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 5
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On Sunday, October 21, 1877, the semi-centennial anniversary was observed with suitable religious exercises, and on the next day, Monday, the Sunday School held a reunion to celebrate the same occasion.
On the first Sunday of January, 1874, the church was damaged by fire so seriously that a complete restoration, amounting almost to rebuilding, became nec- essary. The work of reparation was completed, and services re-commenced, in May, 1875. The major part of the damage caused by the fire- amounting to about $30,000 -was covered by insurance. A small debt of $14,000 still remained which was wiped out soon afterwards. The church is now (1883) and has for some time been entirely free from debt.
While the building was undergoing repairs the congregation was allowed the use of the Union Congregational Church on Columbus avenue, near Newton street.
During the revival meetings conducted by Messrs. Moody and Sankey, in the winter and Spring of 1876-7, the church was thrown open every evening from 4 to 10 o'clock, P. M., for enquiry and " overflow" meetings, thus forming an annex to the temporary revival building, which adjoined the church. The ultimate result of this revival to this church was a great addition to the membership, which has been steadly increasing from that date to the present time (1883), and now numbers 750.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The church is now enjoying a season of calm prosperity, which, fostered by the zeal and faithfulness of the pastor, and the harmony existing in the church and society, promises to be of long continuance.
CHURCH OFFICERS :- Pastor : The Rev. A. J. Gordon, D. D .; Deacons : Hezekiah S. Chase, George S. Dexter, Salmon P. Hibbard, Eben Shute, Charles W. Perkins, Charles S. Kendall ; Clerk : Charles W. Perkins ; Treasurer : Calvin M. Winch ; Pastor's Assistant, John A. McElwain ; Sunday School Super- intendent : Eben Shute.
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH,
CHARLESTOWN DISTRICT.
The First Baptist Church of Boston, was constituted in Charlestown, on the 28th of March, 1665. The civil rulers and the clergy of the Established Church considered this an act contrary to law, and the Baptists were denounced as heretics and disturbers of the peace. Persecution did its utmost to overthrow this infant
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, CHARLESTOWN DISTRICT.
church by fines, imprisonment, and even banishment from the colony; but in 1673, John Leverett, who had always opposed the measures against the Baptists, was elected governor, and they were free to worship God according to the dic- tates of their own consciences. In January, 1678, the church resolved to erect a house of worship in Boston, and removed there.
Nothing was done towards the organization of another Baptist church in Charlestown until the beginning of the present century. On the evening of August 24, 1800, a vote was passed in the ancient religious society of the town,
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
" That the society take into serious consideration the obvious necessity of erect- ing another house of public worship, and use their influence to effect the same." A committee was appointed, who, at a succeeding meeting, reported that another house ought to be erected, and that it would be most conducive to harmony and beneficial to the cause of religion, to encourage the Baptist brethren in building the house for their denomination.
September 16, 1800, the Baptist brethren in Charlestown - eleven in all- assembled, and after solemn prayer, signed the following covenant : "We, the subscribers, members of the Baptist communion in this town, being advised by the friends of religion, and encouraged with promises of assistance to build a house of worship, believing that the visible kingdom of the Redeemer will be advanced thereby, do associate for the purpose of erecting a house of worship, and constituting a church, to be distinguished by the name of the First Baptist Church in Charlestown ; and fervently imploring the blessing of God on this our arduous undertaking, we solemnly engage to do all in our power to effect the same."
These brethren, with but a trifling aid from two gentlemen of the ancient society, who loaned them six hundred dollars on interest, began on the first day of October, 1800, to build the house of God. The records of the church begin March 31, 1801, with an account of a meeting at which a committee was appointed to consult with Drs. Stillman and Baldwin, and report Articles of Faith and Church Covenant. May 3, 1801, in the evening, the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant were adopted and signed, after which John Carter and David Goodwin were elected deacons.
A council composed of delegates from the Baptist churches of Boston and Newton, met in a private house May 12, 1801, and formally recognized the church, then consisting of eleven brethren and nine sisters. The council and the church proceeded to the new house, where, by appropriate and solemn services, it was dedicated, and the newly-constituted church received the hand of fellowship. The first Lord's supper was observed June 14, 1801, Dr. Stillman, of Boston, breaking the bread.
The pulpit was temporarily supplied until September 20, 1802, when Mr. Thomas Waterman, recently of England, was invited to take the pastoral charge of the church. He was installed October 7th of the same year. From the for- mation of the church to the settlement of its first pastor, much love and harmony prevailed, and some were received by baptism. Mr. Waterman's connection with the church, however, lasted but eight months.
Rev. William Collier, pastor of the Gokl Street Church, New York city, was chosen as the second minister, and on the third of May, 1804, was publicly settled. For five years great unanimity prevailed. But on October 31, 1809,
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
several members withdrew to form a second Baptist church. Among these was a brother of large means, who had previously assumed the debt upon the meeting- house. The church was deeply affected at this separation ; and finding them- selves unable to meet their financial obligations they relinquished the house to this brother. They then purchased the present lot on Austin street, and began the erection of a cheap house of worship, which was dedicated on September 23, 1810, Mr. Collier preaching the sermon. During this pastorate of fifteen years and four months, one hundred and twelve were added by baptism, and many by letter.
Rev. Henry Jackson, of Providence, R. I., the next pastor, was ordained November 27, 1822. The fourteen years of his labors were abundantly blessed of God. The house of worship was twice enlarged. There were four special seasons of deep religious interest. The benevolent spirit in the church was fos- tered so that there was raised annually for benevolent purposes an average of more than one thousand dollars. In this pastorate most of the persons who had joined the second church returned, and from this time the second church loses its visibility. The Charlestown Female Seminary was instituted mainly through the influence and efforts of Mr. Jackson. Under his administration two hundred and thirty-seven were added by baptism, and one hundred and nineteen by letter. The church at the close of his ministry numbered two hundred and eighty-five members.
Rev. William Phillips, of Providence, R. I., was installed as pastor, December 2, 1836. The five years of his pastorate were years of peace and blessing, although not marked by any extraordinary revival. Each year quite a number were added to the church. During the whole time eighty-three were baptised, forty-four received by letter.
Rev. H. K. Green, of West Chester, Pa., was installed January 7, 1842. The early labors of Mr. Green were very successful. More than one hundred persons were baptised in about a year. The congregation became so large that on the next year the old house was taken down and a new church edifice was erected on the present site. On the 22d of April, 1844, Mr. Green resigned, having added to the church by baptism one hundred and sixty-seven, and by letter, forty persons. A large number, however, were dismissed to form the High Street Bap- tist Church, thus leaving in this church a total of two hundred and thirty-three members.
Rev. William C. Child was called from Newton Seminary in 1844, to become the next pastor. These were years of growth in spiritual matters, and at the very close of his pastorate a blessed revival of religion began, the fruits of which were gathered by the succeeding pastor. During his ministry of five years, twenty- three persons were added by baptism, and fifty-one by letter.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
Rev. T. F. Caldicott began to supply the pulpit in March, 1850, and in the following October assumed the pastoral office. He resigned September 9, 1853. His pastorate was signally crowned with the favor of God, sixty-six persons unit- ing with the church by baptism, and seventy-eight by letter and experience.
Rev. A. M. Hopper, the eighth pastor, was publicly installed March 1, 1855, and resigned March 1, 1857. In the two years of his ministry there were thirty- one persons received by baptism, and seventeen by letter.
Rev. R. W. Cushman, of Boston, was engaged after the resignation of Mr. Hopper, as a supply for three months from March 15, 1857. At the expiration of this time the will of God seemed so clear, that the church unanimously called him to become their pastor ; but on account of private considerations he did not consent to a public installation.
Dr. Cushman was preëminently fitted to build up the church on their most holy faith, and to root and ground believers in the fundamental truths of the Bible. Although his ministry was short, it was marked for the clear and impressive manner of exhibiting, in proper harmony, divine truth, which fixed deeply in the minds of all Christians the reasons of the hope that was in them.
He resigned April 5, 1860, but remained for several months afterwards as acting pastor. During his administration, thirty-two persons were admitted to the church by baptism, and thirty-seven by letter.
Rev. George W. Gardner was called June 1, 1861, but did not enter upon his duties until the September following. November 13th of the same year, the present church edifice was dedicated, the pastor preaching from Psalm xx : 5, and on the following evening the service of his installation took place. The eleven years of this pastorate were marked by continual accessions of new members, the steady growth of the church in all departments of Christian work, and the edifying of the whole body in love. Many who had been connected with the High Street Church returned to the mother church, that church having become extinct. During this pastorate one hundred and ninety-six were received to the fellowship of the church by baptism, and one hundred and ninety-one by letter and experience.
Rev. W. W. Boyd was the next pastor. He was ordained May 1, 1873, but did not assume all the duties of his office until the following October. Youthful and genial in spirit and characterized by great enthusiasm in his ministrations he very soon drew around him large numbers of young and old, many of whom were added to the church. He resigned May 21, 1877. During his pastorate large con gregations generally attended the Sabbath services ; and the Sabbath School rose in numbers and interest to a point which has never been exceeded in its history.
Rev. J. B. Brackett was called to the pastorate January 18, 1878, and entered upon his labors March 1. He remained pastor two years, and resigned April 9,
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THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
1880. During this time a number were added to the church by baptism and let- ter, and also not a few who had grown indifferent to the interests of the church were excluded.
Rev. J. W. Riddle, the twelfth and present pastor, was called September 26, 1881, and began his labors in October. Since his settlement nearly two years have elapsed.
The present membership of the church is 561. Its house of worship is one of the most commodious, and, internally, one of the most attractive in the district. Its value is about $50,000, and it is free from debt. Connected with the church there are five young men, who, at different institutions of learning, are studying for the gospel ministry ; also an active Woman's Missionary Society which has been in existence for more than forty years, dividing its interest and its contribu- tions between the Home and Foreign work.
The Sunday School connected with the church has 565 members. It was organized in 1813, and is probably the oldest Sunday School of any denomination in Boston or vicinity, and among the oldest in New England or even in the United States.
In 1795 a Sunday School was organized in Providence, R. I., by a student of Brown University, and Mr. Samuel Slater, a manufacturer, of Providence, for the benefit of any of the factory operatives that wished to attend. This was among the first Sunday Schools organized in this country. Nine years later, in 1804, Rev. Wm. Collier, the student referred to, became pastor of this church, and soon after organized a Saturday afternoon school for the religious instruction of the children of the parish which was changed to a Sunday School not later than 1813.
At present the church and school are both in a prosperous condition, and under the leadership of their pastor are closely identified, not only with all the great benevolent and missionary enterprises of the Baptist denomination, but with every home work of benevolence and reform inaugurated for the moral and relig- ious improvement of the community in which it is located.
CHURCH OFFICERS :- Pastor : Rev. J. W. Riddle ; Deacons : George W. Little, S. Prentiss Hill, Chatles E. Daniels, John Linscott, F. W. Dadmun ; Clerk : George R. Seymour ; Treasurer : George W. Little · Superintendent of Sunday School : Frank Dow.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
THE BRIGHTON AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, ALLSTON.
This church, the first and only Baptist Church of Allston, situated in Union Square, was organized on December 2, 1853. The members, who were a very small number in those early days, met for worship at first in a hall known as Union Hall, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. M. Graves- better known in Bostonian Church History as " Father Graves "- who was the minister in sup- ply from February 1, 1854, until January 1, 1856. He died at Charlestown, on January 15, 1879, having attained to the age of seventy-six years. After him came the Rev. J. M. Bonham, an Englishman, who was settled in July, 1856, and left in September, 1857.
The corner-stone of the new church -the present edifice - which is a handsome frame building, with a high spire, made more conspicuous by its prom- inent position, was laid, with appropriate religious services, on the eleventh of September, 1855. It was sufficiently advanced to enable the society to meet for worship in the vestry in January, 1856, and the completed church was dedicated on the tenth of February, 1857. It has a seating capacity of about 400.
The next pastor was the Rev. J. W. Parker, who was settled in November, 1857, and closed his ministry in July, 1859 ; being followed very shortly by the Rev. S. M. Stimson, who was installed on August 7, of the same year, and was dismissed in June, 1861.
The two succeeding ministers were, the Rev. Ralph H. Bowles, whose pas- torate commenced in August, 1861, and terminated in January, 1867; and the Rev. Wm. R. Thompson, who was settled in 1868, and dismissed in 1871.
The present pastor, the Rev. Francis E. Tower, assumed the pastorate in January, 1872, and is (1883) still discharging its duties. At the commence- ment of Mr. Tower's ministrations, there were but ninety-seven members in the church, while there are now 320. The church, under his ministrations, has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth, and is now in a prosperous condition. The Sunday School is, also, in a flourishing state, and numbers about 250 mem- bers. During the first year of his pastorate, the number added by baptism and letter nearly doubled the original membership.
CHURCH OFFICERS :- Pastor : The Rev. Francis E. Tower ; Clerk : H. W. Bird ; Treasurer : Amos Wright. Prudential Committee and Acting Deacons : J. T. Upham, C. H. Brown, C. D. Whitney, Nahum Thayer, Benjamin Rice, Amos Wright, J. W. Bent, Hiram Bates.
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THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH,
TREMONT TEMPLE.
The history of the Tremont Street and Union Baptist Churches - the one formed in 1839 and the other in 1843-is replete with interest. The famous pastors who have ministered in them, the prominent men who have figured conspicuously as their faithful officers and members, the inspiration of the pious idea which caused the creation of the famous edifice in which they have long worshiped God, and finally the union of these two fructifying streams of religious life and activity to make a Christian bulwark for all time, make a grand chapter in the history of this denomination, deservedly held dear by every American Baptist.
The noble building so extensively known as " The Tremont Temple " had its origin in the desire of Deacon Timothy Gilbert primarily, and of those who became his coadjutors afterward, to open in the city of Boston a centrally located house of worship with free seats, on some self-supporting plan, where all, whatever might be their condition or circumstances in life, should have an opportunity to hear the Gospel and enjoy the means of grace. Above all it was desired to provide a place of worship for the poor and for strangers coming to the city for employment, whose means would not allow them to secure seats in the other churches.
The first of these original societies was the Union Baptist Church, the nucleus of which was started on November 1, 1836, on Stillman street, as a Sabbath School, with eleven members. The work was begun by the Rev. Wm. Howe, a young graduate from the Newton Theological Seminary, who was called under the auspices of the Boston Baptist Sabbath School Union. On January 1, 1837, Joshua Lincoln was chosen superintendent, and public services were begun. The membership increased so rapidly that better accommodations were found neces- sary, and in August, 1838, the school was moved to Tuckerman Hall, Friend street, and in February, 1841, to a larger hall on the same street, The superin- tendents were, successively, Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Charles M. Bowers, and Mr. Daniel Simpson, until May, 1845, when Deacon George W. Chipman took the position. The membership was then 300, and the need of a church organization was felt.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
Such an organization was accordingly effected, and on March 16, 1845, the church was publicly recognized as the Union Baptist church. A site was at once pro- cured, and the erection of a suitable place of worship was begun ; the corner- stone was laid April 21, 1846, and the dedication took place November 12th, of the same year. The number of members had, at that time, increased from 19 to 88, and of Sunday scholars from 11 to 570. From this also sprang six other Sun- day Schools. The Rev. Mr. Howe remained until 1858, from which time until 1863 the Rev. D. M. Crane was the pastor.
The other of these two parent societies, the Tremont Street Baptist Church, originally held their meetings in a hall at No. 31 Tremont Street, where religious services were continued some three months. The church was organized on April 18, 1839, with 82 members, who had been dismissed from the various Baptist churches in the city and vicinity for that purpose. The number attending the ser- vices made larger accommodations necessary, and in March, 1840, they removed to Congress Hall, on the corner of Milk and Congress streets, which had been arranged to seat about 400 persons. The Rev. Nathaniel Colver was chosen pas- tor, and remained with the church in that capacity until 1852.
Public worship was continued in Congress Hall about one year, and during this time there was a great religious interest ; the attendance rapidly increased. and this hall was found too small for them. In 1841 they removed to a room at the corner of- Bromfield and Tremont streets, fitted up to seat from 600 to 700 persons ; the attendance soon increased so as to make this place inadequate. The number of members added to the church by baptism and letter during the year 1840 was 90 ; in 1841, 30 ; and in 1842, 126.
It was under these circumstances, amid the pressing and growing wants of this church, that the noble, unselfish, divinely-born, idea which had been germinat- ing in the minds of these pious men, took actual form and shape. The plan was simple and unique. It was to obtain a building of sufficient capacity, fit it up for stores and offices, the rent of which should provide for current expenses and repairs, and at the same time, when the debt was removed, should furnish a mis- sion fund to be used in providing for the destitute at home and abroad. This was the germ from which has sprung the grand institution now known, wherever an American Baptist is found, as the Tremont Temple-in name and in fact " The Stranger's Sabbath Home."
Early in 1843 the Tremont Theatre, which then occupied the site of the present Temple, was offered for sale. There were many reasons why it was thought that the purchase of this estate was very desirable, offering as it did a building of ample dimensions, in the very centre of the city. After an examination of the adaptableness of the building, the cost of remodelling, etc., the purchase was made by Timothy Gilbert, S. G. Shipley, Thomas Gould and Wm. S. Damrell, and
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THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
a deed executed, dated June, 1843, conveying the estate, containing about 13,000 feet of land, to them for $55,000. Afterward this deed, under which these four named persons originally held the estate, was changed to the form of a trust - this latter instrument being dated April 1, 1844.
The purchasers, on their own personal responsibility, proceeded at once to remodel the interior of the building and adapt it to its intended sacred uses. They arranged the halls, stores and other rooms for the purposes designed, at an expense - including all the furniture, with the exception of the organ-of $24,- 284.53 ; which, added to the original purchase, made the total cost $79,284.53. The building was 78 feet front, 90 feet rear, and 135 feet deep ; the main audi- ence-room 90 feet by about 80 feet, capable of seating 2,000 persons.
On the 7th of December, 1843, the house was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, with public services in the large audience-room, and afterwards occupied by the church as a permanent place of worship. A large congregation was gathered, and the interest continued to prosper until the 31st of March, 1852, when, in the dark hours of the early winter morning, the whole building was completely destroyed by fire.
Just at this time- March, 1852 - the Rev. Nathaniel Colver resigned the pastorate of Tremont Temple Church, and took his final leave on the very day of the disaster. The memory of this eminent servant of God deserves a passing notice in connection with this history ; and the more especially, since to him, in conjunction with the Rev. William Howe and Deacons Gilbert and Geo. W. Chip- man, belongs the credit of the establishment of the free church system in Boston. To these names must also be added those of James W. Converse and Clement Drew. All these men, with others also, of a like kind, " honored the Lord " in this matter, both with " their substance " and their services, and this roll of honor is an integral part of Tremont Temple.
When the project was started, and the foundations of the Temple enterprise were laid, the cause of Christ, in Boston, was going on from conquest to conquest. Baldwin Place Church was crowded under the ministry of Rev. Baron Stow, D. D .; Rollin H. Neale, then a young man, whose ministry began in 1837, was drawing immense audiences to that ancient sanctuary where crowds hung spell- bound, listening to an oratory glowing with the love of Christ; Charles Street was at court end, thronged with the hundreds who admired the courtly Daniel Sharp, whose praise is yet in all the churches; while, the Hall in Boylston street in which Robert Turnbull preached, and the house in Federal street in which the eloquent Howard Malcom had ministered, waited with a splen- did congregation to welcome a worthy successor, which they found in William Hague. Then it was Nathaniel Colver came. He was fresh from the country. He was impulsive, bold, eloquent, thoroughly honest and somewhat eccentric.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
He was a power because he was a man of God, and he swayed a mighty influ- ence. He was born in Orwell, Vermont, May 10, 1794, the son of a clergyman. When he came to Boston, parties were ranging for a desperate conflict. Pos- sessed of a clear and logical mind, endowed with a lively immagination, with great powers of argumentation, a ready debater, perfectly fearless in the enunciation of truth,- he took at once a foremost position, and became a champion of the oppressed, and a leading advocate of temperance and reform.
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