USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 27
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 27
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In 1841, the Catholics purchased a piece of land on Cemetery street, of Mr. James Hall, for the purpose of building a church. As soon as all necessary arrangements could be made, they began the construction of their meeting-house, which was fin- ished in the fall of 1842, and dedicated to God under the title of St. Mary's Church, Sept. 18th, 1842, by the Right Rev. Bishop Fenwick. It was the desire of the members of this parish, that it should be conducted on the free church principal, but after having tried the experiment for about two years, they found that it could not be supported in this manner; therefore, they voted to rent the seats at such a rate as would pay their current expenses. Its seating capacity was about four hundred. Its worshippers increased so rapidly after its erection, that two addi- tions were made to it. In the fall of 1876, the idea was sug- gested of constructing a basement room under the church, but it was not favorably received by the parish, and was given up for a time.
In 1851, the Catholic worshippers of the central part of the town found it very inconvenient to travel so far as West Quincy to church; to obviate this difficulty Father Rodden, in 1851, purchased a site for a church of Mr. Francis Williams, on School street, corner of Gay; where immediately after the removal of the house and barn that stood on the land, they began building operations. They soon found, however, that their finances were not sufficient to complete the building. This caused a suspension for a few months, or until a proper amount of funds could be procured for its completion. This was ac- complished in a short time, and they soon had the gratification
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, QUINCY, MASS. Res Francis Q. Friguglietti, Pastor.
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of having this fine edifice dedicated in 1853, the solemn and imposing ceremony being performed by the Right Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick, and was called St. John's Church. Its seating capac- ity was about four hundred. Eighteen years from this time, it was found expedient to enlarge this meeting-house, for the bet- ter accommodation of the increasing wants of the society ; and directly steps were taken for this purpose by purchasing, in 1871, about an acre of land adjoining the church, of the late John D. Whicher. In August, 1872, workmen began the excavation for the basement of this enlargement, and in the fall of the same year, the old church, with its original spire, was moved about twenty feet to the westward upon its present site, after having been raised twelve feet or more. Two large wings were added, -one to its east and the other to its west side-and an exten- sion of about fifty feet to its southerly end. The corner stone was laid with impressive and grand ceremonies, amid the en- chanting strains of celestial music, chanted by a select choir, from the sublime oratories of the church, on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 24th, 1872. The services were conducted by the Right Rev. Bishop Williams and other eminent clergymen of the Diocese, and was witnessed by a large concourse of people. The church was finally finished in 1874, and dedicated June 14th, the same year, by the Right Rev. Bishop Williams. It is an imposing structure-built of wood, and will seat nearly eleven hundred persons. Its interior fresco ornamentation is unique in design and chaste in coloring, and surpasses all other churches in town for its elegant interior decorations. The high altar is a fine work of art and mechanical construction. The stone curbing in front of the church was placed there in the summer and the iron fence during the fall of 1877.
During the same year a new church was built on Hancock street, in the north part of the town, and was called the Sacred Heart. This church has not as yet been dedicated, but services are held in it every Sabbath.
At the time the town was incorporated, it appears by the poll list, that there were but three Celtic Irish persons in town, viz :- Moses Black, Esq., James Dorren and Thomas Welch. Mr. Moses Black was, at the time of his residence here, owner of the
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old Quincy domain. He was an Irish gentleman of great popu- larity in town, and held several town offices of trust. Mr. Black was the only Irishman that ever represented the town in the State Legislature. From that time the Celtic element gradually accumulated until 1842, when they, with others from the neigh- boring towns, were of a sufficient number to establish a church. At this time there were about one hundred Irish in Quiney. The great bulk of them came between the years 1845 and 1855. As a political element, we find that in 1843, there were but twelve Irish voters registered on the list; now, there are more foreigners and their descendants on the registration list than there were, both native and foreign, in 1843. At the present time, they and their descendants constitute more than one-third of the population of the town. As yet, intermarriages between the Celtic and Saxon races are of rare occurrence ; still several mions of this kind have taken place.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The establishment of the Baptist denomination in New Eng- land met with powerful opposition, as well as severe persecution, by the first settlers of the colonies; one reason being, the peculiarity of their doctrine on infant baptism and immersion. These cardinal principles of the Baptists, the Puritans considered incompatible and inconsistent with the teachings of the divine scriptures ; hence the enactment of the following law, to pre -. vent such " Hereticks" from coming among them :-
" For as much as experience hath plentifully and often proved that since the first arising of ye Anabaptist, about a hundred years since, they have bene ye incendiaries of ye commonwealth, and ye infectors of persons in maine matters of religion, and ye troublers of churches in all places where they have bene, and y't they who have held ye baptizing of infants unlawfull, have usually held oth'r errors or heresies together therewith though they have, (as oth'r hereticks use to do) concealed ye same, till they spied out a fit advantage and oportunity to vent them, by
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way of question or scruple, and whereas divers of this kind have, since o'r comeg into New England, appeared amongst o'rselves, some whereof have (as oth'rs before them) denied ye ordinance of magistracy and ye lawfules of making warr, and oth'rs ye lawfulnes of ma'trats, and their inspection into any breach of ye first table w'ch opinions, if they should be connived at by us, are like to be increased amongst us, and so must necessarily bring guilt upon us, infection and trouble to ye churches, and hazard to ye whole commonwealth.
"It is ordered and agreed, y't if any p'son or p'sons w'thin y's jurisdiction shall either openly condemne or oppose ye baptiz'g of infants, or go about secretly to seduce oth'rs from ye app'ba- tion or use thereof, or shall purposely depart ye congregation at ye administration of ye ordinance, or shall deny ye ordinance of magistracy, or their lawfull right or authority to make warr, or to punish ye outward breaches of ye first table, and shall appare to ye Co't wilfully and obstinately to continue therein after due time and meanes of conviction, every such p'son or p'sons shalbe sentenced to banishm't. Nov. 13th, 1644."-Mass. Rec., Vol. II, p. 85.
One year after this act was passed by the Legislature, an effort was made by the Baptists to have it repealed, but the court " Voted, that the laws mentioned shall not be altered at all, nor. explained."
In 1646, the inhabitants of Dorchester and Roxbury petitioned the court not to abrogate, or even weaken the law, which was granted.
The first person that we find in the records, arrested and brought to the court for the misdemeanor of profession of this doctrine, was Mr. Edward Starbuck, of Dover, in 1648. It was many years before this prejudice against the Baptists was com- pletely eradicated, and they were allowed to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their own conscience; even up to the time of organizing their first society, and worshipping on Noodles Island, in Boston, 1668, they were imprisoned and pun- ished for not attending the established church.
The first church was erected in Boston so quietly and unosten- tatiously, that the authorities had not the least suspicion of it
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until it was dedicated for public worship, in 1679. This effron- tery or contumacy was immediately punished with a severe pen- alty, by having the doors of the church nailed up and the following order posted upon them :-
" All persons are to take notice that by order of the court, the doors of this house are shut up, and that they are inhabitated to hold any meeting, or to open the doors thereof, without license from authority, till the General Court take further order, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.
" Boston, March 8th, 1680."
In 1865, on the evening of December 19th, a meeting was held by Baptists residing at Quiney Point, to consider the expe- diency of a united effort looking to the formation of a Baptist church.
" As a result a hall was secured, furnished and dedicated, and public Sabbath services were held April 1st, 1866, for the first time ; and two weeks later a Sabbath School, numbering forty- five was commenced. Sept. 16th, the ordinance of baptism was first administered, but the church was not properly constituted until the next year, Feb. 23d, 1867, when eleven persons were organized as the First Baptist Church of Quincy. Several were added at subsequent meetings soon after, and twenty by baptism the following summer.
"In February, 1868, Mr. Daniel J. Stone of Cordaville, was called to the pastorate, and May 13th, the church was publicly recognized by an Ecclesiastical Council, and Mr. Stone ordained as pastor. The church was received into the Boston South Association in September. Mr. Stone was much beloved, and continued his labors until his sudden death in May, 1869. The following year the Rev. W. R. Maul was pastor for a short time ; Rev. Lewis Colby was stated supply for some months following. In September, 1871, the Rev. G. B. Williams took charge of the church. Under his watchful care, the society was harmonious and prosperous. Thirteen persons were received by baptism, and some by letter from other churches. June 3d, 1877, the Rev. Charles H. Hickok was installed over this society.
"The importance and necessity of organizing a Baptist church at Wollaston Heights early engaged the attention of brethren
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who had become residents of the place. A meeting was held July 13th, 1871, and the church, consisting of twenty-three mem- bers, was duly constituted under the name of "The First Baptist Church of Wollaston Heights." The usual Declaration of Faith and Church Covenant were adopted. A building committee of three was appointed to prepare plans and arrange for erecting at once a house of worship. The church was publicly recog- nized by an Ecclesiastical Council, Sept. 19th, 1871, and a week later, it was received into the Boston South Association. In December, the church called the Rev. Stephen G. Abbott of. Townshend, Vt., to become their pastor, who entered upon his labors, Jan. 1st, 1872. June 24th, the church was legally organized as a society, and a board of trustees chosen. July 6th, the corner-stone of the new chapel was laid with appropriate ceremonies. But the church continued to worship during the rest of the year at the Union Chapel, a hall where union relig- ious services had been held from the first settlement of the place.
"The chapel, finished at a cost of about $15,000 and capable of seating three hundred and fifty persons, was dedicated Jan. 16th, .1873. The bell was presented by H. H. Faxon, Esq., of Quincy, and the land was the gift of the Wollaston Land Associates. The building is of wood, Gothic in style, with stained windows, and handsomely frescoed, having organ, baptistery, bible-class room, library and kitchen-in everything simple, tasteful and convenient.
"On Sunday evening, April 27th, occurred the first baptism. October 7th, the pastor resigned, but continued to supply the pulpit through the year.
"At a meeting of the church Jan. 30th, 1874, a cordial and earnest invitation was extended to the Rev. Charles H. Rowe, of Weymouth, to become pastor, and was signed by all the resident members of the church and the board of trustees. The pastor elect assumed charge, April 1st, 1874. In a year and a half the church doubled in membership, and continues united and pros- perous. Eighty-two in all have united with the church. Of these, eleven have been dismissed, and two have died. The · present number of members is sixty-nine:
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à
There are quite a number of Baptists, residents in other parts of the town, who are not members of either of these churches, who hold their connection with churches where previously asso- ciated."
The Spiritualists began holding services in the Town Hall about the year 1855, and meeting with some degree of success, they concluded that it would be more convenient for them to have a place of their own in which to hold meetings ; therefore, Mr. Clift Rogers purchased the unoccupied Methodist Chapel on the corner of Sea and Canal streets, (now Chestnut and Canal), and presented it to them free of rent to worship in. After holding their services here for several years with varied prosperity, they were at last obliged to give up their exercises, as the congregation had lost all interest in the meetings. A few years ago, the society was revived again, and commenced to hold its services in Temperance Hall, on Granite street. This place of worship becoming too small for the audience, the so- ciety moved to Franklin Hall, on Franklin street, in the early part of 1878, for their better accommodation.
BRAINTREE CHURCHES.
Sixty-seven years after the First Church was organized, the settlement along the quiet banks of the Monatiquot river had increased to seventy-one families, or within one of as many as there were in the North Precinct. These settlers, desiring a more convenient place of worship, (they having to travel a long distance over bad roads to the usual place of service,) after a bitter and angry controversy on the subject, finally succeeded, in 1706, in getting a vote of the town to establish a church in the South Precinct, which is now called North Braintree. It was not, however, until Nov. 9th, 1708, that the question was definitely settled, and the division line established between the two parishes, viz :- " 9th Nov., 1708, the inhabitants of Brain- tree being lawfully assembled, it was then voted, that there
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should be two distinct precincts or societies in this town, for the more regular and convenient upholding of the worship of God.
"It was then voted by the inhabitants aforesaid, that Colonel Edmund Quincy, Esq., and Serg. Nehemiah Hayden, be a com- mittee in the name of the whole town, to address the Great and General Court or Assembly now sitting, for their approving and confirming the line by them agreed upon between the said soci- eties.
" The inhabitants of Braintree being lawfully assembled, then voted that the line for the distinction of precincts between the North and South Societies should run as followeth :- That said line begin at the head of the ship cove by John Newcomb's, Senior, taking in his living to the south end, and so run from the head of said cove to the common, and so to run from the common, by said John Newcomb's, to the line between John Penniman's, Jr., and Samuel Veasey's; and then running upon the line between Theophilus Curtis's and Francis Legaree's, as also running upon the line between Serg. Samuel Payne's and James Penniman's, to the common; and from thence to the north-west corner of Faxon's farm, to the north-west corner of Aldrige's farm ; and so to run from said corner of said farm from marked trees to the mouth of Blue Hill river, where it comes into Moore's river; and so by said Blue Hill river to Dorchester, upon the Blue Hill line."
This has been an important line ; first serving as the line be- tween the two military companies of the town, and at the estab- lishment of the Church at Braintree it formed the boundary line between the two parishes. In 1792, at the separation and division of the town, this line also formed the boundary between the two towns, and has remained to this day nearly the same, with the exception that a slight change was made at the annexa- tion of Braintree Neck to Quincy. As soon as this new church had been gathered-Sept. 10th, 1707-an invitation was tended to Rev. Hugh Adams, who accepted the call. Mr. Adams was ' an eccentric person, and complained a great deal about his sal- ary. The church, at this time, was quite poor, and it was a severe struggle for them to get along and pay their minister, as well as paying their portion of the salary of Rev. Mr. Fisk,
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of the First Parish. Mr. Adams administered to the wants of this parish about three years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Niles, who was ordained May 23d, 1711. Mr. Niles was born May 1st, 1674, and graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1699. During Mr. Niles's pastorate the old church was pulled down, and a new one erected on the same site, which was dedicated June 28th, 1759. This society has had three meeting-houses constructed for divine worship since its organ- ization. The present one had its tower blown off in the great September gale of 1869. Mr. Niles was a worthy clergyman, and by his learned treatise on original sin, a book published by him in 1757, of over three hundred pages, he established a char- acter of an able and powerful controversialist. His fragmentary history of the Indian and French wars, compiled by him in 1760, has been published in the Massachusetts Historical Collections. He died May 1st, 1762, aged eighty-eight years. Rev. Mr. Niles and his three wives lie buried in the Elm Street Cemetery, North Braintree.
Mr. Niles was succeeded by the Rev. Ezra Weld, who was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, June 13th, 1736. He graduated at Yale College in 1759, and was ordained as minister of the second church in Braintree, Nov. 17th, 1762. After a long and peaceful administration of his ministerial duties over this parish, he died, Jan. 16th, 1816, aged eighty years. Mr. Weld was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Sylvester Sage, who was dismissed, May 4tlı, 1807. After Mr. Sage, Dr. Richard Salter Storrs received a call, which he accepted.
Dr. Storrs was born at Longmeadow, Mass., in Feb., 1787, and graduated at Williams College, in 1807. He afterwards studied theology with Rev. Aaron Woolworth, at Bridgehampton, L. I., and also spent a year at Andover Seminary. He was acting as a missionary in the State of Georgia, at the time he received his call to become pastor over the Braintree church. His ordina- · tion at Braintree took place July 11th, 1811, with the following exercises :-
The Rev. Jonathan Strong, of West Randolph, made the introductory prayer; the sermon was preached by the Rev. R. S. Storrs; the conseerating prayer was offered by the Rev.
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Samuel Niles, of Abington ; the charge to the pastor was given by the moderator of the council, the Rev. Mr. Williams, of South Weymouth ; the right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Jacob Norton, of North Weymouth ; the concluding prayer was by the Rev. Samuel Gile, of Milton.
In 1831, Dr. Storrs considered it his duty to ask a dismission of five years from his society, which was freely granted, that he might enter upon the more arduous duties as an agent of the Home Missionary Society, for which his christian spirit so much desired. In his absence, Dr. Edward A. Park, now a theological professor at Andover, was ordained, and remained about two years. During the remaining portion of Dr. Storrs's absence, the pulpit was supplied by two brothers, the Rev. Paul and William Jewett.
On the return of Dr. Storrs, he resumed his former parochial duties. Mr. Storrs was a firm advocate, and an active supporter of the doctrines of the church to which he belonged. So tena- cious was he of his church's tenets, that he was among the first clergymen who refused to exchange "pulpits with other than Evangelical teachers." During his long ministration four hun- dred and twenty-two persons were admitted to the church, four hundred and eighty were baptized, four hundred and twenty- seven marriages were solemnized, and seven hundred and thirty- six funerals were attended. After an extended and honorable pastorate of sixty-two years, he was called to the bosom of his God-ripe and full of years-Aug. 11th, 1873, aged eighty-six years. He and his three wives lie buried in the old Elm Street Cemetery, nearly opposite the church in which he so many years administered with so great and uncommon fidelity.
The present pastor, Thomas A. Emerson, was installed May 7th, 1874.
The Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree was organ- ized in 1811, and the Rev. Daniel Clark was called to its pasto- rate, who was installed Dec. 31st, of the same year, and after remaining there about two years, was dismissed Oct. 1st, 1813. During the interregnum, the church was without a settled pas- tor, and the pulpit was supplied by various clergymen. On the
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14th of June, 1815, the Rev. Jonas Perkins was ordained as its minister. Mr. Perkins's pastorate was a long and peaceful one, he having administered to its spiritual wants nearly half a century, or forty-five years. He was released from his parochial duties, Oct. 15tli, 1860, and after a few months was succeeded by the Rev. Lysander Dickerman, who was installed Jan. 17th, 1861, and received his resignation in July, 1867. Mr. Dicker- man was followed by the Rev. A. A. Ellsworth, who commenced his labors as acting pastor, April 1st, 1868, and remained as such until he was relieved of his christian duties in the fall of 1871, when the Rev. Lucien H. Frary received an invitation to become its pastor. He was installed April 13th, 1875, and still min- isters to the spiritual wants of the society.
The meeting-house in which this society worship was the old Hollis Street Church, of Boston, which was taken down in 1810, and floated on a raft from Boston to Braintree, and there rebuilt on its present site for this society, and not, as Mr. Drake says in his Old Landmarks of Boston, for Dr. Storrs's church, in North Braintree. A few years since, it was extensively remodeled at a cost of several thousand dollars. It is now a fine and commo- dious edifice.
The Third Congregational Church was established in South Braintree in 1829, and the Rev. Lyman Matthews was ordained as its first clergyman, Aug. 4th, 1830. He continued its wor- thy pastor for a period of more than fourteen years, when he obtained his resignation, Oct. 4th, 1844. The pulpit of this church was supplied for about a year by various clergymen, when Aug. 7th, 1845, the Rev. Francis D. Tenney was installed. His connection with the society continued about three years, when he was dismissed Nov. 14th, 1848. Mr. Tenney was suc- ceeded by the Rev. William B. Hammond; who was called to settle over the parish. He was inducted into his parochial duties April 19th, 1849, and continued to administer to its spiritual wants about seven years. Mr. Hammond received his dismissal April 22d, 1856, when the Rev. Dennis Powers was solicited to become its pastor, and was ordained Dec. 4th, of the same year, receiving his discharge July 11th, 1860. He was
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followed by the Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, Jr., who was installed May 1st, 1862. After about three years of active labor for the society, he was dismissed June 7th, 1865. During the four-year interval, the church was supplied by several clergymen, when on the 10th of Oct., 1869, the Rev. L. Wheaton Allen was ordained. Their present pastor, Albion H. Johnson, was installed April 1st, 1875.
The Baptist Church in Braintree was organized Sept. 29th, 1842. Their house for religious worship was constructed the same year, being dedicated Oct. 23d. Their first clergyman was the Rev. George N. Waitte, who commenced his labors over this society Sept. 10th, 1843, and resigned his charge March 29th, 1846. The Rev. John B. Leanard succeeded Mr. Waitte, being installed Nov. 27th, of that year, and continued to preach for them until 1847, when the Rev. Aaron Haynes received a call from the society, which was accepted, and he was installed June 4th, of the same year, where he continued to labor until Aug. 15th, 1848. After Mr. Haynes, the Rev. George Deland was called, who accepted the office of pastor, and was installed May 20th, 1849, and relinquished his charge Sept. 7th, 1856. Some two years after, Mr. Deland was installed a second time, Jan. 5th, 1858, and was dismissed in 1859. Mr. Deland was followed by the Rev. R. B. Moody, who was installed as pastor of this church in May, 1862, and received his dismissal April 29th, 1866, when the Rev. T. C. Russell was called to labor as their pastor, and was ordained Dec. 1st, 1866, being relieved of his charge March 9th, 1868. The next clergyman who received a call was the Rev. George B. Williams, who was installed in May, 1869, and relinquished his pastorate in May, 1870. Mr. Williams was followed by the Rev. T. W. Clark, as stated supply, where he continued his labors of love over this declining society, until the fall of 1871, when he resigned his charge. This society con- tinued to dwindle and fall away until 1877, when the church was sold to the Methodists, who, during that year, extensively repaired and decorated it. This society was organized Feb. 22d, 1874. The conference stationed the Rev. Edward M. Tay- lor over this new parish, under whose labors they have largely
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