History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 126

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 126

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In October, 1876, the association was reorganized under the name of the "North Woburn Chapel As- sociation." This name it still bears. There has, however, never been stated religious worship, even since the erection of the chapel. But a Sabbath- school has there each Sunday its meeting-place, and the minister of the Centre Church and clergymen from elsewhere occasionally occupy the pulpit as preachers.

Roman Catholic Church.1-Previous to the year 1843 the few Roman Catholics residing in the town of Woburn were obliged, in order to at- tend divine worship, to go either as far as Boston or, later on, to East Cambridge, where a Roman Ca- tholic Church had recently been established. The conveniences of travel at that time being, of course, but scanty, these journeys were oftentimes made on foot, the travelers going and returning the same day, a distance of more than twenty miles.

In 1843, however, Rev. James Strain, of East Cam- bridge, decided to visit Woburn, which was one of the outlying towns included in his parish, in order to as- certain if the number of its Catholic families was not sufficient to warrant his performing the holy sacrifice of the Mass for them at intervals in their own town.

He found this to be the case. A large house, situ- ated at the Watering Station, and owned by the Bos- ton and Lowell Railroad Company, was selected as a temporary place of worship, and here, in the same year, the first service was held. It was not long, how- ever, before it was found that this accommodation was insufficient for the increasing congregation, while it also proved inconvenient for those residing in the westerly and southerly portions of the town. At length the town hall in Woburn Centre was hired, and here a monthly service continued to be held by Rev. Father Strain until 1846, when, to the sincere re- gret of his little flock, he was called to the West. He was succeeded at East Cambridge and also at Wo- burn by Rev. Father Doherty.

About this time a portion of the people, becom- ing dissatisfied with their accommodation, the ques- tion of building a small church was agitated, but the size and condition of the congregation not seem- ing just as yet to authorize the necessary outlay, Father Doherty decided, after some consideration, to continue celebrating the Mass in the building chosen by his predecessor. This custom was continued during the following three years.

In 1849 a change was once more made, and Father Doherty's place was filled by Rev. Father Reardon, also from East Cambridge. As this latter clergyman remained in the town but a short time, no further effort toward building a church was made. Such had been the growth of the congregation, however, during the last few years, that it became apparent to all that the use of the town hall would very soon have to be discontinued, and when, in 1851, Rev. Father Car- roll was given charge of the parish, steps towards raising fuuds were at once taken by him.

His labors in this direction were, after. a time, crowned with success. A lot of land, situated upon Main Street, at the corner of Summer Street, was purchased, and in 1853 the first Roman Catholic Church, a small wooden structure, was erected.

Although Father Carroll remained pastor of the new church until 1859, he did not at any time reside in Woburn, nor did his successor, Rev. Father Bran- igan, who acted as officiating priest for the following two years.

The history of this denomination in Woburn is henceforward one of continuous growth and prosper- ity. The clergymen of East Cambridge could no longer give it the care and attention necessary to its spiritual welfare. The monthly service became inad- equate, and in 1862 Rev. John McCarthy came to Woburn as a resident pastor.

A house situated upon Pleasant Street, near Bent

1 By Josette Gertrude Menard.

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WOBURN.

net, formerly the Baptist parsonage, was chosen as a parochial residence, and was occupied by him for a period of two years. It was at the end of this time, in January, 1864, that Rev. John Queally, then at Worcester, was appointed pastor at Woburn, a posi- tion which he holds at the present date (1890).

The parish at the time of his coming covered con- siderable territory, consisting, as it did, of the towns of Woburn, Winchester and Burlington. The wooden church became overcrowded, and the demand for a larger edifice hecame once more urgent. It was de- cided to move the building then in use and erect a brick church on the same site. Subscriptions to this end were solicited by Father Quealey, and at length, in the month of December, 1867, the corner-stone of the present church was laid. In September, 1869, it was dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo and formally consecrated.

Two years previous to this, Father Quealy finding that a residence at such a distance from the church was a source of much inconvenience, the estate lo- cated upon the corner of Summer and Main Streets, and directly opposite the church property, was pur- chased, upon which he still resides.

Not long after the completion of the new building, the services of an assistant becoming indispensable, Rev. Thomas H. Kenney, was sent as curate to share with Father Quealy in the labors of the parish. Father Kenney died in Woburn in March, 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. Edward L. McClure. After a time, this last curate being called upon to assume the duties of pastor elsewhere, the vacancy was filled by Rev. Michael Gleason and Rev. Michael D. Murphy- They, in turn, were substituted by Rev. Matthew F. McDonnell and Rev. Lawrence W. Slattery, who are now in the parish.

In 1884 an event of some importance took place in the establishing in Woburn of a parochial school. A large building, situated upon Main Street, belonging to the church property, and formerly dedicated to the use of the temperance society, was fitted up as a school-house. Twelve of the Sisters of Notre Dame were secured to take charge of the children and act as teachers, and a convent pleasantly located upon Summer Street, in convenient proximity to the church and school, was opened for them. The school, which is for girls only, is at present in a prosperous condi- tion, having a full attendance of five hundred and thirty pupils.

The Roman Catholic Chapel, located at Montvale, or East Woburn, which has a congregation numbering about five hundred, is included in the Winchester parish, and was erected some ten years ago by the clergymen of that place.

Trinity Church and Antecedents.1-The earliest ef- forts to establish an Episcopal congregation in Wo- burn, recorded by the historian, was a movement

made 138 years ago, A.D. 1751, when Benjamin Simonds, William Smith, Robert Reed, Swithin Reed, Ebenezer Reed, George Reed, Jr., Eliphas Reed, James Perry, Thomas Skelton, Jr., Caleb Simonds, Caleb Simonds, Jr., Seth Johnson and John Cutler, thirteen men, "signed off," i. e., declared themselves Episcopal.2 "Benjamin Simonds, of the First Par- ish," became "a very important man among them." He was the head and front of the movement, being at the time twenty-seven years of age. He occupied the Simonds homestead at Dry Brook, Cumminsville, with his great-uncle, Caleb Simonds, Sr., who was the fourth child of the first pair, William and Judith Simonds, who settled here A. D. 1643, and built the house which may be seen to-day near Cambridge Street, in Woburn, and of special interest to us, as that west room was no doubt the first Episcopal church iu Woburn.

Let us go a little further back while in these early days of the town. It was April 2, 1635, that the good ship "Planter," Captain Nicholas Trarice, sailed from England, having among his forty passengers most, if not all, the ancestors of the thirteen men who organ- ized in 1751, and Thomas Carter, a graduate of Cam- bridge, who is to be the first pastor of the First Church of Woburn.

The old historic house referred to may have been forty-six feet long by twenty wide, and fourteen feet high to the eaves. The room so long sanctified by prayer and praise is fifteen feet by nineteen. A tall man must remove his hat and bend as he passes under the heavy beams that sustain the floor above. Before the cheering flames of a large, old-fashioned fire- place, the services were led by a clergyman from Boston or from Cambridge at times, but more fre- quently by Thomas Skelton, Jr., and the large quarto prayer-book used by him on such occasions was, until her death, in possession of his grandchild, Mrs. A. J. Kendall, of West Swansea, N. H. A grand old elm, whose limbs extend forty-five feet from the trunk, holds one arm over this consecrated room. Out there, in mild weather, the services were con- ducted. Who, that understands the affection of Churchmen for that old, familiar service, is prepared to believe that the incense from that domestic alta did not rise like that of Noah from Ararat?

The services, inaugurated by the thirteen in 17.d continued with more or less regularity for thirty ye Benjamin Simonds had all his children baptized " ton

Caleb Simonds' children-Gideon, Calvin and J4776, here received holy baptism. The little flock heived gether, the last recorded service being DeceR. I.," 1781, the marriage of Ebenezer Page, of B , where Susanna, daughter of Benjamin Simonds, inegiment, room by Rev. Samuel Parker, D.D., of Botof April, the use of the prayer-book did not end th have this yh of eight

2 The greater part were members of the Second Par, to continue "Woburn," p. 500.

1 By the Rev. J. Frank Winkley.

444

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Simonds lived on Pleasant Street until 1805, when he sold his house to the Congregational minister and lived in Bedford with his son Zebedee, where he died January 4, 1811, aged ninety-one. Zebedee died in 1826; Edward, the son of Zebedee, several years col- lector of taxes in Woburn, resided with his mother in Bedford until 1837, down to which date the prayer- book services had been regularly maintained in that home, and he believes were continued to his mother's death, in 1853. Lucy Simonds no doubt maintained this service in the old temple home by Dry Brook to the last year of her life, 1842. In A.D. 1846, only four years after Lucy Simonds left her prayer-book in the old homestead, seven years before the saintly mother of our collector Simonds lay her prayer-book by to go to the paradise of God, the Rev. George Packard, D.D., began to officiate every third Sunday in the town-hall, alternating with Beverly and Lawrence until September, when the movement of manufactur- ers developing in Lawrence, decided him to establish himself in that place, and build a church there. The Universalists had made a beginning in Woburn in 1828, and again in 1841. In 1847 they united with the Unitarians in forming the present society, and the Roman Catholics began in the same year. The Methodists broke ground in 1850, but the Episcopal element stood still twenty years. Then Mrs. Eliza Wyman visited various church families, and, late in .1865, met the Rev. Frederick D. Huntington, D.D., in "the old Corner Book-Store" in Boston, and on Sunday, January 21, 1866, the Rev. George L. Con- verse, rector of St. James', Roxbury, inaugurated a series of services with a good congregation. He was followed on succeeding Sundays by the Rev. Drs. Huntington, Randall and Babbitt. On the 20th of May Rev. Charles H. Learoyd, of Medford, was appointed provisional rector, and on the 26th Rev. E. H. Chapin commenced under the Eastern District Asso- ciation, concluding his work of four Sundays by organ- izing a Sunday-school, St. John's Day, June 24th, having a library of 150 volumes, the gift of Boston Churchmen. He was followed by Rev. Messrs. Slack, Babbitt, Foxcraft, Carter, Bradley, Downing and ,Iunroe. An interregnum of three Sundays followed August 12th. A petition for organization produced a farrant, September 27, 1866, naming October 4th, pr@ P.M., at which time Parker L. Converse, justice

The peace, was present, and the organization made 1843e election of officers and adopting the name- town'y Church. A delegation of nine clergymen of tend o District Association visited the field October or, lated Rev. E. H. Downing was left in charge, the tholic Cctor. He worked seven months, and worked convenies are the first records extant, since that but scant 781. George Thompson, W. A. Haslam on foot, thLittle appeared as committee soliciting day, a distas in aid of the building enterprise. A tar prayer-books, presented by the Rev. ther books by Bishop Eastburn, fifty-

four prayer-books by the Margaret Coffin P. B. S., altar, chancel chair, little melodeon and communion service remain as witnesses of that enterprise. The first baptism was March 16, 1867.

But the effort, was futile. Miss Wyman, the Mrs. Margaret Farmer, Eleanor T. Long Haslam, Mary McCarthy, Josephine W. Rogers and Thomas G. Davis worked zealously to get up a fair and rescue the falling house, but it was a failure; and on April 22, 1867, the second organization was effected under a warrant of Parker L. Converse, Esq., at which Thomas G. Davis was elected clerk; Joseph Mc- Carthy, senior warder. ; O. W. Rogers, junior warden; Richard Barrington, Daniel Chamberlain, Joseph G. Frampton, Oliver W. Rogers and Thomas T. Long, vestrymen; and at the adoption of a constitution, May 5th, the additional name of Charles Trull ap- pears with the above signatures. Committee on building: Joseph M Carthy, O. W. Rogers and the Rector Nicholson. Outside help was asked, and sub- scriptions to the amount of $3657.06, were obtained and ground was broken September 25, 1867. The corner- stone was laid with usual ceremonies by the Rev. F. D. Huntington, D.D., on Tuesday, October 27th. Rev. H. A. Nicholson resigned March 11, 1868, after a rectorship of nine months, and Rev. C. C. Chapin succeeded. May 4th building committee report cost $6574.55; debt, $2618.49. The debt, January 18, 1869, was $5000. Rev. J. W. Porter, D.D., succeeded C. C. Chapin. He collected $5000 in Boston and paid the debt. Rev. Charles A. Rand succeeded Doctor Porter, Whit-Sunday, May 28th. Rev. George Pome- roy Allen assnmed charge December 25, 1872, and his last recorded act was a baptism, December 25, 1873. Rev. Sumner U. Shearman, succeeded, and resigned November 3, 1876. Rev. George Denham commenced December 10, 1876, and his resignation was accepted April 15, 1877. August 6th Rev. J. Frank Winkley was called, and entered upon the duties of his office, September 8, 1877. His resigna- tion took effect May 8, 1885. The Rev. Samuel Hazen Hilliard succeeded, and following him the Rev. James P. Ware, and the Rev. Dr. Harris fol- lowed him, leaving in July, 1887. Between that January 21, 1866, and July 31, 1887, are twenty-one years and seven months, during which 41 adults and 258 infants were baptized, 141 confirmed. The largest class at confirmation, 24; of the names recorded as communicants, 90 are believed to have received com- munion within two years preceding May 8, 1885.

The parish began with the pew system, passed to envelopes, then subscriptions and free. The most prosperous season for finances was the era of inflation after the great war. The gentleman longest in office, clerical or lay, was Dr. James Folsom, of Montvale, warden between eight and nine years, to Easter, 1885. The largest amount raised in any one year was to April 10, 1870 ; offerings, $348.49 ; pew-rents, $619.98; subscriptions, $48.36=$1038.80; and the

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WOBURN.

same year received from missions, $550; borrowed, $116.49. Of the illustrious dead who assisted in starting this parish is George M. Randall, first bishop of Colorado, but then rector of the Church of the Messiah, Boston, and of the living clergy not meu- tioned above, Rev. Dr. Wharton, who, in 1867, sub- scribed $500. In 1873 the quorum at parish meeting was reduced to four, and in 1879 raised to ten. Other gentlemen acting as senior warden were Robert Eaton, 1873 ; Richard Barrington, 1874. From 1879 the rector's duties called him to Winchester, Wil- mington, Lexington and Bedford, three of which now have established services and resident clergy- men.

New Jerusalem Church .- The society bearing this name, sometimes also called the Swedenborgian Church, formerly worshiped for several years in an edifice on Central Street, Montvale. Of late its members seem to have been, from various causes, so weakened in numbers and ability as to practically abandon their enterprise, and their house of worship, now called All Saints' Chapel, is used for services which are not strictly denominational.

All Saints' Chapel .- Those who now worship in this edifice, formerly known as the New Jerusalem Church, on Central Street, Montvale, do not represent any one religious denomination. "Union Services " are held regularly every Sunday afternoon and con- ducted by representatives from various churches.

The Scandinavian Evangelical Society .- This relig- ious organization is one of the most recent of similar organizations in Woburn. Previous to 1882 there were hardly a dozen persons of Scandinavian origin in town. During that year Messrs. Bryant and King introduced a considerable number of workmen in their manufactory. Of these, but very few had even an imperfect acquaintance with the English language, while the great majority knew nothing of it; and as only a very small number were professing Christians, it was, for the few who were, a difficult enterprise to introduce and establish in the Scandinavian lan- guage a regular ministration of the Gospel. In July of the year before mentioned, one of their number, a Swede, succeeded in inducing a Swedish evangelist from Cambridgeport to come to Woburn and preach for a single Sunday. At this first service ever held in town in the Scandinavian language about thirty per- sons (Swedes, Norwegians and Danes) were present. Such an interest was now awakened that, at different times and at different places, serviees were subse- quently held. Generally these services were held in dwelling-houses of Swedish families, and nearly once each week with a single family residing at No. 7 Greenwood Avenue. Toward the close of October of that eventful year the Young Men's Christian As- sociation opened their rooms, then at 127 Main Street, for a regular weekly service in the Scandina- vian language. The work was signally blessed, and, as more frequent meetings became desirable, permis-

sion was given in May, 1883, to hold two meetings in those rooms each week. Such was the success of the enterprise that on the 2d day of June, 1884, the "Scandinavian Evangelical Society " was organized. It consisted of seven members, whose names were Charles R. Rosenquist, Mrs. Charles R. Rosenquist, Claes H. Svenson, Mrs. Claes H. Svenson, Sven Fro- berg, Mrs. Sven Froberg and Gustaf J. Olson. At an adjourned meeting on the following evening five more members were added to the seven of the pre- vious meeting-Olof Johnson, Mrs. Olof Johnson, Magnus Carlson, Swan Ekmark and Miss Augusta C. Johnson. These twelve persons included nearly all the Scandinavians who were professing Christians at that time in Woburn. But from the date of the or- ganization onward, the church, so feeble in its begin- nings, has been wonderfully blessed. A large number of persons have been, it is believed, savingly benefited. Meanwhile the society has moved steadily forward, and in June, 1889, the original seven had increased to eighty-three members, the Scandinavian population being, at the last-named date, nearly six hundred, and on the 27th day of June the church was incorpo- rated. But, from this time up to January, 1890, a large number, for reasons chiefly connected with the uncertainties of business, have left the city and settled in the West as farmers. This reduced the Scandinavian population during the closing months of the year to about four hundred, and of course, has seriously affected, financially and otherwise, the church.

But the church, though " faint, is yet pursuing." Meetings for worship are now held in Concert Hall, Savings Bank Building, Sunday mornings at 10.30, Sunday evenings at 7, and Wednesday evenings at 7.30 o'clock. The present members (January, 1890) number fifty-eight. The officers of the church, 1890, are : Elder, A. F. Simonson ; Deacons, Sven Froberg, Ang. Erlandson, Alfred L. Olson and N. C. Olson; Moderator, Chas. R. Rosenquist; Secretary, Gustaf Anderson ; Treasurer, Neils Olson ; Standing Com- mittee, Swan Ekmark, Sven Froberg, Alfred L. Olson and Ludvig Froberg; Organist, Gustav A Svenson.

The communion service is on the second Sunda afternoon of each month. A Sunday-School am Bible Class were organized January 1, 1887, wie twenty-five members. This number has since rd creased to seventy. The present officers are A Simonson, superintendent; G. A. Svenson, secreston A. L. Olson, treasurer. 1776,

The church has not, as it needs to have, a reived pastor. Indeed, it has had but one, Rev. M. AR. I.," who came in 1889, and remained less than a > where departure of so many during the year leavegiment, who remained unable to meet all the nec of April, penses. have this

The church holds meetings every secorh of eight evening in the Congregational Church a to continue

446

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

with Scandinavians in that place. From one to three evenings each week, meetings for prayer and Bible study are held in Scandinavian homes in Woburn, from ten to thirty-five persons attending.

Considering the circumstances, the Scandinavian Evangelical Church and Society have accomplished a great and good work, and, indirectly, have thus favorably affected the whole community. They greatly need a religious home in a church edifice of their own, and, in the judgment of the present writer, the large-hearted members of other churches could hardly do a wiser or better deed of Christian kindness than to help them to secure it. 1

St. John Baptist Church .- This organization, origi- nating with and sustained by the people of color in Woburn, is of very recent date. From the local papers we learn that the first meeting took place November 18, 1886, at the residence of Saunders Sims, on Everett Street. On the 5th of July, 1887, the organization was effected with seventeen mem- bers, and on the 17th of May, 1888, the church was formally recognized by delegates from other churches. Wilson Fitchett, John White and H. W. Dearborn were chosen the first deacons. Rev. J. M. Taylor had previously officiated as the first pastor. On the 5th of February, 1888, Rev. George G. Robinson had succeeded, but remained only till the following Sep- tember, and, in 1889, he was followed by Rev. T. H. Thompson.

The society purchased a lot on Fowle Street for a house of worship, but, finding it to lack adaptation to their wants, at length abandoned it. During the summer of 1889 another and more desirable lot was presented to them by Geo. W. Holden, Esq., of Somerville, formerly of Woburn. On this lot, on Green Street, the corner-stone was accordingly laid with the usual ceremonies. Rev. Arthur Crane, of Boston read a manuscript history of the church, which was placed under the stone. Rev. Mr. Crane also preached a sermon from Luke vi. 43. After prayer and singing the audience was dismissed by the benediction from the pastor.

1 The Salvation Army .- The religious organization B ommonly known as " The Salvation Army " has, for me time, had an existence in Woburn. After con- *derable, though perhaps less systematic, work for feral years, a regular " Branch," on the 7th of Jan- pry, 1890, commenced operations, with a more defi-

band permanent aim in view for future work. In 184 words of one of their number: "Our aim is town ingelize the non-church-goers. We hold tend os nightly. We generally have an out- or, late.,ice; then a service in our hall. Our meet- tholic (carried on in about the same line as all convenieneetings ; opened with singing and prayer, but scant

on foot, thial of the foregoing sketch, the writer is indebted to day, a distansonquist, one of the original members aud an active andinavian Evangelical Society. L. T.

a portion of Scripture being read. We are strictly temperate; no user of alcoholic drinks can be a mem- ber of our organization. We are a permanent society and always endeavor to get the good will of all churches. We are a law-abiding people.

"Our local forces consist of about fifteen members at present. The meetings are conducted by Army officers, the officers being generally changed once or twice a year.

" Meetings during the week commence at 8 P.M. Meetings, Sunday, at 11 A.M., 3 P.M. and 8 P.M.

"Captain George J. Henninger and Lieutenant H. Spange are the present (1890) officers in command."

BIOGRAPHICAL. 2

LOAMMI BALDWIN.

Among the most prominent men of Woburn at the opening of the Revolutionary War and for more than a quarter of a century subsequently, Loammi Baldwin was universally acknowledged to be conspicuous. The fact that he descended from one of the oldest, most wealthy and most influential families of the town doubtless gave him, even in early life, advan- tages which but few enjoyed. But his native and ac- quired ability would have, in any circumstances, raised him far above the common level. His emi- grant ancestor, Henry Baldwin, from Devonshire, England, was one of the subscribers to the " Town Orders " in December, 1641, at Charlestown, with the new settlement in view which, in 1642, was incorpo- rated as Woburn, and he became one of the first set- tles of the new town and of that part of it which is now known as North Woburn. Here, in 1661, he built the palatial house which is still one of the most imposing in the town, and which, though with some changes and occasional improvements, has been owned and occupied by his descendants down through six generations.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 126

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034