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 6
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After the destruction of the Temple, the subject of rebuilding became a very serious question to the Trustees, who alone, by the terms of the deed, had the entire control of the estate ; the church having only a prospective interest, when the property should be free from debt ; or, in case of sale, in any surplus that might be left.
Upon fully considering the subject, and obtaining estimates of the expense, the Trustees unanimously voted to rebuild. Plans were adopted on the 28th of April, 1852, and, on the 25th of May the foundations of the edifice were com- menced. The building was so far completed that the vestry was occupied by the church on May 20, 1853, and, on the Sabbath following, services were held in the Meionaon, which is the name given to the smaller hall ; the term is derived from two Greek words, meion, less, or smaller, and naon, temple -lesser temple. This lesser temple is situated back from the street, and directly under the great hall. On the 25th of December following (1853), the first meeting for public worship was held in the main hall. The new building, including furniture, organ, gas and steam fixtures, insurance, interest, etc., cost $126,814.26.
The year 1855 became the turning point in the history of the Temple. Owing to the greatly increased burden caused by the unexpected cost of the build- ing, it was found necessary to take steps to obtain relief, and the Trustees, having become satisfied that they could not, with safety to themselves and those involved with them, continue to hold the property in that condition, deemed it advisable to call a meeting of the prominent men of the Baptist denomination in the city and vicinity ; which meeting was held in the Meionaon, March 1, 1855. At this meet- ing it was thought desirable to secure the estate to the denomination, and a com- mittee was appointed for that purpose, fears having been expressed by many lest other denominations should obtain it. An arrangement was made to place the property, temporarily, in the hands of thirty-seven individuals, until subscriptions could be obtained for its purchase, with a view of conveying it to a society, to be called The Evangelical Baptist Benevolent and Missionary Society.
In accordance with this arrangement, it was conveyed by deed, dated June 28, 1855, to Thomas Richardson, Frederick Gould, J. W. Converse, G. W. Chip- man and J. W. Merrill, as Trustees, and the sum of $36,711.03 over and above its outstanding liabilities was paid therefor.
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THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
An act of incorporation was secured in 1857 for an association under the above title, and the society was duly organized May 11, 1858, and the whole estate was transferred to it by a suitable deed of conveyance dated November 30, 1858.
A lease was executed, dated June 9, 1859, "granting the Tremont Street Baptist Church and Society the use of the great hall, with the organ and furniture therein, during the day-time on Sundays, as a place of public worship ; and also the basement rooms for Vestry and Sabbath School ; the church agreeing to main- tain public worship on the Sabbath, with free seats, and to support a good, effi- cient pastor, who shall be creditable to the Baptist denomination, and who shall be so considered by the Baptist churches in the city of Boston and the adjoining cities and towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelsea ; and that the church shall hold and maintain the doctrines of the Evan- gelical Baptist churches in said cities and towns. Either of the Baptist churches in said cities and towns may at any time call a council, to be composed of two members from such churches - not less than a majority of the whole number - as may choose to send delegates, to inquire whether the church has broken any of these covenants ; and if the council so chosen shall decide that the church has failed to comply with any of the covenants, then this lease shall cease. In case of a sale of the estate, this lease is null and void ; and the amount realized from the sale, after paying the cost of the same to this corporation, with interest, charges, and expenses, shall be paid over to said church, which amount shall be held in trust by the deacons of said church for the purpose of building a new place of worship, or to be appropriated to some other religious or charitable object by said church."
On the 5th day of December, 1863, by a mutual agreement between the church and this society, an arrangement was made giving the Board of Directors a concurrent vote in the election of pastor, and in the same year the Tremont Street Church united with the Union Baptist Church, and thus formed the present Union Temple Baptist Church.
In 1878, the church and society were in a most flourishing condition. After many years of persistent labor and effort, the indebtedness had been reduced to $100,000 - the originally agreed-upon amount - and the Directors were prepar- ing to devote the stipulated half of the income to charitable purposes, when, on the night of August 14, 1879, the Temple was, for the second time, destroyed by fire.
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held at once, and, after full discus- sion, it was unanimously resolved to rebuild the Temple, with every improvement which it was possible to devise, and to re-devote it - enlarged, renovated, and made grander and nobler than before - to its old sacred purposes.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
This was done, and done thorougly and successfully. The new Temple - now twice baptized by fire - while a worthy successor of its two predecessors, retaining their best and holiest characteristics, has a development towards perfec- tion all its own, as the third generation of such a divinely-human idea justly should. It is a monument to man's higher, unselfish nature, a tribute in stone and iron to the force of real religion, and a central nucleus of Christian power, around which all who acknowledge the Saviour of men may gladly rally.
The new Temple was opened on Sunday, October 17, 1880. The expense of rebuilding and refitting, including cost of the organ, was about $169,000.
The Tremont Temple is now known and designated as the Headquarters of New England Baptists ; a place for religious and benevolent work not surpassed or even equalled. The grand charitable institutions, so well-known as the " Bap- tist Missionary Union ;" the " New England department of the Home Mission Society ; " and the " New England department of the Baptist Publication Soci- ety," are now in full and complete operation within these walls.
The " Baptist Social Union," composed of representatives from nearly all of the Baptist churches in our city and vicinity, holds its monthly meetings in the Temple. "The Watchman," with its new organization under the leadership of our ablest writers, and recognized as the organ of New England Baptists, has its editorial and official rooms here.
The Main Hall, or Temple proper, is 122 feet long, 72 feet wide, and 66 feet high. It has, beside the main floor, a first and second gallery, with a total seat- ing capacity of 2,500. The Meionaon has seats for 800 and is used for every variety of meetings. The entire building is as nearly fire proof as a building can be, and has excellent arrangements for the rapid exit of audiences.
The pastors who have been honored by having the leadership of this church committed to their care have been : Firstly, the Rev. Nathaniel Colver, before mentioned, who was pastor for about four years while the infant church led a nomadic life, wandering from one temporary abode to another, and for nine years after it was brought to rest in its Temple Home. The Rev. I. S. Kallock was next chosen pastor in July, 1855, and resigned in February, 1858. During the following four months he engaged in collecting money towards the purchase of the Temple for the denomination, and succeeded in raising about $30,000. He was reelected in July, 1858, and resigned in April, 1859. The Rev. N. Shepard became pastor in August, 1860, and resigned in October, 1861. For some con- siderable time the pulpit was filled by temporary supplies.
The first pastor of the united churches was the Rev. Justin D. Fulton, D. D., who was installed January 5, 1864. Dr. Fulton retained the pastorate for nearly ten years, resigning in May, 1873. During this time the church received 633 members by bap- tism and 291 by letter, and raised $1 20,000 for church and other religious purposes.
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THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The successor of Dr. Fulton was the Rev. George C. Lorimer, who was set- tled October 1, 1873, and stayed until April, 1879, about 5 years. During this pastorate there were 604 additions by baptism, and 273 by letter, and $125,000 was raised.
The present pastor, the Rev. F. M. Ellis, D. D., of Denver, Colorado, was « called to the pastorate shortly after the second fire, and led the devotions of the church while meeting in the Music Hall, from June till October, 1880, during the progress of the rebuilding. He has shown himself to be especially adapted to this field of labor, and every Sabbath the spacious hall is well filled to hear him preach the plain, powerful truths of the Gospel, and his labors have been very successful in winning the attention of both old and young.
The present membership of the church is 1275, and of the Sunday School, 1148.
There is also a Swedish Mission under the direction of the Temple Church, the pastor of which is the Rev. A. Tjernlund.
CHURCH OFFICERS :- Pastor : The Rev. F. M. Ellis, D. D ; Pastor's Assist- ant : Charles A. Roundy ; Clerk : J. O. Staples ; Treasurer : F. D. Tarlton ; Collector : Clement Drew ; Honorary Superintendent of the Sunday School : Geo. W. Chipman ; Superintendent : E. W. Corey. Deacons : G. W. Chipman, Clement Drew, J. W. Cook, J. H. Bickford, Frederick A. Sanborn, B. F. Bradbury, Samuel Perrins, R. O. Dunn, F. E. Jeffrey, A. A. Sheafe, Samuel Ricker, Charles A. Roundy.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH,
COR. BROADWAY AND F STREET, SOUTH BOSTON.
The origin of this church is traced to a prayer meeting established by Dea- con Jacob Flinn in 1825. Moving into South Boston and finding in this part of the city no Baptist church, he resolved to hold a Christian prayer meeting. He
THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH, COR. BROADWAY AND F STREET, SOUTH BOSTON
also opened his house for the worship of God, and meetings were sustained for more than a year with few interruptions. Amid many discouragements, and in spite of much coldness from members of other evangelical churches, Deacon Flinn persevered in his enterprise, and for many years remained a firm supporter of the new interest. An interruption of the good feeling which had for a time
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THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
been manifested in sustaining " The Union Prayer Meeting," as it was called, was providentially overruled to promote the cause. Deacon Flinn invited the Rev. George Evans, then engaged in missionary work in the destitute sections of the city, to preach an evening lecture in South Boston. This was in the spring of 1827, and it resulted in the maintenance, for three months, of a weekly lecture in the Congregationalist house of worship, which was kindly tendered for the use of the Baptists. Mr. George Evans, Mr. Ensign Lincoln, and several neighboring pas · tors sustained the service. It being subsequently found desirable to procure another place of meeting, a house previously occupied by the Methodists was pur- chased by Deacon Samuel Hill, and rented to the Baptists for their use. It was opened July 5, 1827, and continued to be their place of meeting till April, 1830. Preaching was sustained in this house under the patronage of the "Boston Bap- tist Evangelical Society," and with the assistance of the Rev. Messrs. Ropes, Ball, Wing, Collier, and Mr. Ensign Lincoln.
In the spring of 1828, the formation of a new Baptist church was discussed, and a petition was at once presented to the Federal Street Baptist Church, to be constituted a branch of the same. At a meeting of that church held, July 31, 1828, articles were adopted to regulate the connection and cooperation of the church and its branch. On the 28th of August, 1828, that church held a meet- ing in the chapel in South Boston, and nineteen members having approved and accepted these articles, were duly formed into a branch, to be known as the South Branch of the Federal Street Baptist Church, and recognized as such by appro- priate public services.
Within a year or two after receiving the approbation of the Federal Street Church, -on March 4, 1831, - the branch resolved to become an independent body, and was constituted and recognized as such, with perfect unanimity, under the title of the South Baptist Church of the City of Boston, with fifty-two mem- bers, March 27th.
Soon after the formation of the branch church, efforts were made to obtain a more commodious house of worship, which proved successful ; but, in doing this, a debt was entailed upon the church of thirty-three years' duration. The house thus built by the church was dedicated July 22, 1830. The frame of it was that of the house previously occupied by the First Baptist Church, then about to erect a larger one for their own use. During the pastorate of Mr. Abbott the church sold this old frame meeting-house which still stands at the corner of C street and Broadway, and purchased a lot, and erected the present substantial brick house of worship on the corner of F street and Broadway.
The corner-stone of the new house was laid with appropriate ceremonies July 31, 1867, and farewell services were held in the old house September 8, 1867. The vestry of the new edifice was first occupied March 1, 1868, and the church was
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
dedicated November 5, 1868. It has sittings for 900 persons, with the usual smaller halls and vestries. The spire is 180 feet high. The cost of building and land was about $60,000. The dedicatory services were preceded by a social re-union of past and present members.
The following is an account of the pastorates of the church: The Rev. Thomas Driver accepted the invitation of the branch to supply it, shortly after its formation in 1828, and continued the supply until the following spring, at which he was elected minister, and ordained April 16, 1829. His pastorate continued one year only.
The Rev. Rollin H. Neale was elected minister by the branch, October, 1830, shortly after the dedication of the first house. He was then a student in the Newton Theological Institution, and took charge of the supply of the pulpit. On account of his connection with the seminary, he was not publicly installed until the completion of his course on September 15, 1833. At this time he entered upon his labors with the independent church, in hope of great and long- continued usefulness. But other plans were soon formed by him, and after serv- ing in his new capacity five months, he was dismissed March 19, 1834, to the sorrow and painful disappointment of the church. A long pastorate then seemed to be needed to strengthen and consolidate the infant church, for the want of which it suffered much in the early years of its history.
The Rev. Timothy R. Cressey succeeded Mr. Neale, May 25, 1834, and closed his labors with the church, at his own request, June 22, 1835, after a short pastorate of one year. Several years now elapsed, during which the church was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. J. G. Nailor, H. Filly, S. Adlam, and others, having no settled pastor.
The Rev. Thomas Driver, upon invitation, resumed his former pastorate in December, 1838, and continued the relation about four years, till his resignation in April, 1843. During this period the church prospered, and above two hundred and fifty were added to it by letter and baptism.
The Rev. Duncan Dunbar commenced his ministry in November, 1843, and at his own request closed it two years from this time. Much disaffection arose during this period, though not introduced by him. After his departure the church recorded their estimation of him as follows : " We regard our former pastor as 'one of the most prudent and godly men whose labors the church has enjoyed."
The Rev. George W. Bosworth accepted a call to the pastorate of the church, March, 1846, and continued it until January, 1855. During the nine years of his service general harmony prevailed ; the Sabbath School enjoyed great prosperity, and the benevolent enterprises and contributions of the church werc largely increased. After a successful pastorate of unusual length, the church and society, with great reluctance, accepted Mr. Bosworth's resignation.
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THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Rev. Joseph A. Goodhue, was installed November 22, 1855. The Rev. Baron Stow preached the sermon at his installation. After a short pastorate of one year and six months, Mr. Goodhue resigned, to the sorrow of his friends. Although his ministry was short, it was not without fruitful results.
The Rev. John Duncan succeeded to the pastorate, January 1, 1858. Shortly after his coming, God was pleased to bless the church with a revival of religion, in common with the greater number of the churches of our Lord. During this pastorate, the church suffered from the removal of several of its families and lead- ing members out of town. This somewhat weakened the spiritual power and the willing enterprise of those remaining. After serving the church five years and three months, Mr. Duncan tendered his resignation, which was accepted April 18, 1863.
His successor was the Rev. Granville S. Abbott, a graduate of Newton Theo- logical Institute, who accepted the unanimous invitation of the church, in the summer of 1863, and was ordained and settled as pastor on the evening of Sep- tember 4th, following ; the church continued united and prosperous during this pastorate ; it increased in numbers, and was fully freed from the debt on its house, of so long standing. Mr. Abbott resigned his charge and preached the closing sermon of his pastorate on October 31, 1869.
The church voted, on March 29, 1870, to call the Rev. James S. Dicker- son, D. D., of Pittsburgh, Pa., to the pastorate, and their call was accepted, and recognition services were held June 5, 1870. But, in consequence of impaired health, Dr. Dickerson was obliged to resign his charge on January 31, 1875.
During the interim the church was favored, for a short time, with the labors of the Rev. E. A. Whittier, an evangelist, and large additions were made to their num- bers ; but, needing a permanent pastor, a call was extended to the Rev. Henry A. Cordo, D. D., of Jersey City, who accepted it and commenced his labors on Sep- tember 5, 1875, and concluded his pastoral relation on Sunday, June 29, 1878, accepting a call to Gloversville, N. Y.
On Sunday, October 13, 1878, the church celebrated its semi-centennial, the pulpit being occupied by Rev. John Duncan, D. D., a former pastor, and addresses being also given by Rev. R. H. Neale, D. D., and others.
The church then extended a call to Rev. John H. Barrows, of Marblehead, to become their pastor. He accepted it, and preached on the first Sunday in November, 1878, but continued only one year.
After a season of deliberation, and prayer that God would guide them in their choice, the church voted to call the Rev. Thomas D. Anderson, D. D., of New York City, to the pastorate, and he, after seeking the same divine guidance, accepted the call and entered upon the pastorate April 4, 1880. He still (1883) continues to fill the office acceptably and successfully. The present membership is 345. The Sunday School membership is 367.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The South Baptist Church has given many evidences of its zeal in spreading the Redeemer's kingdom on earth, at home and abroad. It has sent its repre- sentatives to foreign lands to preach the gospel ; it has never been slack in the distribution of charities for the support of benevolent enterprises, such as the building of meeting-houses for destitute churches, the successful prosecution of domestic missions in the city, etc. In connection with this department of chris- tian work in particular, it is due to the memory of the late Deacon George B. Dexter, to publish the record, that in a church meeting held March 18, 1853, he made the first mention "of the spiritual wants of that part of the city called City Point." As a consequence of this, a Mission School was soon projected and held in a chapel, built from subscriptions, for the most part raised in this church, much of the credit of raising which was due to Deacon Samuel Hill, who remained . a firm supporter of the interest during his life. In spite of the distance of travel, and the performance of similar labor at home, the church sustained a Sabbath School, in this Mission, and occasional preaching in its chapel for years. After five years of labor at the Point, it was voted unanimously in a church meeting, March 26, 1858, to dismiss fifteen members of the South Baptist Church, at their request, and to give them letters of recommendation for the purpose of uniting in the formation of the Fourth Street Baptist Church. This church was accordingly formed, and soon after gave token of its increased strength by entering into a newly erected edifice. The history of this church is given in its proper place.
Notwithstanding that the past of this church has been one of great changes, and many depressing and discouraging influences, towards which the shortness of its pastorates in other days not a little contributed, still, scattered through much adversity, it has had many tokens of prosperity, and God's goodness in many ways demands praise. The church may claim, without arrogance, to have been instrumental in saving hundreds of souls, to have been lavish of its benevolence, and to have preserved the integrity of its faith until now.
CHURCH OFFICERS :- Pastor : The Rev. Thomas D. Anderson, D. D .; Deacons : Allen McLeod, Charles H. Dow, Geo. O. Lanphear, Hadley P. Han- son ; Clerk : Charles H. Dow ; Treasurer : Francis A. Chase; Auditor : Hadley P. Hanson ; Superintendent Sunday School : Charles T. Ellis.
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THE HARVARD STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE HARVARD STREET BAPTIST CHURCH,
HARRISON AVENUE, COR. HARVARD STREET.
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This church had its origin in the consideration by a number of Baptists of the importance of establishing a new Baptist church in what was then (1838) the southern part of the city.
The first meeting which led to practical results in this direction was held on Wednesday evening, September 6, 1838, at the house of Mr. John F. Edwards, on Bedford street. Only seven persons were present. After full and free confer- ence and earnest prayer, these brothers consecrated themselves and their means to the work. They made generous pledges towards the enterprise, and formed themselves into a committee to solicit the aid of others. In October a room was hired in the Boylston Market building, and a prayer meeting was established on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. This was continued till the first Sabbath in January, 1839, when preaching was commenced in the large hall of the same building.
Notwithstanding the meetings and services on Boylston street, no definite measures had yet been taken to organize a church. The already existing churches had, however, been consulted, and had most cordially approved the movement. In fact, scarcely a step appears to have been taken without asking advice of these older bodies. The object was, not to establish a rival interest, but to add another to the fraternity of churches. The records still exist of many meetings which the ,brethren of the new interest held with committees sent by the churches previously . established. When the time arrived to organize a church, a council was invited to give advice on the subject, before the organization was effected, and not to ratify the action afterwards, as is usually the case. That council met in what was called the vestry of Boylston Hall, on Thursday, March 21, 1839, and the public ser- vices of recognition were held in the hall itself on Wednesday, March 27th. The church was then called "The Boylston Street Church." It continued to meet in its first place of worship for about a year, and early in 1840 removed to the Melodeon. There it remained until the present edifice, on the corner of Harvard street and Harrison avenue, was completed ; a period of nearly three years.
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CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The corner-stone of this building was laid on Saturday morning, June 18, 1842, and the house was dedicated on Thursday evening, December 8th, of the same year.
The size of the building is 93 by 68 feet ; it has a large lecture-room, two school-rooms, and two committee-rooms on the lower floor. The main audience- room measures 72 by 65 feet, and has 175 pews, capable- with the galleries - of seating 1,200 persons. The buikling, completed and furnished, cost $30,000. The land was valued at $10,000 additional, making in all $40,000. When the house was first occupied, there remained upon it a debt of about $20,000, which has been slowly extinguished.
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