USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 25
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 25
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This disaster would have been enough to have discouraged
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most other societies ; but having strong friends and being imbued with that great christian spirit that knows no failure, they were soon enabled to construct a suitable building for the promulga- tion of the noble principles of conservative christian philanthro- py-free and untrammeled by dogmatic theology. This fine and commodious stone church was completed in 1874, and opened for public worship in August of the same year; making the third church erected on this site, and the fourth constructed since the organization of the society in this town.
At this time the rectory was removed a few rods back, to another site that had recently been purchased for the purpose, and considerably enlarged.
The fine mural tablet in commemoration of Dr. Miller, was at the burning of the church destroyed. A similar tablet was re- produced by the family, and again placed upon the walls of the church-a worthy monument in commemoration of the first rector of Christ Church in Quincy.
Christ Church has a very long and honorable historic record. Among its communicants have been many of the most wealthy and influential citizens of the town; especially was this the case of the old families now extinct in the parish, viz :- Apthorps, Borlands, Cleverlys, Millers, Winslows, Vassalls,1 Stedmans, Cheesmans, Veseys, Marquands, Paines and Governor Shirley; some of whose children lie buried in the church cemetery.
1. Mr. Leonard Vassall seems to have been an ardent believer in the Episco- pal Church, as in his will he states that in case his wife should renounce her religion, she should forfeit her right to her bequest. Mr. Vassal owned, resided, and constructed the house now occupied, and in the possession of Hon. Charles F. Adams. His brother Lewis owned the fine estate now in the possession of Mr. James Edwards, on School street, on which he had constructed a beautiful residence, which some years since was removed to Water street, where it now stands. The indenture reads as follows :-
" By certain articles of indenture before marriage with my present beloved wife, Pheba, I therein covenanted in case I died before her, either by deed duly executed or by my late will, [to give and devise unto her the sum of two thou- sand pounds, New England currency, as by articles. Now for the faithful performance of this indenture, I hereby give and devise to her during her con- tinuing my widow and a professed member of the Episcopal Church of England as by law established, and no longer, the use, possession and improvement, of my dwelling house, orchard and garden, in Braintree, in the County of Suffolk, aforesaid, and the land thereto belonging ; I also give unto her forever the sum
CHRIST CHURCH, QUINCY. ERECTED IN 1874.
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Nearly all of the old families have passed away, and the com- municants of the present time are mostly new families to the society and the town ; and may Christ Church, at its next cen- tennial celebration, hold as honorable a position in town as it did in the last, and that it will be in as high a state of prosperity in 1927, as it was in 1827, when Dr. Cutler delivered his century sermon in commemoration of the completion of the first century of Christ Church in Quincy.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
Universalism is a doctrine which its advocates claim to be of very ancient origin, and dates its existence back to the earliest christian writers, e. g .:- The Sibylline Oracles, A. D. 150.
The origin of Universalism as a distinct religious sect, is more a feature of American than European society. The Rev. John Murray, about 1770, became the great apostle, originator and propagator of modern Universalist doctrines, and from that time an organization has sprung up which contains many able, learned and pious divines.
In 1830, Charles P. Tirrell, Silas Leonard and John Chamber- lin, were desirous to establish a Universalist society in Quincy, but were unable to do so until 1831. Dr. Thomas Whittemore was engaged by the above-named persons to enlighten the citi- zens of the town upon the religious principles of this sect. After considerable trouble they were able to procure the Town Hall for the purpose, and in May, 1830, Dr. Whittemore preached his first sermon from the following text :- " For as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against," which soon
of three thousand pounds in bills of credit on the Province aforesaid, instead of the two thousand pounds, and I likewise give unto her my chariot and best pair of coach horses, she herself to make choice of them, together with my sil- ver tea-kettle ; and also the use of my negro coachman named Pompey and his wife Fidelia, and the household goods and furniture of my house at Braintree. If my wife discontinues to be my widow, or a professed member of the Episco- pal Church of England, as by law established, then the property is to go to my daughter, June 24, 1737."
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led to the organization of this society. The remaining part of the year occasional sermons were preached by the Senior Bal- lou, Dr. Sylyanus Cobb, Paul Dean, Dr. John Brooks, Dr. Ben- jamin F. Whittemore and Sebastian Streeter. So well did this movement succeed that on the 10th of March, 1831, the follow- ing persons formed themselves into a religious society, under the name of the First Universalist Society in Quincy :- John Pray, Jedediah Adams, Abram Prescott, Levi B. Josephs, Charles L. Pierce, John A. Newcomb and twenty-three others.
The first board of officers was as follows :- Silas Leonard, Moderator; Levi B. Josephs, Clerk; Alpheus Spear, Treasurer ; Silas Leonard, Abram Prescott and John Chamberlin, Parish Committec.
March 14th, 1832, the society was incorporated, and during this month the Rev. William Morse of East Milton, was en- gaged to preach a part of the time. That year there was a strong desire on the part of its parishoners to build a church. A lot of land was purchased on the corner of Washington street and Elm place, and a church erected, which with the site cost the society $5,003.01, and was dedicated Dec. 12th, 1832 .--- The sermon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Morse, their pastor. In May, 1832, the church was organized with a membership of thirty-three persons ; but not continuing in that harmony and unity that is so necessary for success, Mr. Morse resigned his pastorate about the first of December, 1832.
The society remained without a settled clergyman until the first of May, 1835, when the Rev. Daniel D. Smith was engaged to impart new life to the church. Mr. Smith, the next year, established a Sunday School. Under his brief ministration the parish was in a flourishing condition. Rev. Matthew H. Smith succeeded his brother in the pastorate, who, after a brief settle- ment, in the autumn of 1837, accepted a call at Haverhill. In the fall of 1837, the Rev. John Nicholls was settled over the society, and closed his brief pastorate after having been con- nected with the parish one year. After this, the church became somewhat disorganized. July 1st, 1839, the Rev. John Gregory was settled as minister over the society. He commenced his labors with that energy and enthusiasm which was peculiar to
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him, and was able Jan. 31st, 1841, to re-organize the church, with forty-nine members ; but this did not amount to much, as he entered strongly into the temperance agitation that was going like a tidal wave through the New England States at that time. This agitation of temperance created serious disaffection in the parish, and many of his most influential parishoners left the society, no more to return, This finally caused Mr. Gregory to close his ministration with the church in the spring of 1843.
Mr. Gregory was the first, and we believe, the only clergyman that has ever represented the town in the State Legislature ; the reason being perhaps, that our citizens think ministers more adapted to expound the divine laws, than to make civil.
At the close of Mr. Gregory's ministerial duties the society was financially embarrassed, and the remaining members of the parish much disheartened; but through the energetic and benev- olent exertions of a few of its most influential members, they were soon relieved from their pecuniary difficulties.
April 1st, 1844, the Rev. S. A. Davis was selected as their pas- tor, and by judicious management, he was able in a short time to allay the animosities of the parish, and establish peace and harmony in the society. His successor was the Rev. J. C. Wal- do, who supplied the pulpit about a year. In the spring of 1847, the Rev. W. W. Dean was engaged to settle over the parish, and after a peaceful pastorate of between seven and eight years, he closed his labor here Oct. 1st, 1855. Mr. Dean was a law- yer by profession, before assuming the ministry. While in Quincy, he was a strong friend of education in the common school, and for some years an active member of the school board. Mr. Dean, also, during his ministration here, revived the char- ter of the Rural Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, which had been surrendered in anti-masonic times.
The most good and godly man to assume charge of the soci- ety, was the Rev. Luther Rice, who was settled Feb. 1st, 1856, and resigned his charge over the parish in August, 1858.
Mr. Rice was succeeded by the Rev. Quincy Whitney, who was settled in October, 1858, and relinquished his labors over the parish, April 1st, 1860. July 1st, 1860, the Rev. Albert Tyler was selected as their clergyman, and resigned his pastorate
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in the spring of 1861. In May, 1861, the Rev. J. G. B. Heath was called to take charge of the society, and after a peace- ful pastorate of about four years, resigned his ministerial duties here, April 1st, 1865, and went to New York city. Mr. Heath, while in Quincy, was much interested in the welfare of our schools, and a valuable member of the school committee. In July, following Mr. Heath's resignation, the Rev. S. T. Aldrich was called to take charge of the parish, and continued its pastor until the spring of 1868. He was succeeded in June, 1868, by the Rev. Herman Bisbee, who remained in charge of the society until April, 1869, when he resigned and entered upon a larger field of duty in the West. During his labors here the meeting-house was improved in its interior arrangements.
The Rev. G. W. Skinner succeeded Mr. Bisbee as clergyman over the society, and resigned his parochial duties in July, 1871.
April 1st, 1872, the Rev. G. W. Whitney was settled over this parish and continued its pastor until April 1st, 1878, when he accepted a call to take charge of a large and prosperous soci- ety at Augusta, Maine. During his stay in Quincy the parish was able to construct a fine and commodious parsonage, and the society was in a flourishing and prosperous condition.
The church now contains a membership of about seventy persons, the Sunday School one hundred and eighty-seven, and the congregation more than one hundred and twenty-five fam- ilies and parts of families.
The following persons are now the officers of the society, viz : Parish Committee, Dr. J. W. Small, Richard G. Elliott and Chas. H. S. Newcomb; Treasurer, Urbane Cudworth, Jr .; Clerk, John W. Moore ; Superintendent of the Sunday School, John O. Hall. May peace and harmony ever continue within its walls.
EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This denomination of christians is a branch of the old historic church of New England, which was for two centuries the estab- lished religion through all the colonial and provincial periods,
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as well as nearly half a century after the formation of the United States Government, and among its noted clergymen have been found some of the most eminent and profound theological di- vines and scholars in New England.
This church was established in Quincy, between the years 1831 and '32, by a few families who seceded from the Episcopal Society, and some others who were believers in this method of worship.
This is not, as many suppose, the first organized Congregation- al society in this town.
The first Congregational church formed in Quincy, dates its existence back as a distinct denomination, to the year 1639, and continued as such until 1750, when under the ministration of the Rev. Lemuel Brient, after a long and heated controversy with the neighboring churches, and in council, changed its creed from Trinitarian to Unitarian, and is still called the First Church. From that time to 1831, or for nearly a century, there was no Calvinistic organized society in the North Precinct of Braintree, now called Quincy.
The faithful few that had convened together for the purpose of disseminating the religious sentiments embodied in Congre- gationalism, engaged the Town Hall, and selected Dr. Lyman Beecher to deliver a course of lectures to them ; this proving so auspicious, that in March, 1832, they procured a smaller hall and held regular Sabbath services.
April 5th, 1832, they formed themselves into a religious soci- ety, and called the Rev. T. Field to preach to them, whose labors were so successful, that they had an Ecclesiastical council con- vened, Aug. 16th, 1832. At this council they adopted the con- fession of faith and covenant, received their solemn charge, and were officially constituted a Congregational Church, entitled to all the rights and privileges of the association. They selected as their name the Evangelical Congregational Church of Quincy. At this time the membership consisted of twenty-one persons- five males and sixteen females.
The first two years, they were without a pastor. The pulpit was supplied for one year and a half by the Rev. T. Field; he being followed by the Rev. Stephen S. Smith, who continued to
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supply the pulpit for the next six months. August 4th, 1834, this young society called for its first pastor the Rev. William M. Cornell, who accepted this call, and was installed August 20th, 1834, as pastor of the church.
Mr. Cornell constructed a house on School street, and also a building adjoining for a school house, in which he established a private school, that was quite popular for a time. During his ministration, Mr. Cornell went outside of his parochial duties ; making reflections upon the religious character of the town, which so incensed the citizens, that a public meeting was called to investigate the matter. The meeting assembled in August, 1835, and after a candid consideration of the subject, a commit- tee of eleven of the most influential citizens were chosen to make inquiries into the alleged assertions, and report at an ad- journed meeting. The following persons were chosen as this committee :- Hon. John Q. Adams, Thomas Greenleaf, Josiah Brigham, E. Smith, Noah Curtis, Jedediah Adams, Jedediah Hollis, George W. Beal, Ebenezer Bent, Ebenezer Jewett and Frederick Hardwick.
At the adjourned meeting, the committee reported through the Hon. John Q. Adams, their chairman, that "the statement made by the Rev. Wm. M. Cornell gravely affected the moral and religious character of the town of Quincy, and was wholly destitute of truth and reasonable foundation."
This report was signed by each of the committee, accepted by the town, and by them ordered to be recorded on the town records. Those who are desirous of perusing this unhappy . matter can be gratified by reading the "Columbian Centinel," "Daily Advertiser," "Patriot " and "Trumpet," newspapers of the day ; also, a pamphlet published at the time, containing the whole of the unhappy controversy. ยท
Rev. Mr. Cornell, after a pastorate of about five years, closed his connection with the parish, July 8th, 1839. From this time until Jan. 28th, 1841, the society was without a clergyman. In the mean time the pulpit was supplied by various ministers.
In 1841, the Rev. William Allen received a unanimous call, which he accepted, and was immediately installed as its pastor. His ministration over the church was attended with harmony
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and peace, and after a pastorate of about eight years, it was terminated Aug. 28th, 1849. During his parochial ministration the church was enlarged by the addition of twenty pews. The Rev. Nelson Clark succeeded Mr. Allen, and was installed over the church Jan. 2d, 1850. During his faithful and laborious ministration an unhappy controversy arose, which resulted in the meeting-house being elosed against him, but the 'larger portion of the society followed their able pastor to the Town Hall, where they worshipped for some time. His ministration over the parish continued about nine years, terminating in 1859.
The Rev. Mr. Thayer followed Mr. Clark, and preached here several months, but was not ordained.
The Rev. Edward P. Thwing was ordained Nov. 19th, 1862, and after a pastorate of about five years, was dismissed June 24th, 1867.
Mr. Thwing was succeeded in his ministerial office by the Rev. . James E. Hall, who, having accepted a call from the society, was installed April 16th, 1868, and after a ministration of about five years, was dismissed Feb. 4th, 1873.
On the 16th of June, 1874, the Rev. Edward Norton, the pres- ent pastor, was installed, and under his charge the society has been in a very prosperous condition. The Sunday School num- bers on its roll at the present time, three hundred members.
The first meeting-house was erected on the corner of Canal and Hancock streets, and is now used by the town as a public library. A short time after the society relinquished holding divine services within its old and familiar walls, the steeple and bell were taken down.
While the society was under the ministration of Mr. Hall, they felt the need of a better and more commodious church, and though the enterprise at first suggestion seemed formidable, yet they did not lack courage to meet the demand. The pastor and people worked resolutely to overcome the emergencies and about the first of June, 1870, the present house of worship, on the corner of Hancock and Chestnut streets, was framed and raised. The house is pleasantly located and is very convenient and com- modious. The building is of Gothic architecture, constructed of
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wood. The effort has been not to disguise its material by imi- tating stone constructions-an absurd custom too often practised by American architects. The roof and spire are banded with purple and green slate. The small tower at the chapel entrance is 50 feet high-that upon the main building is 123 feet. In this tower there is placed a bell weighing 1800 pounds, pitched in the key of F, and of a very fine tone.
The cost of building and land was about $36,000. Within three years after the completion of the church the society was entirely free from debt. It was dedicated July 19th, 1871.
The first church organized at Wollaston Heights was a union society for religious purposes. They selected a hall in the Wol- laston Hotel as their place of worship, and Sept. 11th, 1870, the first sermon was delivered before them by the Rev. Mr. Davis of Hyde Park, from Kings I: 7. As a distinctive religious sect, the Baptist was the first society organized here, but composed of communicants of other sects. The Congregational element wor- shipping with them, not agreeing with their theological tenets on the questions of baptism and close communion, concluded to establish a church more in accordance with their distinctive religion. The first action for the purpose of organizing a Con- gregational church was taken Sept. 23d, 1874, and on the 7th of October following, articles of faith and church polity were agreed upon. The first meeting of a religious nature was a prayer meeting held about the 16th of April, 1875, at the house of Mr. J. P. Haynes. These meetings continued to be held at various houses for about a year, or until their meeting-house was erected. For several weeks, however, before the completion of this edifice, their prayer meetings were held in the vestry of the church. The Wollaston Land Association granted them the pleasant site upon which their meeting-house is constructed. By the activity of their building committee, they were soon able to complete their fine house for religious worship. An Ecclesiastical council met on the afternoon of May 8th, 1876, and proceeded to recognize and regularly form them as a relig- ious body. The addresses on this occasion were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Longworthy and Plumb, together with Deacon
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Farnsworth and the Rev. Mr. Beiler of the Methodist Church. Mr. A. W. Sprague received the right hand of fellowship in behalf of the society. In the evening of the same day, the church was dedicated. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Doe, of Wisconsin, from the text found in Hebrew II. : 4 :- " By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it-he being dead, yet speaketh." This was the first sermon ever preached to this society. The church at this time consisted of twenty-one members. For sev- eral weeks the pulpit was supplied by different clergymen, when on the 18th of June, 1876, Dr. F. N. Zabriskie, their present minister, who was on a visit to Cambridge from Saybrook, Con- necticut, was called to supply the sacred desk. His preaching was so acceptable to them that they extended a call to him to become their pastor, which call was accepted Aug. 8th, and he was installed Oct. 19th, of the same year, although his official connection with this church began Sept. 15th, 1876. He still continues to preach his liberal theology to this infant church :- " We have sought to build up here no mean sectarian organiza- tion. We sincerely desire, and have striven to open, a taber- nacle lofty as the cross and broad as the gospel." This church began with twenty-one members, but at the present time is con- stituted of more than twice that number. The Sabbath School was organized Jan. 16th, 1876, and is in a flourishing condition. The society has been admitted a member of the Suffolk South Conference.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, the most numerous of any one of the Protestant denominations of the United States, had its humble origin in New York, about 1766, from a small com- pany of Irish emigrants who arrived there a short time previous. The first-class reader and local preacher was Philip Embury, one of this little band of christian emigrants.
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.
From this small beginning soon followed those eminent pio- neers of American Methodism,-Asbury, Coke, Whatcoat, Gar- rettson, Lee, and numerous other shining lights, who laid the foundation of the fabric upon which this great and numerous denomination of liberal theology has been built in the United States.
It was several years after that before this seet began its labors in New England, which was about 1790; when the first pioneer of New England Methodism, the Rev. Jesse Lee, on that pleas- ant, serene and memorable July afternoon, took his stand upon an ordinary table, placed under the branches of the venerable old elm tree that was once the glory of Boston Common-here, an utter stranger without friends or assistance, he commenced his services by reading a hymn and making a fervent prayer to four persons, but before he had finished proclaiming the great truths of Methodism, his audience had increased to three thou- sand.
It was not until about 1838 that a Methodist society was organized in this town, by several persons who had settled at Quincy Point and Germantown, from the Cape towns, for the purpose of carrying on the fish business. After several pre- liminary meetings, they selected a site for their meeting-house at the corner of Washington and South streets. This church was soon erected, and was dedicated July 19th, 1838, by the noted Father E. T. Taylor, of the old North End Bethel, located at the east side of North square, Boston. It soon came under the jurisdiction of the New England Conference.
From the cirenmstance of its having been for a long time the only church located at the Point village, (until recently a Bap- tist society has been formed there,) whose inhabitants were made up of persons of various religious beliefs, it has at times been somewhat of an independent church-sometimes within the limits of the conference, and at other periods ont of its jurisdic- tion. At the present time, the pulpit, by the desire of its wor- shippers, is supplied by a clergyman of the Congregational order, Rev. Mr. Drake.
While under the charge of the Methodist Conference, this society has had located among them many eminent christians of
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this persuasion; among whom, were the well-known Rev. John T. Burrell and Rev. Samnel Kelley; the latter has recently done much to increase the usefulness of Methodism in this town.
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