History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 84

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 84

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A Third Methodist Church was organized by form- ing a class at Sandy Bay, in 1831, by Rev. Aaron Lummus, then settled at the Harbor. The members of the class were:

Levi Cleaves. Ilattie Tarr.

Nicy Cleaves. Charles Wormwood.

Aun Cleaves. Zachens Roberts.

Solomon Tarr. Lonis Pool.

Rhoda Cleaves.

Betsey Tarr.

John Cleaves.

This class was connected with the Harbor Church until 1838, when it was set off as a circuit with Town Parish, under the charge of Rev. Leonard B. Griffin. A meeting-house was erected and dedicated that year. In 1839 the society was made a separate charge, and Rev. Israel Washburn was appointed

pastor. Rev. Thomas G. Brown was pastor when the territory hecame a part of the town of Rockport.

A Fourth Methodist Church began in the organiza- tion of the following-named persons as a class, in May, 1871, at Bay View :

Kilby P. Sargent. George W. Hodgdon. Sarah Griffin.

George Lane. Eliza J. Hodgdon. Charles W. Howland.

Thomas Lane.

Lincoln Littlefield. William Rolly.

Nancy Griffin. Eliza J. Littlefield.

Richard Pillage.

Sarah Roberts. Clara Ramsdell. N. Hart.

Daniel Roberts. Moses Ramsdell.

M. M. Hatch.

William P. Hayden. Warren Griffin.

A church edifice was erected on a lot donated by Mr. Kilby P. Sargent, and was dedicated on the 14th of March, 1871. Rev. Alonzo Sanderson was the first pastor. Ifis successors were Revs. Allen J. Hall, William B. Toulmin, George E. Sanderson, John Peterson, William Silverthorn, William F. Lawford, and the present incumbent, Rev. George W. Coon. Sunday-school organized 1871.

A Fifth Methodist Church was organized on the 23d of September, 1885, at East Gloucester, with twenty-two members. A church building was begun in June of that year, and finished in January, 1887. It has no resident pastor, but is regularly supplied with preaching. Sunday-school organized 1885.

Work among the Swedes was begun by the Method- ists in Gloucester, by forming a class in November, 1874. In 1884 Rev. Albert Hallen was appointed by the Conference to labor among the Swedes on the Cape.

CONGREGATIONALISTS .- An Orthodox Congrega- tionalist Society was organized at Lanesville on the 6th of March, 1828. They at once erected a chapel, which was dedicated in October the same year. It was greatly enlarged in 1853, and gave place some thirteen years later to the present commodious house of worship, dedicated the 31st of January, 1866. In August, 1830, the following-named persons were duly formed into "The North Orthodox Congregational Church :"

Jonathan Haraden. Hannah Young. Susan Dennison.

William Choate. Mary Andrews.

Deborahı P. Young.

Matthew S. Giles. Nancy Young.

Nancy B. Young.

Esther Lane.

Their first pastor, installed in March, 1831, was Rev. Moses Sawyer. His successors have been : 1840, Rev. David Tilton ; 1850, Rev. Edwin Seabury ; 1854, Rev. N. Richardson ; 1857, Rev. Francis N. Peloubet ; 1860, Rev. Ebenezer Burgess; 1863, Rev. Thomas Morong ; 1868, Rev. Will C Wood; 1871, Rev. Wil- liam 11. Teel ; 1875, Rev. Samuel C. Andrews ; 1882, Rev. Josiah G. Willis; Rev. Frank H. Reed, the present pastor, August 16, 1885. Sunday-school organized 1830.

In November, 1829, Andrew Parker, Nathaniel Babson, Judith Parsons, Elizabeth J. Stevens, Sarah Harraden, Anna Harraden, Pamelia Stacy, the seven members of the First Parish Church who had with- drawn from that organization during the pastorate of

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Rev. Mr. Hildreth, were organized into "The Evangel- ical Congregational Church" by an ecclesiastical council called for that purpose. Some of them, and probably others not members of the church, formed a society on the 13th of March, 1830, and took the name "The Evangelical Seiety." In 1831 they erected a house of worship on the corner of Middle and Church Streets, which was dedicated on the 8th of September of that year. It was sold and removed in 1854, and a more commodious structure was built on the same spot, and dedicated the 22d of March, 1855. The first pastor was Rev. Charles S. Porter, ordained the 1st of August, 1832. Ilis successors, with dates of their settlement over the church, have been : 1×35, Rev. Christopher M. Nickels; 1848, Rev. James Aiken ; 1853, Rev. J. L. Jlatch ; 1858, Rev. Lysander Dickerman ; 1860, Rev. I. C. Thacher ; 1871, Rev. Seth W. Segur; 1874, Rev. F. B. Makepeace ; J879. Rev. Frank G. Clark, who resigned in April, 1887. Ilis successor has not yet been chosen. Sun- day-school organized 1829.

The "Trinitarian Congregational Society " at West Gloucester was duly organized, as was also the church connected therewith, in 1833. A house of worship was erected on the main road from Gloucester to Es- sex in 1834. The pastors have been : Rev. C. B. Smith, to May, 1861 ; Rev. Samuel Cole, August, 1×62, to 1867 ; Rev. Charles D. Pigeon, June, 1868, to October, 1872; Rev. Luther Farnham, November, 1872, to November, 1873; Rev. Nathaniel Richard- son, May, 1874, to November, 1879; Rev. Alexander C. Childs, May, 1880, to May, 1885; Rev. Charles F. Goldsmith, June, 1885, to June, 1887. The pulpit is now supplied by Rev. James C. Alvord, of Andover Theological School. Sunday-school probably organ- ized in 1833.

In January, 1887, a Congregational Society, and a church entitled the " Union Congregational Church," of twenty members, was organized in the new Union Chapel, at Magnolia. Regular services are held in the old Union Chapel, erected some years ago, and Rev. Mr. Goldsmith, of West Gloucester, has been the regular supply for the pulpit. A Union Sunday- school has been held in the chapel several years.

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 1-Nt. Inn's Church. In the ac- companying illustration we have an excellent picture of the church property of the Catholic parish of St. Ann, Gloucester, Mass. It is perfect except in the relative position of the buildings, which form almost n square, and are therefore even more desirably lo- vated. The church and convent are located on Park Street. The parochial house and school stand pictu- resquely at the head of Dale Avenue, only a few rods distant from the City Hall. A more desirable location could not be found in the whole city for the house. Nor could the citizens find a more beautiful building for the vicinity of their handsome t'ity llall.

This is plainly a group of church property in which the richest parish in the land might take a virtuous pride. And it merits our admiration all the more, that it is the pious offering to God and religion of our Cape Ann fishermen. It is truly a great work for a parish neither rich nor over-numerous. And it appears all the greater as you read, at the foot of the picture, the date of erection of the several buildings. Only twelve years ago this congregation had to worship in the poorest church in town, with little prospects of anything better in the near future. But a glanee at this picture soon reveals the possibilities of the united efforts of a zealous priest and people.

The corner-stone of this magnificent granite church was laid only in 1876. This parochial house, equally handsome and substantial, was built in 1880; and the school and convent were completed in 1886. It is a most extraordinary record of only ten years.

The Cape Ann fishermen have here a grand eenten- niał monument, as may be seen from the figures 1876, found inscribed on the corner-stone of this magnifi- cent granite church. And well may they be proud of this, their fisherman church, so appropriately dedicated to St. Ann, the mother of Mary, the mother of God. It is here at this holy shrine that so many of these brave men pionsly prepare themselves for the peril- ous trip. And from its golden cross, brightly glitter- ing in the sun, some three hundred feet above the level of the sea, they reverently receive a parting benediction, and, on their return, this self-same emblem of salvation first meets their anxious gaze for home, and once more invites them within its sacred precinets for prayer and thanksgiving for their safe deliveranee from so many dangers.

The following brief description can hardly fail to be of interest and advantage to the many summer visitors, who are becoming more and more numer- ous every year, as this healthful resort is becoming better known:

This church is built from the choicest material out of the depths of the Rockport Granite Company's quarries. The style is pure Gothic, and it is suffi- ciently ornamental to be recognized as the grand and chief ornament of the city by all its citizens, regard- less of creed or denomination.

It has six spaeions entrances-three through a commodious vestibule and three to the basement. This basement might of itself pass for quite a church, having solid hard-wood pews with over a thousand sittings, with its high and neatly frescoed ceiling and elegantly carved altar, on either side of which stands a commodious vestry-room. The three front en- trances to the church are large, pointed openings, with heads of tracery, that in the centre having moulded copings. Over this eentral entrance is a very handsome rose window, sixteen feet in diameter, with label mouldings of granite. The side windows, eight on each side, giving one in each bay, are five and one-half' by fifteen feet, pointed and with heads of

By Bus 1 J Healy

J. M. Healy

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GLOUCESTER.

tracery. The roof is lighted in the dormers, one in each bay; it is słated with the best Eastern slate, with bands of unfading Vermont green. The interior arrangements consist of nave, aisles and chancel, the latter with a vestry on either side, connected by a passage in the rear of the main altar. The aisles are three in number, leading from the several entrances, the main aisle being six feet and the others four feet in width. The roof is open-timbered, with the tim- bers cased and moulded, and pointed in form. The organ gallery over the vestibule, extending slightly into the auditorinm, is the only gallery in the church. The chancel, at the rear of the auditorium, is oc-

richly decorated. The windows are of cathedral i glass, and very rich and elegant in design and color, and the walls are richly decorated. In the frescoing, as in everything else in the building, the pure geometrical Gothic style has been scrupuously ad- hered to in every detail, and, amid countless varieties of beautiful shades and shadows, the most perfect unity of design and color has been most admirably preserved. On the sides of the front entrance be- neath the organ gallery are two beautiful groups of paintings in life-size by Schumacher, one represent- ing the divine commission of the twelve apostles to I preach the Gospel; the other, the same group, at the

chial House, (1880)

1876. GLOUCESTUS

ANN'S CHURCH

School, (1886.)

Convent,(1532)

Laying Corner Stone 1876 Dedication 155/- Consecration 1886.

tagonal in form, with an arch forty feet wide and sixty feet high, pointed and with heavy stucco mouldings. It contains four windows, four feet by fourteen each, with figures in richly-stained glass. These figures

ascension of the blessed Saviour. Over the side altars are two real works of art of great merit, brought from Florence by the pastor in 1878-one a beautiful gem of the Raphael school of art, represent- represent the four evangelists, with their respective ing the "Virgin with the Divine Infant Visited by emblems-the ox, lion, eagle and angel.

St. Elizabeth and St. John the Baptist; " the other is of the Flemish school of art, representing the "Adora- tion of the Magi at the Stable of Bethlehem."

The altars, three in number, made from the archi- tect's design, and in style and proportion in perfect keeping with the other work, are all in marble, set in A description of the countless sacred emblems which everywhere greet the eye, and representing scenes in the life of the Saviour, would require too much space. The student of biblical and ecclesias- tical lore may here find a rich field for interesting study, not for hours, but for whole days, in their pic- torial illustration. Crowning this saered edifice is a steeple towering in graceful proportions one hundred and eighty-five feet in height. And in the handsome mosaic style of exquisite variety, and represent nearly all the nations of Europe. The main altar, some thirty feet high, is one of the handsomest in this country. The nave arches, sixteen in number (eight on each side), are pointed in form, with heavy mould- ing, and springing from richly-carved caps and grace- ful columns twenty-four inches in diameter. The wainscoting, altar rail, gallery front, etc., are finished in brown ash, and all the work in the roof is of pine, | belfry of fine-cut granite hangs the largest and mel-

1320

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

lowest church-bell in the entire State of Massachu- setts.

This.church alone cost one hundred thousand dol- lars, and the entire group has involved an expendi- ture of one hundred and forty thousand dollars. HIence these words of Bishop O'Reilly in his preface to his sermon .- " This is a surprise to all the priests not only of this diocese, but of all New England. Praise is in the mouths of all. Let it not be said that the people have not been extremely generous, many of them poor and making their living by toiling on the sea, Their hearts are in the right place; they have the faith, and is it not cheerful when they are nearing land to see the first object that of their church, the cross on the highest tower glittering in the sunshine ?"

Forty years ago saw no Catholic congregation in this place. Among the priests present at this conse- vration was the Rev. D. O'Callaghan, the respected pastor of St. Augustine's, South Boston, who, as altar- boy from Salem, served the first Mass in Gloucester. The Rev. Thomas Shahan, then the pious pastor of Salem, purchased for them a Baptist Church, which was dedicated by Rev. John O'Brien, of Lowell, Sep- temher 30, 1855, the sermon being preached by Rev. N. S. ()'Brien. A few months thereafter Rev. Dr. Acquarone became the first pastor, and remained in charge until, at the age of eighty, he retired in 1871 to his native Italy.

The REV. J. J. HEALY, to whose indefatigable zeal and energy this parish owes its present prosperous condition, was born near Bantry, County Cork, Ire- land, January 30, 1835. 1le was ordained a priest in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md., June 30, 1868. After three years in St. James parish, Salem, Mass., he took charge of his Gloucester parish, September 5, 1871. The Catholic Church property in Gloucester was then limited to the old wooden building, formerly a Baptist Church, scarcely sufficient accommodation for the Sunday-school which the new pastor soon rallied ! around him. There being no parochial house, the first six weeks were spent in a hotel. During these few weeks the Sunday-school was organized, certain re- Oggious societies established, and a respectable paro- chial house was purchased and soon suitably furnished. All this rush rather excited the quiet people, who never expected to see all this accomplished during their natural lives. They even assembled in church to protest against such innovations and the rashness of the priest in thus purchasing a house without their counsel and consent. On this occasion a more or less Mformy discussion took place between priest and people, wherein the former evidently came off victorious, for he not only persisted in his house transaction, but woon set about purchasing house-lots around the old ewareb, with the evident determination of some time in the future building a more suitable church. The pe yde were innocent enough in their rentonstrance, as theamygd plainly shows. For upon ovular demon-

stration of the extraordinary zeal and business capacity of their pastor they soon rallied to bis generous sup- port. Lot after lot was purchased in quick succession, and the old buildings were economically displaced and disposed of. It was, of course, an expensive way of getting land, but all the surroundings being built on, and this spot being controlled and otherwise desirable, he was left no choice in this matter. Some thought a somewhat larger and better church ought to be begun before a great while, but not a few declared the old church good enough for this poor congregation. But before they had time to arrive at any unanimous con- clusion the excavations were progressing, and in di- mensions somewhat alarming. A new church was evi- dently inevitable, and the people, with the best grace possible, anxiously awaited future developments.

The new foundations seemed rather heavy for a wooden structure, and a brick one would, of course, be too expensive ; and it was not until the walls arose far above the surface with bandsome, substantial granite that the good people believed that they were about to have a veritable granite church. Both Catholics and Protestants stared and wondered, reluctant to express their innermo-t thoughts. But the administration was such a great success from the beginning, and so far beyond their highest expectations, that they deter- mined more and more to give it a fair and full trial.

Collections and fairs followed in quick succession, and so marvelou-ly successful were the results that the people became more and more confirmed in faith and works. The year 1876 saw the laying of the cor- ner-stone and the completion of this handsome granite edifice,-this grand centennial monument of both priest and people ; and with the use of their first stag- ing was finished not only its handsome frescoing, but its three magnificently rich marble altars. Soon after followed the erection of it- grand organ, regarded the best in Essex County ; the granite belfry and tower, and finally the placing and blessing of the largest and mellowest of church-bells in New England. In 1880 a magnificent parochial bouse of faced brick, with brown-stone trimmings and finest granite underpin- ning, equally grand iu all its other parts, found them in possession of the finest priests' house in the arch- diocese.

The last parochial work was the very pretty convent and the school, with six large school-rooms, the best that can be found in the city. All continued to praise and admire this great work. But although very satis- factory returns were annually read of all moneys re- veived, the absence of any public report of the indebt- edness left the timid somewhat fearful. And it was not till they had seen their grand church solemnly consecrated, and with all the richness and grandeur which it actually contains, out of debt, that all with one accord united in devout praise and thanksgiving for the great things the Lord had done for them in so brief a period.

This church was consecrated July 25, 1886, by Most

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GLOUCESTER.

Rev. John J. Williams, Archbishop of Boston, as- sisted by fifty of the clergy from this and neighboring dioceses, with Rev. J. P. Bodfish, rector of the Cathe- dral, as grand master of ceremonies, and Rev. Charles W. Regan, of St. Ann's Church, this city, assistant master. The consecration services began at 7 A.M. and lasted until 9.30 A.M.

A special train arrived from Boston at 9.45 A.M .. bringing about fifty priests and a select choir of forty of Boston's vocalists, who sang the High Mass of con- secration. The sermon was by the Right Rev. P. T. O'Reilly, Bishop of Springfield. The officers of the Mass were as follows : Rev. Hugh Roe O'Donnell, of East Boston, celebrant ; Rev. W. P. McQuaid, of Boston, deacon ; Rev. M. F. Flatly, of Malden, sub- deacon, in presence of the most reverend archbishop, with Very Rev. William Byrne, V.G., Very Rev. John Hogan, S.S., D.D., superior of the ecclesiastical sem- inary of Brighton, assistant priests ; also Right Rev. Bishop O'Reilly, of Springfield, with his vicar-gen- eral, Very Rev. P. Healy, of Chicopee, and Rev. Thomas Griffin, of Worcester, chancellor of the dio- cese ; also Father Neagle, chancellor of the archdio- cese ; and P. P. Chapon, S.S., D.D., professor of dogma, Brighton ; Professor Rev. Louis Walsh ; Pro- fessor Rev. J. Begley, of Brighton Seminary ; Revs. John J. Gray, of Salem ; J. Harrington, of Lynn ; John Tierney, of Rockland; Christopher McGrath, of Somerville ; J. J. Harkins, P. Phelan, of Holyoke; James Quan, of Webster ; P'. Quaille, of Turner's Falls ; M. Moran, of Boston ; and Rev. John Mc- Mahon, of Charlestown, who accompanied his brother, the Bishop of Hartford.

The following musical programme was most happily rendered by forty select vocalists from the best Bos- ton choirs, under the able direction of Mr. John J. McCloskey ; and the new organ, the finest in Essex County, was at its best under the inspiring touch of Mr. J. Frank Donahoe, the worthy organist of the Boston Cathedral.

Beethoven's grand Mass in C, sung by Miss Ellen A. McLanghlin, leading soprano of Boston Cathedral; Mrs. Celia Mooney, leading alto at Boston Cathedral ; Miss Tessie M. Flynn, leading alto at St. James' Church, Boston ; Mr. John J. Mccluskey, leading basso at the Boston Cathedral; with a chorus of forty voices, and Mr. J. Frank Donahoe, organist of the Cathedral. Mr. Donahoe performed a grand march composed by himself and the "Offertoire " of Baptiste. Miss Mc- Laughlin sung at the offertory, and Mr. Farley sung " Veni Creator," composed hy Cirillo, and the grand choral "Te Deum." At one o'clock the bishops and priests dined at the parochial residence, and the choir, with other invited guests, some fifty of the laity, dined at the Pavilion Hotel. At two o'clock they were treated to a drive through the city and its surroundings, At 3.30 p.M. there was an eloquent lecture on " Education," by Rev. Thomas J. Conaty, of Worcester, with a sacred concert, as follows :

1. Organ Solo-" Priests' March from Athalie " Mendelasolın

Mr. J. Frank Donalioe.

2. Soprano Solo-" Salve Regina " Miss Ellen A. Mclaughlin.

Dau8

3. Pilgrime' chorus of forty voices.

4. Contralto Solo-" Fac ut portem, " from "Stabat Mater" Rossini Mrs. D. A Ring, leading contralto of St. Augustine's Church,

South Boston.

5. Tenor Solo-"Cujus Animam." from " Stabat Mater" Rossini

Mr. Johu Farley. IIandel

6. " Hallelujah Chorus"-Grand Chorus

7. Lecture by Rev. T. J. Couaty, of Worcester.

8. Bass Solo-"God Everywhere " Lachner Mr. Jolin J. Mccluskey, basso of Boston Cathedral.

9. " The Heavens are telling the Glory of God." Miss MeLaughlin, Mr. Farley, Mr. Mccluskey and chorus.

And at 7.30 P.M. the grand church was again crowded for pontifical vespers by Right Rev. Law- rence McMahon, Bishop of Hartford; Rev. Louis Walsh, professor at the St. John Ecclesiastical Sem- inary, being master of ceremonies.

The vespers and benediction were sung by St. Ann's choir, under the able direction of Miss Carrie Simp- son, their own organist. And thus appropriately terminated the programme of this great day for Gloucester.

Church of the Sacred Heart .- Mass was first cele- brated in Lanesville in 1850. Services were held several years in Village Hall. A church was erected between Lanesville and Bay View in 1876. Rev. Thomas Barry, officiating also at Rockport, had charge of the church several years. The present priest in charge is Rev. Daniel S. Healy, also in charge of the congregation at Rockport. Sunday- school organized in 1855.

EPISCOPALIAN .- The parish of St. John's Episco- pal Church was formed in the summer of 1863, and reorganized the 16th of October, 1871. Services con- dncted by the late Rev. Dr. Edson, of Lowell, were held in Gloucester in the summer of 1862, and other visiting and neighboring clergy soon followed. These services were held in Magnolia Hall, a building occupying the site of the present church edifice, the latter being erected in 1864, and consecrated by the Right Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts, on the 14th of Septem- ber, 1874. The first rector of the church was Rev. Joshua R. Pierce, who was chosen on the 29th of March, 1864, and resigned on the 1st of December, 1865. His snecessors have been Rev. J. Frank Winkley, fifteen months from the 21st of November, 1866; Rev. James Reid, from April, 1872, to Novem- ber, 1876; Rev. W. R. Hooper, from 1877 to April, 1882; Rev. Charles A. Hayden, the present rector, took charge on the 1st of December, 1882. Sunday- school organized in 1862.

SWEDENBORGIAN .- The First Society of the New Church was organized in May, 1871. Services were at first held at the residence of their pastor, Rev. Robert P'. Rogers; and subsequently in the hall of the Scientific and Literary Association. They are now temporarily suspended.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

I'NDENOMINATIONAL. - A religious organization, chietly designed to meet the religious needs of sum- mer visitors at Magnolia, was established in 1885, and a house of worship, called "The Magnolia Church," was erected the same year. The cost, in- cluding land, was seven thousand five hundred dol- lars.

CHAPTER CVII.

GLOUCESTER-(Continued).

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 84

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672