USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. I > Part 39
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Mr. Finch had a most pleasing personality, and he enjoyed the love and confidence of the whole people in a much greater degree than generally falls to the lot of men. He was always bright and cheery and easily approached, and that large portion of the community who have no especial church connections seemed to feel that he was in a manner their pastor. No other minister was called to attend so many burials and wed- dings among those who had no connection with his parish as Mr. Finch.
The parish life flowed along like the calm river, no mur- murings of bickering or strife were ever heard concerning the parish work of St. Jan es during Mr. Finch's occupancy of
492
REVEREND SIDNEY HUBBELL TREAT
[1902-1903
the rectorship. He was very social in his disposition, and was particularly happy as a presiding officer on public occasions. He had a great fund of stories at his tongue's end and a most remarkable faculty of telling them well, and his ready wit and keen sense of the humorous, made him always prepared for every occasion.
Mr. Finch took deep interest in the schools of the town, and served very acceptably upon the school committee for many years. He was a strong advocate for the employment of a school superintendent even before the idea had made much progress in the state.
On the 17th of February, 1901, Mr. Finch arose with the dawn to prepare for an early service ; in striking a match his nightdress caught on fire and in putting it out a cuspidor was overturned and broken. Mr. Finch received a cut in the leg from which flowed a considerable quantity of blood, reducing him greatly in strength. In April, he started with Mrs. Finch for the south, hoping to gain strength, but after remaining with his son in New York a few days, he had an attack of pulmonary congestion from which he never recovered, and died at the house of his son, May 3, 1901.
How true and applicable in this case are the words quoted by Mr. Finch a few years since in a public address :
" To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
Reverend Sidney Hubbell Treat was the successor of Mr. Finch. He began his labors in St. James parish, January I, 1902. He was born in Marlboro, June 7, 1871 ; graduated at Columbia in 1893, and at the Cambridge Theological School, and was, when called to Greenfield, assistant to Reverend Dr. Arthur Lawrence, of Stockbridge.
Of a sunny disposition, agreeable and cordial manners and taking deep interest in everyday affairs, he was fast gaining a strong hold in the affections of the people, when on the 29th of January, 1903, he suddenly died of heart disease.
493
DIVISION AMONG CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
1807-1825]
Early in the succeeding March, Reverend Henry R. Wad- leigh was called to take up the work laid down by the death of Mr. Treat. Mr. Wadleigh is the son of an Episcopal clergyman settled at Germantown, Pa., is a graduate of Harvard college and Cambridge Divinity School, and has been curate under Reverend Dr. Huntington, of Grace church, New York.
The corner stone of the first Episcopal church building was laid May 10, 1813, by Reverend Philander Chase of Hartford. "The audience was numerous and the ceremony solemn and impressive." (Greenfield Herald.) The building was of wood, and stood where the present St. James church now does. The new Episcopal church, when completed, was consecrated by Rt. Reverend Alexander V. Griswold, August 31, 1814.
The corner stone of the present stone church was laid by Rt. Reverend Bishop Eastburn, May 6, 1847, and the church was consecrated by him May 10, 1849.
The original wooden building was sold to the Methodist society in 1845, and moved to a lot on Church street just east of the residence of Colonel Ansel Phelps. When the Meth- odist society built their present church edifice the old house was cut in two, and made into tenements by S. W. Hall. One portion was moved to Wells street.
THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY (UNITARIAN)
With the settlement of Reverend Samuel Willard, of ยท Deerfield, September 23, 1807, by the First Congre- gational Society - the oldest and richest in northern Hampshire county-the latent fires of Unitarianism which had been smouldering in the Congregational churches for some years, gradually gaining in force, burst into flames. The first council called for the purpose of settling Mr. Wil- lard, held six weeks before, had dissolved without ordaining him as pastor, not finding him orthodox in his belief. Rev- erend Roger Newton was moderator of the first council, and Reverend Theophilas Packard, scribe. There were seventeen
494
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH
[1825-1837
members of the council, two of them being brothers of Dr. Willard, and they refrained from voting. Five of the mem- bers of the council, although they did not agree with Mr. Willard, would have proceeded to ordination. Eleven mem- bers refused to proceed. The second council, composed mostly of pastors and delegates from the eastern part of the state, reached a favorable conclusion without delay. Imme- diately after this (the first considerable breach in the ranks of Congregationalism, as interpreted by the Puritan element) a bitter warfare commenced between the orthodox and the liberal elements in the Congregational churches of New England, which rent asunder nearly every church organiza- tion of this denomination in the land.
As a result of this movement the Third Congregational Society of Greenfield was organized June 13, 1825, by Charles Stratton, David Ripley, Asaph Smead, Thaddeus Coleman, Rodney Severance, William Wait, Jr., Thomas Smead, Jr., George W. Mark, Charles Russell, Peter T. Sprague, Ambrose Ames, Silas Long, Daniel W. Willard, Isaac Newton, 2d, Elisha H. Allen, Sylvester Allen, Daniel Wells, Samuel C. Allen, Richard Catlin, Jonathan A. Sexton, Charles Williams, Eliel Gilbert and Hiram McKee.
Meetings were held in the old courthouse (Gazette building), and Reverend Samuel Willard, Reverend T. F. Rogers, of Bernardston, and others, preached for the new society.
October 25, 1825, Reverend Winthrop Bailey was installed the first pastor, with a salary of five hundred dollars a year. He resigned in 1833, and died March 16, 1835, aged fifty- one years. The society was in a low condition, with occa- sional preaching, notably, sermons by young Theodore Parker, Edward Everett Hale and James Freeman Clarke. Reverend F. W. Holland preached at times, giving good satisfaction, and was called to the pastorate. During his term of office a meetinghouse was built which was dedicated Au- gust 15, 1837.
495
REVEREND JOHN FARWELL MOORS
1860-1884]
Reverend John Parkman, Jr., was installed pastor Octo- ber II, 1837, and was at his own request dismissed in 1839. After his dismissal Reverend William Henry Channing sup- plied for a short time. In 1844, Reverend Mellish I. Motte was settled and remained with the parish two years. For the next twelve years the society was at its lowest ebb ; only occa- sional services were held, the Reverend D. H. Ranney sup- plying the desk a portion of the time. In 1853 its financial troubles induced the society to offer for sale a bass viol which it owned. Three years later the proprietors put the church edifice in the hands of W. T. Davis and Franklin R. Allen, and the church was closed until 1858. After death comes resurrection. In 1858 a meeting at which sixty families were represented was held for a re-organization of the society. Reverend John F. Moors, the popular and energetic minister at Deerfield, preached Sunday afternoons, and renewed interest in the welfare of the parish began to show itself. Mr. Moors had only asked that he might have the use of the church free of rent. In March, 1860, a movement was made to secure a resident pastor, and Mr. Moors was invited to settle with them at a salary of $1,000 a year. He accepted the invita- tion, came to Greenfield and was installed April 22, 1860. This relation existed until July 30, 1884, when he resigned.
After the settlement of Mr. Moors, " the society immedi- ately sprang forward to prosperity under the hand of the wise master builder." (Mary P. W. Smith, in her sketch of All Souls Church.)
John Farwell Moors was born at Groton, Mass., December 10, 1819. He fitted for college at Groton academy and was graduated at Harvard in 1842, and entered the Divinity school of Harvard, graduating in 1845. He was ordained pastor of the First church at Deerfield, January 28, 1846, where he re- mained until his settlement at Greenfield. His resignation at Greenfield was for the purpose of taking the superintendency of the missionary work of the American Unitarian Association
496
REVEREND ARTHUR ANDERSON BROOKS
[1885-1896
of New England. Mr. Moors was not only a good minister, but withal a good business man. He was a valuable man for aid in the management of town affairs, and willingly lent his good judgment in behalf of the public interests, especially in the management of school affairs. He was a member of the school committee of Deerfield thirteen years and of Greenfield fifteen. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, he was elected chaplain of the 52d Massachusetts Volunteers, and served until the regiment was mustered out in August, 1863. He was popular with the people and was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1874 and to the Massachusetts Senate in 1877, serving in each branch on the committee of education. Mr. Moors was well known all over the county, and was frequently called to attend weddings and funerals out- side his own parish. Harvard honored him with the degree of D. D. in 1884. Dr. Moors was largely instrumental in the organization of the Prospect Hill school in Greenfield, and for a time took its active management. He raised $20,000 by subscription to free the corporation from debt, and was president of the board of trustees for many years. During his residence in Greenfield he twice visited Europe, and the people of the town shared with him in the interesting events of his travel and observation, as he had a most charming way of telling in his familiar manner the story of his travels.
He was a devoted antiquarian and deeply interested in the work of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, being a constant attendant at its meetings, and often delivering ad- dresses rich in historic material, which showed great research and study.
The first wife of Mr. Moors was Esther W. Hastings of Northfield, whom he married in 1847. She died in 1850 and the next year he married Eunice Wells Smith, daughter of Reverend Preserved Smith, then of Warwick.
Reverend Arthur Anderson Brooks was ordained pastor of this church and people January 26, 1885, and was dismissed
497
DEATH OF DR. MOORS
1895]
September 27, 1896. His salary was fixed at $1,600. Dur- ing his pastorate here he married Lulu, daughter of the late Honorable Whiting Griswold. Mr. Brooks was a faithful minister, and his people and the citizens generally regretted that the failure of his health made it desirable that he have rest from the work of caring for a parish.
Dr. Moors retired from the service of the Missionary As- sociation some three years before his decease. Gradually his health failed and being aware that his disease was incurable, he urged the erection of a new church building for his old society. He expressed a hope that it might be completed before he was called away. The people met his wishes, and on the 6th of June, 1894, the corner stone was laid with simple and appropriate exercises conducted by the pastor, Reverend Mr. Brooks, who was assisted by Reverend F. W. Holland, a former pastor who had assisted in the same service when the first meetinghouse was built.
The fine new stone building was dedicated January 10, 1895, with solemn and appropriate ceremony. The presence of Reverend Dr. Moors in the chancel during the exercises added greatly to the impressiveness of the occasion, although he was too feeble to take any part in the service.
He died on the 27th of the same month, and his faithful wife, worn out by her constant care for him during his long sickness, only survived him four days.
The original church building had been found too small for the needs of the growing society as early as 1861, and the audience room was extended to the south, greatly improving its appearance and usefulness. A tower was erected in 1867 which much improved the front view and gave needed room in the interior.
The old church building was purchased by a syndicate and removed to a situation in the rear of the new building, and it has since been rented to the commonwealth for an armory for the local militia.
32
498
ALL SOULS CHURCH ERECTED
[1894
When the old corner stone was uncovered there was found among other articles, a copper plate containing this inscrip- tion :
This is Life Eternal-to know Thee the only True God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. The Third Congregational Society of Greenfield Erect this church for the worship of the Only Living and true God-through his Son Jesus Christ and lay this Foundation Stone in Prayer to God and Love to Man. July, 1836. SYLVESTER ALLEN THADDEUS COLEMAN ASAPH SMEAD JOEL SPAULDING GEO. T. DAVIS CHARLES SMEAD
Offic. Pastor, F. W. HOLLAND.
Building
Committee.
As stated, Reverend Mr. Holland assisted in laying the new corner stone and was the only person living of those . named on this plate.
The late Wendell T. Davis took great interest in the affairs of this society, and gave his services as organist and conductor of the music for many years, and by his acknowledged skill and efficiency added much interest to the stated services.
Reverend John Dumont Reid has been the pastor of this society since June 22, 1897.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Greenfield came into existence by the formation of a " class," November 28, 1831, under Calvin Newton as leader.
Reverend Paul Townsend was appointed pastor in 1834 and remained two years, during which time a church edifice was built on the south side of Main street, where W. W.
499
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY
1831-1903]
Davenport's house now stands. In 1846, on account of financial difficulties, the church property was sold to Wendell Davis, and is the building now occupied in part by Kellogg's grocery store. The meetings were then conducted in the town hall. The same year the St. James Episcopal Society sold to the Methodist Society their wooden gothic church building which was moved to the location of the present church building on Church street. This edifice was sold at auction in 1883, to S. W. Hall and one half of it removed to Wells street and made into a house. Services were held in the Opera House and later in the Baptist church edifice until the next spring when the chapel was completed. The dedication of the church took place April 7, 1885, and Bishop C. D. Foss preached the sermon. In 1887 the church building was strengthened. It had become unsafe because of great roof pressure. April 2, 1901, all debts were paid and notes were burned.
In 1867 a parsonage was built on Main street nearly op- posite Conway street. This parsonage continued to be used until 1882 when the present one was built behind the church.
In 1891 a narrow way had been opened through from Church street to Wright avenue, a strong effort being made at the time to have the church located farther west but with-
out success. In 1902 the town took the land necessary to extend Franklin street, in its full width, to Wright avenue, paying liberally to the society to enable it to remove the church building to that portion of the Colonel Phelps lot, which it purchased for that purpose. The parsonage and the house of John H. Murphy were also placed upon the building line of Franklin street, and the whole corner was greatly improved in appearance.
A Young People's Christian League was organized in March, 1889. This was changed to an Epworth League be- fore the end of the year.
The following is a list of the pastors of the church :
500
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY
[1868-1903
S. Hull, 1831-'33
N. J. Merrill, 1859-61
O. E. Bosworth,
Nelson Stutson, 1861-63
Horace Moulton, S
1833-35
W. J. Hambleton, 1863 64
Paul Townsend, 1835-36
Franklin Furber, 1864-66
Reuben Rawson, 1836-38
J. M. Clark, 1866-67 Samuel Tupper, 1867-69
L. C. Collins, 1838-39
C. C. Barnes, 1839-40
L. A. Bosworth, 1869-71
C. Haywood,
S. C. Dyer, 1871-73
I. B. Bigelow, S 1840-41
T. J. Abbott, 1873-74
C. Mason, 1841-42
A. C. Manson, 1874-76
I. Marcy, 1842-44
Wm. Gordon, 1876-78
James Mudge, 1844-46
B. J. Johnston, 1878-79
A. W. Mills, 1879-81
G. G. Jones, 1849-50
I. G. Ross, 1883-86
Daniel Ames, 1850-51.
G. W. Smiley, 1886-89
John Paulson, 1851-53
E. Hitchcock, 1889-92
Linus Fish, 1853-55
E. Hodge, 1892-95
C. L. Eastman, 1855-56
Jerome Wood, 1895-98
W. C. High, 1856-57
Wm. C. Townsend, 1898-1901
George Prentice, 1857-59
J. W. Stephan, 1901
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
" The beginnings of the Catholic Church in this town were humble indeed, Father O'Callahan of Vermont, Father Brady of Chicopee and Father Moyce of Northampton coming occasionally to cheer the few faithful, saying mass at intervals in a house on School street and laterly in the town hall. In the early part of 1868, Reverend H. L. Robinson, D.D., came from Boston as first resident pastor, and immediately made preparations for the building of Holy Trinity Church.
" After completing the structure he was succeeded by Rev- erend P. McManus in September, 1871. The next pastor, Reverend Walter A. Henneberry, was appointed November 5, 1872. Up to this date the parish included all of Franklin county, and now Turners Falls was set off as a new parish. It was during Father Henneberry's administration that the pres- ent parochial residence was built. After a nine years' pas- torate he was succeeded by Reverend Jeremiah McCarthy, an ex-Jesuit, and a man of great natural ability and consummate learning, whose short pastorate of three months was brought to a tragic end by the assassin's hand. Reverend Terence
Robert Kellen, 1846-47
Thomas Marcy, 1847-49
A. R. Nichols, 1881-83
501
REVEREND MARK E. PURCELL
1880-1900]
Smith, now pastor of Pittsfield, came in December, 1881, and remained in charge eighteen months, being succeeded by Rever- end D. H. O'Neil, now of St. Peter's, Worcester, who after exercising parochial jurisdiction for several months, was fol- lowed by Reverend Mark E. Purcell, whose appointment was made in May, 1884.
" Holy Trinity Church, most charmingly situated on Main street of Greenfield, is a gothic edifice with brick substructure and a well proportioned spire. The general ground color of the interior decorations is in ashes of roses, the walls and ceiling been embellished with foliated borders. Over the fluted columns jut out a series of pendants that meet two and two at the nave center thus paneling the ceiling. These panels are very neatly decorated principally in emblems. The aspe, divided into five parts, is finished in blue with elaborated bor- ders and delicate ray work, its very crown containing a splen- didly embellished centerpiece. The chancel wall shows a pretty dado and on the upper part a roseleaf border. The windows are of stained glass, that in the facade portraying St. Patrick, and those in the chancel representing Our Lord, and the Blessed Virgin, Sts. Peter, John, Joseph and Paul. The good effect of the decoration is increased by the open wood- work over the main arches.'
March 24, 1900, Reverend Mark E. Purcell, pastor of the Holy Trinity Church died aged fifty. He first became con- nected with this church in 1880, and since 1884 has been its pastor. He was born in Weymouth and educated at Ottawa, Canada. His former pastorates were Thorndike, Holyoke and Indian Orchard .. Father Purcell was greatly beloved by his people, and had the respect and confidence of the whole community.
Reverend Michael J. Carroll was appointed to succeed Father Purcell, and began his services April 8, 1900. He was born in Milford in 1851, graduated at Holy Cross College
* Written by Reverend Mark E. Purcell.
502
GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH
[1872-1903
in 1876, and occupies the new and handsome rectory on Main street.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
German Methodism was introduced in this town in 1872 by the Reverend C. Reuss, now Presiding Elder of the Philadel- phia District of the East German Conference. He preached his first sermon in Franklin Hall on February 25, 1872, to eighty German people and at the close of that service they unani- mously invited the preacher to continue his services, which during that year could be done only once every other Sun- day, inasmuch as the preacher had previously engaged also to preach to his countrymen in Turners Falls and Shelburne Falls. Reverend L. Schwarz, who had labored here in previous . years was obliged to abandon the field and for two years the Germans were left without any spiritual shepherd as far as their mother tongue was concerned. None of them had any reli- gious experience up to that time. But under the labors of Mr. Reuss, who organized the three towns into a regular old- fashioned Methodist circuit and commenced prayer and class meetings, souls were converted and a church was started. Af- ter frequent changes from one hall to another, the old cutlery office building was at last secured and fitted up for church purposes. In this building the society worshipped and pros- pered until nine years later the present church on Hope street was erected. Reverend C. Scherff was then the pastor. The church has done good service to many of our German speaking residents, but has not grown to such numerical strength as might have been desired. Eleven different pas- tors have in these years labored here and in Turners Falls with more or less success in the following chronological or- der : Reverends C. Reuss, 1872-75 ; J. C. Groth, 1875-77; A. Flammann, 1877-80 ; C. Scherff, 1880-82 ; G. J. Woerz, 1882-85; A. Flammann (second term), 1885-87; C. A. Brockmeier, 1887-89 ; J. Flad, 1889-92; N. F. Boese,
503
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
1878-1903]
1892-96 ; E. W. Peglow, 1896-99; Fr. Glenk, 1899-01 ; Ph. Stahl, who is the present pastor, 1901. Reverend C. Reuss at last accounts, was in his sixth year as Presiding El- der of the Philadelphia District. John C. Groth has been for several years in the south, and was at New Orleans, La., at last accounts. A. Flammann is stationed at Brooklyn, N. Y. During his second pastorate here a division took place among the German people, and the Lutheran church was organized.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
The church was organized in 1878. The first minister was Reverend Louis Mueller, and services were held for a time in Turn Hall and in Washington Hall. In 1882, the church where the society worships, on Hope street, was erected. This work was done during the pastorate of the sec- ond pastor, Reverend J. E. Richter. The latter was succeeded by Reverend J. F. Wittich, who continued to minister to the church until his resignation in August, 1891. During the next year the church was thoroughly renovated, and the fin- ishing off of a brick basement added much to the capacity and usefulness of the structure.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The First Baptist Church in Greenfield was organized at the house of Mrs. Nancy Perry, January 13, 1852. A coun- cil was called for February 4th, consisting of pastors and del- egates from Baptist churches at Bernardston, Brattleboro, Colrain, Shelburne Falls, Conway, Deerfield, Northampton, Sunderland and Leverett.
Elder E. H. Gray, of Shelburne Falls, preached from Amos, VII. 2, " By whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small." There were seven male and eleven female members. Rever- end Wm. F. Nelson was installed its first pastor, April 1, 1852, and at the end of the first year he had a church of sixty
504
THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
[1852-1903
members. Their meetings were held in any hall which they could obtain which would accommodate their growing numbers.
With full faith in future success the society purchased the lot on which their church building now stands, for $1,500, and began to canvass for means to build a meetinghouse. They met with such success that on the 5th of March, 1856, Reverend W. F. Nelson had the pleasure of preaching a ser- mon at the dedication of their temple of worship.
Mr. Nelson retired from the pastorate in 1856, and was followed by Reverend Willard W. Ames who was dismissed in 1859. Reverend George Colesworthy was installed in 1859 and served until 1862. Reverend Owen Tracy served for one year. Reverend Stephen Remington was pastor from 1864 to 1867; Reverend D. M. Crane for one year ; Rev- erend Charles M. Smith for one year ; Reverend Albert H. Ball from 1870 to 1873 ; Reverend A. J. Lyon from 1873 to 1876 ; Reverend John Shephardson, from 1876 to 1887; N. Newton Glazier from 1887 to 1896 ; Robert C. Carey from 1896 to 1898 ; Reverend M. S. Howes was installed pastor in 1898, and resigned August 28, 1901, to accept a call in California. Reverend E. H. Sherwin accepted a call in November, 1901. The church building has recently been greatly improved in appearance.
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