USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 73
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700
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
of Dracut, gathered and formed the church. According to the "History of Westford," Mr. Hall had been preaching in the west precinct for some months before this.
THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.
Some account of the early Baptists has been given in con- nection with the First Parish of Chelmsford. Their rise in this vicinity dates from the preaching of Whitefield and other revivalists about the middle of the eighteenth century.
From the First Parish records and Town records, the names of a number of Baptists are known. These belong to the period following 1740, and, according to Parson Bridge, "were in a separation."
Gershom Prockter and Rebeca his wife, John Kidder and his wife, Thomas Spaulding and his wife, John Spaulding and his wife, Job Spaulding and his wife, John Barrat and his wife, Jonas Robbins, John Burge, David Kidder, Ephraim Keyes, Esther, the wife of Josiah Cory, Hannah, the wife of Zach Shed, Widow Abigail Keyes, widow Mary Barrat, widow Sarah Swallow.
Parson Bridge mentions "one Sam Hyde," an exhorter, who was at the South Village with his family, a tailor by trade. "One Green of Leicester was a 'lay Baptist teacher' at Westford."
Gershom Prockter invited "one Dutton that says he is a minister of ye Gospel, was so in England, but now goes from town to town selling books and preaching, to preach in his house."
In the court files at Cambridge is a document dated 1772, which certifies that Stephen Hastlen, Oliver Adams, Nathan Crosby, Jr., Benj. Crosby, Thos. Barnes, Gershom Proctor, Henry Procter and Ammi Andrews were "regular attendants at the Baptist meeting."
In 1774, the Town refused to abate the minister rates of Thomas Spaulding, Jonas Robbins and others by reason of their hiring preaching among themselves. Five years later, Thomas, Job and Zebulon Spaulding, John, Jonathan and Mary Robbins and Simeon Barrett were served the same way.
In 1785 Henry Blazdell's rate was abated, . £0: 6:2:0
In 1786 Isaac Patten's was abated, Zebulon Head's was abated
0:14:0:0
0: 3:6:0
In 1787 Mr Jonathan Adams received . 0:18:4:2
"his minister's rate for 1785 which was not getable by reason of his subscribing to the baptist Society and procuring a Certificate from that Society"
Mr Timothy Adams had his tax abated £0:17:10:0
Oliver Hildreth had his tax abated 0:15: 5:2 .
In 1791 Benj. Kelley had his tax abated .
0: 5: 2:1
701
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
In 1795, these men paid their part of the ministerial tax to Mr. John Peckens instead of to Mr. Packard, the minister of the Town:
John Adams
John Spaulding
Robert Adams
Henry Spaulding
Benj. Adams
Samuel Spaulding
Joel Barritt
Henry Spaulding, Jr.
Solomon Byam
John Spaulding, Jr.
Aaron Chamberlain, Jr.
Samson Stevens
Sarg. Joseph Haywood
Lt. Joseph Winn
John Mansfield
David Dutton
Benj. Pelsue
Joseph Foster
In 1807, John Bateman was treasurer of the Baptist Society. What follows is taken from the pastor's historical sermon in 1896:
The records of the First Baptist Church in Haverhill show Rev. Hezekiah Smith baptized candidates in Chelmsford as early as 1768-69.
The church was organized in South Chelmsford, Oct. 22, 1771, at the house of Daniel Lock, with nine male, fifteen female members, twenty-four in all. The names of the first members were: Edward Spaulding, Ebenezer Bailey, Mary White, Mary Hutchins, Rachel Adams, Mark White, Daniel Lock, John Spaulding, Nathan Crosby, Thomas Barnes, Hannah Spaulding, Elizabeth Bailey, Mary White, 2d, Rachel Longley, Elizabeth Barrett, Hannah Hardy, Abigail Lock, Susanna Spaulding, Susanna Chamberlain, Mercy Hutchins, Mary Crosby and Asaph Fletcher. These members were dismissed chiefly from the Second Church in Boston, and resided in the Towns of Chelmsford, Carlisle, Billerica, Acton, Westford and Tyngsborough. They were Calvinistic in doctrine. There is no record of any minister being present at the organization, or council of recognization. Thus the church starts out in true Baptist independence, recognizing no other head or leader than Christ.
The church had no pastoral care for the first two years of its existence, but was not inactive during the period. It was minis- tered to by Rev. Samuel Honey, Dr. Greene and others. Sixteen were added by baptism and others received by letter, so that membership was doubled. Some of these early members resided in Hollis, New Ipswich and Mason, N. H.
The members did not escape the peculiarities of their times. The records of a church meeting held April 30, 1772, have this item :
"Chose Mark White, John Spaulding and Asaph Fletcher by vote, to be a committee to give certificates to those of the Baptist persuasion, which usually assemble with the Baptist society in Chelmsford, thereby to free them from paying taxes to support different denominations."
702
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
The church has been served by twenty-three pastors whose labors commenced and ended as follows:
Rev. Elisha Rich
March 15, 1773 to Dec. 15, 1777
Rev. Abisha Crossman
March 15, 1778 " June 6, 1789
Rev. John Peckens
June 6, 1792, over the whole
church until division of the church in 1804
Rev. John Parkhurst
Nov. 13, 1821 to Feb. 12, 1845
Rev. J. C. Boomer
Jan. 20,1847 " July 7, 1858
Rev. J. E. Wiggins
Oct. 1858 " June 28, 1863 Nov. 1, 1863 " May 21, 1865
Rev. J. T. Farrar
Rev. G. H. Allen
Oct. 22, 1865 " April 1, 1873
Rev. W. A. Depew
Sept. 1, 1873 " Oct. 30, 1875
Rev. W. A. Worthington
Jan. 2, 1876 " Feb. 18, 1879
Rev. W. S. Phillips
May 1, 1879 closed by death
Sept. 10, 1880
Rev. J. H. Tilton
July
1, 1881 to sometime in 1884
Rev. E. H. Hayden
Dec.
4, 1885 " Oct.
1886
Rev. A. A. Bickford
Dec.
5, 1886 " April 7, 1890
Rev. J. E. Dinsmore
Aug.
24, 1890 " Aug. 24, 1891
Rev. E. D. Bowers
Dec.
1,1891 " July 1, 1894
Rev. T. G. Lyons
Dec.
16, 1894 " May 1897
Rev. A. A. Bickford
July
4,1897
" Oct. 29, 1899
A. R. MacDougall
Dec.
1899
" April 14, 1901
Rev. C. W. Williams
July
1901
" May 31, 1907
G. R. M. Wells
April
1908
" July 11, 1909
Rev. J. E. Dame
Nov.
1909 " Oct.
1913
Rev. Daniel J. Hatfield
Oct.
1914-
The longest pastorate was that of Rev. John Parkhurst, twenty-three years and three months. The shortest, Rev. E. H. Hayden's, ten months. The church has had pastoral care for eighty-nine years and has been without thirty-six years. It has licensed six men to preach the Gospel and ordained two.
The Society has had times of trial, the most notable of which were the period of the Revolutionary War, and during its divided state, 1804-1822. It has also had seasons of prosperity. It has dismissed members to form churches in Hollis and Hudson, N. H., and in Littleton, Billerica, Dunstable, Tyngsborough, Lowell and Chelmsford.
In its early history the discipline was very strict, but was met by those disciplined in a Christian spirit.
The names of Spaulding, Fletcher, Hutchins, Byam and Chamberlain have run through the whole history of the church, and been prominent in its affairs.
The church has had a membership in six associations, namely : Warren, Dublin, Boston, Salem, Lowell and the Merrimack, where it now holds its membership.
The Sunday School was organized June 26, 1823, and has had its place in the church work ever since.
703
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
The church has owned two meeting houses. The first, which was taken down and moved there from the town of Westford in December, 1771, stood near the cemetery. Allen says it was erected near Heart pond, January 14 and 15, 1772. The present house in the South Village was built in 1836, and the old one sold for $75.
The church has received gifts which, at the present time, amount to about $1,500.
In 1775, Elisha Rich published by request, "The Number of the Beast, Found out by Spiritual Arithmetic," &c. It was printed in Chelmsford by Nathaniel Coverly. He also published, in the same year, "Poetical Dialogues calculated for the help of Timorous and Tempted Christians."
In 1871, George H. Allen, the pastor, published a "Centennial Address," from which the following items are taken:
* the wave of discord, staid for a time, seems to * * have gathered force; and now again its bitter flood poured in upon the church, so that October 11th, 1804, a faction consisting of five men and eleven women, led by Elder Peckens, formed themselves into a new church, which they styled "The Baptist Church of Christ in Chelmsford." The seceding party retained possession of the meeting house. The original church had no pastor during the period of separation-about 18 years, but Rev. John Spaulding, among others, officiated frequently.
The first meeting house, as before stated, was moved from Westford, and was built probably before 1728. Some excitement followed the announcement that it had been sold for use by the Baptists, and it was "robbed of its pews and finish." It was taken to pieces by the purchaser, and "the Baptists went by night with ox-sleds, and brought it, load after load, upon the snow crust, in a direct line over the tops of walls and fences, to the site selected."
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
The people of Middlesex Village and others of the north- easterly part of the Town found it inconvenient to attend meeting at the Centre Village. In 1821, an article was put in the warrant for the Town Meeting at the request of Joseph Fletcher and others to see if the Town would allow Mr. Allen or his successor to preach to the people in the north part of the Town, according to their proportion paid for the support of public worship, provided a meeting house be built or a convenient place within three- quarters of a mile from the Glass Manufactory. The Town voted that Mr. Allen might do so "one Sabbath in three" provided he should consent thereto.
Mr. Allen made the following note: 1821 Jan. 7. An important order passed in regular town meeting, which is the commencement of a new order of things whose result cannot be
704
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
foreseen, but which seems to portend no good, viz. That the Congregational minister of the town of Chelmsford preach every third Sabbath at the head of the Canal in a house to be provided by the inhabitants of the north and east part of the town at their own expense. Also he says: 1821 July 9. The second congre- gational meeting house was raised. Previous to the commence- ment of the labors of the day prayer was offered up by the pastor, and the people exhorted to refrain from all profanity, &c. The house was erected with uncommon silence, order and safety, under the direction of Mr. Canady of Goffstown, where it was framed. It is 47 feet square, with 12 feet projection in front. It was dedicated January 31, 1822, and Mr. Allen preached in it the first time on the 10th of February following. The proprietors were allowed by the Town to set a part of their house on a piece of common land next Jesse Smith's store. It stood where the blacksmith shop now is, next to the tavern, on the corner of Baldwin and Middlesex streets.
In 1822, a stove was bought by the Town for this meeting house, and one for the Centre meeting house.
Another note reads: Jan. 1821 [1822?] The proprietors of the new meeting house purchased a bell of Maj. Holbrook of Medway, weighing 1681 lbs., keyed on G. Cost $632.40.
In 1822, this bell broke and was exchanged for another.
The new bell was purchased in 1823, and weighed 1,533 pounds. It was cast by Paul Revere in Canton, Mass., and was one of his heaviest bells. When the meeting house was sold, in 1859, the bell became the property of the Pawtucketville Congre- gational Society, and was placed in the tower of the meeting house. It now hangs in the new brick building, and is a fine toned bell. When the news came that John Brown had been executed at Charlestown, W. Va., Dec. 2, 1859, this bell was on the ground in Pawtucketville, and was placed on a wagon drawn by William McFarlin's horses, and tolled about the streets of Lowell.
Mr. Allen writes that he preached at the north meeting house, Ephesians iii, 16, on March 7, 1824, and took leave of a number of his parishioners who had formed themselves into a new society. On March 21, fourteen members of the old parish were dismissed to form a new church. April 27, the Second Congregational Church in Chelmsford was organized by a council of pastors and delegates from Tyngsborough, Billerica, Tewksbury and Chelms- ford. Rev. Mr. Southmayd officiated for a time. The first pastor was the Rev. John A. Albro, who was ordained and installed November 21, 1827. The Unitarian movement was widely developed in Massachusetts at this period, and in 1830, "in consequence of a decision of the court that the pewholders (in absence of any restriction to the contrary) could control the pulpit, and the greater number of the pews having passed into the hands of Unitarians, the church and pastor were compelled to leave their house of worship," and assemble in a hall nearby,
SOUTH VIEW OF THE SILESIA MILLS, NORTH CHELMSFORD
No. 42
THE BERRY HOUSE, SOUTH CHELMSFORD
705
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
owned by Samuel Wood, Esq., and much ill feeling was the result. Mr. Albro preached in the hall until April, 1832, when he went to Fitchburg. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Noyes of Needham and others. The Rev. Hezekiah Packard, formerly of Chelmsford Centre, became pastor of the Unitarians of Middlesex in 1830, and remained until 1836. After that the meeting house became vacant on account of the disbanding of the Unitarians, and was sold to the Roman Catholics, who moved it to North Chelmsford, (1859 or 1860), where it is now occupied by them.
In 1836, the church and society moved from the Wood hall to the old red schoolhouse in Princeton street, North Chelmsford.
In 1838, a building for worship was constructed on Middlesex street, where a part of the Silesia Worsted Mills now stands. This was destroyed by fire, January 20, 1893. Adjoining this was a building erected on ground deeded to the Town by Lincoln Drake for $1,500, which was used for lyceum purposes and eventu- ally was used as a "Vestry" by the society. The present house of worship on Princeton street was dedicated April 26, 1894.
Names of the fourteen members dismissed from the First Congregational Society to form a new church "in the northerly part of the Town" (Middlesex Village).
Luke Thompson
Martha Adams
Simeon Blodget
Molly Blodget
Jacob Kidder
Hannah Kidder
Cyrus Baldwin
Elizabeth Baldwin
Richard Littlehale
Susan Littlehale
Jesse Moor
Charlotte L. Burnet
Jona. Butman
Amey W. Butman
The name of Martha Adams has been erased in the record made by Mr. Allen.
The pastors have been:
Rev. B. F. Clark .
1839-1869
Rev. Daniel Phillips
1870-1874
Rev. L. J. Merrill
1876-1878
Rev. J. H. Vincent
1878-1880
Rev. H. L. Hutchins
1884-1889
Rev. L. I. Bryant
1889-1897
Rev. R. W. Dunbar
1898-1904
Rev. Dorr A. Hudson .
1904-1910
Rev. William C. H. Moe
1910-1912
Rev. Franklin H. Reeves
1912-
THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH.
On Feb. 14, 1847, a number of people from the Baptist Church in the South Village, with some from the First Baptist Church of Lowell, met at their place of worship in the Centre Village, and organized by choosing the Rev. John Parkhurst chairman, and John Mullikin scribe, and united as an independent body under
706
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
the name of "The Central Baptist Church of Chelmsford." A council of churches, composed of the First Baptist and Worthen street churches, of Lowell, the Baptist Church of Tyngsborough, and the Baptist Church of Nashua, N. H., was held March 10, 1847, Daniel C. Eddy, D. D., being scribe. The membership was thirty-five. For twenty years, services were held in the Academy building, which later became the parsonage of this society.
During the same period, until 1868, the Rev. John Parkhurst was pastor. The Rev. Alfred Coburn succeeded him for a few months. The remaining pastors have been:
Rev. John Rounds 1868-1872
Rev. H. B. Marshall
1873-1874
Rev. O. C. S. Wallace .
1875-1877
Rev. J. M. Burtt
1877-1879
Rev. N. C. Saunders
1879-1889
Rev. I. A. Howard
1889-1892
Rev. H. A. Cornell
1893-1896
Rev. C. H. Ellis
1897-
In 1868, the church building was erected at a cost of about $11,000, about half of which was the gift of Deacon David Perham.
Among those who were prominently associated with Mr. Parkhurst, in the early days of this society, were Dr. Levi Howard, J. E. Stevens, and Miss Miriam Warren. Dr. Howard was treasurer for many years. The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated in 1897.
In 1912, extensive repairs were made, and a pipe organ placed in the building.
Dr. S. L. Dutton said of the Rev. John Parkhurst: "He was a man of high scholarly attainments, graduating from Harvard in 1811. It was his purpose to become a Unitarian minister. all of his family belonging to that faith. From a change of view, however, soon after graduation he became a Baptist, remaining steadfast to his principles throughout a long life. He was a man of great sweetness of character, a peace-maker, a friend to all, and revered and honored of all classes."
John Parkhurst was born in Chelmsford, Jan. 17, 1789. Edward Everett was of the same class at Harvard. He was ordained in 1814 and settled over the Baptist Church at New Ipswich, N. H., where he remained seven years. He returned to Chelmsford in 1821 and was pastor of the First Baptist Church in South Chelmsford until 1847, when he organized the society at the Centre Village. He died February 17, 1875. In his latter years, he became mellowed somewhat in his doctrine, preaching the hell of conscience, instead of a place of material fire.
Two sermons by him are printed: "The Garden Enclosed," and "The Holy Tendency of Saving Grace," both preached in 1826. They have considerable literary merit.
707
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
When around the manufacturing establishments at West Chelmsford, a sufficient number of families had gathered, a society was formed by the name of the West Chelmsford Union Church, and a meeting house was built in 1848. This belonged to no particular denomination, but gradually the Methodists came to be in the majority.
The corner stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church was laid July 4, 1887. The building cost about $4,000. Those who took part in the exercises were Rev. Charles G. Spaulding, Samuel H. Virgin of New York, George S. Chadbourne of Boston, H. L. Hutchins of North Chelmsford, Walter Coburn of Lowell, and James Walker of West Chelmsford. The building was dedicated January 10, 1888. The twentieth anniversary was celebrated in 1908.
PASTORS AT WEST CHELMSFORD SINCE 1870.
Rev. M. H. A. Evans .
1870-1 year
Rev. G. C. Osgood
1871-2 years
Rev. F. M. Miller
1873-1 year
Rev. John Wesley Walker
1874-1 year
Rev. J. Winfield Walker
1875-1 year
Rev. John E. Jubb
1876-1 year
Rev. James Walker
1877-1 year
Rev. M. H. A. Evans
1880-2 years
Rev. Luther Freeman .
1885-part of a year
Rev. Chas. G. Spaulding
1886-3 years
Rev. F. G. Highway
1890-1 year
Rev. Frank G. McConnell .
1894-3 years
Rev. W. C. Guyer
1897-3 years
Rev. Wm. W. Guth
1900-1 year
Rev. Chas. C. P. Hiller
1901-2 years
Rev. Vincent Ravi
1903-1 year
Rev. Fred W. McConnell
1904-2 years
Rev. F. D. Taylor
1906-2 years
Rev. George L. Collier Rev. Harry Hess .
1908-2 years 1909-1 year
Rev. Frank Hargran
1910-1 year
Rev. Roy P. Crawford
1911-2 years
Rev. Ephraim Leese
1914-1 year
Rev. Thomas Hancock
1915-
Rev. W. N. Groome
1879-1 year
Rev. A. R. Sichibald
1882-3 years
Rev. L. M. Hale
1889-1 year
Rev. Geo. E. McIlwain
1891-3 years
Mr. George F. Snow was treasurer for twenty-five years.
708
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Previous to the removal of the edifice now known as St. John's Church, from Middlesex Village to North Chelmsford, those who professed the Roman Catholic faith had to journey to Lowell to attend mass every Sunday, as well as for the performance of their other religious duties. The number of families included in this parish, which formed part of St. Patrick's parish of Lowell, numbered then about fifty families, thirty of whom resided in the northern part of the Town and vicinity. The remainder belonged to the remote portion of the parish, which includes the Town of Westford and adjacent territory. Notwithstanding the fact that there were no convenient means of travel in those days, the members of this parish faithfully and zealously attended to their weekly religious duties, but a feeling made itself manifest that they should possess a church of their own, more conveniently located for their needs.
The opportunity came about the year 1860, and was quickly grasped by one of the older members of the parish named John Morrison, a farmer by occupation, who resided at the place still popularly known as the brick tavern, and the father of Hon. John H. Morrison, whose reputation among the legal fraternity of his day has not yet been forgotten. While on the way to Lowell with a load of market gardening, John Morrison noticed a number of men who were on the point of starting to tear down the building known as the Middlesex Village Congregational Church. The thought suddenly struck him that this was just what was wanted for the members of his parish, and many minutes had not elapsed ere Mr. Morrison, with considerable astuteness, had stopped the tearing down operations until he had discussed the idea of pur- chasing the building as it stood, with his co-parishioners. This was quickly decided upon, everybody being enthusiastic over this proposition. The price agreed upon was about $400, which was then partly subscribed by the heads of the families and the balance obtained on a mortgage. It meant many a hard-earned dollar for a good number, but the money was cheerfully given, as it promised the realization of a project long cherished. The task of moving the building to its present location was undertaken and was eventually accomplished with more or less of a strenuous struggle, the feeling that existed among the followers of the various denominations caused a close watch upon their under- taking. Among the older residents who were directly concerned in this movement might be mentioned Patrick Ward, Anthony Ward, William Quigley, Henry McCabe, John McNally, Patrick McManomin, Edward Fox, Michael Holland, Arthur McEnaney, Owen McEnaney, John McCoy, Owen O'Donnell, and George Brennan.
When the building was placed in its present position, Father John O'Brien, then pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Lowell, came every Sunday to celebrate mass, and this he continued to do
709
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
nearly twenty-three years. At different times those families who resided in Westford were given the opportunity to hear Mass in their own vicinity, when the service was held at some of the homes in the locality. Later the sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated in one of the local halls, and gradually steps were taken which culminated in the erection of the cosy little church now known as St. Catherine's Mission Church, which still forms a part of St. John's parish.
The mass was usually celebrated by Father John J. Shaw, and other curates of St. Patrick's Church, who, at times, replaced Father O'Brien in attending to the wants of St. John's parish- ioners, the visits to Westford being made about once every three months. After the death of Father John O'Brien, Father Michael O'Brien and other priests continued for several years longer to officiate at St. John's Church, which was looked upon as a mission church. Eventually Father Shaw was appointed as the first pastor of the parish in January, 1893, and a few months later he took up his permanent residence in the newly-constructed rectory. Father Shaw then quickly busied himself in effecting various improvements in and around the building, the front porch being added to the building and the annex constructed. New pews were also placed in the church at that time.
Rev. Father Shaw having been transferred to the pastorate of St. Michael's Church in Lowell, in November, 1900, his place was taken by Rev. Father Richard S. Burke, another curate of St. Patrick's parish, who continued the work of improving the church building by having a shrine constructed in the annex, and installing electric chandeliers and other fixtures for illuminating purposes. He was also responsible for the beautiful painting which appears above the altar. Shortly afterwards Father Michael Callahan was appointed pastor, with Father Philip Sexton as curate.
Another change took place a short time later, when Rev. Father Edmund T. Schofield was appointed pastor, a position which he has occupied since 1901. Father Schofield then busied himself in having the exterior of the building renovated, and continued to be very active among his parishioners. He was assisted in his duties by Rev. Father John McNamara of the Manchester diocese, who was assigned to this parish on account of his knowledge of the French language. On the latter being transferred to Salem, N. H., he was replaced by Rev. Father Michael E. Doherty, who had just been ordained to the priesthood. From 1910 until his departure some two years later, Father Doherty was very interested and also very successful in the formation of various organizations connected with the church. In 1912, another change occurred, Father Doherty being assigned to the Church of the Holy Rosary in South Boston, and his place taken by Rev. Father Edward C. Mitchell, who came from Malden. In August, 1915, the Rev. Father Henry L. Scott of Cochituate became curate.
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