USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > History of Wakefield (Middlesex County) Massachusetts, compiled by William E. Eaton and History Committee > Part 10
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The church stands now in the forefront of union churches that, by their "fellowship and spirit," minister to the needs of all men.
Rev. Harry W. Birch is the present minister.
THE CHURCH OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT GREENWOOD
In May, 1909, the Catholics of Greenwood celebrated Mass in the Hose House Hall. A chapel of Gothic design was built on Main Street, near Hanson st, for them, and the opening service was held on New Year's Day, 1927. Greenwood parishioners were separated from the Mother Parish in 1931, and now form a separate parish with their own well- organized activities.
In 1931, the church was consecrated as the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It has under its care approximately 1800 souls and it enjoys a vigorous spiritual life. The church building was enlarged in 1942 to twice its original size.
There are organizations for men, women and girls, and a Sunday School with an enrollment of 400 children.
Rev. Francis P. Doyle is pastor of this rapidly-growing parish, and Rev. Edward F. Hartigan is assistant.
ITALIAN CATHOLIC MISSION
A Sunday School for Italian children had been conducted in the early 1920's in a hall on Water Street. In 1924 it became possible for Italian Catholics to assist at Mass in a chapel in their own neighborhood. The Santissima Maria del Carmine Society had erected a building on Water Street with a view to providing a place of worship, as well as headquarters
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for their society. The upper portion of this structure is fitted up as a chapel and here Mass is celebrated every Sunday for Catholics of Italian birth or lineage.
The Society has generously transferred the title to their building and land to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, the title under which all Catholic Church property is held in the Archdiocese of Boston.
As this history goes to press, a successful money-raising campaign is in progress for the building of a church on the present site of the chapel.
THE ITALIAN BAPTIST CHAPEL
The Italian Baptist Chapel is a branch of the work of the First Bap- tist Church. The present building at the corner of Water and Melvin Streets was erected on land deeded by the Heywood-Wakefield Company. It was dedicated on November 14, 1915. The work for the new-comers from Italy had been started some fourteen years previous, and among these new-comers were many who were descended from the Waldenses and the Vaudois.
For some years previous to the erection of the chapel, services were conducted in Italian in a large room in a building on Water Street. This room, first intended for a store, served as headquarters for the work among Italian Protestant families.
The Sunday School was conducted in English and the late Alice Hill served for many years as superintendent. She was succeeded by her sister, Florence Hill. Frank DeFelice is the present superintendent.
Rev. Theodore DeLuca was pastor for many years. A man of superior intellectual attainments he gave assistance to his young people in their ambitions for a higher education.
Rev. Anthony Collea, pastor since August, 1942, is holding and in- creasing the interest of his congregation and is working especially with young people. A new organ was dedicated in October, 1943.
WAKEFIELD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
This organization is made up of the pastors of the several Wakefield churches, and two delegates from each church society. It includes, ex- officio, the pastor of the Italian Baptist Chapel, the general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a delegate of the Wakefield Youth Council.
The Wakefield Council is affiliated with the Massachusetts Council of Churches.
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CONCLUSION
What shall be said in the concluding paragraphs of this brief survey? This much, at least. That portion of ancient Reading which is now Wake- field possessed, in 1644, its one little meeting house for its 30 families. Here are now 10 houses of worship. Where there were perhaps 50 mem- bers in the 1644 church, there must now be at least 10,000, perhaps more, who give their allegiance to one or another of these churches.
Increase in contributions for current expenses, benevolences and missionary work has been in generous proportion to the growth in mem- bership; and as for the value of church property of the various religious bodies, we know that it is tremendous, and that it means great generosity and great sacrifices.
It is right to call to mind these evidences of growth and prosperity. But as we do so, let us think also of the devoted pastors who have served these churches down the years, and of the men and women who have found comfort, consolation and spiritual enlightenment within the walls of the churches of their faith.
Perhaps the records would show here and there within a single denom- ination sharp differences of opinion about matters of doctrine, or even dissensions on national issues. But these controversies have passed and they do not need to be here revived. Indeed, they may well be ignored, for in recent years there have been numerous instances of long-continued generosity, extended to churches temporarily homeless. There have been, and continue to be evidences of tolerance and co-operation of the right sort, and of broadmindedness among those of differing faiths.
We like to think that a certain creed and faith and practice answer and satisfy the spiritual needs and longings of one type of persons, another faith enables those of quite another spiritual and mental make-up to find a haven for the soul and a field for religious activity.
Let it be said to the future historian that this good word is in a very real sense true of Wakefield churches today ..
This same historian of a future day will not need to be told that we, in this tercentenary year, are passing through deep waters; but the "faith of our fathers," we believe, "has kept our country brave and free," and it will sustain us through the dark days that may be before us, and into the days when the light of peace shall shine.
As was said by a speaker at the 250th anniversary, there is the "bound- less, the limitless hope-new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
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CHAPTER SEVEN
Old Homes and Sites
List of Old Houses and Historic Sites - Dates of Origin Identification Tablets Placed
The Tercentenary Committee, through the painstaking efforts of Morrison Mer- rill, a member, has located ancient homes and other historical places on which suit- able tablets will be placed.
1. On high ground on the east side of Brook Street, about opposite the Read- ing Sewer Pumping Station, stood Parker's Saw Pit, where logs were sawed with an "up and down" saw operated by two men, one standing in a pit under the log and the other standing above the log; used by the early settlers before the use of water or steam power.
2. Ensign Hopkins Homestead. Built prior to 1765. Located north side of Hopkins Street nearly opposite house of Mrs. Dunn. Demolished years ago.
THE OLD JOSEPH HOPKINS HOMESTEAD Located on the northerly side of Hopkins Street, a short distance east of Brook Street. The old home was torn down many years ago.
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3. Nathaniel Eaton House, built prior 1795. Located west side of Brook Street near intersection of Hopkins Street. This house was destroyed by fire October 26, 1894.
4. Jonas Eaton Homestead. Located on an old wood-road west of Strath- more Road and on the east side of what was formerly Hero Nichols' meadow. Only the cellar hole remains. Built about 1642.
5. Aaron Cowdrey Homestead, erected prior to 1764 (early settler) later home of Emily Gould, also owned in later years by the Ryland Family. Located at 71 Prospect Street.
6. Jonas Cowdrey house erected about 1790. Located at 61 Prospect Street.
7. William Atwell's razor strop factory, now a dwelling. Located rear of house at 24 Prospect Street.
EMERSON (OR KENDALL) HOUSE AT 1 PROSPECT STREET Probably the second oldest house in Wakefield; erected prior to 1750. Site of home of Deacon Thomas Kendall, first settler
8. Capt. Goodwin Homestead erected prior to 1770 (an early settler). Later the house of James Eustis was erected on the same site and is still standing. Located No. 1 Elm Street.
9. William Stimpson Homestead. Built before 1795. Later owned by William Atwell who manufactured razor strops in a building in rear. Located at 24 Prospect Street.
10. Deacon Thomas Kendall Homestead erected prior to 1750 later the home of James Emerson, Sr., and James Emerson, Jr. Located at 1 Prospect Street, and probably the second earliest dwelling in Wakefield.
11. Thomas Hay House erected about 1746, later the home of Deacon Francis Smith; also Amos Boardman lived here. Located rear of 22 Elm Street, this house torn down years ago.
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12. Benjamin Hartshorne House built prior to 1750 later the home of James Hartshorne, demolished about 1925. Located west side of Elm Street at Pine Hill Circle.
13. Homestead of Ebenezer Damon, built prior to 1775, also home of Capt. Walker, long since demolished. Home of Suel Winn erected about 1800. Located at 72 Elm Street.
14 .. Sgt. John Parker house erected 1670, in later years was the home of Matthew Leslie, destroyed by fire April 18, 1901. Located about 150 feet rear of 157 Prospect Street.
15. Emerson's Rope Walk later owned by Charles Davis, and by William Biggs, who was the last to manufacture rope, erected 1800, removed about 1889. This building was located on the east side of Cedar Street in the rear of No. 44.
16. Horace Tilton house. Erected about 1726. Located at 379 Albion Street. Erected by Daniel Hay.
SUEL WINN HOMESTEAD
The old Winn homestead on Elm Street corner of Winn Street. It stands on the site of the homestead of Capt. Richard Walker, one of Reading's first settlers. Suel Winn was killed at the Church Street railroad crossing. The Winn homestead is now owned and occupied by Elwin I. Purrington.
18. First St. Joseph's Catholic Church, now used as a hall, erected 1862 and stood on the site of the present church facing Albion Street. Located on Murray Street, east side.
19. Col. James Hartshorne House. Built in 1681. Erected by Thomas Hodg- man, later owned by Jonathan Cowdrey, and later the home of Dr. John Hart who built a hall within it for the use of Mount Moriah Lodge of Masons; was later a public house and in later years the residence of Col. James Hartshorne. Located north side of Church Street.
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20. Second Old Brick Powder House erected 1765. Located southwest corner Old Cemetery on a knoll, removed years ago.
21. Second Town Pound built 1761. Located southwest corner of Old Cemetery.
22. The second meeting house of Reading erected 1688-89 stood near the monu- ment of the Rev. John Mullen and thus the second burying ground grew around it. Located Old Cemetery on Church Street.
23. First Parish meeting house, Church Street. This church, first built 1820-92, and rebuilt after the fire of 1909, covers the site of the third meeting house of Read- ing, erected 1768, remodeled 1837, turned around and altered 1859, taken down 1890.
24. The earliest and for about fifty years the only burying place of Reading occupied this spot. In 1834 some of the gravestones were removed and the Town . House erected here. The Town House was removed to southeast corner of Main and Salem Streets 1873. Located where the park and bandstand are found.
25. In front of the present pagoda stood the wooden Engine House erected in 1852, destroyed by fire 1859, a brick engine house was erected the same year, torn down 1891. The hand engine, "Black Hawk," and the "Yale" hand engine were housed here and later the first Silsby steam fire engine was quartered here.
26. Jeremiah Bryant's blacksmith shop occupied the location at the northwest corner of Church Street at Main Street on the present Park, erected before 1799, known as the village smithy.
27. The first centre district school house stood on the south side of Church Street, near Main Street, erected 1799 and discontinued in 1834, later moved to site of Princess Theatre, Mechanic Street and destroyed by fire 1899.
28. The first hay scales, where weighing was done by lifting the wagon wheels off the ground by chains attached to wooden cross beams overhead, located south side of Church Street next to school. (See 27.)
29. This house originally occupied the site of the Fire Station, Crescent and Mechanic Streets, and was the factory of Dr. S. O. Richardson for the compounding of his famous Sherry-Wine Bitters; and later used to manufacture the Abbott Hy- draulic Engine. Erected 1835, moved to present site about 1889. Located at 48 Bartley Street.
30. Leonard Wiley's house formerly stood on the northeast corner of Water and Crescent Streets; erected about 1765, about 1890 it was moved to present site. Located at 35 Bartley Street.
31. Pond Summer School was located on land between Main Street and the Lake opposite Central Street, formerly West District School, moved there 1822, later sold, now used as wood shed rear of Lafayette Street.
33. Lilley Eaton's Mansion built 1804, Post Office, principal store for many years, and center of population and trade. Located at Main and Salem Streets, northeast corner.
34. Homestead of Samuel Gould built 1735, later the home of T. S. Meriam. Located at 48 Meriam Street. (East side.)
35. Parish House which originally stood on the north side of Church Street corner Lake Avenue on the Park and was the home of Rev. Reuben Emerson. Erected about 1804. Now located on south side of Salem Street.
37. Samuel Sweetser house built prior to 1795, later the home of Capt. Asaph Evans. Located 19 Salem Street.
38. Elias Emerson House erected prior to 1795, later became the home of Franklin Poole, well-known artist. Located at 23 Salem Street.
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39. Daniel Sweetser house erected about 1780, later the home of Col. James F. Mansfield, now owned by Wilfred DeRocher. Located at 185 Lowell Street.
40. Homestead of Joseph Gould stood on this site erected about 1765. Moved to the south side of Lawrence Street near No. 34. Located southeast corner Main and Lawrence Streets.
41. First Saw Mill in Reading stood on this site, erected by John Poole in 1652, torn down 1922. Located Vernon Street west side at Saugus River.
42. Homestead of Capt. William Green erected about 1750. Located at 18 Vernon Street.
43. On this lot stood the David Batchelder House erected 1720, later the Swain house, demolished about 1899. Located east side of Vernon Street north of DeVita's Conservatory.
LILLEY EATON HOMESTEAD, BUILT 1804
North corner Main and Salem Streets (Torn down in 1913.)
44. Home of James Bryant stood on this site; only cellar hole now remains, built prior to 1750. Located south side of Elm Street opposite No. 130.
45. Homestead of John Swain built prior to 1750, also the home of William Gould, George H. Wiley and others. Located at 237 Salem Street.
46. Homestead of Capt. John Swain built 1752, later the home of John Gould. Located at 229 Salem Street.
47. This house originally stood on north side of street and built in 1740; owner was Thomas Parker. Was the home of the Bailey family and now owned by Eric V. Larson. Located at 200 Lowell Street.
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48. This house, which originally was located in the town of Stoneham, was built prior to 1760. The owner is unknown; was later the home of the Seavey family, also the Hollands, and Goldthwaits were later owners, now the home of John S. Stormont. Located at 335 Albion Street.
49. On this spot stood the homestead of Thomas Burnap, built prior to 1750, later the Goldsmith home (3rd house in rear remodeled). Located at 99 Salem Street.
50. On this site stood Jeremiah Bryant's homestead built about 1794, torn down 1899. Located northeast corner Main and Bryant Streets.
51. The first Baptist meeting house erected 1800 on Salem Street was removed to this spot in 1820, destroyed by fire 1835, a second house built in 1836 was destroyed by fire 1871. Location, northeast corner Main and Crescent Streets.
52. Near this spot stood the South Reading Academy, built in 1829 and sold to the Town in 1847; used as a high school until 1872, moved in 1892 to present location and used as a G. A. R. Hall until 1941. Located on Foster Street.
53. First Powder House and the first Town Pound were located in the rear of this house 1659. Located rear of 316 Main Street.
54. Universalist Church built 1836, remodeled in 1856 and steeple added, 1876 interior remodeled and pews added; 1897 more improvements made.
55. Archibald Smith house stood on this site, erected 1807, moved to Centre Street, later demolished in 1942. Located northeast corner of Main and Centre Streets.
56. Joseph Underwood homestead built prior to 1740, later home of Moses Parker and J. Drinkwater. Located Lowell and Vernon Streets, northeast corner.
57. Homestead of Thomas Emerson built prior to 1760, later the home of Rev. Dr. Cushman. Destroyed by fire more than fifty years ago.
58. Near this spot stood the Centre District School, built in 1853 and in 1891 moved to Crescent and Mechanic Streets; used as a fire station until destroyed by fire in 1899.
59. On this spot stood a small school house, later used as a shoe shop, removed to No. 2 Cottage Street now used as part of dwelling of C. P. LeDuc. Site of Town Hall. (See No. 91.)
60. Homestead of the Woodward Family, occupied 1795 by Thomas Stimpson, later by Samuel Tileston 1850. Located on west side of Main Street just north of Lowell Street.
61. On this site on the south side of Albion Street stood the Methodist Epis- copal Church built 1873, demolished 1938 by the terrific hurricane of that year.
62. Homestead of Samuel Wiley built about 1795, later years was the Quan- napowitt House. In subsequent years it was cut in three parts and moved. First part now A. O. H. Hall, second part now located northeast corner Avon Street and North Avenue, third part now a dwelling house on Bennett Street. Located south- west corner Main and Albion Streets.
63. Site of first Post Office in South Reading. Located near Abe Fine's store, east side of Main Street.
64. Homestead of John Raynor stood on this site, built before 1775, torn down many years ago, gave way to erection of a new house owned by Daniel Norcross, burned 1857. Location of Wakefield Savings Bank.
66. First Meeting house of Reading, erected prior to 1644, stood near this spot. Located northwest corner Main and Albion Streets.
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67. Site of Daniel Sweetser's homestead, built about 1800; later the home of Burrage Yale, also of John W. White, demolished 1935. Located on site of Post Office.
68. Burrage Yale's tin shop built 1803, later used as Emerson's Shoe factory. Town down 1900. Present Y. M. C. A. Building erected 1907. Located northwest corner Common Street and Yale Avenue.
69. Near this spot stood the homestead of Samuel Poole, built 1752, an inn famous in its day; kept by Stephen Hale, later by Leonard Wiley. It was demolished 1865. Located near vestry door of Baptist Church.
71. Caleb Prentiss House, built 1740, stood on this spot, moved to Traverse Street 1870, later destroyed by fire. High School erected 1871, discontinued as a high school 1923. Located northwest corner Common and Lafayette Streets.
THE OLD GREEN HOUSE
On the easterly side of Main Street, just north of the Greenwood bridge. Built about 1754.
72. Near this spot in 1680 stood Ken's Blacksmith Shop and Ken's Pond Located northwest of flag staff on Common.
73. On this spot stood the home of Rev. William Hobby, erected prior to 1750. Located southwest corner Common and Church Streets.
74. Homestead of Thomas Stimpson, Jr., erected 1785. Located northeast cor- ner of Main and Lowell Streets.
75. In the rear of this spot stood the homestead of John Brown, esq., later owned by James Gould; Aaron Foster; Francis P. Hurd and A. G. Walton, de- stroyed by fire 1940. Located Main Street, Lakeside.
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76. Daniel Gould homestead built before 1725, and the first house built in Stoneham; later the home of William M. Arrington; originally was located half in Wakefield and half in Stoneham; torn down about 50 years ago. Located at north- west corner of Gould and Walnut Streets.
77. Home of John Smith later the home of Joanna Oliver, built about 1790, now the home of A. S. Oliver. Located at 224 Nahant Street.
78. Nathan Wiley House built before 1765. Located east side Wiley Street. (Brick house.)
79. Homestead of Michael Sweetser, erected about 1755, formerly stood on Main Street corner Nahant Street. Located at 6 Nahant Street.
GREENWOOD SEMINARY
Located on Main Street, Greenwood, nearly opposite the present Greenwood School about 1850. It was later used as a home for inebriates,
80. Site of Francis Smith homestead built before 1650, it is said he purchased from the Indians for a jack knife and other cutlery a large tract of land on the northerly side of the Pond, he was an inn holder, in 1644 had leave of the Court to draw wine for travelers. Located west side of Main Street near Junction Depot.
81. This house originally stood in the rear of theatre building, Richardson Avenue, owned by Dr. S. O. Richardson and used as an armory by Richardson Light Guard. Located at 608 Main Street, corner Summer Street.
82. John Poole homestead, also home of Capt. Thomas Green (the old miller) built before 1700, since added to and remodeled. Located Center house, Water Street just east of railroad crossing.
83. Homestead of William Green built about 1754. Located Main Street east side south of Green Street.
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84. Near this spot stood the first public school in Greenwood built 1828. Located near ledge on east side of Main Street.
85. Fountain Hand Engine House first located south side of Center Street, foot of hill, then Crescent Street, corner Lincoln Street, and later moved to present loca- tion, also housed Volunteer Hose Company in later years. Located north side of Water Street next to Piano Factory.
86. Thomas Walton homestead, built in early 1700, originally stood on the northwest corner of Main and Greenwood Streets; on lower story walls notable mural paintings' were found under wall paper in later years. Located at No. 9 Greenwood Street.
87. Site of Greenwood Seminary built over 100 years ago was an approved educational institution of that date. Located on west side of Main Street, south of Melrose Terrace.
88. This house was the first Woodville District School and stood in the rear of the Infirmary, Farm Street. Erected 1844. Located 144 Water Street.
89. Homestead of John Poole and corn mill, built 1644. The earliest town record relates to this mill which stood in the center of this enclosure. Heywood- Wakefield yard.
90. Capt. John Walton homestead erected about 1772. Located at north side Oak Street near Crosby Road. Now the Decker house.
91. The ell of this house originally stood on Main Street site of Town Hall and was used as a school and later as a shoe shop. Located at No. 2 Cottage Street. (See No. 59.)
92. This house originally stood at northwest corner of Main and Albion Streets and used as the post office. Located Water corner Farm Street.
93. Homestead of Thomas Wiley erected prior to 1730. Located northwest corner Water and Montrose Avenue.
94. Homestead of William Green erected before 1760. Located east side Main Street, first house north of Oak Street.
95. Jeremiah Whitehead house, erected prior to 1760, was originally the home- stead of Joseph Eaton and stood on the west side of Main Street south of Greenwood Bridge on land now occupied by the B. & M. R. R., was moved to near the Junc- tion depot 1843; was moved to the present location 1847; was hauled on skids on the snow by 20 yoke of oxen. Located at 48 Nahant Street.
96. Homestead of Deacon Benjamin Brown, built prior to 1728, later the home of Thomas Clement, Thomas Haley Forrester, John Clapp, Dr. William W. Cutler, John Brewster, Lucius Beebe and Junius Beebe. Located Lakeside, Main Street.
97. Homestead of Capt. John Batchelder erected before 1745, and stood on the northeast corner of Main and Cordis Streets, later owned by Jonathan Nutting and Joseph Cordis. In later years, about 1800, it was cut in two, one half was moved to east side of Pleasant Street north of Cordis Street on knoll, since demolished; the other half was moved to the north side of Cordis Street, later the home of the. Sweetser family, now the home of Lawrence DeRenne. Located at 33 Cordis Street.
98. Homestead of Deacon Daniel Green built about 1785 later the home of Charles Green and the Alden family. Located 659 Main Street.
99. Reuben Green home built about 1788-1790, later home of Judge Nash, and William Boynton. Located northeast corner Spring and Greenwood Streets.
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SOME OF WAKEFIELD'S SCHOOL BUILDINGS
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