USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Monson > History of Monson, Massachusetts > Part 2
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Over the years there have been several organized church groups. In 1820, a Sab- bath School was instituted by Hannah Ely ; 1827 a Ladies' Praying Circle, which in 1874 became the Foreign Missionary Society; 1845 a Benevolent Society and a Young Ladies' Working Club. In 1907 these two societies united to form the Dorcas Society. The first Men's Club was formed in 1901, and a Mr. and Mrs. Club organized in 1936. In 1957 a group of women formed the Hearts' Willing Club and a men's club be- came active in 1959. The Young People's Christian Association of 1884 became the Christian Endeavor Society in 1888, and is now called Youth Fellowship.
For several years the church adopted the plan of contributing to the support of a special foreign missionary - one being the Reverend Henry H. Bennett who often visited in Monson when on furlough.
The present church and the former parsonage on High Street now owned by Rowland H. Long were erected during the pastorate of the Reverend Charles B. Sum- ner. The parsonage was built in 1869-1870. The present parsonage at 1 Ely Road was be- queathed to the Congregational Church by Frank Nelson who died in 1947.
The church membership as of January 1. 1960, was 369 and the Sunday School membership was 209. A new pastor, the Reverend Carlos H. Straight, assumed the pastorate duties on May 1, 1960.
Ministers : Abishai Sabin, 1762-1771 Jesse Ives, 1773-1805
Alfred Ely, 1806-1866 Samuel C. Bartlett, 1843-1846 Charles B. Kittredge, 1846-1853
Theron A. Colton, 1855-1868 Charles B. Sumner, 1868-1879 Ezra H. Byington, 1880-1887 Franklin S. Hatch, 1887-1901 N. Miller Pratt, 1901-1906 George A. Andrews, 1907-1916 Langley Sears, 1916-1918 Charles N. Lovell, 1919-1925 Daniel Bliss, 1926-1929 Stanley F. Blomfield, 1930-1942 J. Albert Clark, 1942-1947 Howard Gould, 1947-1951 Louis Thompson, 1951-1959 Carlos H. Straight, 1960-
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HISTORY OF MONSON
METHODIST CHURCH
Methodism was introduced to the in- habitants of Monson in 1825 by Horace Moulton, who later became the Reverend Horace Moulton, and two other students at Monson Academy. Meetings were held at the north and south villages and in the cen- ter during the fall.
The Reverend Joel W. McKee, preacher in charge of the Brookfield Circuit at that time, preached the first Methodist sermon here. He was considered an uncommonly effective preacher.
The first group was made up of twenty members. In 1827 they erected a chapel twenty by forty feet in the south part of town at a cost of five hundred dollars. It was dedicated free from debt, and was used for twenty-five years, after which it was converted into a dwelling. It is now owned and occupied by Charles Coolong and family.
On October 8, 1850, a new and larger church was dedicated on the present site by the Reverend Abel Stevens at a cost of three thousand, three hundred dollars. The fol- lowing ten years were prosperous ones, and it became necessary to enlarge the church by the addition of twenty feet in the front.
METHODIST CHURCH
The auditorium was then refinished in oak. A circular pulpit platform was installed with the choir gallery directly in back of it. Other furnishings were a new pulpit set, communion table and carpet.
Two very beautiful memorial windows were presented - one by the Reverend W. H. L. Starks and the other by a King's Daughter in memory of the order of King's Daughters. The latter has at the top the enblem of the order, a maltese cross, with the words, "In His Name."
Due to the hurricane the supports of the steeple were weakened, and it seemed advis- able in 1952 to remove it. It was possible to keep the original bell which was cast in 1860. Even so, the church now stands as a typical New England white wooden church in the center of town. It has a fine audi- torium, a Steere pipe organ, and a vestry which was recently redecorated.
The parsonage on Green Street was pur- chased in 1893 from a stock company for the sum of two thousand eight hundred dollars.
The Ladies' Benevolent Society was or- ganized in 1854. This later became the Ladies' Aid Society and is now known as the Women's Society for Christian Service. The Junior Epworth League organized in 1893 is now called the Youth Fellowship Group. The Young Ladies' Foreign Mission- ary Society was organized in 1889 and the Women's Foreign Missionary Society in 1893.
Ministers :
Joel W. McKee, 1825-26
Isaac Jennison, 1827-28
Horace Moulton, 1830-31
Enoch Bradley, 1832
Ebenezer F. Newell, 1833
Amasa Taylor, 1834 Horace Moulton and George W. Green, 1835
Otis Wilder and J. O. Dean, 1836
J. W. Lewis, 1837-1838 Charles Virgin, 1839
William Gordan, 1840
Thomas Giles, 1841
David Sherman, 1842
H. S. Shedd, 1843
R. P. Buffington, 1844
Spencer Tillerton, 1845
William A. Clapp and Elder Bennett, 1846 Elder Bennett, 1847 James Billings, 1848
W. B. Olds, 1849-50
John W. Dadman, 1851-52
John Paulson, 1853-54
David K. Merrill, 1855-56
HISTORY OF MONSON
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Silas Hiper, 1857 Thomas B. Treadwell, 1858-59 Alfirmus O. Hamilton, 1860-61 Frederick Woods, 1862-63 Hiram P. Satchwell, 1864-65 Rodney H. Howard, 1866-68 Charles K. True, 1869 William J. Pomfret, 1870-72 William Silverthorne, 1873-74 Osman W. Adams, 1875-76 Henry Lummis, 1877-78 Charles A. Merrill, 1879-81 E. Stewart Best, 1882-83 Alexander Dight, 1884-86 John W. Emerson, 1887-88 Thomas C. Martin, 1889-91 William C. Marble, 1892-97 A. R. Nichols, 1898-99 A. W. L. Nelson, 1900-02 A. B. Gifford, 1903-07 J. M. Gage, 1908-10 F. W. McConnell, 1911 W. A. Kilmer, 1912-14 W. G. Cosgrove, 1915 Frederick W. Gamble, 1916-18 H. G. Buckingham, 1919-21 R. A. Nunn, 1922-23 R. L. Norsworthy, 1924-27 Leroy Lyon, 1928-29 Henry Jacobson, 1930-35 H. Chester Hoyt, 1935-37 Joseph A. Stevenson, 1937-42 Alfred L. O'Brien, 1942-
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
The first mass in Monson was offered on September 8, 1850, by Father Dougherty, and from that time services were held oc- casionally until Father Healy of Ware built Saint Patrick's Church in 1863. It was dedi- cated in April, 1864, by Bishop Williams. It was first a mission of Ware, then of Pal- mer, and in 1878 became a separate parish.
The church, built of Monson granite and of Gothic architecture, had a steeple in which was a clock and a fine toned bell. The walls were beautifully frescoed, the panels being filled with the Stations of the Cross. The win- dows were of Cathedral Stained Glass, and the pews were of ash trimmed with black walnut. The choir loft contained a large Hammond organ.
In 1900, thirty-seven years after its erection, the work of transformation started. As fast as the necessary money was contrib- uted, it was spent on the church. A Gothic tower was built; Munich windows were added; a beautiful Carrara marble altar was placed in the Sanctuary with a Pieta and a statue of Saint Joseph occupying niches to the right and left of the main altar. All were very beautiful works of art.
On August 6, 1928, a fire started near or in the organ which quickly burned the
St. Patrick's R. C. Church and Rectory. Monson, Mass. ..
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH AND RECTORY - BEFORE FIRE
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HISTORY OF MONSON
entire ceiling and roof. Many of the large half-burned beams fell to the church floor. Fortunately, the beautiful windows, Stations of the Cross, Pieta and Saint Joseph statue were saved.
Ten months later, repairs had been com- pleted and a very stately and beautiful edifice welcomed the parishioners once more for worship-truly a place to meditate, pay reverence to God, and to receive inspiration.
PRESENT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
The Reverend Thomas O'Keefe, who be- came pastor in 1894, devoted nearly fifty years of service to this church and it was through his efforts that it is considered one of the most attractive in this area.
Close to and north of the church is the rectory, erected in 1888 during the pastor- ate of Father Lee.
The two missions of this parish, Hamp- den and Wales, were known as Saint Mary's and Saint Monica's respectively. Saint
Mary's remained a mission until 1951 when a permanent pastor was named. Saint Mon- ica's then became a mission of the Brim- field parish.
Monson Council, Knights of Columbus has served the men of the parish for the past forty years. Patricia Circle, Daugh- ters of Isabella was organized in 1925.
Pastors :
Jeremiah McCarthy, 1878-1881
James H. Kelley, 1881-1885
John F. Lee, 1885-1894 Thomas O'Keefe, 1894-1941
Ralph O'Neill, 1942-1946
Henry Burke, 1946-1953
Henry MacCormick, 1953-1955
Richard Hoey, 1955-
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
Seeds of Universalism had been sown in Monson prior to 1800 by itinerant preach- ers, but it was not until 1876 that Sunday afternoon meetings were held in Green's Hall. By 1882 services were held in the Cen- tral Block Hall.
Six years later Dwight W. Ellis offered to contribute to a church building fund, a sum equal to what might be raised by public subscription. In this manner twenty-six thousand dollars was raised.
The church was built of Monson granite on what was known as the "old Captain Newton's lot" at the corner of Lincoln and Main Streets. It has a very attractive audi- torium with beautiful windows facing Main Street, also Sunday School rooms and a kit- chen and dining hall on the second floor. Dedication services were held on December 3, 1889.
Recently additional Sunday School rooms have been added in a wing at the rear of the building. Through the generosity of the governing board these facilities have been made available to many organizations desiring space to hold meetings, in addition to the many religious activities of the church.
Among the many church activities are the Sunday School which was organized in 1883, both a Junior and Senior Youth Group, the Association of Universalist Women and the Men's Club.
Since its incorporation, the church has accepted 403 persons into membership with an active membership at present of 136 per-
HISTORY OF MONSON
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MONSON UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
sons. There are now enrolled in the Church School and Cradle Roll 113 persons.
Ministers : Albert Hammat, 1883-1885
Donald Frazer, 1885-1887 Ira Allen Priest, 1887-1889 Lee Howard Fisher, 1889-1891 Harry Blackford, 1892-1899 Charles C. Conner, 1899-1905 Dwight M. Hodge, 1906 Abram Conklin, 1906-1918 George W. Penniman, 1918-1928
Orrin A. Stone, 1928-1930 Sidney J. Willis, 1930-1937 Brainard F. Gibbons, 1937-1939
George H. Welch, 1940-1944 William P. Farnsworth, 1945-1947
Earle T. Mckinney, 1947-1954 Vernon L. Curry, 1955-1958 Edward. R. Goodwin, Jr., 1958 Alan F. Sawyer, Jr., 1959-
BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1768 a Baptist Church was estab- lished in the northeastern part of Wilbra- ham near the Monson boundary. It flour- ished for a number of years and then experi- enced a decline. In 1807 the body was re- ported to the Sturbridge Baptist Associa-
tion to which it was attached, as having "lost its visibility." During the existence of this church about twenty-five of its mem- bers united together and formed the "Second Baptist Church in Colton Hollow," receiving fellowship July 2, 1794. In 1815 its name was changed to that of the "Wilbraham and Monson Baptist Church." At first the church body had no special house of wor- ship, but in 1817 a meeting house was built near the present residence of Mr. Albert Clairmont in what is now called the Colton Hollow District. In April, 1845, the name was changed to "The Monson and Wilbra- ham Baptist Church."
The following is a copy from the records of this church society :
"May 15 Day 1794 the Church met ac- cording to Adjournment, then proceed in the Labour Conserning the work of a Deacon. After much time spent in Labour come to no Conclusion then voted to Adjourn the meet- ing to Thursday, May the 29th Day at one o'clock p.m. at Nathan Peases.
"May 29 Met according to Adjournment, concluded to take up the qualifycations office and work of a Deacon in their order as they stand pointed out in Scripture, as set forth Acts 6:3-5, Tim. 3:3-12. Qualifi-
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HISTORY OF MONSON
cations of a Deacon: Aught to be honest - Full of the Holy Ghost, - a man of Gravity and Soberiety - A man of Faith - open hearted - not close fisted or greedy of filthy lucre. We believe that a deacon ought to be the Husband of but one wife ruling well his own children and house Hold and that their wives ought to be sober grave and faithful in all things."
For some reason the subsequent history of this church indicates a decline. The society was dissolved and the building was unoccupied for a time. In 1856 it was de- stroyed by fire.
Ministers :
Samuel Webster, 1794 Stephen Shepherd, 1799 Alvin Bennett, 1808 Amos Snell, 1837 Uriah Underwood, 1845
J. M. Hunt, 1847
J. C. Foster, 1853
On October 18, 1904, delegates of the Westfield Baptist Association voted to re- ceive the Monson Italian Baptist Church into fellowship. This little chapel at the Quarry was made possible by the untiring efforts of the Reverend Alfred Barrone.
Later a small chapel on Thompson Street replaced the Quarry chapel. Pastors were supplied from Springfield. When serv- ices were no longer held and the group of worshippers disbanded, the chapel was sold and converted into a dwelling which is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Armand Sanger- mano.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A mission in connection with St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church of Springfield was established here in 1904 with services held monthly in the A. O. U. W. Hall under the charge of the Reverend Charles Edwin
Hill, the priest in charge of Saint Andrew's Mission of Ludlow. These services were discontinued about 1913.
SILVER STREET CHAPEL
This chapel was built on land given by the Warriner family. Lumber was contrib- uted by the Freitag, Reimers, Thayer and Amidon families and the church was dedi- cated in June, 1898. The pastor of the Mon- son Congregational Church and pastors of neighboring towns assumed the pastoral duties for Sunday services. Occasional serv- ices are still held at this chapel.
SILVER STREET CHAPEL
HISTORY OF MONSON
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Education
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
After the erection of a meeting house and "settling" a minister, the attention then turned toward making provision for the education of the children. By 1765, three schools were maintained for a short time each year, and 10 pounds was granted for this purpose.
Six years later the effort "to new settle the school districts" was successful, and a committee consisting of Joseph Colton and others divided the town into nine districts. For several years 25 to 35 pounds was ap- propriated for school expenses.
In this early district system the man- agement of school affairs in each district was conducted by the voters within its limits. A warrant was issued for a meeting the same as is done for a town meeting. A moderator, clerk, and prudential committee were chosen. The property of the district was assessed by the prudential committee and a percentage was allowed for school purposes. In addition to this allotment the town ap- propriated a small sum to be used where most needed, and the state assisted as well. At times the portion of money belonging to a district was given to a certain person to be "schooled out." A number of such votes ap- pear in the records.
Each family in a district was expected to either furnish firewood for the school, or "board" the teacher. Sometimes a teacher lived in as many as ten homes during a single term. There were two school terms a year, the summer term beginning in May and the winter term on the Monday follow- ing Thanksgiving.
At the end of the town year each com- mittee member, sometimes called district agent, rendered a report on the school or schools he was in charge of. This report in- cluded the condition of the school property and the progress of the pupils.
During the Revolutionary War the ap- propriation for schools went as high as 100 pounds, but in 1791 it dropped to 60 pounds, This fluctuation was due to the low value of paper money during the war. About the beginning of the nineteenth century the town regularly appropriated about $500 for its schools, and also made an effort to go
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No. 2 - Former Colton Hollow School -- Now Owned by Frank Avery - Upper Hampden Road.
No. 4 School - Grout or East Hill School ---- Home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Austin -- Located on the corner of Brimfield Road and East Hill Road -- Built in 1877.
No. 5 - Old Quarry School, moved from Hovey Hill to present site on Upper Palmer Road. Home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Monette.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
REGULATIONS ADOPTED IN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 8.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of School District No. 8, in Monson, holden on the 18th of May, 1859, the following Resolutions were adopted, as Regulations and By-Laws for the mainten- ance of good order, and the promotion of the interests of the schools, and ordered to be printed.
AUSTIN KING, ¿ Prudential GEORGE L. TOPLIFF, S Committee.
E. R. WALKER, Clerk.
PREAMBLE.
In order to scenre to ourselves and our posterity the blessings and benefits of School Education in this Commonwealth, it becomes necessary that Parents, Guardian' Teachers, and Pupils should co-operate with becoming energy, perseverance and harmon' us efforts, in the use of all suitable measures > promote so desirable an object.
We, therefore, citizens of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, and inh ;itants of Schoo! District No. 8, in Monson, in considera- tion of the importance of the sub. . et. added to that of a new and commodious School ifouse completed during the past reason, do herchy covenant with cach other, And agree to conform to, support and sustain fic follow- ing Rules, Regulations and By-Lar &, for the security and promotion of the welfare and prosperity of our Schools in said District.
Duties of Prudential Committees.
RESOLVED-That so long as there shall be a Prudential Committee in said Distr' :t, it shall be his duty to keep a faithful oversi, ht of the School House, both during the terms of School and in times of vacation ; he shall keep the doors locked, and the win lows and blinds closed during . school inte vals ; he shall see to the making of all such epairs as have been formerly made by his pre lecessors in office, and to the procuring of all necessary utensils for the use of water, and for keeping the house clean and suitable for occupancy ; he shall make contract with a responsible per- Duties of Pupils. son to build fires for warming the House, and shall he himself responsible to the District RESOLVED. 5th. That no pupil shall be al- for the faithful fulfilment of said fontract ; lowed to depart hefore the appointed time and previous to the commencement. of each term of the Schools, shall see that the House, out-buildings, yards and premises ire in a condition favorable to the prosperity of the Schools. It shall also be his duty to procure Teachers for the Schools, and in th ar selec- tion shall admit such only, who in point of character and requisite attainments are amply qualified for the duties of their calling and station.
Duties of Instructors."
RESOLVED-1st. That the Instructors of
the Schools shall punctually observe the [ of any scholar, who sball violate this rule ; hours appointed for opening and dismissing said fine to be deemed ample to compen- sate for the injury done ; to be collected by the Prudential Committee, and in case of de- the same, and during School hours sball faitb- fully devote themselves to the object of their charge ; and instruction in morals and deport- | linqu ney or refusal to pay, said officer sball ment is required to be daily given by them to prosu:ute for collection. the pupils both by precept and example.
2d. It shall be the duty of the Teachers to give vigilant attention to the ventilation and temperature of the School rooms, so as to ef- fectully change the air whenever it shall have hecome impure and uncomfortable; and, whenever by sitting and study the pupils be- come weary, the Teachers may institute some convenient and suitable physical or gymnastic exercise.
3d. The Instructors shall prescribe such rules for the use of the yards and out-build- ings of the School House as shall insure their being kept in a neat and healthful con- dition. They shall examine them as often as may be necessary for such purpose, and they shall be holden responsible for any want of neatness or cleanliness about the premises, arising from neglect of their own duty in this respect.
4th. That it is the duty of parents, masters and guardians, having the care of children, to see that they are punctual and constant in their attendance at school, and that it is the duty of the Teachers to enquire into all cases of absence or tardiness on the part of their pupils, and to consider the same a violation of the rules of school, unless a satisfactory rca- son can be given for such delinquency.
RESOLVED. 11th. Tbat the age of a pupil oughthot in all cases to govern a decision as of closing the school, except in case of to which grade sucb pupil shall belong; but sickness or some pressing emergency, and tbe consent of the teacher must in all cases first he obtained.
6th. No scholar sball be allowed to mar the school house, or injure it by daubing, serateb- ing, marking, scraping, or in any other way rubbing or cutting the plastering, paint or wood on any portion of the walls, either in- side or outside, on the floors or overhead, on the desks, cbairs, or other furniture, on pen- alty of appropriate punishment. And a fine shall be imposed on the parent or guardian
7th. Each scholar shall keep bis or ber books, maps, slates, paper, pens &c., in places assigned for them in the desks, excepting dur- ing study hours, or wben needed for usc .- It is recommended that each pupil shall bare the frame of the slate covered with cloth or soft leather, to prevent injury to the desks ; and that books be kept clean, the leaves smooth and free from scratches, or pen or pencil marks, except for some special worthy object. And no scholar sball be allowed, withrat leave of the teacher to meddle with the desk, or books and apparatus of another. 8th. The ink-wells are never to be meddled with by the scholars, except wben needed for purposes of writing.
9th. Each scholar sball observe strict neat- ness and cleanliness of person, not in tbe school house alone, but in all tbe out-build- ings, fards and premises, and any pupd who shall be guilty of any filtby or uncleanly act shall be deemed worthy of discretionary re- proof or punishment.
10tà. No pupil shall be allowed to go into the door-yards, gardens, premises, or among the fruit trees or shrubbery of any inbabi- tants contiguous or near to the school bouse premises, without leave of the owners or in- structor, or unless some reasonable excuse Can berendered for so doing.
General Duties.
regard shall also be bad to docdity, progress, and atainments, in guiding the judgment of those in whom the duty of arranging and grading the scholars may devolve.
12th That the foregoing rules and regu- lation(may at any future time be revised, amended, or annulled-any desirable addi- tions, deduction or alterations may be made in tbeat at any legal meeting of tbe inhabi- tants & tbe district; provided that tbe de- sire fotsucb cbange be distinctly stated in tbe Warruitcalling sucb meeting.
HISTORY OF MONSON
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No. 6 - Former Munn District School, moved to East Hill Road and converted to home by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Koran.
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No. - Original appearance of Munn District School.
THE NO. "8" SCHOOL.
MONSON, MASS.
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No. 8 - This building razed in 1917 was located on Rooster Hill, opposite present Buckwell Nursing Home.
No. 11 School was called Child's District School and was on Moulton Hill, near the present Lobik Farm. Closed in 1923.
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No. 9 - Moulton Hill School was located between Plumley and Blanchard Farms. Destroyed by fire.
No. 12 - Gage District School was located at Stafford Road and Crow Hill Road. Also served later as home of Miss Bertha Goodspeed.
No. 13 - Butler District School was situated on Butler Road and was dismantled in 1950.
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HISTORY OF MONSON
beyond the requirements of the State in regard to education. This effort resulted in the establishing of Monson Academy.
The first records kept by the School Committee that have been preserved are of a meeting held at the Reverend Alfred Ely's house (now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Moulton, Sr.) in 1809. The Reverend Ely manifested much interest in school work. He visited schools, and was instrumental in introducing Bible reading and the study of catechism. For his work he accepted no com- pensation.
The School Committee's annual report of 1867 contained an honor roll of names, reported by the teachers, of those pupils who refrained from whispering in accord- ance with the rule of the town School Com- mittee.
This same committee advocated and suggested that the District System be abol- ished, and that the schools be placed under the entire supervision of the town, which would also be conforming to the policy of the state.
GREEN ST. SCHOOL, MONSON, MASS.
Green Street School - now owned by St. Pat- rick's parish and used as meeting hall.
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