose of organizing said corporation, by the adoption of by-laws and election of officers, etc. This notification was sworn to before Thaddeus E. Gifford, justice of the peace, on the twenty-second day of November, 1883.

The following is the list of officers chosen on that date: Edward W. Southworth, president; Andrew F. Packard, clerk; Almon B. Terry, treasurer ; Frederick M. Atwood, Charles H. Murdock, E. J. Hartford, Isaiah F. Wright, Granville W. Hallett, standing committee.

On the twenty-seventh day of September, 1884, the old board of officers resigned and a new board elected, consisting of the following members : Alpheus Holmes, president ; Moses A. Packard, treasurer ; John B. Parker, clerk; William L. Douglass, Oliver O. Patten, Edward Merritt, Thaddeus E. Gifford and Andrew F. Packard, standing com- mittee.

Rev. Joseph Crehore began preaching in April, 1884, and preached about one year and a half, till November 15, 1885. On the thirteenth day of December, 1885, Rev. L. L. Briggs began his services as pas- tor, and resigned June 1, 1887. He was succeeded by Rev. Royal T. Sawyer, settled June 1, 1887, resigned November 21, 1889. He was

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FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

followed by Rev. Albert Hammett, whose installation took place as follows :

Order of exercises at the installation of Rev. Albert Hammett as pas- tor of the First Universalist Church, Thursday evening, October 9, 1890. I, organ voluntary; 2, anthem by the choir; 3, scripture lesson and prayer, by Rev. John Vanneveer ; 4, anthem by the choir ; 5, sermon, by Rev. J. M. Pullman, D.D .; 6, anthem by the choir; 7, installing prayer, by Rev. W. R. Shipman, D.D .; 8, welcome to the city, by Rev. John Graham Brooks, D.D., pastor of the Unity Church, Brock- ton ; 9, address to the parish by a former pastor, Rev. William A. Start ; 10, Hymn, tune " Mornington," " I love thy church, O God."

On the thirteenth day of April, 1886, at a regular meeting of the parish, the following officers were elected : William L. Douglas, presi- dent ; Moses A. Packard, treasurer ; John B. Parker, clerk; Oliver O. Patten, Edward Merritt, W. S. Benson and Andrew F. Packard, stand- ing committee.

At this meeting the standing committee were authorized to consider the subject of purchasing a lot for a church. At an adjourned meeting held April 27, 1886, the standing committee were made a building committee, with full powers to purchase a lot and erect a building. The committee proceeded at once to purchase a lot of land on Cottage street, on which they built an edifice forty-eight by seventy feet, hav- ing a tower eleven and one half feet square, eighty feet in height, terminating with an octagon belfry and spire. The architect of the church was Waldo V. Howard, of Brockton. The carpenter work was done by A. H. Mackey. The masonry by Sampson & Appleton. The frescoing was done by Pindkosky, of Boston. There are five stained glass windows on either side of the building, besides a large double window in the front. The principal entrances are at the northwest and southeast corners, with others at the rear corners. At the east end of the auditorium is a memorial window, directly back of the choir seats and pulpit. It is a circular top of pretty design, having a Bible in the center, below which is an inscription as follows :

IN MEMORIAM, LORENZO DOW HERVEY, BORN JULY 8, 1817.

DIED APRIL 21, 1886.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

In the interior the prospect is pleasing, without having a showy look. There are eighty-six pews of natural colored white wood with upliol- stered cushions. The trimmings of the pews are of stained cherry. The organ, built by George H. Ryder, of Boston, is at the southeast corner, adjoining the choir gallery. The pastor's room is at the north- east corner. On the neat semi-circular platform is a black walnut pul- pit, with upholstered chairs to match. The other interior furnishings are complete, such as a walnut communion table, stands and boxes for contributions. The Bible on the pulpit was presented by Hon. Henry W. Robinson in February, 1880. In the basement, which is of brick, is a large vestry and Sunday school room, furnished with desk, settees, etc., to accommodate three hundred persons. The building is heated by furnaces and lighted by gas, and has a kitchen and conveniences for furnishing refreshments on social occasions This church has been prosperous for a short time past under the care of Rev. Royal T. Saw- yer, and under the present pastor, Rev. Albert Hammett, the attend- ance has largely increased, as well as the church membership, and it is largely due to their zeal and untiring energy that the church has arrived to its present condition.

This church is located on Cottage, near Bartlett streets.

The officers for 1893 are: Rev. Albert Hammett, pastor ; William L. Douglas, Fred M. Atwood, Hiram M. Wheeler, Oliver M. Patten, * Thaddeus E. Gifford, Moses A. Packard, parish committee ; Edward H. Lambert, clerk; Arthur G. Chevigny, treasurer; Edgar A. An- drews, superintendent of Sunday-school.

DEDICATION .- The dedication services of the First Universalist Church of Brockton, Mass., Friday evening, May 4, 1888, were as fol- lows: I, organ voluntary, by Mrs. Cora E. Bailey ; 2, invocation by Rev. G. H. Emerson, D.D., of Boston ; 3, choir ; 4, Old Testament reading, by Rev. John Graham Brooks of the Unity Church, Brockton ; 5, choir ; 6, New Testament lesson, by Rev. R. Perry Bush, of Ever- ett, Mass. ; 7, choir ; 8, sermon, by Rev. William H. Ryder, of Glou- cester, Mass., from Joshua xxii. 24: "What have you to do with the Lord God of Israel ?" This sermon was spoken of as one of much en- ergy, in well chosen words, and a pleasing oratorical effort, closing with these words, " What matters it whose altar is credited with the salva-

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History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 30

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