USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Ware > History of Ware, Massachusetts > Part 16
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Some were in favor of a new location for the church, while others desired to retain the present location. The controversy led to some hard feeling which a few never got over. The house was remodelled at a cost of nearly $3000.
Dr. Gale having been called to a professorship in East Windsor Seminary, resigned the parish in 1851. He is de- scribed as an unusual man. "His intellect was naturally vigorous, and he strengthened it by diligent study and by intercourse with intelligent society." His departure was keenly regretted.
The Rev. T. S. Colton was settled as pastor in 1851, re- maining until 1855. He was succeeded by Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, who remained until 1884. During his pastorate the parsonage was purchased and the present chapel built. Previously the building on Nenameseck Square, now occu- pied by the fire company, was used for lectures and evening meetings, having been built for that purpose in 1857. Be- fore that, in 1848, a building formerly used by the Factory
1 This same year the town voted to pay for a pall and bier for the use of the Parish.
1
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Company as a counting-room had been given to the society.
After the resignation of Dr. Perkins in 1884, the Rev. A. T. Perry accepted a call to the parish.
In 1887 a committee was appointed to consider repairs on the church which all felt were becoming necessary. An architect was employed, plans drawn, and subscriptions raised. Twenty-one thousand dollars was expended, in- cluding the cost of the organ, and the church put in its present shape.
The question of free seats was raised as early as 1872, and a committee appointed to investigate the subject, but no report is found on record. In 1888 the subject was again brought up, the parish canvassed for pledges, and the free- pew system adopted when the remodelled church was opened in 1889.
Mr. Perry tendered his resignation in 1890 to become President of Marietta College, and the Rev. Austin B. Bassett began his services in January, 1891, continuing until the summer of 1905, when he was called to the chair of Pastoral Theology in the Hartford Theological Seminary.
The Rev. George B. Hatch entered upon the pastorate in the fall of 1906.
At the installation of the Rev. Parsons Cooke on June 21, 1826, Dr. Woodbridge referred to the new village of Ware as follows:
It is with no ordinary emotions, that we cast our eye over this busy and flourishing village, so suddenly with all its beauty, raised from waste sterility by the hand of dili- gence, and containing within itself so many of the elements of wealth, respectability and influence. With sentiments of a far more pleasing and holy character, we contemplate the direction, that, even in its infancy, has been given to its enterprise, in the establishment of a church, founded on evangelical principles, and in securing the blessings of the christian ministry. Every good man must rejoice with this Church and Society, in the constancy and unanimity of their efforts, and the successful result, they this day witness under, as we believe, the approving care of Heaven.
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The following is a quotation from Rev. Parsons Cooke's sermon at the dedication of the meeting-house on Jan. 24, 1827:
I should do violence to your feelings should I fail of giving expression to the grateful emotions, that swell your hearts, in view of that good providence which has brought this enterprize to so prosperous an issue. Standing for the first time a worshipping assembly within these walls, a train of the most animating and grateful recollections comes pouring over your hearts. Roll back the wheels of time, and place things where they stood but one year ago. Re- move from the view every thing that has been done for Zion here. Let the eye dwell on the scene as it then was. Zion is a waste. Few care for her interest. And those few have 'hung their harps upon the willows' saying 'how shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land.' No Church exists to engage the protection of a covenant God, and em- body the dispersed of Israel. Here and there a solitary captive daughter of Zion pours forth her silent prayer for deliverance. Here and there an individual arm is put forth to restore the breaches; but without hope and without strength.
But what hath God wrought! Passing, by a sudden transition from that to the present time, we seem standing amid the wild illusions of a dream. A choice vine has been planted in a very fruitful hill, the broken walls are raised, the stated ordinances of the gospel are established to culti- vate and nourish the vineyard of the Lord. And scarce had Zion from the gatherings of the dispersed, done enlarging the place of her tent, when a cloud fraught with mercy arises, its contents descend, the mercy drops exceed the drops of the morning dew, and our astonished souls exclaim, 'who are these that fly as clouds and as doves to their windows.' And to crown the whole, God has so succeeded your plans and efforts, that this long wished for day has come, when you witness the completion of a noble design, when the finishing stroke has been applied to this house of God. And now you may enter his courts with thanksgiving, and his gates with praise. Here then on the tablet of grate- ful hearts, inscribe "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
And with grateful and united hearts, come along with me, my brethren, to the solemn act for which we have now convened, the dedication of this temple to God.
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BAPTIST SOCIETY
At an early date a Baptist Society was established in the edge of Hardwick just north of the Ware line and west of Muddy Brook. Baptists were mentioned in the Hardwick records as early as 1777, though the formation of this soci- ety was not effected until 1797. The church in connection with the society was instituted in 1801, at which time a house of worship was erected. The first pastor, Rev. Eben- ezer Burt, was ordained in 1798. He held the pastorate nearly thirty years, being dismissed in 1827. He afterward lived in Ware many years, and is remembered by a few of the old residents as a venerable man, occupying a seat in the pulpit and leading in prayer long after he was too feeble to preach. He died in Athol in 1861 at the age of 96. He is remembered by some as "Old Priest Burt " and by others as "Elder Burt." A considerable number of Mr. Burt's fol- lowers lived in Ware, and in 1810 the town voted that his congregation should receive its share of the singing-master's labor. In 1811 it was voted to abate the taxes of those per- sons that belong to Mr. Burt's church, thus leaving them free to support the religious organization of their choice. Certificates of membership in other than the parish church were filed with the town clerk, registration being necessary to gain abatement of the regular minister's tax. In 1811 twenty-three persons presented certificates as belonging to another religious society, other names being added from year to year, making a total of something over one hundred during the fifteen years that such certificates were filed.1
In 1812 Lemuel Andrews and Jonathan Harwood, sing- ing-committee for the Baptist Society, received from the selectmen an order for $4.24, that being the society's share of the music appropriation for the previous year.
Mr. Burt's successor was Rev. Joseph Glazier, who was installed in 1831. In the following year a new church was built. Rev. Nelson B. Jones followed Mr. Glazier in 1837,
1 Spofford's "Gazetteer of Massachusetts for 1828," mentions at Ware "A Baptist Society, vacant." This must be the Free-will Baptist society mentioned by Mr. Hyde as having existed for a time in the south-west part of the town. It is again referred to in the Westfield Journal of Dec. 16, 1834.
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to be succeeded two years later by Rev. William Brown. About 1840 Mr. Glazier was recalled, and continued as pastor until the society removed to Ware. The meet- ing-house was sold to Daniel S. Collins and converted into a barn in 1846. It may still be seen at the farm just north of the old burying-ground.
On removing to Ware the society built a meeting-house on Bank Street, opposite the Savings Bank. The basement floor was variously occupied. School was kept in a portion, the district renting the room. A meat market for many years occupied part of the same basement, and also a shoe store.
The first pastor after the removal to Ware was Rev. Amory Gale, ordained in 1846. He was succeeded in 1850 by Rev. J. A. Bullard, who remained until 1853. Then Rev. George E. Fuller became pastor. He died in 1856. Rev. J. E. Wiggins came in the early part of 1857, remain- ing nearly two years. The last pastor was Rev. J. F. Jones, installed Jan. 1, 1859.
In October, 1860, the meeting-house, which had been dedi- cated in 1847, was destroyed by fire. Plans were made to re- build, the insurance money on the building being augmented by subscriptions, but before the work could be gotten under way the Civil War broke out, sending prices high, and diverting interest into other channels. The subscriptions were returned, the land sold and the money divided among the Proprietors.
METHODIST CHURCH
The first Methodist Church in the neighborhood of Ware was situated on Ragged Hill in the borders of West Brook- field. There in 1800 was formed the first class, consisting of seven members, to which others were soon added, and quar- terly meetings were led by the circuit preachers. Joshua Crowell, who kept store and tavern at Ware Centre, became the first local leader, and soon received a license to preach and exhort. For twenty years meetings were held at the house and barn of Titus Eddy on the Hill. In 1823 an un- pretentious church building was erected. Soon after, in
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1825-26, the growing manufacturing interests of Ware Village attracted many to the locality, and Mr. Crowell began hold- ing services in private homes. The White and the Red schoolhouses were also used, and at one time meetings were held in the Hampshire Mill. In 1841 the society was nearly extinguished by the secession of a Mr. Latham, a preacher, who with a large proportion of the people desired to form an Episcopal Church. The movement appears to have been temporary. In 1843 the Methodists at Ware Village re- solved to erect a building and become an independent society. Land was purchased for $75 and a church erected at a cost of $1,300. It was a plain structure without spire or steeple. Rev. David Sherman, D.D., was the first settled pastor. The Ragged Hill Society attempted to run alone for a few years, but in 1848 was merged with the Ware church. The old building was transformed into a barn, and still stands beside the valley road, half-way to the village.1 In the same year the Ware church was incorporated with Eben- ezer Stevens president, Joshua Crowell secretary, and Thomas H. Francis treasurer, and the church building was enlarged, vestries, tower and vestibule being added. In 1882 a portion of the great stone step of the Ragged Hill church was removed and placed at the entrance of the village church.
The society acquired a parsonage during the pastorate of Rev. C. M. Hall, who came to the church in 1889.
In September, 1897, the old church building was torn down to make way for a new and more commodious struc- ture. The present building was erected at once, and was dedicated the following June; Rev. J. W. Fulton being pastor at the time. More than thirty different ministers have served the village church. The present pastor is Rev. E. W. Lutterman.
UNITARIAN SOCIETY
The first serious movement toward establishing a Uni- tarian Society was begun in the fall of 1845 under the encouragement of Mr. Charles A. Stevens, who had come to
1 It may be seen at the old Joseph Eaton place, now owned by Mr. Bohmiller.
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town shortly before, and Mr. Henry Lyon,1 the first agent of the Otis Company. The first meetings were held in a building belonging to the Company, and later in the Water Street Chapel of the East Society. In the fall of 1846 the society was organized. It was a fortunate time, just after the Common had been divided into lots and offered for sale. The society purchased the present site of the meeting-house, and began building in the spring of 1846. The basement was used for meetings before the completion of the entire building. March 18, 1848, the society was incorporated. Samuel A. Whitney was elected clerk, and George Draper moderator. The committee to draft a constitution and by- laws consisted of Chas. A. Stevens, Seth Pierce and Samuel Phelps. The first regular pastor was Rev. Geo. S. Ball, from October, 1847 to July, 1849. He was followed in September, 1852, by Rev. Geo. T. Hill. Rev. S. F. Clarke who became pastor in 1856, died in 1861, after which the church was closed for a year. Rev. John W. Hudson was followed by Rev. Wm. G. Newell. The latter remained until the church, together with the town hall, was burned Nov. 6, 1867. Re- building began at once, and the present edifice was dedicated in September, 1869. The next regular pastor was Rev. Thomas Timmins, 1872-73. Following him were John L. Lyon, John L. Marsh, B. V. Stevenson, Victor South- worth, A. C. White, Hans Spoer, O. J. Fairfield, and F. W. Smith.
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH
The first Roman Catholics came to the town at the time of the great expansion of manufacturing interests the middle of the last century. There were occasional minis- trations in Ware by priests in whose care were the laborers on the Boston and Albany Railroad at the time of its con- struction, but no regular services were maintained until after the year 1850. In that year the Rev. William Blenkinsop
1 Rev. Nahum Gale, pastor of the East Church, went one day to Mr. Lyon to reason with him concerning the affairs of the parish. Unluckily he made some reference to "the new mahogany pulpit." Mr. Lyon interrupted him with, "A mahogany pulpit and a white-pine preacher - Good day, Sir!" The story is vouched for.
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was settled as pastor in Chicopee, and began holding monthly services in Ware. Within a few years his people had so in- creased in numbers that he came twice a month, and Pros- pect Hill, on the west side of Palmer Road, was purchased. On this site a frame church was built, seating some 300 people, the land about the building being consecrated for a cemetery. By 1860 the entire time of a priest was needed, and the Rev. Patrick Healey became the first resident pastor. Father Healey built a large addition to the church, which was known as St. William's, and added to the acreage of the cemetery which is still known by the same name as the old church. Healso purchased several lots on North Street where the present All Saints' Church now stands. After four years Father Healey was transferred to Chicopee, and the Rev. William Moran became pastor. Almost immediately after Father Moran's coming, in 1864, a spire was added to St. William's Church. Father Moran remained in Ware twenty- three years. He was a man of marked individuality, an Irishman of the old school; tall, strong, athletic, gentle- hearted, yet with all the traditional Irish spirit of pugnacity. He was famed as a notable runner in his younger days. He ruled his people with all the strictness of old country cus- tom, looking with disapproval upon the Americanizing ten- dencies of the rising generation. Father Moran never desired a curate, and carried on the parish alone until his failing health necessitated the appointment of his successor. He lived but a short time after giving up his work.
In 1887 Rev. James Boyle became pastor of the church. Father Boyle was an American, and a veteran of the Civil War. He was a man of unusual power and ability, inter- esting himself deeply in the affairs of the town as well as of the church. The old St. William's was already out- grown, and Father Boyle undertook the erection of a new church on the North Street lots purchased so many years before. Work on the new structure, dedicated to All Saints, was begun in April, 1888, and the corner-stone was laid August 19. As soon as the basement was completed it was occupied by the congregation, and continued to be used as the place of worship until the completion of the church in 1894. The dedicatory services were held in November of
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that year. In 1900 Father Boyle was transferred to Pitts- field, to be succeeded by the Rev. John J. Fallon, who died in 1903. The present pastor is the Rev. John H. Murphy. A tasteful and commodious parochial residence adjoins the church.
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
For twenty years one church answered the needs of the Roman Catholic population of Ware. In the late sixties there began an influx of French Canadians who soon desired a place of worship of their own. On July 16, 1871, the French people of the town were called together in Music Hall by Rev. L. G. Gagnier and a new parish was formed, Father Gagnier remaining at its head for about a year. In 1872 the church on Bank Street was erected and Father Gag- nier was succeeded by Rev. Charles Boucher, who continued as pastor for eight years. In May, 1880, the Rev. John T. Sheehan was appointed over the church, and has continued in the pastorate to the present time. He has been for many years the senior clergyman of the town, in order of appoint- ment. During Father Sheehan's pastorate extensive im- provements have been made in the parish plant. A paro- chial school was built on a fine lot of land, ten acres in area, in the north part of the village, and near by a large parochial residence. The school, established and dedicated in 1887, is attended by four hundred pupils, under the charge of nine teachers. A cemetery, nearly thirty acres in extent, belongs to the parish.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH
The first Poles came to town in 1886. About 1890 be- gan the immigration of Polish Roman Catholics in large numbers. For several years these people were under the pastoral care of Father Boyle of All Saints, but as their numbers increased they desired a priest of their own nation- ality. The Rev. Joseph Fux was placed in charge, and a separate parish was formed, though services were held for some time in the basement of All Saints' Church. In 1906
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St. Mary's Polish Church was erected on South Street, and was ready for occupancy the following year. The parish purchased a house on the corner of South and Union Streets for a parochial residence, and laid out on the south side of the village a cemetery twenty acres in extent.
TRINITY CHURCH
Previous to the year 1872 occasional services according to the Prayer Book were held in Ware, but no record of them has been preserved. An attempt to establish services in 1841, when a movement to that end was inaugurated by many Methodists in town, came to nothing, and little more than the fact has been recorded. On such occasions as a clergyman came to town, the news was carried to those who were interested, and service would be held in a hall or private house. On Dec. 9, 1872, thirteen citizens of the town met, a warrant was issued, and a parish duly organized. In the following year Rev. Benjamin T. Hall, formerly a Methodist preacher, was chosen rector of the parish. Ser- vices were held in private houses, and in the old chapel of the Congregational Society. After three years Mr. Hall re- signed, and Rev. B. W. Atwell followed him, remaining about a year. Then for twelve years only occasional ser- vices were held. In the early part of 1887 a new interest was developed and Rev. Chas. W. Duffield was asked to hold regular services during the summer. Mr. Duffield became rector of the parish in October of the same year. In the spring of 1888 the Hartwell lot on the corner of Pleasant and Parks Streets was purchased, and work was begun on a church building. The corner-stone was laid October 3, and the present tasteful structure was completed within a few months. After four and one-half years of service Mr. Duf- field resigned, and Rev. E. J. V. Huiginn became rector of the parish, continuing until June, 1895. In the following October Rev. Arthur Chase, the present rector, took charge of the parish. On June 10, 1901, the church, being now fully paid for, was consecrated by Rt. Rev. William Law- rence, Bishop of Massachusetts. Important additions were made from time to time in the furnishings of the church,
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and at present its equipment is complete. In 1910 the old Draper homestead on Church Street was purchased and remodelled into a commodious rectory.
CEMETERIES
It was John Read's intention that the church and burial place should be located at the centre of the Manour, and in 1748 he set apart a tract of land "for the founding & con- tinuance of a Parish Church & Christian Burying place for- ever." The lot was situated a mile or more west of the pres- ent meeting-house, on Brimstone Hill. Naturally the people as a whole preferred the centre of the town to the centre of the Manour, and when the church was built in 1750-51, it was placed on the lot where it now stands, facing the east, with the burial place just to the north. Thus the first burying ground of the town came into use. It is a small tract. A careful examination shows it to be crowded with burials, stones being erected over but a small proportion of graves.
The second cemetery at the Centre is upon higher ground, to the north of the old burial place. A record of the town under date of Nov. 19, 1795, is as follows:
Voted to Except of the plat of ground for a Burying Yard upon the proposals on which Mr. Pepper and Capt. Patrick offered to give said ground, which are as follows: Viz,
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Ware in Town meet- ing assembled, the Subscribers proposeth that on condition the Town will fence the Burying ground with a convenient wall, he will give one hundred and forty five rods of ground for the use of a grave yard for the Town of Ware: Which is humbly submitted, from your humble Serv't, Isaac Pepper.
No deed of this tract has been found, nor further descrip- tion.
There are no further records bearing on this subject until the year 1809. At town meeting that year it was
voted to choose a committee of seven persons to view the Burying Ground and report their opinions and doings thereon at this meeting. The report was as follows: The committee
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have erected two bounds, one on the north-east and one on the south-east, about fourteen rods distant, and proposes to have said ground extend as far west as to make one acre for the burying ground in this town, which was given to said town by Isaac Pepper.
Daniel Gould, per order.
The same year it was "voted that the selectmen be au- thorized to exchange a certain piece of the town's ground for a piece of ground on which the dead hath already been laid formerly belonging to Isaac Pepper." It was also voted to fence the burying ground near the meeting-house with an underpinned fence. A number of orders appear this year for fencing, surveying, and removing brush, and similar orders appear from time to time. The frequency with which fencing is required is almost incredible, nor is it possible, in many instances, to be sure what burying ground is meant.
In this year, 1809, is found the first unmistakable refer- ence to the cemetery on the Palmer Road. "Voted to fence the Burying Ground in the south-east part of the town with posts and rails." The following year, 1810, Joseph Cummings is paid $16.64 for building a fence around "the grave yard on the plane." Again, in 1821, there is a refer- ence to "the East burying ground."
The writer, after careful search, has been unable to find other references of any sort to this burying ground, in deeds, wills or other ancient documents. What is the history of its origin?
The first burying ground in the Elbow Tract was situated at Palmer Village before 1729. In 1735 another was laid out near the old meeting-house at Palmer Centre. Both of these were a considerable distance from the homes scattered through the northern part of the plantation. It was the custom in all parts of New England for families situated at a distance from a public burying ground to lay the dead in some convenient spot near at hand. Neighbors sometimes used in common 1 such a plot of ground. Thus private burial grounds were not unusual, scattered here and there
1 For an account of such a neighborhood burying place see the "History of Hardwick," p. 164.
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over the country-side. A few such are still found within the limits of Ware. There can be little doubt that the burying ground "in the south-east part of the town " orig- inated as described above. It may have been used at a very early date. The appearance of the ground leads to the con- clusion that there were many burials, though but few graves were permanently marked with head-stones. The oldest stone legible today is "In Memory of Miss Sally, Daughter of Mr. Samuel Deensmore, who died Feb. 13th 1786 in the 18th year of her age.
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