History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 122

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 122

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" The old church was moved to the northeast corner of the lot about Oct. Ist, and arrangements were immediately made for the construction of the foundation of the new church.

" On the 26th of February, 1890, at a merting of the society, the com- mittee reported that owing to the unsettled condition of the labor market, and to recent large fires in Boston and Lynn, the cost of build- ing materials had very much increased, also that the requirements of the church wore such that the building could not be eracted for $60,000, as at first proposed, and that in view of this they recommended that $.10,000 or more be appropriated, with the understanding that this sim be raised by subscription, if possible ; which was voted. In connection with the above vote, Hon. E. S. Converse renewed his former generous offer to contribute as much moro as the church aud society should raise prior to Jan. 1, 1892."

In addition to this ample contribution of Mr. Converse to aid in building the new house of wor- ship, he has recently presented to the Baptist Society a fine parsonage house, the grounds of which are contiguous to the spacious meeting-house lot. The value of this parsonage house, and of the land given with it, upon a part of which the north end of the new church stands, has been estimated to be $20,000. It is due to this public and princely benefactor to add that he and his estimable wife have also, within a few years, presented to the city of Malden the munificent gift of a Free Public Library Building, which is to serve as a fountain of intellectual light and life, and also as the memorial of a beloved son who was suddenly taken from them in his early man- hood. To this noble gift Mr. Converse has added permanent funds for the purchase of books. He has also given costly paintings and beautiful statuary.

of truth and righteousness in Malden, in the land and in the world.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN MAPLEWOOD .- Religious meetings began to be held by Baptists in this part of Malden February 22, 1886. Preaching services, conducted by Rev. G. F. Warren, then pas- tor of the First Baptist Church at the Centre, soon followed, attended with considerable religious interest. A Sunday-school was organized in August, 1868, with sixty scholars. For a time its sessions were held in the Grammar School-house, but at length the use of this house was forbidden by a single member of the School Board. His action, however, was soon over- ruled by the full board. In the fall of 1869 a chapel, which was nearly completed, was blown down by " the great September gale " of that year, and made a com- plete wreck. But a meeting of the Baptist Church at Malden Centre was at once called, and $1000 were subscribed. The people at Maplewood raised $800 more; and another chapel better than the first was erected. It was dedicated March 3, 1870. In Sep- tember of the same year Rev. William Boyd became " the first regular supply." He ceased to supply the pulpit in April, 1871. A similar service was then rendered by Mr. J. K. Richardson, a student in New- ton Theological Seminary. A Baptist Church of twenty-eight members was organized August 2, 1871, and was recognized October 18, 1871. Mr. Richard- son was its acting pastor until his theological course was completed at Newton, when he accepted a eall to become the pastor of the church, and was ordained July 10, 1872. But receiving a call from Rutland, Vermont, he closed his ministry with this church in April, 1874. Ou April 6, 1875, Rev. M. N. Reed be- gan his pastorate with this church, and terminated the same in November, 1877. The next ministerial laborer with these people was Mr. T. G. Cass, a student at Madison University, who came June 25, 1878, and one year from that date was ordained as pastor of the church. Early in the year 1880, the entire debt of the church ($1500) was paid off. In 1882, under the energetic leading of the pastor, aided by the Massa- chusetts Baptist Convention and by contributions from churches and friends, the present commodious house of worship was erected, to which was attached the old chapel as a vestry. The cost of the whole was over $11,000, all of which was secured before the house was dedicated in October, 1882. Rev. Mr. Cass resigned his pastorate early in 1883, to accept a call from the Baptist Church in Claremont, N. H., and Rev. S. A. Severance became pastor in April of the same year, He continued his labors until October, 1889, when he resigned to accept the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Keene, N. 11. In December, 1889, Rev. George W. Rigler, of Antrim, N. 11., accepted a call from the church in Maplewood, and is its present pastor. This church, with its congregation and Sabbath-school, has steadily increased through the nineteen years of its

The First Baptist Church in Maklen, like other churches, has had its times of trouble and trial. The flames have twice consumed its house of worship. It has been obliged repeatedly to make great sacri- fices in building the house of God. Nor has perfect peace always reigned within itself, as is indicated by a famous pamphlet, entitled : " The History of Wars and Fightings (Without Shedding of Blood), in the Baptist Church in Malden, Written By John Sprague, Sh. Mak. One of the Members 1812." Yet, on the whole, this church, during the eighty-seven years of its history, bas been blest abundantly in things temporal and spiritual. It has wrought bravely and nobly for Christ and His Kingdom. The carly days of this church fell upon the most critical period in all the long history of evangelical faith in this town, and it proved itself equal to the hour. It rendered a splendid service in the defence and propagation of that faith at just the time when its enemies were flushed with seeming victory, and unbelief, gross in- temperance and ungodliness abounded. If it shall remain true to the same evangelistic beliefs and fear- lessly proclaim them for the salvation of men, the prospect is, that with ampler means it will render in the future still grander services for God's Kingdom , history, the members of the church numbering at the

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present time 164, and the members of the Sabbath- school 225.

THE CENTRE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- Itinerant and other Methodist preachers held religious services in private houses within the limits of Malden many years previous to the organization of a Method- ist Church in the town. As early as 1791 Rev. Jesse Lee preached in the east part of the town, near the Saugus and Chelsea line, and under the influence of that sermon two men, Mr. John Waitt and another Mr. Waitt, were converted. In 1800, or not far from that year, Mr. Joseph Snelling and Rev. Thomas C. Pierce came out from Boston and preached in Mal- den, Mr. Snelling discoursing with great impressive- ness upon the lives of poets.

But the earliest movement of the Methodists in the direction of church organization was made in North Malden (now Melrose). As early as 1813, religious services, preliminary to the founding of a Methodist Church, were conducted there by Rev. Timothy Mer- ritt. He was succeeded in this labor the same year by Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, and he by Rev. Ephraim Wiley. Under the direction of Mr. Wiley, "in the summer of 1815, a church was duly organized accord- ing to the Discipline." Mr. Wiley was succeeded in 1818 by Rev. Orlando Hinds, "who officiated one year, during which a meeting-house was built." The church thus organized was the mother Methodist Church in Malden.

On May 12, 1815, two persons were converted un- der the influence of a revival in North Malden. These persons were James Howard and his wife, Mary (Cox) Howard. In the early part of the fol- lowing year (1816) Mr. Howard and his family moved to Malden Centre, and for several months resided in the house of Mr. Samuel Cox, which is still standing, on Pleasant Street, opposite the last factory. The next year he moved into his new house on the west side of Summer Street, near the corner of that street and Rockland Avenne.

It is said that when Mr. and Mrs. Howard moved to Malden Centre, they and Mr. John Waitt, who lived on Cross Street, were the only Methodists in that part of the town. Religious meetings were con- ducted at an early day in the house of John Waitt. But at the residence of Mr. Howard, in August, 1816, appears to have begun the movement which led to the organization of a church. Some time in that month, at the request of Father lloward, as he was called, and at his residence, Rev. Ephraim Wiley held a public religious service, and preached from the text: "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Soon after this a class was formed under the leadership of James Howard, which met at his honse and was maintained for several years, Perhaps it was merged into the class which, as we shall see, was formed in 1820, but Mr. Howard continued to be its leader. In the mean

time religions meetings, under the lead of Methodist ministers, were held, first in the school-house at the corner of Salem and Sprague Streets, then in Stiles' Hall, at the corner of Pleasant and Washington Streets-where now stands the new and beautiful Methodist house of worship-and also in the hall of the Brick School-house on l'leasant Street, which ap- pears to have been the cradle of infant churches in Malden.

On August 15, 1819, Gilbert Haven, the father of Bishop Gilbert Haven, requested the First Church, of which he was then a member, to give him a letter of dismission and recommendation to the Baptist Church. He was persuaded, however, to withdraw his request. Mr. Haven, himself a man of warm and earnest evangelical piety, was evidently restless under the cold, indefinite preaching of the Arminian minis- ter who at that day was pastor of the First (Congre- gational) Church; and on June 3, 1821, he again asked for a letter of dismission, but now he expressed a desire to be recommended to the Methodist Church, which was then being organized, or had recently been formed there, showing that it was not chiefly any change of view respecting Christian baptism that led him to leave the First Church. His request was granted.

Rev. S. Osgood Wright, himself a Methodist min- ister, in his historical discourse, already referred to, which was preached December 1, 1831, gives what is probably a trustworthy account of the origin and early history of the Methodist Church at Malden Centre. Speaking of Mr. James Howard, his wife Mary and Mr. John Waitt, who, as he affirmed, were the only Methodlists living at Malden Centre in 1816, he says :

" They continued to live in the love and fellowship of the Church of their esponsal, without receiving any accessions to their numbers until the year 1820. At this time a revival commenced in the north. society and extended to the centre of the town. Several persons now withdrew from the Baptist Church and one from the Congregationalist, who to- gether with several others, were formed into a class. These, like many in similar circumstances, had many difficulties to encounter and many prejudices to overcome, Being without a house of worship, they met in the school-house hall (the Brick School-house), and were supplied a portion of the time with preaching by the minister of the north church. Receiving a gradual accession of numbers, they proceeded to erect a meeting-house, which was dedicated in 1825. Rov. Joseph Marsh labored very successfully with this society at this time ; and to him be- longs much praise for his activity and perseverance in providing a house of worship. The first preacher who resided with them was Rev. Khen- ezer Treson, who came in 1828. Rev. John T. Burrill snecceded hin, and remained two years, and gave place to Rev. Tunothy Merritt, the present minister. This church has had its seasons of adversity and pros- perity. It has moved onward under the guidance of the day-star of hope, and sat down in tears and the darkness of clouds and disappoint- ment. It has received a gradual increase of members, and the whole number is now fifty."

The meeting-house, referred to by Mr. Wright as dedicated in 1825, is still standing upon its original site. It has, however, been remodeled into a double dwelling-house, and is located on the west side of Main Street, the fourth building south of Mountain Avenue. The date of its dedication is said to have

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been April 27, 1826. The second house of worship was located at the corner of Pleasant and Waverly Streets, and was dedicated October 20, 1842. This house also is still standing, and is now occupied as a store by a furniture dealer, Mr. C. C. Homer. The third house of God built by this church, and the one in which it now worships, was dedicated May 13, 1874. This large and beautiful house is located at the corner of Pleasant and Washington Streets, on the site of the old Stiles Hall, in which the early Methodists in Malden sometimes worshipped.

The names of the ministers who were in charge of this church previous to 1826 are not known. But beginning with Rev. Joseph Marsh, of that year, the church has had thirty-eight pastors, one of them- Rev. Joseph Cummings-serving in two pastorates, separated by an interval of thirty-one years. The present minister in charge is Rev. W. P. Odell, who is now in the fourth year of his successful pastorate.

PASTORS OF THIS CHURCH.

1828. Rev. Joseph Marsh.

185C-51. Rev. W. S. Studley.

1827. G. W. Fairbanks. 1852. Rev. W. R. ('lark.

1828. Rev. Ebenezer Ireson.

1953. Rev. J. D. Bridge.

1×29-30. Rev. J. T. Burrill.

1854-55. Rev. Win. R. Bagnall.

1831. Rov. Timothy Merritt.

1×32. Rev. A. U. Swinerton.

1856-57. Rev. Lorenzo R. Thayer. 1858-59. Rev. Daniel Steele.

1833. Rev. C. Noble.

1834. Rev. N. B. Spaulding.

1860. Rev. Isaac S. Cushman. 1861-62. Rev. E. O. Haven.

1835. Rev. R. W. Allen.

1863-65. Rev. J. W. F. Barnes,

1836. Rev. E. Othemun.

1866. Rev. L. T. Townsend.

1837. Rev. H. B. Skinner.

1867. Roy. A. O. Hamilton.

1838. Rev. Charles Hayward.

1868-70. Rev. T. Berton Smith.

1839. Rev. S. G. Ililer, Jr.

1871-73. Rev. J. J. Jones.

1840. Hoy. Moses Palmer.

1874. Rev. Joseph Scott.

1811-12. Rev. George Landon.

1875-77. Rev. D. (. Knowles.

1843. Rev. Joseph Whitman.

1878-79. Rev. Joseph Cummings.

1844. Rev. G. W. Frost.

1880-82. Rev. S. F. Jones.

1845. Rev. Jacob Sanborn.

1883-85. Rev. J. Il. Mansfield.

1x16-47. Rev. Joseph Cummings.

1886-90. Rev. W. P. Odell.

1815-19. Rev. Joseph Dennison.

This church was organized in 1821, and its Sunday- school in 1822. In its early years it had a hard strug- gle, as many a church of Christ has had, for exist- ence, and at times since that day it has been main- tained only by the loving devotion and large sacri- fices of its members. But glorious has been its victory. Its days of small things and struggle for life are over. It has, for the present, the finest house of worship in the city, also a larger number of church members than any other church in the city, save the Catholic, and the largest Protestant Sabbath-school, except the school of the First Baptist Church. The number of its church members at the present time is 666, and the number of its Sabbath-school 736. This church stands up bravely for all true moral reforms, for truth and righteousness in the city and in the land, and for pure and earnest evangelical religion every- where.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MAPLE- WOOD, MALDEN .- The following historical sketch of this church has been courteously furnished by its present pastor, Rev. J. W. Fulton. It has been in a few places slightly abbreviated, or condensed.

The first religious gathering in this part of the city was held in the year 1837, in the first school- house that was ever built here. A Baptist brother, Aaron Waitt, preached at 6 o'clock P.M., Sundays, in warm and pleasant weather. No conversions are reported, and no organization was accomplished.

In 1839 and 1840, Father Blodgett, a farmer in Linden, and a Methodist local preacher, obtained the use of the house occupied by Samuel Burrill, which now stands on Salem Street, at the head of Beach Street, and during those years held two prayer-meet- ings a week, bringing the people in stormy winter weather in his sleigh. People also came from East Saugus to help him. From these meetings a revival started, which reached most of the families in this part of Malden. Many were converted. Among the number was Miss Lydie Reagh, who organized, in 1843, the first Sunday-school in Maplewood. This school was held during the summer in the school- house that stood where Mr. Rockwell's house now stands, at the corner of Rockwell and Salem Streets. The first superintendent was Joseph Cheever. There were five classes. As cold weather came on, the school was held at Miss Reagh's house. It gradually dwindled away to one girl, Francis Ferrald, who came every Sunday for six months, to recite her lesson to Miss Reagh.

In 1850, in one room of a small school-house, which stood where the present school-house stands, a second Sunday-school-house was organized. Charles Meade, the teacher of the public school, assisted by Sanford B. French, Albert Norton and Temple Dodge, of Maldeu Centre, all Congregationalists, were the leaders. Mr. French was superintendent. After sustaining this school for some time, three of these brethren moved away, and it was thought, on account of the predominance of Methodists, chat a church, if one should ever be organized, must be of that denomination. So the Congregationalist broth- ers then asked the Methodists to take charge of the school.

Mr. Wilbur Haven then became superintendent, and Mr. Newcomb his assistant. Miss Rebecca Knowles, of Malden Centre, led the singing.

In the same school-house preaching services were conducted by a local preacher-Mr. Staples, of Lynn, who received $200 a year. He was followed by Ed- ward Oathman, of Chelsea, and he by local preachers, Fathers Blodgett, of Linden, and Poole, of Lynn, who preached alternate Sundays.

The first house of worship erected in this part of Malden was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1857. From the congregation which worshipped in it was organized the present Baptist and Congre- gationalist Churches, of Maplewood. This first house of worship was located where the present Methodist Church stands. The land was given by W. R. Fer- nald and Joshua Webster, on condition that it should always be used for a Methodist Church, and that said

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church should always stand directly opposite a certain elm tree.

The building committee were Silas Anderson, W. A. Fernald, Edward Fuller, George Barber and Johu Emerson. The contract for the cellar was signed April 18, 1857, by H. R. Lewis, contractor. The first money for the cellar was given by Mr. W. Iluntley, who, when solicited by Father Blodgett, remarked that he had nothing to give but some old cent-pieces in a barrel. This Father Blodgett accepted with thanks, and the next day carried off' the barrel in his old tip-cart. Upon opening the barrel it was found to contain thirty-five dollars in old-fashioned one- cent pieces, and these weighed fifty-seven pounds. The ladies organized a society for furnishing the church, some of them, under the lead of Miss Reagh, binding shoes to obtain money. The church was dedicated in Feb., 1858, and the sermon was preached by Rev. E. O. Haven, afterwards Bishop Haven, who was a cousin of Bishop Gilbert Haven.

The members of the first Board of Trustees were Gilbert Haven, Charles Pratt, Edward Fuller, W. R. Fernald, Thomas Reagh, Father Blodgett and Eben Neagles. Local preachers, Blodgett and Poole were in charge.

In the spring of 1858, Rev. E. O. Haven was ap- pointed to this charge by Conference. The number of church members at this time was twenty-six. He was followed by Rev. Charles H. Sewell, who was pastor for 1859 and 1860. His successor in 1861 was Rev. A. P. Andrews. During the pastorate of the latter the church was burned to the ground. In 1862, Rev. E. O. Haven was again pastor. In 1863 and 1864, Rev. L. P. Frost, a local preacher, was in charge. Until 1863 the school-house was used as a place of worship. But in that year a chapel was built at a cost of about $3000, nearly one-half of which came from the insurance upon the former building.

The church was subsequently served by the follow- ing pastors :

1865. Rev. W. C. Sawyer. 1872-73. Rev. R. W. Copeland. 1874. Rev. I. II. Packard.

I866-67. Rev. S. Cushing.

1868-69. Rev. John W. Hamilton.

1875. Rev. Charles Young.

1870, Rev. J. W. Trask.

1876-77. Rev. C. N. Smith.

1871. Rev. C. C. Wilber.

During Mr. Smith's term of service, on account of the discipline of a member, a number left the church, which so reduced its finances that Mr. Smith felt compelled to leave the pulpit, but he still kept offi- cial control, and Rev. George H. Clark supplied the pulpit the remainder of the year.

Afterwards the pastors were:

1878. Rev. R. W. Allen. 1884-86. Rev. Joseph Candlin. 1879-80. Rev. S. S. Rodgers.

1887-89. Rev. Seth Cary.

1881-83. Rev. J. II. Emerson.

During the last year of Rev. Mr. Cary's pastorate the church was entirely remodeled, at an expense of $4500. This work was not completed until the pres- ent year. The edifice was re-opened and re-dedicated

June 22 and 23, 1890; $2500 had previously been raised by subscription, and at the time of dedication the remaining $2000 was secured. The present edi- fice is a Gothic structure, finished and furnished in oak, and lighted by electric lights.

The present number of members in the church is one hundred and twenty, and in the Sabbath-school two hundred.

Thus through several reverses this church has been brought, and is now in a prosperous condition. Among its pastors may be found several who have received the honorary title of Doctor of Divinity, and one who was made Bishop.

This church now, in grateful review of the past, can sing :

" Thus far the Lord hath led me on, Thus far His power prolongs my days."

May they also ever be able to sing, with faith in God for the future :

"And every evening shall make known Some fresh memorial of His grace."

BELMONT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This church was organized by members of the "Bel- mont Union Church " on July 26, 1888. This Union Church was preceded by the "Glendale Christian Union Society." The latter was organized more than twenty years ago by the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation of Malden. It was strictly undenominational, and maintained a Sabbath-school and religious meet- ings in a school-house on Ferry Street. This Union Society undoubtedly accomplished good, but its trials were many, including a lawsuit. The source of its troubles was twofold : it was a Union Society, and its location, after South Maldeu became the town of Everett, was near the line between Everett and Mal- den. Either of these sources of trouble is almost in- variably, if not always, sufficient to occasion the death of a mission or a church, The Glendale Christian Union Society became extinct. The Baptists of Ever- ett took possession of the property it had gathered, and there is now on Ferry Street a Baptist Mission Society.

The Christian people who withdrew from the Glen- dale Union still felt the need of religious privileges in that part of the city, and some movement was made to procure a site for a chapel on Ferry Street, in Malden. In the mean time Mr. John P. Russell offered as a free gift a lot of land containing about five thousand square feet, situated on Fairmont Street, Belmont Ilill, on condition that a chapel should be built upon it, and that the church to be or- ganized should be forever strictly undenominational or non-sectarian. In consequence of this offer of Mr. Russell, on June 5, 1882, "The Belmont Chris- tian Union Society in Malden " was legally organ- ized. The written instrument, or constitution, under which it was organized, consisted of Preamble, Stand- ing Rules and By-Laws. The standing rules were

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only two in number. The second of these reads as follows :

" No motion to change the society from a union to a denominational or sectarian (Society) shall be received, and no sectarian discussion shall be allowed in the Society meetings. And we do further agree to the fol- lowing by-laws, for the more particular government of this Society."

At the same meeting at which this society was or- ganized, and pledged to remain forever a Union Soci- ety, it accepted by a unanimous vote Mr. Russell's gift of land, with the conditions upon which it was offered, and also voted that the sincere thanks of the society should be expressed to the donor. The land was deeded to the society by Mr. Russell, and the con- ditions already referred to were expressed in the deed. Upon this basis the society received subscriptions from benevolent people of various religious denomina- tions, also sums of money raised in other ways, and with the same built a chapel npon the land they had received. A Sabbath-school was organized, prayer- meetings were held, and preaching on the Sabbath by various evangelical ministers, mostly Congregational, was maintained until September 15, 1884, at which date the society voted to hire Rev. William F. Obear to serve as acting pastor for one year, beginning on the Ist of the following October, at a salary of $500, it being understood that he should also labor one-halt of the time as acting pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church in Maplewood.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 122

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