USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the churches of Boston, giving a full account, in denominational divisions, of all the church organizations of the city, from their formation to the present time, with dates and complete statistics ; compiled with great care from first sources. Division one; Baptist and Presbyterian > Part 3
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20
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
THE CHARLES STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
At the commencement of the present century there were but two Baptist churches in the then Town of Boston-the First church, under the pastoral care of the eminent and polished Dr. Samuel Stillman, and the Second, under that of the equally eminent, but more disputative, Dr. Thomas Baldwin. These two godly men, though widely differing in their mental constitution, were entirely at one in their zeal in the service of God, and, recognizing that the growing needs of the town demanded an additional church, they bestirred themselves to secure such an organization, and to establish it in the western section, where at that time it was most required, especially for the purpose of providing for the spiritual wants of East Cambridge, Cambridgeport, Brookline, and Roxbury. They had no unworthy motives to inspire them to this work. They simply wished to provide the means of grace for a new part of the city and its contiguous towns.
In the spring of 1807 these efforts developed into actual result. A commit- tee, organized for the purpose, sent a letter to the two churches, to enquire how many of their members were willing to take letters of dismissal, in order to form the proposed new church on Charles street. Nineteen signatures were obtained from the Second Baptist Church, and five from the First church, thus making a total membership for the new society of twenty-four. All these, it is safe to say, were actuated by the same feelings which instigated the two venerable men who were the source of the movement ; namely, a pure desire to extend the cause of Christ. The names of those who may be considered as the first incorporators of the Charles Street Church were : Thomas Kendall, Samuel Adams, and Heman Lincoln.
On the seventh of August, 1807, public worship commenced in the com- pleted church, at the corner of Charles and Mount Vernon streets ; and this date may be taken as that of the organization of this church, which has been, through- out its long career, so important a factor in the religious history of Boston, and around which cling so many sacred memories. The services on this occasion were conducted by the Rev. Joseph Grafton, the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, and the Rev. Lucius Bolles.
The church, when organized, was at first known as "The Third Baptist Church," and continued to bear this title for a considerable time. Subsequently,
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THE CHARLES STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
however, the question arose, whether this name were not strictly the property of the colored Baptist church on Belknap -now Joy-street. In order, therefore, to put aside any dispute, the name of this church was changed from " The Third Bap- tist Church " to that of " The Charles Street Baptist Church," which name it has since borne.
The first pastor was the Rev. Caleb Blood, of Shaftsbury, Vermont, who remained only two years, resigning in 1809.
The next pastor was the venerable and illustrious Dr. Daniel Sharp, who, though an Englishman by birth, became an integral part of the religious commun- ity of Boston ; made a monumental name in the Baptist denomination of the United States ; and became also, very widely known generally as a most graceful and eloquent speaker.
At this time Dr. Sharp was in charge of a church in Newark, N. J., and, while en route to Haverhill, Mass., preached a sermon-on September 2, 1809 - in the Charles Street Church. From the strong impression then created, arose, after a considerable time, an unanimous call from this church to him to accept the pastorate. This call he finally accepted, and, on April 29, 1812, he was installed as pastor. The pastorate of this truly reverend man, then begun in the Charles Street Church of Boston, was a long and eventful one. It lasted forty-one years, terminating only with his death on June 23, 1853. During this long period many things were done to promote Christianity in Boston, in all of which this par- ent church bore well its part under its noble leader ; but the true results of this pastorate eternity alone will show.
It is not possible here to do more than notice some of the many religious, benevolent, and educational enterprises with which Dr. Sharp and the Charles Street Church were intimately connected, and in not a few of which they took the initiative. The Evangelical Tract Society was an emanation from Charles Street Church, and was organized under the management of Dr. Sharp, even before his installation. In this, as in many other noble works, the name of Heman Lincoln also occupies a distinguished place. In a still more important department of Christian labor-that of missionary effort-this church and its pastor were equally active. Dr. Sharp's pen and voice were continually employed in this field, inciting to work on behalf of the Christless millions in pagan lands, and, in the grand work of foreign missions, his name stands out almost as brilliantly as that of Adoniram Judson, the first American missionary. In conjunction with Dr. Sharp, in mission work, were the Rev. Lucius Bolles, the Rev. Thomas Baldwin, and, again, Mr. Heman Lincoln.
The Massachusetts Baptist Education Society was another pious enterprise which sprung from the same source. It was organized, in September, 1814, to provide suitable education for candidates for the gospel ministry. From this
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
society subsequently grew the The Northern Baptist Education Society, a larger establishment of the same kind, and, still later, The Theological College at Water- ville. All these finally developed into that well-known school of clergymen, The Newton Theological Institution. The names of Deacons Batchelder, of Lynn, and Farwell, of Cambridge, deserve mention in connection with this matter.
On June 16, 1816, a Sunday School was commenced, for the purpose of giving, not merely a religious, but also a general, education to poor children, as a prepa- ration for the " grammar schools " of that time, which were analogous to the pub- lic schools of the present day. This was the germ from which emanated the formation of the primary schools of Boston. The Fatherless and Widows Society was also created by the Charles Street Church, about the year 1820.
The first Baptistry in Boston or its vicinity, and one of the first Church Organs, were erected in this church : the former in 1827, and the latter in 1829.
The faithful pastor continued to care affectionately for his charge- ever active and prominent in every good word and work - until his death in 1853. During his ministrations Charles Street Church was a center of religious attrac- tion, and was invariably crowded with an attentive and devout congregation.
The pastors who followed were, first, the Rev. J. C. Stockbridge, D. D., who had the care of the church from 1853 until 1861. He was succeeded by the well-known Rev. Dr. William Hague, who occupied the pulpit from 1862 till 1864. The last installed pastor was the Rev. William V. Garner, who was set- tled in 1866, and resigned in 1875. For the remainder of the time during which public worship was continued in this church, the devotions were led by tempo- rary supplies.
In common with most of the older churches of Boston, this church found its membership becoming gradually depleted ; firstly, by the repeated dismissals from its body to form other churches, and again by the removal of many more to the newer parts of the city. So much reduced was the attendance, that at no time during the concluding months, were there more than fifty persons present at any time. The loss of members also had diminished its revenues, so that the continuance of its ministrations was accomplished, during the last few years of its active existence, only by incurring a heavy debt. Under these adverse cir- cumstances, it was, after much discussion, finally decided to discontinue the pub- lic services of the church, which ceased altogether in July, 1876. The church building was sold to the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, (colored,) which now (1883) worships there.
This aged parent church still maintains its corporate existence, though without a pastor or officers, and without a meeting-house. Its present members num- ber about seventy-eight. The management of its secular affairs is in the hands of seven trustees, from whose careful management of its resources may result the
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THE CHARLES STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
re-establishment of its active life. That this may be accomplished is the earnest desire of many in whose hearts the memory of the palmy days of this venerable sanctuary is enshrined.
In order to show the important part taken by this old church in the forma- tion of other churches, the following list is added :-
In 1817, twenty-one members were dismissed to form a church at Cam- bridgeport. In 1821, eleven members were dismissed to the organization of the Roxbury Baptist Church, now known as the Dudley Street Church. In 1827 the Federal Street Church was constituted - now known as the Clarendon Street Church. Thirty members took letters of dismissal to assist in the formation of this church, and with them went about fifty more of the congregation. Shortly afterwards eight more received letters to the same church. The major portion of the original constituent members of the Federal Street Church were drawn from Charles Street. In 1839, twenty-eight went to form the Harvard Street Church, and with them went also more than one hundred of the congregation. In r841-2, thirty-eight were sent to join other churches in the city, several of them to the Bowdoin Square Church. These again, took with them many of the general con- gregation. Thus it will be seen that this church has indeed been "a fruitful vine," which has given its ripest fruit to forward the growth and extension of the Kingdom of The Cross. Though its record is now probably, practically closed, it has been a most honorable and useful one ; and its name occupies a sacred niche in the history of the Christian community of New England, and especially in that of the Baptist denomination.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
THE BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the month of July, 1839, the property then standing on the site of the present Bowdoin Square Baptist Church was offered for sale, and attracted the attention of a number of Baptist laymen, who were seeking a location for a new church. The then existing city churches were crowded to their utmost capacity, and it was thought that the time had come for the erection of another house of worship, occupying some intermediate situation between the First and Charles Street churches.
This site was particularly noticed, because it was placed at an exactly suitable distance from the other churches ; because the position was most desirable ; and because it was surrounded by a population for whom it had become a duty to pro- vide the means of salvation.
The ground was accordingly bought by some wealthy Baptists, for $24,120, and the corner-stone of the new church laid on April 9, 1840. The size of the ground was at that time 122 feet on Chardon street, and 77 feet on Bowdoin Square, but the lot was afterwards reduced when the Square was widened by the city. The building was dedicated, and the church publicly recognized in Novem- ber of the same year. It " was erected," as the silver plate placed under the corner-stone sets forth, "by the voluntary subscriptions of members of the vari- ous Baptist churches and congregations in Boston." And, as said at the time, it was " for the use of a church yet to be formed, and a congregation yet to be assembled." The building is a most substantial one, and has a most massive appearance, being fronted with heavy undressed granite. It is 98 1-4 feet in length, including the projection of the tower, by 73 1-2 feet in width. The tower projects 10 feet from the main building ; it is 28 feet square, and 110 feet high. The entire cost of the house and furniture, including the organ, was a little over $70,000.
As the building drew near completion, the creation of a membership became the subject of consideration. In order to select members from the other churches to form the basis of the new church - a somewhat difficult matter, in conse- quence of the strong attachment of the congregations to their churches and min- isters - a meeting was called from among the members of the old churches, and was held in the vestry in Bowdoin Square, on the 17th of September, 1840, under
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THE BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH.
the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Sharp, and the Rev. Baron Stow. Articles of Faith and a covenant were agreed upon, and one hundred and thirty-four members of the other churches agreed to accept dismission from their own churches, and join themselves together to form a constituency for the new church. Among many names of those who were active in the foundation and support of this church, perhaps none deserves more honorable mention than that of Deacon Asa Wilbur, who, from its inception until his death in 1878 at the ripe age of 86, was devoted to its interests. The contingents supplied by the various churches of the city, and of other places, were as follows, viz. :-
The First Church, 21 ; Baldwin Place, 76; Charles Street, 12; Federal Street 17; Boylston (afterwards Harvard Street), 2; West Baptist, 3; New Hampton, N. H., 1 ; Free Street, Portland, 2. Total, 134.
BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH IN 1841.
Prayer meetings were held in the vestry before the final completion of the building, but, after the dedication, for about eight or nine months, services were regularly held in the church proper, the pulpit being supplied by the city pastors.
In December, of the opening year (1840), an invitation was extended to Dr. Welsh, of Albany, to take the charge of the parish, which was shortly after- ward declined.
In the spring of 1841, a call to the pastorate was extended to the Rev. Rob- ert W. Cushman, then of Philadelphia. This call was accepted by him on
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
June 5, 1841, and he was duly installed in July. On the first of August, the Bap- tistry was used for the first time, when three persons received the solemn rite of the mystic "burial with Christ." On the fifteenth of September the church was received into the Boston Baptist Association, at which time it numbered 148 mem- bers. Under the pastorate of the erudite and scholarly Mr. Cushman the church progressed steadily in numbers, wealth, and efficiency ; which success was the more gratifying to its promoters, because the establishing of such a church was, at that time, for the amount of pecuniary responsibility involved in it, without a parallel in the denomination. Very shortly after the commencement of the pas- torate, the house was well filled, and it became evident that the Word of Truth was having its due effect on many hearts.
The pastorate of Mr. Cushman at Bowdoin Square Church is also important and remarkable because it began about the time of the most extensive and perhaps the greatest, religious revival which has been known in the United States, and which continued from early in 1841 to 1843 ; and also because of the part taken by the evangelist, the Rev. Jacob Knapp, in that revival in Boston and particu- larly in Bowdoin Square Church. Great diversity of opinion arose with regard to this bold and uncompromising preacher of the Gospel throughout New England, and while many were pleased with him, very many, both inside the church as well as outside, were greatly offended. About the first of January, 1842, Mr. Knapp came to Boston, and began to preach at the First Church, of which the Rev. Rollin H. Neale was then pastor, after which he preached at Baldwin Place, then under the ministrations of the Rev. Baron Stow. On January 9th, he went to Bowdoin Square Church, and it was while here that he met his fiercest opposi- tion. Mobs gathered about the church, as they did in the olden time about the synagogue in Lystra, and would have stoned Mr. Knapp and dragged him through the city. But this fearless preacher bore himself right bravely, and kept his way in humble reliance upon God. The people were stirred by his earnest appeal, and awed by his sublime courage. Still the excitement grew more intense every day, and the crowds were finally dispersed only by the power of the municipal gov- ernment.
Mr. Cushman resigned his charge in 1846, and was followed by several uneventful pastorates. The Rev. Pharcellus Church was the next installed pastor ; he was settled in 1848, and resigned in 1852 ; after him, in 1853, was the Rev. William H. Wines, who left the pastorate in 1857; and to him succeeded the Rev. Dr. J. N. Murdock, a somewhat prominent clergyman, of Hartford, Conn. He retired from the charge in 1862, and is, at the present time, the Secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union. The next pastor after Dr. Murdock, was the Rev. Orrin T. Walker, who, at that time was in charge of a church at Trenton, N. J. The labors of this pastor were very successful, and were largely blessed.
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THE BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH.
His whole pastorate was, more or less, a continuous revival ; great religious inter- est was experienced in the church, and the accessions to the membership were fre- quent and numerous. Though not possessing all the brilliant traits which have marked many of his contemporaries, his work was instrumental in building up and strengthening this important church, which had become greatly weakened by the inertness of his predecessors. He resigned in 1868 to accept a pastorate in Chi- cago, whence he afterwards returned to Boston. He is now (1883) in charge of the Harvard Street Baptist Church.
The next two pastorates were very short, and wrought but little on the pros- perity of the church. They were those of the Rev. G. F. Warren - who, some time afterwards was the pastor of the Central Square Baptist Church, and the founder of the Trinity Baptist Church in East Boston-and the Rev. D. M. Reeves. The former lasted but eight months, and the latter one year. Mr. Reeves subsequently joined the Presbyterian church.
On November 5, 1872, the Rev. Charles Y. Swan was called to, and accepted the charge of, the church. He was a son of the well-known evangelist, Elder Jabez Swan, of Connecticut. The labors of this pastor were very greatly blessed. Another lengthened revival was experienced, and many were converted to God. Mr. Swan's pastorate lasted for about five years, terminating May I, 1876, when he removed to a church in Newark, N. J., where he died in 1880.
His successor was the Rev. F. B. Dickinson, who became pastor March 10, 1878, and resigned February 8, 1880, in order to take a charge in Ansonia, Con- necticut. He was also a successful leader of the church, continuing and extend- ing the good work begun by his predecessor. Both these pastorates were notable ones, and did much to increase and make vigorous the spiritual life of this church.
The present pastor is the Rev. W. W. Downs, who came to the office in 1881. Mr. Downs was called to Bowdoin Square from Orange, N. J., where he was assistant to the Rev. Edward Judson. Mr. Downs, in the earlier part of his life, was engaged in secular business in the city of New York, and was led into the ministry through the instrumentality of the Young Men's Christian Association of that city, with which "arm of the church " he had become prominently identified. His work in this church has been thoroughly worthy of this important charge, and he has faithfully carried on the zealous labors of those who went before him.
In concluding the history of this church, it is necessary to notice the great change which has taken place in the general character of its membership. When founded, more than forty years ago, it was the centre of a large and aristocratic residence district, and drew into its fold a great number of families, whose homes were within its shadow. The congregation in those days was of the old-fashioned family sort ; the grave and sober elders, and the fresh budding youth, - father and son, matron and maid, -- filed into its portals Sabbath after Sabbath and listened
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
to the divine message in company. This is now very greatly changed, just as is the surrounding neighborhood. Most of the early churches of Boston which originally were centrally located in the old city have removed bodily - both build- ing and congregation -to other and more modern districts, and their old sites are now filled by warehouses, stores, and offices. In this case it has not been so. The church remains, but a new kind of hearers now attend its services. The places of the families are now taken almost entirely by young people just about commencing the stern and real battle of life ; many- or, indeed, most - of them, strangers to the city, who have come from other places to struggle for an existence here. This change has been recognized and its requirements provided for by its officers, and the services and meetings are made especially suitable for this important class. While there must of necessity be a large nomadic ele- ment in such a congregation, the opportunities offered by it for disseminating the sacred seed of the gospel are almost infinitely extended. All the seats are free, and the church has for several years been supported entirely by voluntary contri- butions. It has become, under these conditions, more prosperous than at any previous period of its history.
The present active membership of the church numbers about 522. The Sabbath School attendance is 550.
CHURCH OFFICERS :- Pastor : Rev. W. W. Downs ; Pastoral Committee : Joseph Story, A. F. Graves, G. F. Paine, S. A. Wilbur ; Treasurer : A. F. Graves ; Clerk : E. P. Coleman ; Superintendent Sunday School : Joseph Story.
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THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH,
CLARENDON, COR. MONTGOMERY STREET.
About the year 1820, the subject of establishing a new Baptist church in Boston, more central than either of the others, began to engage the attention of
CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
a few earnest brethren. Partly with this view, and partly to provide gospel instruction in a destitute vicinity, meetings for prayer and public worship were instituted in the then south-eastern part of the city, and continued for several
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
years, with various degrees of encouragement. In August, 1821, was formed "The Baptist Society for Promoting Morality and Piety in Boston," which, in October, 1828, assumed the name of the " Boston Baptist Evangelical Society." By this society, meetings were maintained in a convenient hall over the "Ship Market," in Purchase street, supplied by Mr. E. Lincoln and others, till the Rev. R. W. Cushman was engaged, who for a number of months regularly occupied the station. In April, 1826, the spacious "Julien Hall," on Milk street, was pro- cured, where the meetings were continued till they were removed into the meet- ing-house then in course of erection.
Early in 1825, active measures, in which a cordial interest was manifested by the pastors and members of the three existing churches, began to be taken with reference to erecting a Central Baptist Meeting-house. On the 23d of February, 1825, a number of brethren, impressed with the importance of the object, met at the house of Dr. Baldwin, for consultation and prayer ; and so great was the interest felt by those present that the sum of eight thousand dollars was volunta- rily pledged toward the accomplishment of the object.
On the 28th of the same month a general meeting was held at the vestry of the Second Baptist Church, at which the pastors of the three then existing churches and a large number of friends was present. Dr. Baldwin presided. Having sought divine direction and maturely considered the subject, "it was voted unanimously, that, in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient to attempt the erection of a new Baptist meeting-house in this city."
Committees were appointed to receive subscriptions, and report a location ; and it was " voted that when a church should be formned to worship in the pro- posed house, having the fellowship of the other Baptist churches in Boston, the deed of the house should be given to the church, as a Calvinistic Baptist Church, to be held by them while three male members remain adhering to these senti- ments."
A site for the building was purchased on Federal street, near Milk street, at two dollars per foot, amounting in all to $15,348. On the 25th of September, 1826, the corner-stone of the building was laid, with appropriate religious services.
In the early part of May, 1827, the Building Committee informed the exist- ing churches of the forward state of the house, and requested a meeting of those interested, to consult as to what course should be persued with reference to the formation of a church. Immediate steps were taken with this object in view, and on the 17th of May, 1827, the first preliminary meeting was held. At this meet- ing the pastors and one deacon from each of the churches met with the brethren. After several subsequent meetings for consultation and prayer, sixty-five brethren and sisters harmoniously associated, an'd were cordially dismissed from the Second and Charles Street churches to compose the new church.
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