USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > History of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church in Watertown, 1836-1936 > Part 10
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Esther Little, alto; and sopranos Lois Taylor, Lulu Pollock, Gladys Gray, Hala Phinney, Mary Green, Alice Hutchinson, Olive Brown, Lillian McMurtrie, Edna Roberts, Margaret Colby, Helen Gentleman, Marion Sheffield, Ruth Poole, Jennie Hill, Pauline Brown, and Emily Swim. Altos: Theda Pollock, Winifred Jarvis, Eva Watts, Madeline Morgan, Lilla Burgess, Carrie Roberts, Evelyn McMurtrie, Dorothy Moulton, Marion Ferris, Grace Comey, Lilla Thompson, Mrs. Davis, Eunice Taylor, Jane Boleyn. Tenors: Alvin Vance, Carroll Davison, and Irving Middleton. Basses: Arthur Parks, Richard Hatch, Ralph Morgan, William Frazier, Kenneth MacKay, Grenfel Swim, and Frank Colby.
The choir members have had robes since the middle of Dr. Shepler's pastorate. When the first set gave out in 1929, the choir gave an operetta and raised money to replace them. The robes are black, the women's having simple white starched collars.
RENA I. BISBEE.
THE ORGAN
Definite information regarding the organ used in the early days of the Church, unfortunately, is lacking. Previous to the year 1877, a small one-manual organ placed in the rear gallery of the church on Main Street furnished music for the services. Among those who pre- sided over this instrument were Miss Waterman, Miss Sara A. Emerson and Mrs. Nordstrom.
In July, 1877, a new organ was purchased. This had two manuals and pedals and was built by George H. Ryder. It was placed in the front right-hand corner of the church and was box-like in appearance. The case was made of dark panels decorated with moulding and wooden ornaments. Surmounting this, the pipes, painted white and trimmed with gilt, were arranged in pyramid shape with the words "Praise Ye the Lord" appearing on them. On the panels above the key desk were the words "Jubilate Deo" and above these was a wooden cross on which were the letters "I. H. S." The organ was blown by hand. As an example of the uncertainty of this method, now obsolete, the writer remembers that at one time when the organ was to sound in the service, nothing but silence prevailed. The pastor descended a few steps from the pulpit and drew a curtain at the side of the organ and exposed the organ boy fast asleep. The specifications were: Great Organ, Open Diapason, 8 feet; Melodia, 8 feet; Dolce, 8 feet; Octave, 4 feet; Fifteenth, 2 feet. Swell Organ, Stopped Diapason, 8 feet; Keraulophon, 8 feet; Flute Celeste, 4 feet; Violin, 4 feet; Oboe (with Bassoon Bass), 8 feet. Pedal Organ, Sub Base, 16 feet. Couplers, Swell to Great, 8 feet; Swell to Pedal, 8 feet; Great to Pedal, 8 feet. Combination Pedals, Full Great; Piano Great; Great to Great, 4 feet; Balanced Swell Pedal; Swell Tremolo.
Mr. Frederick Adelbert Whitney, then at the New England Con- servatory of Music, became organist with the installation of the new organ, and many high-grade musical services were given under his direc- tion. When the present church edifice was built in 1895, the organ was
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transferred to the new building and again was placed in the front right- hand corner. Instead of using the original case, it was enclosed by an arch. The pipes were gilded and the tablet reading "Jubilate Deo" which was on the case in the old church was placed in the same relative position over the key desk. While the organ suffered some by the transfer, a long step forward was made in the blowing method, as a water motor was installed.
Although living abroad, Mr. Whitney down through the years had planned to give an organ to the Church and often spoke of it on his visits to Watertown. He died before his desire was carried into execution. When the Church was remodelled in 1924, a new four-manual Skinner organ was installed in the specially designed chancel through the gener- osity provided in Mr. Whitney's will. The following inscription appears on an engraved plate on the console: "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Ruth Richards (Larrabee) Whitney this Organ is Installed. The Gift of her Grandson, Frederick Adelbert Whitney." The organ is divided into three sections, one on the right of the chancel, one on the left and an echo organ at the opposite end of the Church. Only a few pipes appear through the grillwork. These are of natural color and are merely ornamental.
Among those who have served as organists of the Church, in addi- tion to those previously mentioned are: Miss Helen Smith, Miss Hattie Johnson, Arthur Dadmun, Wallace Mclaughlin, Mrs. Emilie M. C. Leach, Wallace A. Shipton, Richard P. Law, Miss Estelle Burnham and Miss Rena I. Bisbee, who has served since 19II.
WALLACE A. SHIPTON.
ST. JOHN'S CHIME
At the Watch Night service, December 31, 1900, the chime in the tower of St. John's Church was dedicated. Twelve strokes on the largest bell at midnight sounded the passing of the year 1900 and the beginning of 1901 and then for forty-five minutes Mr. Chester Meneely played a variety of pieces, showing to those who were permitted to watch him how the chime was played and to those who listened, how harmoniously the bells sounded.
Perhaps a short description of the chime might be interesting. The bells were cast by the Meneely Bell Co. of Troy, N. Y., and were the gift of Mr. Frederick Adelbert Whitney. In the front vestibule of the Church there is a tablet with the following inscription on it. "To the Glory of God and as a loving memorial to my mother, Caroline Isabelle Russell- Whitney, the chime in the tower of this church is installed. Anno Domini MCM. The gift of Frederick Adelbert Whitney." On the largest bell is the following inscription in Latin, "In Memoriam Carolinae Isabellae Russell-Whitney ab filio suo Frederico Adelberto Whitney. Anno Domini MCM." The Beatitudes are also inscribed in Latin on the bells.
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The chime is in the key of F and consists of nine bells covering one octave and ranging in weight from a little over a ton to a little over 200 pounds. The total weight is 7,615 pounds. By including an E-flat bell, music that does not have a range of more than an octave may be played either in the key of F or B-flat. All pieces that can be played have to be transposed into one of those keys. The bells are played manually by using quick sharp strokes on levers connected to the bells by rods and chains. Eight of the bells are rigidly fastened to beams arranged in the form of a square, two bells on each side with the largest bell hung above the others so that it may be tolled by a rope the same as an ordinary church bell.
For several years after its installation, the chime was played not only at the Sunday services, but for Class Meeting on Tuesday evening and for Prayer Meeting on Friday evening. Later only the largest bell was tolled for Class and Prayer Meetings. For over thirty years the chime was played three times every holiday.
The playing has been done continuously by members of the Shipton family, Wallace A. Shipton playing from the beginning to the present time, A. Lester Shipton playing continuously since February, 1901, and Miriam G. Shipton since 1926.
A. LESTER SHIPTON.
MEMORIAL WINDOWS AND TABLETS
A newcomer to St. John's Church is always impressed with the beauty of our stained glass windows, and a well-traveled visitor is even more impressed, for their gorgeous color and perfect artistry are usually found only in cathedral windows of Europe. The possibility of a modern studio being able to successfully copy this supreme art of medieval Europe is a fact of only some thirty years history, since up to that time the stained glass of American concerns seldom, if ever, equalled the product of English or French studios. Within the span of our lives has come such research and improved technique as to make this beautiful adornment of our churches once more one of "the great arts." The con- ception and execution of a fine stained glass window now ranks with painting and sculpture, and our costly windows will be worthy of preser- vation long after the laws of time may have condemned the rest of the present St. John's Church edifice to oblivion. All but four of the church memorial windows were the gifts of Mr. Frederick A. Whitney, in 1919. They were executed in English antique glass, and represented the work of many men for over a year, each piece of glass being selected, painted, baked, and assembled with great care and skill. The artists and workers were of the Montague Castle-London Company of Birmingham, England, with offices in New York.
A brief listing of the windows and the memorial tablets follows: The front vestibule window represents St. George vanquishing the dragon, a fitting guard to the house of God. This was presented by the Trustees of the Church, through the liberality of Mr. Whitney, in honor
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of the Reverend Daniel Richards, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church when the Main Street edifice was built in 1847.
Bronze plaques mounted on mahogany in the vestibule honor the memory of Mrs. Wicks and Miss Lyda Wicks, and tell the story of the founding of the Church. A pure white marble tablet tells of the dedica- tion of the chimes on December 31, 1900, to Caroline Isabelle Russell- Whitney. These, too, were the gift of her son, Mr. Frederick Whitney.
The gem-like colors in the beautifully designed little windows of the swinging doors (from the front vestibule into the auditorium) were given in memory of Mr. Chester Sprague, 1850-1910, long a Trustee of the Church. On the east wall of the auditorium are two marble tablets, pre- sented by the parish, the one on the left in honor of the Reverend George Pickering, and the one on the right in honor of all the Founders.
The tall rectangular windows in this eastern wall are handsome and dignified. The Shaw Memorial window, in the center, pictures "Christ Among the Doctors," and had been presented years before by the Shaw family in honor of Mr. Oliver Shaw and his wife Miranda (aunt and uncle of Mr. B. M. Shaw). At this later time Mr. Whitney added an ornamental glass border to it which greatly increased its attractiveness and dignity. To the left of the Shaw window is one picturing "Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Caring for his Flock," presented in honor of Mr. Leonard Whitney, 1793-1878, and his wife, founders of our society. The window on the right, the figure of St. John, an eagle at his feet, emblem of his mighty and soaring Gospel, was given in memory of Mr. Frederick Whitney's niece, Isabel, who died a tragic, accidental death in 1906.
The small, beautiful "Adoration of the Magi" window, set in the door to the choir room, is a perfect unit of jewelled color and Italian design. Picturing as it does the Wise Men adoring the Christ Child and His Mother, it would make a most appropriate window for our little baptistry, but it is not large enough. It is a window worth much study and admiration, and was given in memory of Father Edward Porter, 1820-1910, a Trustee for many years.
The five windows in the chancel, which are now curtained because of the glare from them on sunny Sabbaths, honor Mr. George S. Emerson. The splendid tall lectern was given in memory of Mr. Frederick A. Whitney by his lifelong friend, Mr. Walter E. C. Worth, in 1921. The bronze tablet with its ecclesiastical coat-of-arms, dedication, and honor list of those serving their country in 1917-18 was a gift of Mr. Whitney. For this list of Service Men, see the Appendix, Record number 5. The pure white marble font in the southwest corner of the auditorium was presented many years ago, in 1885, to the old church on Main Street. Moved in 1895 to the new building, it was placed on a spot some ten feet in front of the present pulpit. In the remodelling plans, the font was moved to the left-hand side of the auditorium, its present location, under the smaller front tower. It was given by Mr. Whitney in honor of his sister, Emily, and the first children baptized from it were Isabel Whitney (mentioned above, an elder sister of Mr. Harold O. Whitney) and a child of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Paine.
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The most gorgeous of all our brilliant windows doubtless is the largest one in the south wall, entitled "The Transfiguration." This window in 1919 replaced the original Whitney memorial window of 1895. Quoting from the artist's own description, we find, "The Transfiguration is as pictured in the words of Matthew, Mark, and Luke: 'He was trans- figured before them. His face shone as the sun, and his raiment became exceeding white as snow. And behold, two men were talking with him, and they were Moses and Elias; who appeared in glory and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.' On one side of the central figure is Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai; on the other side is the angel appearing to Elias (Elijah) in the desert as he fled towards Sinai after his victory over the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Thus on either side of the transfigured Savior we have repre- sented the Law and the Prophets, who prepared the way for His coming.
Below this are seven panels in which are portrayed the 'Seven Spirits which are before His throne,' so often mentioned in the book of Revela- tion. 'These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars the seven lamps of fire burning before His Throne, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.' They symbolize the perfection of God's character, of the Gospel of His Son, of the flaming activity and manifold ways in which this expresses itself among men until His Kingdom shall at last transfigure and glorify all mankind. Two of the names attached to these, Michael the archangel, and Gabriel who was sent from God to Mary, we know from the Holy Scriptures; the others were added by the early Christian fathers."
In the chapel there is a decorative memorial window placed by Mrs. Abbie Learned Hanaford, in memory of Samuel Learned, Ruth Ann Learned, and Hiram Wesley Learned. In the chapel vestibule are two windows also of the group given by Mr. Whitney in 1919. "Isaiah," on the left, is in memory of Cynthia Brown Whitney, 1830-1917. "Ezekiel," on the right, honors Mr. Frank John Berry, 1835-1908, long a Trustee of St. John's, and father of Mrs. Eva B. Lovell. It was Mrs. Lovell, we wish to add at this point, who designed and gave to us the beautiful white cloths embroidered and trimmed with gold (for the altar, pulpit, lectern, and altar table), which we use on all Christmas, Easter, and other festive Sundays of our church year.
ELINORE H. MIDDLETON.
ST. JOHN'S MEN IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY, 1917-18, AND FOLLOWING
Ernest M. Allen, John K. Allen, Oscar R. J. Anderson, Joseph Bailey, Paul C. Balch, Leland Curtis Bixby, George W. Blanchard, Virgil C. Brink, George F. Campbell, Marvin W. Campbell, Leroy H. Crosby, Walter A. Cutlip, Philip Darch, Lawrence B. Davis, Joseph Delmage, George W. Gardiner, Ralph C. Gardiner, Harold Abram Godwin, David Golder, William M. Gorham, Douglas J. Hackett,
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William L. Hackett, Richard C. Hodges, Alfred L. Hooper, Carlos Howard, Charles E. Howell, Miles H. Hubbard, Carl W. Huckins, Edward Joy, Thomas P. Joy, Henry A. Keefe, James L. Keefe, Jason E. Keefe, Erwin M. Kenison, Rudolph A. Lundstrom, Clarence S. McArthur, John E. McArthur, Daniel A. MacAuley, Jr., Neil Hector MacAuley, William E. Merrill, Larchie MacPhail, Edward B. Packard, Richard H. Pascoe, Arthur J. Phillips, Ira D. Phillips, Henry Roscoe Pollock, Roy L. Pray, Edward E. Perkins, Benjamin Quickmire, Edwin M. Richardson, Ray V. Richardson, Raymond H. Ripley, Frederic A. Robinson, Harry N. Robinson, James F. Ryder, Arthur G. Seale, Delbert Scott Smith, Bartlett M. Shaw, Jr., Joseph Shaw, Eliot Shaw, William S. Shaw, Allen M. Sloane, Albert W. Thompson, Reginald B. Thompson, Harold S. Tuck, Neil E. Tillotson, Lincoln F. Watts, Harold O. Whitney, Richard T. Willson, Clifford Wheeler, Frank H. Wood, and Robert J. Young.
THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY
A pastor when asked to give the specific work of a Ladies, Aid Society replied, "To provide and serve church suppers, look after the church furnishings, and supply the needs of the parsonage." While St. John's Ladies' Aid have fulfilled to the letter this definition, its members have never been "Hewers of wood and drawers of water only." The scope of their work has been much broader, always being ready to help in any emergency in St. John's, but at the same time extending aid far beyond the confines of their own church. A Constitution adopted in March, 1883, begins, "The Society shall be called The Ladies' Social Circle of the M. E. Church of Watertown," but is otherwise surprisingly like the one we have today. However the records of 1900 refer to it as the Ladies' Aid Society, and as such it has been known ever since, and has ever truly been the right-hand aid of the pastor. The object of the society is fourfold. "I. To supply and keep in repair the furnishings of the parsonage. 2. To aid in securing the financial prosperity of the Church. 3. To seek out and aid such in our congregation or Sunday school as need benevolent assistance. 4. To provide opportunity for social intercourse and entertainment by which the members of our Church and congregation may be brought together in the family relation."
The monthly suppers have always been a feature, and afforded a splendid opportunity for fine fellowship. In the early 1900's the price was fifteen cents, including entertainment. Ice cream was always men- tioned as part of the menu, and in 1906 it was voted to no longer serve ice cream at a fifteen-cent supper. Even during these years, it was an established custom that the men should get up one supper a year for the ladies, and in January, 1902, the Methodist Club served a supper at which five hundred sat down. The records of 1906 read, "Since the Men's Club did not serve us a supper this year, it has been suggested that perhaps they will esteem it a favor to give the ladies a May break- fast."
Our Annual Bazaar has been one of our largest sources of income.
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In the early days this annual sale used to be held on April 19, often in the Town Hall. In 1905 it was noted "Master Harold Whitney kindly consented to exhibit the gramophone for an hour," and the records of that year read, "One of the hardest things we have to do is to provide pleasing and attractive entertainment after the church suppers," and in 1936 we can echo these words. "The Country School" seems to have been a favorite form of entertainment, also tableaux and pantomimes. Nearly four hundred listened to a program after the monthly supper in February, 1903, put on by the young people.
A red-letter day in the calendar each year for more than thirty years was the May party for the Sunday school children, which was always a source of delight to the little folks, and was only discontinued a few years ago because the children seemed to have so many other interests.
The Calling Committee has had a wonderful opportunity for service, and the amount of calls made in the earlier years is quite astounding. Four hundred or five hundred a year was quite the usual thing, but the highest figure noted was seven hundred and eighty in 1902. It would be difficult indeed to estimate the influence of these calls, the sick folks cheered, the sorrowing hearts comforted, and the newcomers brought into definite relations with the Church.
In October, 1903 the last instalment was paid the Trustees on the pledge of $600 for our new Church, and in 1905 a pledge of $500 more was voted toward the Church debt. In 1911 the records state, "The most satisfying accomplishment of the year has been the opportunity to pay the last $50 on the church mortgage, and the recalling when the Ladies' Aid had the privilege of making the first payment on our church property: some of our members have helped carry the burden from first to last."
All-day sewing meetings have always been in vogue, and the records of 1908 read, "At 12.30 the Sewing Craft was called from labor to refreshment." In recent years the all-day sewing meetings have not been quite so frequent, but at the close of every meeting, tea has been served, and a social hour enjoyed.
In May, 1909, it was voted that five dollars be deposited in the bank as a nucleus for furnishings of a room under consideration at the Old Folk's Home in Watertown, and this amount was gradually added to until the keeping in repair of the Methodist room in this Home became one of our regular donations. In 1932 we refurnished this room as a bedroom, and it is still our privilege to provide its needs.
The furnishings of the Church and parsonage have always been the foremost care of the Ladies' Aid, and the records are filled with its accom- plishments in this line. The society has never turned a deaf ear to any need in St. John's, and dining room and kitchen equipment have always been splendidly kept up. In 1911 we read, "We are rejoicing in our new parsonage, and are glad to have been permitted to add to its many attractions." Our reports are but the reiteration of church and parsonage improvements all through the years, which to relate in detail here would be impossible. Suffice it to say that no committee has functioned to better advantage than our Parsonage Committee.
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It has been our custom to give a reception to our new or returning pastor and wife each year, which has been a happy occasion. That of 1912 seems worthy of note. It was planned that the reception be given at the close of the Friday evening service, to be in the nature of a surprise to the pastor and his wife, Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Holden. "The expression on the pastor's face, as the usually scantily filled room was filled to overflowing, proved it was indeed a surprise."
The Easter Bazaar of 1914 featured a novel "pay for what you eat" supper and at the Christmas fair and supper that year "one of the largest crowds ever attended, necessitating the setting of second tables, and turning many away." For several years following, the entertainments after the monthly suppers were provided by different organizations of the Church, often by Sunday school classes, which furnished variety and created interest. As early as 1916 we had a Hospitality Committee to welcome strangers after the Sunday morning service, and a similar com- mittee still performs that important work.
In 1917 and 1918 the annual fair was given up, the women not hav- ing the heart for it on account of war conditions, devoting their energies instead to work for the Red Cross, of which they did a considerable amount. In 1918 and 1919 Mr. Ambrose J. Shipton presented our society with two one hundred dollar Liberty bonds, in memory of his wives, Tryphena Shipton and Mary Davis Shipton, which became known as our Endowment Fund. In 1921, a bequest in the will of Mrs. Cyrus Campbell added still another hundred dollars to this fund, known as the "Laura Campbell Memorial."
In 1919, 1927 and 1934, we entertained the Ladies' Aid Union, serv- ing luncheon in two churches on each occasion. In 1927, 685 women partook of the luncheon. We have also been hostess to the women's societies of the Federated Churches twice. For many years we used to serve the annual church supper in January, and share the expenses of same with the Church. We have always been ready to serve refreshments for Watch Night service, and for Every-Member Canvass workers, or any occasion when our services were needed.
Financially the society has been of vital assistance to the Church. It has always made a weekly pledge to the current expenses, which amount has been steadily increased, until in 1931 it was doubled to ten dollars, at which figure it has remained to the present time. In March, 1924, plans for the remodelling of our Church were presented to us by our pastor, Dr. Taylor, and we immediately pledged $5,000, to be paid over a period of five years, our slogan being "Boom St. John's." Mrs. Phoebe A. Paine was the president during this remodelling period, and under her competent leadership, when the time of the annual meeting in March, 1927 came, this $5,000 had been paid in full, and we were so elated we promptly pledged $2,500 more, and in April, 1928, still another $2,500, $10,000 in all, and all paid within the five-year limit. This seemed like accomplishing the impossible, but the vision, courage, determination and faith of our women brought it to pass.
Longings for a "real ladies' parlor" were abundantly fulfilled in the
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remodelling, and in April, 1925, the new ladies' parlor and kitchenette were ready for use. Personal gifts from several members of the society and Church, some of whom have since gone to their eternal home, added materially to the beauty of the room. It may be interesting to note that the total cost of the furnishings of our ladies' parlor amounted to $2,426.
During the years from 1923-28, through varied activities of our groups, considerable sums of money were added to our treasury. Since that time they have continued to serve the Men's Club suppers, which has been a source of income for our society. Our Christmas bazaar of 1926, with its beautiful red and green decorations, was called our "prettiest bazaar," and was repeated the following year. The largest amounts raised from the annual bazaar were in 1925, 1926 and 1927, over $2,300 being raised in this latter year, with Mrs. Gertrude L. Huse as the capable chairman. This splendid result could not have been attained without the untiring zeal of our women and the cooperation of every organization in the Church. The turkey and harvest suppers, the latter served by the men, have always been a feature of our fairs, and the entertainment which followed a great attraction. Amateur plays have been the favorite form of amusement for many years, and have displayed to good advantage the varied talents of our young people. To Mrs. Lillie Simmons we owe a great debt of gratitude for her unceasing efforts through many years to provide us with pleasing and wholesome enter- tainment. Perhaps the high spot in entertainment achievement was reached at our fair in 1934, when "Grandmother's Garden Party" was presented, a truly lovely portrayal of the various stages in the life of a woman.
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