USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > History of the Central Congregational Church, Middleborough, Massachusetts 1847-1947 > Part 2
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Mr. Stone was informed that the church would be able to pay him only $700 of his salary, which brought forth his resignation "because of want of proper support past and prospective and in view of the financial state and embarrassment of the parish."
The outlook for the Central Congregational Church was indeed a dark one. But by the Fall of 1863 matters took a turn for the better. The Committee worked long and diligently devising ways of meeting the crisis. The solution adopted was that of a roll call, each member re- sponding to his name by stating the amount he would pay toward the expenses of the Society. Pledges were received to the amount of $4940.
With this encouragement, a 'call was sent to Reverend Stephen G. Dodd, who was installed July 11, 1866 and remained as pastor for four and one half years. Succeeding Mr. Dodd were Reverend Ellis R. Drake, who served the church from 1871 to 1876, and Reverend Henry M. Grant, who enjoyed nine happy and fruitful years as leader of the Church.
Financial matters were still troublesome. In 1873 the church was barely solvent with only $33.92 in the treasury. At this time weekly sub- scriptions were solicited. Boxes were placed in the vestibule and those attending service were asked to place in them their contributions. Some did not take advantage of this opportunity and a few Sabbaths later it was voted to have the boxes passed among the congregation and to have the treasurer at Sunday morning service read a statement of the financial status of the church together with the amount of collections during the previous month.
In these early days of the church, going to church was an all day affair. Families came and brought their dinner and supper. There were services in the morning and afternoon and oft times in the evening.
In those days, too, any backsliding in church attendance was im- mediately investigated. If a member was absent four Sundays in suc- cession a committee was appointed to interview the backslider and in- quire the reasons of his forsaking the church. In the first instance re- corded, a husband and wife could make no satisfactory explanation and were ex-communicated from the church. Another was re-instated in
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good grace only after writing a letter of confession and penitence and making a verbal confession before the congregation. If it was discovered any member had fallen into wicked practices, a committee of church members, usually including a deacon, called upon the erring one and saw to it that he repented and resumed his way along the straight and narrow path.
Ladies took almost no part in the business affairs of the church until 1868 when on August 6th it was voted that the female members of the church be authorized and invited to participate in the election (of deacons) and in any business action of the church. The first record of any ladies being chosen to serve on a committee ocurred at the Annual Meeting of March 5, 1883, when it was voted that two ladies, Mrs. A. W. Thompson and Miss Abby Tinkham, be added to the committee to pro- cure subscriptions for the support of the Gospel.
In 1871 a movement was inaugurated to acquire an organ, and on May 8, 1871 subscribers presented an organ to the church. An organ concert was given to raise money for a "choire," and the Prudential Com- mittee was instructed to engage an organist and two soloists.
At this time, the organ was located in the gallery at the back of the church with two rooms on either side for use of the organist and choir. Among the members of that early "choire" were Mrs. Henry W. Sears, Mrs. Helen Barrows, James and Andrew Pickens, Ivory Harlow and J. Frank Jenckes.
In December, 1885, the first music committee was elected and the thanks of the parish extended to Mr. Andrew Pickens for his long and faithful services as chorister. No one was eager to serve on the new com- mittee and one by one resigned as their name was presented. At last it was voted to elect by ballot a music committee of three, the three persons having the largest number of votes to be the committee. Mr. Calvin D. Kingman, Mr. David B. Monroe and Mr. Alfred W. Thompson were declared elected, but all three refused to serve. The records of the meet- ing close with these words, "Voted to leave the care of the music in the hands of the Prudential Committee for the present."
It was voted in 1887 to invite all the young people in the Society to sing in the choir. At the same time the Prudential Committee was in- structed to confer with Levi P. Thatcher to see if he could be procured to lead and instruct the choir. Mr. William H. Robinson was organist at this time.
Mr. Thatcher accepted the invitation to lead the choir on the fol-
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lowing terms: that Mrs. E. F. Wood be engaged to sing, that he would select his own choir, act in consultation and harmony with the pastor, would furnish his own music for a year, and would ask no remuneration but the use of the church twice a year for concerts.
Mr. Thatcher continued his leadership until April 6, 1896. At the annual meeting of that date resolutions were adopted extending to Mr. Thatcher heartfelt thanks for his unremitting and unrewarded labors.
The following year the Music Committee included in its annual report a statement that in the fifty years of the church no leader of the choir had asked for or received remuneration for services. Immediately money was raised by private subscription to engage Mr. T. W. Sherman of Taunton to be chorister for one year.
Because of ill health, Reverend Grant found it necessary to conclude his pastorate on May 15, 1868. A call was extended to Reverend John B. Lawrence of South Norwalk, Connecticut. Mr. Lawrence was installed March 26, 1889 and it was during his pastorate that the church was re- modelled and rebuilt as it is today, being raised from a one-story to a two-story building.
On April 7, 1873 the Society voted to grant the parish liberty to finish off a vestry under the church with the privilege of raising the church if necessary. At this same meeting was discussed the possibility of procuring more land necessary for the addition.
The Church Parlor Society, composed of ladies of the church, were very much interested in the project of remodelling the church and in 1887 they came forward with an offer to pay $500 needed for the land.
The following tribute was paid the Church Parlor Society in a report by the Chairman of the Building Committee, Mr. Henry W. Sears: "The first movement made in the work of rebuilding our church was the organ- ization of the Church Parlor Society which was organized January, 1884, and at once commenced active work to assist in raising funds for the much coveted church parlors. We do well tonight if we fully appreciate the good work this Society have done in this cause, the result of which in a measure is the building we dedicate tonight, and which, but for them we feel we should be without. This Society worked three years before any action was taken toward church improvement. When it was neces- sary to make a canvas for funds for the work of remodelling, the Church Parlor Society, with the aid of one of the Deacons, raised something more than $10,000 in pledges."
In 1888 the church appointed George E. Doane, George L. Soule and
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George W. Copeland a committee to be known as the Church Improve- ment Committee, to act in the matter of enlarging the church. This Committee and the Church Parlor Society worked together to procure plans for a building to contain Sunday School rooms, church parlors and other rooms necessary to take care of church activities. Plan after plan was considered, some allowing for an extension at the rear of the church, others for raising the church building.
At a meeting on May 13, 1889, a committee of five was appointed to have entire charge of the matter of church extension with full powers to appoint sub-committees, raise the money and carry out the work. This committee consisted of Calvin D. Kingman, Charles E. Leonard, George H. Shaw, George W. Copeland and Henry W. Sears. There were several changes in the committee and when the rebuilding was begun the com- mittee consisted of Henry W. Sears, Chairman, Calvin D. Kingman, Charles E. Leonard, Mrs. J. B. Lawrence and Mrs. A. W. Thompson.
Mr. T. W. Silloway, an architect from Boston, submitted a plan to utilize the basement of the church by raising the building six feet, the floor two feet and building an addition on the rear of the church to ac- comodate the organ and church parlors. The estimated cost was $12,000. It was unanimously voted to adopt this plan and the church property was mortgaged for $12,000.
From a report at the re-dedication services after the work was completed we learn that the church structure was raised six feet from its original foundation, which was done under the supervision of Charles C. Tinkham, the whole of the lower story was new, the rear end of the church was removed and an addition built, a large portion of the front end was carried forward, the spire straightened and its architecture changed. The balcony and all of the interior of the auditorium was new even to the floor.
Previous to the remodelling, the choir and organ was at the rear of the church in a balcony which went straight across the back of the audi- torium. The platform was lower than the present one, furnished with a sofa and two chairs, and a pulpit so large it hid the furniture as well as the minister, when he was seated. The pews were narrow with high, straight backs and with doors at the ends. Both pews and doors had a rail of light, ornamental wood. At the time of remodelling many of these pew doors were bought as souvenirs by church members, and the ends of the pews were utilized as wainscoting in the vestry.
On the post of the door leading from the auditorium into the hall
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on the left of the platform can be seen skillfully worked into the graining of the wood the names of the architect, painter and builder:
T. W. Silloway, Architect J. B. Lamb, Builder H. A. Sparrow, Painter 1891-92
While the church was being renovated, the organ was sent to the factory in Cambridge, Massachusetts and repaired, enlarged and equipped with a water motor.
A new bell was installed, the gift of a generous citizen of the town. This was the fifth bell to be placed in the tower, three having cracked after being in use but a few years.
Henry W. Sears, Chairman of the Building Committee, and as Clerk of the church, wrote an excellent report of the work done and from his account the following is taken:
"Our church after having held the Sabbath morning service and the Sabbath School its session in the Town Hall since last May, was permitted to occupy their church today (February 23, 1892) although the service had been held in the vestry for several weeks. As we return to our church we find hardly anything in the interior to remind us of what it was when we left. Surely the Lord has blessed us in permitting us to have so pleasant a place to work."
On the morning of February 23, 1892, Reverend Lawrence preached an historical sermon, and in the evening re-dedication services were held. A dedicatory prayer was offered by Reverend Lawrence and a dedicatory sermon preached by Reverend Francis E. Horton of Providence, Rhode Island. The speakers and their subjects were as follows:
Deacon James M. Pickens Early Members
Deacon Calvin D. Kingman Early Officers
Deacon David B. Monroe
Early Social Work
George Henry Shaw
Former Revivals
Rev. Charles W. Wood
Former Pastors
In Mr. Sears' report acknowledgement was made of the following gifts:
To the Church Parlor Society for the purchase of the land and the furnishings of the parlor and kitchen.
To Mr. William R. Pierce for the gift of a bell.
To the Social Circle for the carpets, and to the Good Will Society for a contribution toward same.
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To George L. Soule for the pulpit furniture.
To members of the former X. V. Society for the parlor mantle, chancel, plates, electric lights over the two entrances and for rugs.
To the Christian Endeavor Society for the vestry organ.
To young ladies of the Sunday School and children of the Kindergarten who, from the proceeds of the "Broom Drill" Entertainment furnished the Primary Department.
To the young men of the Society who furnished the Pastor's room.
To the Home Mission Society for its contribution towards the purchase of chairs for the vestry.
To Mrs. Joseph T. Wood for aid in purchasing the piano for the parlor.
To Mr. L. P. Thatcher for aid in grading about the church.
To the Junior Christian Endeavor Society for the silver pulpit vase.
To Mr. F. W. Hayden for the clock in the vestry.
On the Friday evening following the re-dedication services, a ban- quet took place in the vestry for members of the church and the congre- gation. Honorable John C. Sullivan acted as toastmaster and many of the gentlemen present were called upon for remarks.
The cost of remodelling the church was much greater than antici- pated, $26,994.97. When the work was completed there was a debt of $11,000, but this was nearly all paid by the annual meeting of 1894, and at this meeting the remaining debt was pledged to be paid by individuals within three years. Thus, for almost the first time in its history, the church was free of debt.
Now that there was sufficient room within the church for all its activities, the chapel was rented for business purposes. This arrange- ment continued until 1927 when the land was purchased by the Middle- borough Cooperative Bank that a new bank building might be erected, and the chapel was moved to its present location to be used as a parish house.
While the many physical changes had been taking place in the church edifice, changes were also being wrought within the organization of the church. The decision was made to incorporate into one the two organizations which had existed in the church since its beginning. On July 30, 1889, the Central Congregational Meetinghouse Association
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voted to transfer all properties of the church, all papers and records re- lating to the organization to the clerk of the Central Congregational Church Corporation. This was accomplished and the Central Congrega- tional Meetinghouse Association, which had fostered and guided the church since 1848, ceased to exist.
In like manner, on October 1, 1889, all records and documents belonging to the Central Congregational Society were transferred to Eben- ezer Pickens, Clerk of the Central Congregational Church Corporation. Thus ended the existence of the Central Congregational Society whose members so many years ago had the vision and the faith to leave the First Church at the Green and lay the foundations of the new church.
The Central Congregational Church Corporation was incorporated September 9, 1889, and continued under that name until April 3, 1893 when it was voted to shorten the name to Central Congregational Church.
Reverend John B. Lawrence shepherded the church through a stren- uous period of change and progress. On March 31, 1893 he resigned to go to the Congregational Church at Claremont, New Hampshire.
During the pastorate of Reverend Richard G.Woodbridge, who suc- ceeded Mr. Lawrence, the church enjoyed the most active period of its existence. Mr. Woodbridge came from the First Avenue Congregational Church of New York City and began his pastorate on the first Sunday of June, 1893.
Inspired by the efforts and enthusiasm of Mr. Woodbridge, many of the organizations of the church had their beginning, and the church welcomed a large number of new members. It was Mr. Woodbridge's custom to deliver a course of lectures on Sunday evenings during each winter. At the suggestion of Mr. Woodbridge, the first Union Thanks- giving Service was held November 29, 1894, the meeting being held in the Town Hall with addresses by local pastors and music by Carter's Brass Band.
Especially gifted as a preacher, Mr. Woodbridge was known far and wide for his excellent and eloquent sermons. In October, 1897, the New York Herald opened its columns to a sermon contest, sermons to be not more than one thousand words in length. For the best sermon the writer was to receive one thousand dollars. This prize was awarded on March 3, 1898 to Mr. Woodbridge for his sermon entitled, "The Power of Gentleness." Mr. Woodbridge preached the sermon in this church Sun- day morning September 26, 1897. Many letters were received by Mr. Woodbridge from all parts of the country, thanking him for his sermon
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and the help and comfort it had given to the readers. A few years ago the sermon was reprinted in a pamphlet and distributed to members of the Church of the Ascension of New York City.
The condition of the contest stated that the money was to be de- voted "to the benefit of his church, or to any charity the writer should think worthy, the actual distribution of the amount being left to the writer's own judgement and discretion.". On Easter Sunday, April 10, 1898, Mr. Woodbridge presented the church three hundred and eighteen copies of a new hymn book, and a hymn tablet to be placed in the front of the church auditorium.
The same month, members of the church voted to' adopt individual communion cups in favor of the large ones then in use. On Communion Sunday, May 1, 1898, individual cups were used for the first time, the new communion set having been purchased by the ladies of the Social Circle with money obtained from the sale of printed copies of Mr. Woodbridge's Prize Sermon.
During the ministry of Mr. Woodbridge, the church reached its fiftieth milestone and fittingly celebrated the occasion. There was a week of rejoicing and enthusiasm. Assisting the pastor was an Anniversary Committee consisting of George H. Shaw, Arthur H. Leonard, Henry W. Sears, Ebenezer Pickens and Mrs. Alfred W. Thompson.
The celebration began with Anniversary Sunday, April 4, 1897. Rev. Richard G. Woodbridge preached a noteworthy Anniversary Sermon, choosing as his text Isaiah LXV:22, "As the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands."
On Sunday evening there was a sacred cantata, "The Miracles of Christ," under the direction of T. W. Sherman, chorister, with Miss Miranda A. Overhiser at the organ and Mrs. N. N. Barrows, Mrs. E. F. Wood and Mr. A. B. Monroe, soloists.
Monday afternoon at three o'clock the annual meeting took place with a banquet at six-thirty o'clock. At the head table were local pastors and their wives, and also Mrs. Emily L. Crane and Colonel Nathan King, charter members of the church who could recall the days of 1847 when the church was organized. Reverend Woodbridge acted as toastmaster; George L. Soule told anecdotes of the early days of the church; George H. Shaw spoke of the good work accomplished by the first pastor, Rev- erend Isaiah C. Thacher; Miss Harriet Burgess read a paper replete with entertaining reminiscences of the women of 1847; Reverend Rufus K.
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Harlow, a former member and at that time pastor of the Medway Congre- gational Church, recalled boyhood days in the church parish; Samuel J. Elder of Boston offered congratulatory remarks; Honorable John C. Sullivan reviewed the pastorates of past ministers; George E. Doane spoke of the early officials of the church; Harry LeBaron Sampson, youngest member seated at the head table and an undergraduate at Dartmouth, addressed the company on the work of young people in the church past, present and future.
The week's celebration concluded on Thursday with exercises in the auditorium of the church. Salutations were brought by other churches and Reverend Smith Baker, D.D., of Boston delivered an address, "What the Church of Christ Should Be and Do Today." In the evening a session of reminiscences was enjoyed with the following speakers:
Rev. Rufus K. Harlow Looking Backward
Calvin D. Kingman The Sunday School and Its Superintendents
Foster A. Harlow The Prayer Meeting
James M. Pickens The Oldtime Singing
Joshua Sherman Seasons of Refreshing
That the church appreciated the worth and efforts of its pastor is attested by their vote on May 22, 1898 to solicit money to pay the ex- penses of Mr. Woodbridge on a trip abroad. Leaving for Europe June 29, 1898, Mr. Woodbridge remained away until the end of August, his vacation extended until that time.
It was with much regret the members learned Mr. Woodbridge had received and accepted a call to the Prospect Hill Congregational Church of Somerville, Massachusetts. His resignation was accepted November 21, 1901.
Of necessity, there is much less to record during the second half century of the life of a church. The greatest activity and effort have been expended in putting the church on a firm foundation. At the end of fifty years this had been well accomplished.
Reverend Samuel M. Cathcart succeeded Mr. Woodbridge as pastor, coming from Chelsea, Massachusetts to begin his ministry September 21, 1902. A very scholarly man, of more than ordinary mental attainments, Mr. Cathcart was always a champion of the cause of education, and an untiring worker for temperance. The first Baccalaureate Service for High School graduates to be held in the church took place June 19, 1904 with Mr. Cathcart delivering the sermon. At Mr. Cathcart's suggestion, the office of deaconess was created and on July 10, 1904 a special service
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was held inducting the first deaconesses into office. The first to hold this office were Mrs. Almira J. Bennett, Mrs. Faustina Roberts and Mrs. Sarah L. Barrows. The first mention of a children's Sunday appears in the records as June 11, 1905, with Mr. Cathcart conducting the service and baptizing several infants. Mr. Cathcart resigned January 31, 1907 to return to Rhode Island where he had held previous pastorates.
Reverend Norman Mckinnon became the next leader of the church, beginning his pastorate on October 25, 1907. Mr. McKinnon came to the church at a critical period in its history, but he very soon 'succeeded in creating a unified and prosperous parish. During his ministry the church attained the largest membership in its career. Mr. McKinnon often re- marked that his years in Middleborough were the happiest and most congenial in his Christian experience. Both he and Mrs. McKinnon made a large group of friends inside the church and throughout the town. There was a mutual regret and sadness when Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon and their five children left to take up their new duties in Utica, New York. Mr. McKinnon concluded his pastorate January 31, 1914.
Reverend Newell C. Maynard came to the church during the un- settled years of the first World War, May 29, 1915. He was a young man and had a natural gift for working with young people. Forty-four mem- bers united with the church during Mr. Maynard's stay, many of these young people, joining on confession of faith. The Every Member Canvas for church funds was inaugurated during Mr. Maynard's pastorate. On December 31, 1917, Mr. Maynard concluded his ministry, having ac- cepted a call to the Center Church at Haverhill, Massachusetts.
On April 1, 1918, Reverend Joseph B. Kettle began his pastorate in Middleborough, coming from Leominister, Massachusetts. Many diffi- culties beset Mr. Kettle's term of service because of war conditions. A shortage of fuel necessitated the omission of many church services. Dur- ing winter months, union services were held to conserve fuel, and wood instead of coal was used in church furnaces.
Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, in the early hours of the morn- ing, Mr. Kettle proceeded to the church and rang the church bell in unison with other church bells, whistles and fire alarm. The Central Congregational Church was the first to fly the flag from a church tower that day. Twenty years before the national ensign was unfurled for the first time from the church tower when it was raised as an emblem of in- spiration during the War with Spain, May 5, 1898.
On November 12, 1918, Mr. Kettle invited other churches to unite
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in this church from ten to eleven o'clock in the morning to hold a service of prayer and thanksgiving for victory.
A most impressive service was held on May 12, 1918 when the first observance of Mother's Day was held in the church with Mr. Kettle preaching an appropriate sermon and each mother in the congregation receiving a white carnation presented by a corps of six girls dressed in white.
Mr. Kettle resigned on March 21, 1921 to accept a call to the South Congregational Church of Rochester, New York.
Reverend John P. Garfield succeeded Mr. Kettle, coming from Rochester, New Hampshire to begin his pastorate September 11, 1921. Mr. Garfield introduced many new church activities, almost all of which are continuing to be a part of the church program. He made it a custom to have Easter and Christmas pageants, and of having a Youth Sunday when young people of the church conduct the morning service.
Mr. Garfield expended much time and effort recruiting new members and on May 7, 1922, a group of eighty-eight men and women united with the church, the largest number ever received at one service. During Mr. Garfield's pastorate he welcomed into the church fifty-five members by letter, two hundred and forty-nine on confession of faith and baptized two hundred and two infants and two hundred and seventeen adults.
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