USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 55
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The present pastor of St. Lawrence is Rev. Hugh J. Smyth, under whose vigorous and able administration the parish has reached the highest prosperity. He has erected the parochial schools of St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, both of which are largely attended and admirably con- ducted. The addition to the church tower was made in 1886, and on Sunday, December 17, 1888, Right Rev. Matthew Harkins blessed the chime of bells.
St. John the Baptist, Catholic (Portuguese.)-From the time that New Bedford began commercial intercourse with the group of islands in the Atlantic known as the Azores, the number of Portuguese residents of the city has constantly increased. This was some sixty years ago. To-day the Portuguese colony at the South End numbers several thou- sand people. Father Noya, who came to New Bedford from the Azores in 1867, was one of the first to see the need of a minister among his countrymen resident here. But he had been in his new field of labor only a few weeks when he died. Prior to 1869 the Portuguese in and around New Bedford, consisting of some 800 persons, had been regular attendants at St. Mary's Church, now standing at the corner of Fifth and Spring streets. In that year Rev. Joao Ignacio da Incarna- cao-Father John Ignatius - was stationed here. He was given a
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hearty welcome by Father McMahon, now Bishop of Hartford, who materially aided the young priest until his people were sufficiently or- ganized to support him. The use of St. Mary's was given them for some years. With the aid of the English speaking Catholics in the community Father Ignatius had so far succeeded in organizing his people in 1874, that ground was broken for the erection of a new church on the corner of Wing and Fifth streets. The corner-stone of the building was laid by Right Rev. Thomas F. Hendricken, late Bishop of Providence, September 27, 1874, and on the 27th of June, 1875, the Sunday following the feast of its patron saint, the church was opened for divine worship and was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop.
This church has been the training ground for many priests who are now scattered through the country, guiding the sons of the Western Isles, and many "first masses " have been sung within its walls. Rev. A. G. S. Neves consecrated the host for the first time therein, as also did Father M. da Terra, whose special work from St. John the Baptist Church is the Portuguese Mission in Fall River. Father da Terra was an ecclesiastic, and acted as master of ceremonies when Rev. Joao Manoel Tavares da Coito celebrated his first mass in the church over two years ago. Father Tavares died in California the last week of 1890. Following Father Ignatius came Rev. A. M. Freitas, who was in charge when the church was opened, and he was succeeded by the present pastor, Father Neves. The congregation is fast outgrowing the capacity of the present church, and it is probable that a new and larger one will supplant it at no distant day. Father Neves is a native of Pico, one of the Western Isles, lying about three miles to the south- east of Fayal. He came to New Bedford from Baltimore, Md., where his ecclesiastical studies had been perfected under the guidance of the followers of St. Sulpice in St. Mary's Seminary. His first mass was sung in the church of which he is now rector on June 25, 1883. He is at present the guiding star of the Monte Pio Association, an organiza- tion the purpose of which is fraternal charity and perpetuation of moth- erland. He drafted its constitution and was its president for several years. When he succeeded Father Freitas there was a debt on the church of about $16,000, which is nearly extinguished. Meantime he has purchased the cemetery for which was paid a sum between $4,000 and $5,000.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Church of the Sacred Heart (Catholic) .- This church is composed of French Catholics and is situated at the corner of Robeson and Ashland streets. In the few years following 1870 the French Catholics had their spiritual wants ministered to them separate from those of the St. Lawrence Parish, the masses being celebrated and services held by Rev. Fathers Thomas A. Chandonnet, N. A. Riviere, and George Pager, who were assistants of Father McMahon at the Mother Church. It was at this time that the need of a French parish was felt to be im- perative, and through the efforts of Father McMahon, land was secured and the corner-stone of the present church edifice laid in August, 1876. The structure, which was completed and dedicated in January, 1877, cost $20,000. Rev. George Pager was the first pastor of the new church, and remained with it for a period of five years, when ill health compelled him to resign. He died in the fall of 1882, only a few months after the close of his labors. His successor, Rev. J. A. Prevost, was appointed in March, 1882, and he found the church growing rapidly. Two assistants were given him in his work, his brother, Rev. Charles E. Prevost, and Rev. Eugene Bachaud. Father Prevost's pastorate was full of good fruits, and in 1888 he was transferred to the larger Church of Notre Dame in Fall River. On the night of September 27 he took a formal farewell of his people, his successor, Rev. J. A. Payan, from St. Matthew's, Fall River, the present pastor, being introduced to the parish on that evening. Father Payan celebrated his first mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart October 7, 1888. He is native of St. Ours, Canada, and continues to serve his people with much satis- faction, being assisted by Revs. J. A. Fauteux and J. Fortin. There are 4,600 souls connected with the church.
The church has a parochial home which cost between $3,000 and $4,000. There is also the Convent of the Sacred Heart, which con- tains nine school rooms, where the children of the parish are taught by Sisters of the Holy Cross from Montreal. This building cost about $16,000. In the rear of the Church of the Sacred Heart is a new parochial school lately finished, which was begun in Octo er, 1.890, and cost about $40,000.
St. Hyacinthe Parish .- This parish is also composed of French Catholics, and was the result of the rapid increase of the French of that
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faith in the South End. It was set off in 1887 and at first comprised one hundred families, some of the clergy from the Sacred Heart parish officiating. The parish continued to increase in numbers and the pres- ent brick structure on River street west of County was built. There are upwards of 300 families, with 1,800 persons in the parish, and the pastor is Rev. Antoine Berube, who is a native of St. Anselm, Canada, and came to New Bedford from Notre Dame Church, Fall River, in October, 1890. A parochial school is connected with St. Hyacinthe.
St. James Catholic Church .- On the 8th of January, 1888, Rev. Father Smyth, of St. Lawrence Church, read to his congregation that a new parish was to be set off from the existing one and would be con- stituted of the people living south of Madison and Hawthorn streets. This action was taken chiefly on account of the growth of St. Lawrence parish. The first celebration of mass in the new parish was on the 15th of January, Father James F. Clark having been assigned to the church. He had previously been curate with Father McMahon, and in 1879 was transferred as curate to St. Mary's parish, Attleboro; in 1882 he was appointed pastor at Slaterville. He is a native of Taunton and was educated in St. Charles College, Maryland, and Montreal College.
The only place for worship that Father Clark could secure was the St. Mary's School building, which was soon fitted up on the interior for the purpose. At that time there was a mortgage of $5,000 on the school building and a debt of $3,000 was incurred in refitting the structure. With his native zeal Father Clark undertook the task of paying off this debt and providing a fund for the erection of a new church. In August, 1888, a tract of two acres of land on the corner of County and Rockland streets was purchased. P. W. Ford, of Boston, made plans for the edifice, which was designed to cost about $100,000. The work went on with commendable activity; but the beautiful edi- fice was not finished until the present year (1892) and was first used for the celebration of mass on Sunday, May 15. The building is 170 feet 6 inches by 96 feet 6 inches in outside dimensions, and will seat about 1,000 persons. It is constructed of granite. Father Clark has received the congratulations of the community upon the completion of his important work.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
The following parochial schools are connected with the Catholic Churches of the city :
Parochial School of the Sacred Heart .- This school is located on Robeson street near Court. It is conducted by the Sisters of St. Croix, Sister Superior Marie St. Florence. There are nine teachers and 879 pupils.
St. Joseph's Parochial School .- Situated at the corner of Linden and State streets and conducted by Sisters of Mercy, under the direction of Hugh J. Smyth. Attendance 610.
St. Mary's Parochial School .- Located on Acushnet avenue at the corner of Wing street. Conducted by Sisters of Mercy. Rev. James F. Clark, superintendent. There are six teachers and 400 pupils.
Middle Street Christian Church.1-The first Christian Church in this city built its first house of worship where the Middle Street Christian Church now stands. In the year 1828 some difficulty arose in the church over the question of music, and owing to conscientious scruples about the result of the decision of the majority, nine members of the church petitioned to be dismissed honorably. Their petition was granted on Nov. 13, 1828, and they formed themselves into a new church. The names of those appended to the articles were Abram Gifford, Elder Hervey Sullings,, William Cranston, William Whitton, Warren Maxfield, Watson Ellis, Ezra S. Kempton, Samuel James, and James Barlow.
The meetings and services of the new church were first held at the residence of Obed Kempton, father of one of the members (Ezra S. Kempton), on the northwest corner of Purchase and Middle streets. The first persons to receive the ordinance of baptism were Mary Pease and Rebecca Gifford. After worshiping in the house of Mr. Kempton for about one year, the little church took possession of a new house built for the purpose, at the rear of Mr. Kempton's, before it was com- pleted, the pastor, Rev. William Coe, using a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, and the congregation gladly sitting on pine boards placed on saw-horses, for pews. Here they continued to worship for more than four years, till in 1834 the society removed to its present house of worship, which had been vacated by the First Christian Church in 1833,
1 Prepared by Rev. John MacCalman.
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CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.
as the latter needed a larger house of worship, and so built the edifice now standing at the corner of Purchase and Middle streets.
After taking possession of its new home, the church for some time did not grow very rapidly, but in the latter part of the thirties, excel- lent work was done under the pastorate of Rev. Moses How, and for a time the church was very successful. One of the first if not the very first to be baptized and received into membership was Charles Searrell, who is still a member, and lives at 13 Kempton St.
In 1848, January 11, the church was reorganized, and adopted the name which it has since borne. The organization was then small, for only seventeen names appear on the roll, to which twenty-three names were added, however, during the year. Of the original organizers only three now remain, Charles Searrell, 13 Kempton Street ; Abner Sherman, 87 Walden street, and Mrs. Mary J. Keen, 642 County street. Not only has the membership of the church passed through many changes, but the building has been altered in many ways during the last forty four years. The audience room is now one of the most cheer- ful in the city, having a seating capacity of about 400, the seats having been built and arranged for the comfort of the worshipers. The vestry is arranged for the most convenient methods of work in Sunday-school and prayer meetings, and the church is altogether a comfortable house for its size. The church has within the last few years lost some of its best members, among whom was Thomas Greenwood, one of the strong spiritual helpers whose work continues ever. He left the church the sum of $3,000 when he died. Another great loss was I. W. Benja- min, who had long been Sunday-school superintendent, and a good friend of the church in many ways. At present the church is in good condition in every respect, and is steadily growing. The present mem- bership is 225. The pastors of the church have been William Coe, Luther Baker, Isaac Smith (dates lost), Moses How, January, 1837, to July, 1844. Obadiah E. Morrill, July, 1844, to 1848. John Brown, 1848. John Taylor, 1849-1850. James Taylor, 1850-1857. James S. White, 1857-1860. Benjamin S. Batchelor, June, 1860, to October, 1875. A. J. Kirkland, April to September, 1876. Z. T. Sullivan, November, 1876, to April, 1878. Daniel E. Craft, February, 1879, to May, 1880. Nicholas Summerbell, November, 1880, to April, 1883.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Thomas S. Weeks, September, 1883, to May, 1887. John MacCal- man, January, 1888, to the present time.
The clerks of the church have been Abram Gifford, S. R. Brown, Ebenezer Keen, Isaac W. Benjamin, C. R. Sherman, Frank L. Davis, and Warren P. Tobey, who has been clerk now for eight years. Sun- day-school superintendents have been S. R. Brown, Joshua B. Ashley, W. Bosworth, Thomas Greenwood, F. L. Davis, Warren P. Tobey, Isaac W. Benjamin, and the present superintendent, Herbert W. Hirst. The deacons of the church are Ambrose E. Luce, Henry W. Tripp, George L. Tabor, Benjamin F. Lewis, Warren P. Tobey, and Herbert W. H. Hirst. The church officers are, chairman, Henry W. Tripp; clerk and financial secretary, Warren P. Tobey; treasurer, Charles F. Cushing; church committee, H. W. Tripp, G. L. Tabor, W. P. Tobey, B. F. Lewis, A. E. Luce, Joseph S. Lewis, Charles T. Searrell, C. F. Cushing, and H. W. Hirst. The music is furnished by a choir consist- ing of B. F. Jenney, tenor; Chrissie Pearce and Lulu Tripp, sopranos ; Ada Warren Lewis, alto; Joseph S. Lewis, jr., bass, and George W. Needham, organist.
North Christian Church .- This society occupies the church edifice at the corner of Purchase and Middle streets, which is familiar to every resident of New Bedford, and has for many years been one of its land- marks. The founders of the society were formerly members of the Baptist Church in Dartmouth, then under the pastoral charge of Elder Daniel Hix. They were "constituted a Christian church January 25, 1807." The names of the original members are as follows: Obed Kempton, Ruth Kempton, John Hathaway, Edith Hathaway, Jonathan Haskins, Sarah Haskins, Sarah Strange, Lois Hervey, Patience Hatch, Remembrance Wood, Nabby Tobey, and Betsey Chase. A meeting of the church was held September 26, 1811, at which Mr. Mandell was appointed to "keep the records ;" Obed Kempton, treasurer ; and Abraham Gifford " to receive the regular contributions." James Ham- mond was ordained as the first deacon by Elders Hix and Taylor, May 29, 1812. The first church edifice was erected on Middle street at the head of Sixth, in 1805, and the first clergymen of whom the records make mention, who preached for the church at different periods during its early existence, were Elders Daniel Hix, Frederick Plummer, John
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Gray, Douglass Farnum, Benjamin Taylor, and Abner Jones. The first settled minister, as far as is shown, was Elder Benjamin Taylor, who commenced his labors in 1812 and continued with the society until 1819. During the year 1817 local troubles arose among the members, which resulted in a committee being selected August 19, to inform Elder Elias Smith, who had occasionally preached for the church, that he could no longer be received in that capacity, the objection being that he held and entertained views similar to those promulgated by the Universalists. Mr. Smith was the father of Matthew Hale Smith, and one of the founders of the " Christian Sect." He also was one of the originators of the Herald of Gospel Liberty, the first religious paper ever published in America. During the ministry of Rev. Moses How, Elder Simon Clough visited the church and officiated frequently, preaching during the greater part of 1823-24. On March 14, 1833, the church was reorganized and a charter of incorporation obtained from the Gen- eral Court. It was during the same year (1833) that the present place of worship was built. At different times during its existence the church has for short intervals been without a pastor, one of these occasions last- ing eighteen months, following the pastorship of Rev. David E. Millard, which ended in July, 1855. During this time the pulpit was supplied by a committee. The ministers who have served the church, with the periods of their service are as follows :
Benjamin Taylor, 1811-1819; Moses How, 1819-1826; Charles Morgridge, 1826- 1831 ; Stephen Lovell, 1832-1833; Charles Morgridge, 1834-1841; Silas Hawley, 1841- 1843; Philemon R. Russell, 1843-1843; Albert G. Morton, 1844-1851; William R. Stowe, 1852-1854; David E. M.llard, 1854-1855; Samuel W. Whitney, 1857-1858 ; Tyler C. Moulton, 1859-1868; Austin Craig, 1868-1869; Albert J. Kirkland, 1870- 1870; Oliver A. Roberts, 1871-1878; S. Wright Butler, 1879-1888; William T. Brown, 1888 to date.
The officers of the church and society for 1891 are : Pastor, William T. Brown; chairman of church and society meetings, Orrick Smalley ; chairman of church meetings, Charles H. Taber ; assistant, William H. Chappell; clerk, Charles E. Hendrickson; treasurer, Ezra J. Swift; trustees, William H. Chappell, Charles E. Hendrickson, Charles H. Brownell, Ezra J. Swift, David S. Bliss. Ezra J. Swift is superinten- dent of the Sunday school and is assisted by Charles C. Russell, Mrs. Julia A. Clark, and Sarah D. Ottiwell.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
South Christian Church.1- The services that led to the formation of this church began previous to 1851, in which and the succeeding year the building was erected by Messrs. Booth & Hathaway, at a cost of $4,000. Meetings were first held in the vestry of the church and on the 9th of June, 1852, the building was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. George H. Eldridge. His connection with the church began in the previous April. In the following September the congregation was " constituted a Christian Church," composed of the following persons : Pardon Wilcox, Tillinghast Sowle, Cranston Wilcox, Josiah S. Bonney, William Miller, Henry T. James, William H. Macy, Barbara Sowle, Betsey Wilcox, Hannah H. Albert, Phebe A. James, and Sarah Chace. Elder Hervey H. Sullings was one of the early and most active members of the church and often supplied the pulpit when it was without a pastor. He died in December, 1859. Rev. George H. Eldridge was the first regular pastor and continued to April, 1856. After two years of vacancy in the pulpit, Rev. I. H. Coe came in De- cember, 1856, and began his pastorate in April, 1857. He resigned after a pastorate of nearly thirty- three years, January 1, 1890, and was succeeded by Rev. E. C. Fry. The deacons of the church are Alvin Mosher, John S. Francis ; clerk, W. D. Sherman ; superintendent of Sunday-school, A. E. Buffington.
Spruce Street Christian Church .- At a meeting held April 26, 1859, in the old mission chapel on Cedar street, it was voted to organize a mission Sabbath-school society, to provide instruction for neglected children. The nominating committee consisted of Mrs. Hervey Sullings, Mrs. Washington Walker, Mrs. Edward Howland, Mrs. Abner H. Davis, and Mrs. Lewis Bartlett. The following officers were elected : Presi- dent, Mrs. James Durfee; vice presidents, Mrs. Washington Walker, Mrs. Hervey Sullings; secretary, Mrs. Harriet S. Pierce Hendrickson ; treasurer, Mrs. George W. Parker ; advisory committee, Thomas Man- dell, James Durfee, Zenas Whittemore, Rev. Hervey Sullings, Joshua Ashley. George W. Parker was elected superintendent, Mrs. Abner H. Davis, assistant, and W. H. H. Allen, librarian. The school com- menced with fifteen scholars, but the room was filled in a few weeks, and a chapel was built, the dedication taking place January 25, 1860,
1 Prepared by Rev. I. H. Coe.
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ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Rev. T. C. Moulton preaching the dedicatory sermon. In September, 1867, all property was presented to the new society, incorporated under the name of the Spruce Street Mission Society. In 1868 they com- menced to have preaching by a settled pastor and in June, 1869, it be- came an organized church.
Rev. W. S. Emory was the first who had charge of the mission, and after six months, Rev. Nicholas S Chadwick, of West Mansfield, was employed as agent. When the church was set off as a separate society, June 28, 1869, Mr. Chadwick became the first pastor, and retained that position until March 26, 1871, when he resigned and was followed by Rev. James Thomas, who served from February 4, 1872, to September I, of that year. The ministers of the church since MI. Thomas, and the dates of their service have been as follows :
Rev. Ellen Gustin, December 1, 1872, to February 23, 1873 ; Rev. Charles F. Bur- leigh, July 9, 1873, to April 28, 1878; Rev. Gardner Dean, January 25, 1879, to Feb- ruary, 1880; Rev. Allen Damon, July 14, 1881, to October 8, 1882; Rev. Willam H. Hainer, July 31, 1884, to January, 1888 ; Rev. H. M. Eaton, November 4, 1888, to April 22, 1889 ; Rev. George A. Conibear, April, 1890, to September 1, 1891.
Since the resignation of Rev. Mr. Conibear, the pulpit has been filled by the Rev. Isaac H. Coe, as a supply. Mr. Coe had for many years been identified with the Bonney Street Christian Church. The officers of the society are: Chairman, Ephraim J. H. Tripp; clerk, Isaac S. Thomas; treasurer, Mrs. Loum H. Faunce ; trustees, Andrew W. Per- kins, Loum H. Faunce, Ephraim J. H. Tripp, Isaac S. Thomas, and Herbert A. Potter ; deacons, Isaac S. Thomas, Loum H. Faunce.
Advent Christian Church.'-In the spring of the year 1840 William Miller, of New York, delivered several lectures in New Bedford on " the second coming of Christ" The lectures were given in the North Christian Church. He fixed the date of the coming of the Savior as between March, 1843 and March, 1844, wisely refraining from definitely naming the day of the month. He found supporters among the members of other churches and soon about twenty withdrew from their former societies and formed a congregation to listen to the new doctrine. The number rapidly increased, and in the spring of 1843 Cummings Hall was hired and a large camp-meeting was held in Myrick's grove
1 Prepared by Rev. W. A. Balch.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
in the summer. The hall was given up not long afterwards and the meetings were held in private houses to 1845, when Sears Hall was engaged. In 1847 the church formerly occupied by the "Pacific " congregation was secured by this society and there services were held with considerable regularity for thirty- two years. In 1879 the present church was erected by the congregation on Foster street. The first settled pastor of the flock was Elder Joseph Miner, whoremained about eighteen months. He was followed by J. B. Cook in 1848, who remained three years. From March, 1851, to 1855, Elder B. S. Bache- lor occupied the pulpit. On March 10, 1856, a reorganization of the church was effected, and the pulpit was supplied by various persons until June, 1862, when Elder Walter Pratt came, but he withdrew in one year. From December, 1867, to October, 1868, Elders Ross and Matthews alternated in the pulpit. In 1871 George A. Browntook the pastorate and remained one year. July, 1873, A. M. Higgins came for two years. The pulpit was then vacant until 1881, when E. S. Moulton preached until August, 1883. In January, 1885, L. W. Smith was called, but resigned in September and was succeeded in September, 1886, by the present pastor, William A. Burch. The present deacons of the church are Ephraim E. Church, Ezra Wing, George W. Maker, Daniel A. Mckenzie. The church committee are the pastor and Benjamin Irish, James G. Harding, Albert Gifford, Howard N. Dexter, Henry W. Hathaway, George F. Tripp, William H. Hambley, James E. Seamans, Ephraim E. Church, Ezra Wing, George W. Maker, Daniel A. McKen- zie, James Schofield.
The Universalist Church.1- By whom, and at what time the doctrine of the Universalist sect was first promulgated in New Bedford we are unable to definitely state. The names of Revs. David Pickering and William S Balch and some others have been mentioned as having preached in the place, prior to any established movement in its behalf. These well remembered clergymen were early and successive pastors of the old Universalist Church in Providence, R. I. The missionary visits of the former of these at least, were at a very early period, since his residence in Providence was long prior to any organized movement here. The first clergyman named in any society record was Rev. Alanson
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