History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 121

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. and Mrs. McClure, having boarded with Dr. Buck during the first year after their marriage, and having resided another year in a house owned by

512

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

William Barrett, and situated on Haskins Street, just east of the present Unitarian Church, moved into the new parsonage hou-e. This was their home during the remainder of Mr. Mcclure's first pastorate. Dur- ing his second pastorate, they resided in the second house west of the depot of the Boston and Maine ' present time number 543. The church also sustains Railroad. To the same parsonage, however, Rev. | a mission Sabbath-school of 163 members in that part Chauncey Goodrich brought his young bride in Octo- ber, 1843, they having been united in marriage less than two months after his ordination. But at the close of the ministry of Mr. Goodrich, the parsonage was sold. The house is standing at the present time, and is still used as a dwelling-house.

In building the meeting-house a debt was incurred, which, though not large, was for many years a heavy burden upon the small society. In this house the church and society worshipped about seventeen years. In 1848, those of the congregation, who resided in South Malden, expressed a desire to organize a church and build a house of worship in their part of the town. Consequently in March of that year, twenty one mem- bers of the First Church were dismissed that they might organize a new church on the territory now comprised in the town of Everett. Most of those who now remained with the First Church regarded their house of worship as located too far to the south. It was, therefore, moved in 1850 to the site now occu- pied by the Fire Engine House near the Square, and at the same time was enlarged. Here the church and congregation had their church. home for nineteen years, when they found themselves again straitened for ronm. As the house was in the process of being elevated, and also enlarged the second time, it was blown down in the memorable " September gale " of 1869. This occurred in the last year of the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Reed. The society immediately addressed itself to the work of building again the house of God, which was completed in about a year, and was dedi- cated March 23, 187t. This is the house of worship which is occupied at the present time by the First Church. Six days after the dedication of this house, Rev. Addison P. Foster was installed as pastor of the church and society.

THE PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCH .- The growth of the First Church, during the sixty-two years which have elapsed since its separation from the First Parish has exceeded its growth during any previous sixty years of its long history. When Mr. McClure began his labors as acting pastor of the church in April, 1831, the entire number of church members resi- dent, or recognized as members, could not have been much over sixty ; for Rev. S. O. Wright in his " His- torical Discourse," delivered in December 1881, (a month after the reception of twenty-three, on one Sabbath, by profession), aflirmed that the whole num- her of members was then eighty-six. But in the Di- rectory of the First Church for 1890, the number of members is stated to be 572, of whom 452 are resident and ninety-six non-resident.

In 1831, the congregation could be accommodated in a small hall in the second story of a school-house. But in 1890, a church with seats for an audience of about nine hundred is barely sufficient for the congre- gation. The members of the Sabbath-school at the

of Malden called Edgeworth. Members of the church are likewise connected with a religious enterprise on Belmont Hill, which is designated " Mystic-side Con- gregational Union," and which, it is expected, will soon grow into a church. The school at Edgeworth is sustained by "The Edgeworth Mission Society," and was organized in 1852, with about twenty schol- ars. Its sessions were held at first in a freight depot, then in a private house, later in a school-house. A chapel was built in 1866, and was dedicated in Deceni- ber of that year. This Sabbath-school, during the thirty-eight years of its history, has had only three superintendents : Thomas S. Williams, Esq., for some years superintendent of the Boston and Maine R. R., Dea. James Freeman, for many years Deacon of the First Church, and Mr. Joseph W. Chadwick, Master in the Boston Latin school. Each of the first two served in this office about ten years. Mr. Chadwick, the present superintendent, has served about nineteen years. A prayer and conference meeting (with preach- ing occasionally) is held every Sabbath evening. The history of this mission has been one of great success and of marked usefulness.

OTHER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES .- In the spring of 1848, the Congregationalists who resided in North Malden,-a territory now comprised in the beautiful town of Melrose,-feeling that the growing population in that vicinity should be better provided with religions privileges, organized an Orthodox Con- gregational Church. They erected a house of worship, which was dedicated in 1849. The same year the Rev. Stillman Pratt, who had preached to them for several months, was installed as their pastor. Such was the origin of the present prosperous Congrega- tional Church in Melrose.

The organization of the WINTHROP CHURCH in 1848 in South Malden,-a territory which is now comprised in the pleasant and rapidly growing town of Everett-has already been mentioned. It wor- shipped for a time in the hall of the South-West Dis- trict School-house. . Its first minister was Rev. George E. Pratt, who was ordained in 1849. This church was unhappily divided in 1858. But the two parts were brought together again in 1861, constitu- ting the present united and efficient Congregational Church in Everett.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN MAPLE- WOOD .- On July 2, 1873, four persons at the house of Mr. Frank P. Harriman, of Maplewood, Malden, prayerfully considered the question of the organiza- tion of a Congregational Church in that part of the town. On Wednesday of the following week another

513

MALDEN.

prayer-meeting was held with special reference to the same subject, at the house of Mr. John H. Potter. The following paper was drawn up December 22, 1873 : " We the undersigned, residents of Maplewood and vicinity, desire that a Congregational Church be established in this place, and guarantee our support for the furtherance of that object." Twenty-two persons signed this paper. These people decided at once to hold services of public worship on the Sabbath. Rev. J. W. Turner was invited to serve as acting pastor. The Massachusetts Home Missionary Society offered to contribute 8400 towards his support, provided op- portunity should be offered him to preach and labor elsewhere one-half of the time. It was soon arranged that he should divide his services between Maplewood aud Edgeworth ; the first place being in the easterly, and the other in the westerly part of Malden. The people at Maplewood leased Randal's Hall, and the first service of public worship was held on the morn- ing of the first Sabbath in January, 1874. They had furnished the hall and named it "Salem Hall." A Sabbath-school was instituted, in the afternoon, of eighteen members. On January 20, a Sabbath-school was fully organized with Mr. Frank P. Harriman, superintendent ; Mr. John H. Potter, assistant super- intendent; and Mr. E. P. Woodward, secretary and treasurer. During the first year the average attend- ance was forty-six, and during the second year fifty- three.

"The First Congregational Society in Maple- wood " was organized March 30, 1874. "The First Congregational Church in Maplewood " was organ- ized, by advice of a Council, in Salem Hall, on June 10, 1874. In the same hiall the church aud society worshipped nearly three years. Iu the lat- ter part of this period the society erected a house of worship, which was dedicated June 7, 1877. A debt was incurred, and some difficulty has been ex- perienced in canceling the same, but there is now a good prospect that the society will soon be en- tirely free from debt.

Rev. J. W. Turner may properly be called the father of this church. He was an able and earnest preacher, a true and godly man, and he became warmly attached to the little flock that gathered around him, and was greatly interested in the or- ganization and prosperity of this church. He closed his labors with this people in February, 1875.

On the 16th of May, iu the same year, Rev. Silas Ketchum was called to be the pastor of this church and society. lle preferred not to be installed, but served as acting pastor uutil October 1, 1876. Mr. Ketchum was a scholarly and accomplished man. His able sermons and faithful pastoral labors were highly appreciated by his people, and they parted with him with sincere regret. The next acting pastor was Rev. Alfred S. Hudson, whose ministry in Maplewood commenced October 8, 1876, and who |

at the same time was actiug pastor of the young Congregational Church in Linden (a portion of the city of Malden, lying northeast of Maplewood.) He continued with the church in Maplewood nearly seven years. His labors were earnest and faithful, but were prosecuted in the face of some difficulties, for which, perhaps, neither he nor his church were responsible. His pastorate terminated in June, 1883. After this various ministers supplied the pulpit nntil September 1 1883, when Rev. H. Allen Shorey be- came acting pastor, and served as such until Octo- ber 1, 1884. At that date Rev. William F. Obear commenced his labors as the acting pastor of this church and society. He is still with them, and his ministry is happy and successful.

The church is united and faithful, supporting a flourishing Sabbathı-school and all departments of church work, and is inspired by the hope of still larger prosperity. The present number of church members is eighty-tive, of whom thirty are males and fifty-five females.

THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Linden (Northeast Malden), was organized with fourteen members, by advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, June 13, 1876. Of the fourteen members, eleven presented letters to the Council, and three made public confes- sion of Christ. A Sabbath-school had been organized January 17, 1874, and at about the same time union religious services had been commenced in a hall then standing on Lynn Street. The Sabbath-school and the weekly religious service had been continued until the time came to form a church. "The Union Con- gregational Society " was organized May 6, 1876, to act in connection with the church, and was incorpor- ated June 7th of the same year.

At a meeting of the church held soon after its or- ganization, J. F. Jeferds and William J. Pratt were elected to serve as deacons until January, 1877. At its second meeting the church voted to call Rev. Alfred S. Hudson to become its acting pastor for six months from October 1, 1876. The society subse- quently concurred with the church in extending this call to Mr. Hudson. He continued his ministry, however, with the church and society for about five years, terminating his pastoral labors November 26, 1881. Rev. Edmund S. Potter succeeded Mr. Hudson as acting pastor, commencing his labors June 1, 1882, and he still continues his acceptable and successful ministry with this people.

The Union Congregational Society soon after its organization initiated measures to build a house of worship. The corner-stone was laid October II, 1876. Religious services were held for some time in the vestry. The auditorium was furnished iu the fall of 1879. A debt was incurred which was gradually di- minished until the last payment was made December 28, 1886, and the society began the year 1887 free from debt. But the house was not formally dedicated until October 24, 1879. The present members of the church

33-iii

514

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

number forty-six, of whom thirteen are males and thirty-three are females. The present superintendent of the Sabbath-school is Mr. H. G. Tomlinson, and the number of members is two hundred and six. This church abides in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; and with its wise and faithful pas- tor is doing good work for Christ and Ilis kingdom in that part of the city.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN MALDEN .- This church was organized in 1803. During the previous century and a half the First Church has been the only church at Malden Centre. Various influences at last combined to bring about the founding of a Bap- tist Church. Some of these influences had been active for at least sixteen years, or from the time of the set- tlement of Rev. Adoniram Judson as pastor of the First Church. The Baptists were strictly evangelical in faith. They believed in conversions and revivals under special manifestations of the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit. Some of the more spiritual and godly members of the First Church had become alarmed in view of various sad developments of Ar- minianism, under the ministries of their pastors, Willis and Greene. Such Christians would naturally be attracted by the earnest evangelistic preaching of Baptist ministers, even though taking at first no spec- ial interest in their views of baptism. Their own deeper religious needs were not met by the preaching to which they were accustomed to listen. They had been shocked to learn that members of their own church and congregation were bitterly opposed to the conversion of souls and to revivals of religion. The following statements respecting the actual religious condition of Malden at that time are undoubtedly in the main true, and they largely explain the demand which existed for evangelical preaching and for the founding of a Baptist Church :

" Not a few of the members of the Parish Church, admitted through infant Imptism, had become the active opponents of the great revival which was then commencing in New England. An energetic protest to the settlement of Mr. Jadson, the father of our Wwloved Burman mis- ionary, had been entered on the records because he was of the ' Bade Hopkintonian Principels.' And the opposition to what was then so prop- erly called ' experimental religion ' at length prevailed and Mr. Judson retired. But the eyes of many were opened. . . . But while some pro- fessed their convictions, and united with Baptist churches in the vicinity, others remained, waiting to see wherennto this thing would grow. Meanwhile there was in this town an alarming dearth of spiritual reli- cion. Such was the state of things when, in 1797, Rev. De Shephard, of Brentwood, N. J., visited Malden, and was invited to preach at the house of Mr. John Tufte. This german, the first Baptist sermon ever preached In the town, attracted immedinto attention, so different was its while spirit from anything heard at the Parish Church. Meetings were continued on the afternoon and evening of every third Wednesday, Rev. Mersre. Shephard, Peak und Smith officiating. God blessed the enterprise and n revival of religion was the result. Sabbath preaching Legan In 1-00." (Church Manual of the First Baptist Church in Malden.)

In 1803 Rev. Henry Pottle, an earnest and warm- hearted Baptist minister, preached in Malden. A revival followed and about fifty were subsequently baptized. It is sadly indicative of the moral and religious degeneracy of the town, once distinguished

for its godliness, that this revival of religion awoke the spirit of persecution, and the little band of Bap- tist Christians were driven from the Centre School- house. It was the same spirit that a few years before so furiously opposed Adoniram Judson, on account of his evangelical faith and preaching, drove him from the First Church, and put in his place Eliakim Willis with his Arminian creed and preaching. The only place now open to the Baptists was a barn on Salem Street, owned by Mr. Benjamin Faulkner. In this barn they worshipped until September, 1804, " uude- terred by the winter storm or the opposition of their enemies." Under the direction of Mr. Pottle a church was organized, composed mainly of recent converts.

"They met at the house of Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Joseph Dyer was chosen clerk. A committee was appointed to call a Council, that their pro- ceedings might be regular in form, and that the new church might be in fellowship with the surrounding churches of their 'Faith and Order.' The Council, composed of delegates from the Baptist churches in Boston, Newtou and Beverly, convened on the 27th of February, 1803, in the baru, whero the brethren and sisters, forty-two in number, were duly constituted and recognized as a church, under the namo of the First Baptist Church in Malden." (Church Manual.)

In January, 1804, probably in the barn, this church for the first time commemorated the Lord's death, the number of communicants being sixty-four, fifty- two of whom were recent converts. In September of 1804 their meeting-house was so nearly completed that they occupied it as a place of worship, and when finished it was dedicated. It was located on ground now included in Salem Street Cemetery. Iu this "exceedingly plain house, with its large windows and square belfry," the church worshipped thirty-nine years. The first deacons of the church were Samuel Wait, Jr., and Samuel Wheeler. Rev. Mr. Pottle appears to have terminated his successful ministry with this church early in 1807. The number of church-members at the time he left was 110. lle was succeeded in 1807 by Rev. William Bently, who re- mained only one year. He was followed by Rev. Ely Ball, who served as preacher, but was not invited to be pastor. From 1808 to 1815 there was no settled pastor. The church in these years appears to have suffered from internal strifes and divisions. During this period various ministers supplied the pulpit, one of whom was Rev. J. Livermore, who preached two years. Rev. Samuel Wydown was then called to the pastorate, but he left at the end of one year. In 1816 Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, who had removed from South Reading to Malden, became the pastor of the church. He labored for seven years, but remained nominal pastor two years longer. He died in office May 4, 1825, in the seventy-second year of his age, and the fortieth of his ministry. IIe is said to have been the first and only minister who has died while in official connection with this church. His successor was a young man, Mr. John Cookson, who was ordained pastor of the church March 24, 1824, and left after a pastorate of two years. Rev. J. N. Brown was in- stalled as pastor December 20, 1826, and remained one

MALDEN.

515

year. A call was extended to Rev. Avery Briggs, September 28, 1828, who served the church four years, during which he baptized nearly sixty per- sons. The house of worship was also enlarged and furnished with a bell. The next pastor was Rev. Con- ant Sawyer, who continued in office three years. Rev. E. N. Harris was settled as pastor April 1, 1837, but soon " avowed his belief in Universalism, and, by his unchristian influence, involved the church and society in great difficulty. He was finally excom- municated, but subsequently renounced his errors and sought restoration to the church." Rev. Joseph M. Driver officiated as pastor from 1838 to 1840; and Rev. Nathaniel W. Williams from 1840 to 1843. During the pastorate of the latter there was a sea- son of special religious interest ; William Oliver, John B. Faulkner and Thomas Wait were chosen dea- cons; and a spacious and elegant meeting-house was erected on the corner of Main and Salem Streets at a cost of $10,000. This house was dedicated February 22, 1843. In June, 1843, the church recalled a former pastor, Rev. John Cookson. He was succeeded in 1848 by Rev. Charles B. Smith, whose pastorate was terminated in 1850. Ilis successor was Rev. William F. Stubbert, who began his pastorate September 1, 1851.

In 1853 the meeting-house, ten years after it was dedi- cated, was repaired and a baptistery was added and at thesame time the vestry was made more commodious, the entire improvements costing abont $5000. But this beautiful house of worship was destroyed hy fire March 3, 1855. Invitations from the Congregational and Universalist Societies to occupy their houses of worship were accepted, and the work of erecting a new house upon the old site was soon commenced. The new church was dedicated February 14, 1856.

During Mr. Stubbert's pastorate of eight years, seventy-two persons were admitted to the church by haptism and sixty-seven by letter. Elisha S. Con- verse and William Hunter were elected deacons, the former in 1854, the latter in 1856. Mr. Stubbert left in 1859.

The next pastor was Rev. Daniel W. Faunce, D.D., who began his ministry with this people in May, 1860. But two years later the church was again atilicted with a great calamity. Their house of worship, only six years after it was completed, was consumed by the flames. It was in the midst of our great Civil War. The recent building of the church now destroyed had drawn heavily upon the resources of the people. Nevertheless they bravely set themselves to the work of building again the house of God upon "the same hallowed spot." The new church was dedicated March 31, 1864. In this year, Deacons John B. Faulkner and Elisha s. Converse having resigned their office, Freeman A. Smith and Alfred R. Turner were elected deacons for the next seven years. The pastor- ate of Rev. Dr. Faunce was one of marked success. He labored with the church six years and theu re-

signed, to the great regret of his people. During his pastorate one hundred and thirteen persons were added to the church, and of these sixty-one received baptism.

In 1867 Charles Merrill and David Hutchins were elected deacons. And on the 17th of July in that year Rev. George F. Warren, of Lowell, was installed as pastor of the church. He resigned his pastorate November 7, 1869.

Rev. Samuel W. Foljambe, D.D., began his minis- try with this people May 1, 1870, and resigned his office October 1, 1886. His pastorate of more than sixteen years was longer than that of any of his pre- decessors in the service of this church. The ministry of this eloquent preacher and faithful pastor proved a great blessing to the people. His hearers received knowledge of the truth, and were edified. Many were convicted of sin, born of the Spirit and added to the church. Early in his pastorate two new Baptist Churches were organized, which were offshoots of the church under his care. From the First Baptist Church in Malden :

"July 18, 1871, eighteen persons (afterwards increased to twenty-two) were dismissed to aid in forming a church io Everett ; and Ang. 17, 1871, letters of dismissal were grauted to nineteen persons (subsequently increased to twenty-four) to form a church io Maplewood, the outgrowth of the Sabbath-school established in 1868."

John H. Parker was elected deacon in 1871 and re- elected in 1878. E. T. Underhill was elected deacon in 1874, William Hardy in 1880 and Horace M. Wiley the same year, and William Mann in 1882. John II. Parker was re-elected in 1878 and 1885 and Horace M. Wiley in 1887. James B. Upham was elected 1888. James H. Morse, Jesse Cudworth, Joseph Hague and David Hutchins in 1889, and G. Fred. Estie in 1890.

The present pastor of this church and society is Rev. J. Nelson Lewis. He began his ministry witli them October 23, 1887, and recognition services were held November 16th of the same year. The members of this church at the present time number 625, of whom 210 are males and 415 are females. The ment- bers of the Sabbath-school number 891.

The question of a new and larger house of worship was again pressed upon this people in the early part of the year 1888. At a special meeting held on the 3d of December in that year, a committee was ap- pointed to procure plans and raise money. The com- mittee consisted of Deacon E. S. Converse, E. F. Bickford, A. R. Turner, Jr., Deacon J. B. Upham, W. C. Langley, Jr., James Pierce, Deacon John H. Parker, Deacon Jesse Cudworth, Deacon David Hutchins, John N. Williams, Deacon H. M. Wiley and G. L. Richards. A. R. Turner was chosen chair- man and G. L. Richards secretary.

"On Monday evening, Jan. 28, 1889, a public meeting was held in the church to create an interest in the movement. Speeches were made by the Pastor, Rev. J. Nelson Lewis, A. R. Turner, Jr., E. F. Bickford and E. S. Converse, who said formally that if the people would raise $30,000 for the new church he would give $30,000, and if more was raised, he would give dollar for dollar. Stereopticon views of plans for the church were also shown.

516

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

"By July 1, 1889, the amount of $30,000 had been subscribed, which secured the subscription of 830,000 by E. S. Converse. In the mean time the committer had selected H. S. Mckay, of Boston, as tho architert. At a meeting of the society held on May 29, 1889, the committee of twelve was made the building committee, and E. F. Bickford was chosen chairman aod G. L. Richards secretary.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278