USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester County, Mass. from 1784 to 1959 > Part 4
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The health of the Rev. Louis W. West, D.D. becoming im-
30
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
paired at the age of sixty-seven, he sold the "Little Church." It was moved a little westward on Central Street and converted into a dwelling. Rev. West reclaimed its steeple and has placed it on his new church, erected beside his residence at 301 Central Street, Hudson. This 5 x 8 x 10 Roadside Chapel bears the fol- lowing inscription:
UNION CHURCH of All Faiths Rev. L. W. West, Pastor "Smallest Church in the World" - Always Open for Prayer -
St. Joseph's Church
The first Mass of the Roman Catholic Church to be celebrated in Berlin was on Sunday, September 10, 1950 at 9:30 A.M. The service was conducted by Rev. James B. Kennedy, pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary, of Clinton, in the Town Hall of Berlin. Previous to this time the Catholic population in Berlin attended services at the Holy Rosary Church in Clinton.
The Most Reverend John J. Wright, D.D., Bishop of Worcester, broke ground for the construction of a new church at the site on West Street opposite Carter Street on Sunday afternoon of May 4, 1952. The ground-breaking and blessing followed a dinner served by parishioners in the Town Hall at 1:00 P.M., attended by more than 500. At 2:45 a procession was formed at the Town Hall. The marchers proceeded down West Street to the building site reciting the Rosary on the way. The Berlin chapel choir sang hymns and the large gathering was addressed by Bishop Wright and Fathers Carroll and Kennedy. Father Carroll became pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary (Clinton) and St. Joseph's Chapel (Berlin) when Father Kennedy was transferred to St. Leo's Church in Leominster.
The dedication of the new Chapel of St. Joseph, the Good Pro- vider, took place on Saturday, March 21, 1953. Most Reverend John J. Wright, D.D., Bishop of Worcester, officiated at the dedication exercises and also at the Pontifical High Mass, assisted by Rev. James B. Kennedy, Rev. Francis J. Carroll, and many other deacons of honor from the neighboring parishes. St. Joseph, the Good Provider, is a Mission of the Holy Rosary Parish of
31
THE CHURCH AND RELIGION
Clinton, and Rev. Pasquale Biscardi is pastor in charge. This Mission accommodates some seventy Catholic families in Berlin.
"The Upper Room," a drama of the Passion of Christ, was presented in the Berlin Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday evenings, March 21 and 22, 1953, to a capacity house as a part of the dedication of the Chapel. "The Dark Days" was staged in 1954 and "The Trial" was given in 1955.
Several native citizens of Berlin have entered professions asso- ciated with Christian Service of the Church. Bernice Abbie Wheeler, daughter of Samuel and Emily (Bruce) Wheeler, and graduate of Smith College, served as a missionary in China under the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church. She instructed in Oliver Memorial Girls H. S. (1921-24) in Chinkiang Ku, China.
Chester Edward Falby, son of Verne F. and Blanche ( Wheel- er) Falby, is a minister in the Episcopal Church.
Albert Schartner, son of Albert C. Schartner (lived in Berlin with his aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth [Schartner] Wright), has become a minister in the Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Louis W. West, while not a native of Berlin, became attached to the community when a student (1907-09), and founded The Little Union Church. He became a prominent pas- tor of the Baptist Church of South Boston. He retired in 1950, but still offers his service in the "Little Church."
A number of the girls of Berlin have entered the ministry through marriage. Rev. William Addison Houghton (pastor of Berlin Congregational Church from 1853 to 1878) married Mary Grace Howe, daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Stow) Howe, on May 22, 1844.
J. Adams Puffer, pastor of Berlin Methodist Church (1898- 1900), married E. Hope Rice, daughter of Willis and Harriet (Fay) Rice, on October 1, 1903.
Rev. Frank R. Gale, pastor of the Unitarian Church (1903- 1912), married Effie A. Merrill, daughter of John A. and Lorinda E. (Mansfield) Merrill, on August 3, 1904.
Rev. William E. Speaker, pastor of Berlin Methodist Church
32
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
(1907-09), married Ruth E. Brewer, daughter of Leonard W. and Harriet J. Brewer, on December 25, 1909.
Rev. Frederick A. Krackhardt, pastor of Berlin Methodist Church (1911-13), married Eula L. Howard, daughter of Marshall E. and Etta M. (Perkins) Howard, on November 16, 1916.
Rev. Charles William Stewart married Alma Elizabeth Rowe, daughter of Louis V. and Louise C. Rowe, on August 21, 1948.
Rev. John W. Linzee, pastor of the First Parish Church of Berlin (1954-57), married Faith Andrews, daughter of Kendall E. and Jeanette C. (Brewer) Andrews, on July 30, 1955.
Cemeteries
It may seem strange to associate cemeteries with the Church and religion. But since the burial of the dead was associated with the religious tenets of the Church, and funeral services were gen- erally conducted in the Meetinghouse, this may be admissible. It was also customary to have the burying ground adjacent to the Meetinghouse lot.
Therefore, in anticipation of a settlement at Berlin Center, Samuel Jones and David Rice, jointly, deeded a piece of land for a "Burying field," dated May 9, 1768. The purpose of said deed was expressed as follows: "For the love and good will of the inhabitants of the southerly part of the town of Bolton, living within the limits, which hath been mentioned for a precinct or district." This was ten years prior to the setting off of the South Parish of Bolton and the building of the first Meetinghouse.
The proximity of this "Burying field" to the "Meetinghouse" spot is made evident in the description of the bounds, namely, "Beginning at a red oak on the South side of ye County road, and runs westerly nineteen rods with ye said Joneses land to a heap of stones by the Burying field." Thus, in fair weather, the Burying Grounds were used as a park by those who recessed be- tween the lengthy forenoon and afternoon sessions at the Sunday Meetinghouse.
This Burying Ground is what is known as the "Old Cemetery" on the south side of Linden Street near the junction with Central Street. The first interment was that of Samuel Jones (father of
33
THE CHURCH AND RELIGION
the donor), who died April 3, 1769. Here rests the remains of most of the early inhabitants of the town. Thirty-two soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and four of the veterans of the Civil War are buried here.
Two monuments grace the grounds to express the convictions of the citizens for their honored dead. One is the Statue of Hope -"A centennial memorial by Artemas Barnes, 1876. Commemora- tive of the name and Patriotism of Lieut. Timothy Bailey who alone of the Soldiers of Berlin died in gaining our Independence, 1777. He was buried in R. I." The other is The Statue of Faith to Rev. Reuben Puffer, D.D., "Erected in affectionate regard for his virtues by Artemas Barnes, 1876." It bears the following record: "The first minister of the Church in Berlin died April 9, 1829 in the 74th year of his age and the 48th of his ministry. A man of great modesty, humility and goodness; of superior min- isterial gifts; beloved of his flock and revered in the Church."
Many unique epitaphs preserve the expression of the faith of a former generation. A few samples may suffice. In memory of a Captain, age seventy, who died October 29, 1784-
I hope to sing, without a sob The anthem, ever new I gladly bid ye dusty globe And vain delights,-adieu.
One aged forty-three, who died November 3, 1815-
Long with distress, I bore thy hand, Till death did set me free. Lord, may I rise at thy command And dwell on high with thee.
A mother of twenty-one years, whose child had died three months previous, March 21, 1819-
Beneath this stone my body lies, Here mouldering in the dust Till God in heaven, shall bid it rise And reign among the just.
By reason of my sad estate, I spent my days in tears: My reason left me, now of late, Though in my early years.
34
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
One, aged twenty-nine, died December 26, 1851-
My Saviour calls and I must go And leave you here, my friends below But soon my God, will call for thee, Prepare for death and follow me.
A Mason, aged seventy-four, died July 12, 1825-
He from earth, did sudd'nly retreat, To the grand lodge above; We trust he's gone to take his seat Where masons dwell in love.
A young man of twenty-seven, died June 12, 1813-
Come here my friends and read a word, You all must shortly die; Prepare to meet your Saviour, God, And reign with Him on high.
A man, aged eighty-one, died Fruary 28, 1822-
Friends nor physicians could not save My mortal body from the grave, Nor can the grave confine me here When Christ doth call me to appear.
A four year old daughter, died May 24, 1831-
And art thou gone, thou lovely one And left us here to mourn; Yes, thou art gone, thou lovely one To rest in Jesus arms.
In memory of a son, age ten years, died November 2, 1825-
Sleep on dear youth and take thy rest God who form'd you, thought it best.
At the Town Meeting of March 4, 1805, it was voted to pur- chase a hearse and build a hearse house. This house was located in the northwest corner of the Old Cemetery grounds. It was moved out of the Center Cemetery in 1926. The Old Burying grounds became known as the Center Cemetery to distinguish it from the new cemetery, located in the south part of the Town.
35
THE CHURCH AND RELIGION
New Cemetery 1420921
The first move made by the Town in relation to establishing a new cemetery was on June 11, 1849. At this time a committee was chosen "to ascertain if some suitable place for a new burial ground can be obtained." The Committee chose a well-shaped piece of land at the corner of Sawyer Road and Pleasant Street. The grounds were laid out in 1857, and the work completed the following year. The first interment was that of Joel L. Wheeler, who died August 9, 1857. The tomb was erected in its present location in 1877. Sixteen beautiful spruce trees were set out along the southern border of the grounds by Arthur Hastings. All of these trees were laid down in a uniform row during the hurri- cane of September 21, 1938. Only one monument, that of Andrew Johnson, was broken in this catastrophe.
These grounds were known as the South Cemetery until 1927, when the Cemetery Commissioners' report named it the Pleasant Street Cemetery. In March of 1908 the Town appointed a com- mittee to consider an enlargement of the South Cemetery. In 1909 they purchased three lots, respectively, of Arthur Hastings, Samuel Wheeler, and Henry Wheeler, for an addition to the cemetery. Then they proceeded to enclose this new addition with a stone wall. The contract was let to Marshall E. Howard, and the Commissioners reported the completion of the same in 1910, at a cost of $668.75.
In 1901 the Town created a Board of Cemetery Commissioners, consisting of three members, each of whom to be elected for a term of three years. They have the responsibility for the care and maintenance of all cemeteries. The expenses of the care of the grounds is met by the income from trust funds, perpetual care lots, and the sale of lots. The balance is secured by the annual Town appropriation.
From year to year improvements are made and new equip- ment provided to secure better care of the grounds. In 1951 a small building was purchased and placed at the rear of the South Cemetery to house the equipment. In 1952 a new power mower was purchased and the watering system was remodeled, securing a good water supply with electric pump and tank, and
36
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
renewed pipe line with faucets conveniently located throughout the cemetery.
The Town purchased the burial records of a former sexton in 1926. Thus a convenient system of records is maintained, which shows that there are at present (1953) 435 full lots and twenty- four half lots in Pleasant Street Cemetery. Of these, 179 full lots and twelve half lots are perpetual care.
A fitting conclusion on the religious life of Berlin may be ex- pressed by a contribution from the pen of one of its faithful members.
THE SOLITARY WAY
Each of us treads it, from birth to the bier; Each of us dwells in his separate sphere; There is a sanctum, where none may come in. Comrade or lover, acquaintance or kin.
But One is before us therein.
Bread of our bitterness, eat we alone, Nor to a stranger our joy can make known. Lone in the hurrying throng on the street; Lone in the furnace, at sevenfold heat. But One is before us therein.
When for us, flesh in its vigor shall fail, When we must pass through the shadowy vale, None may accompany-singly we go,
Where the last path meets the river's dim flow. But One there awaits us-dear Christ!
Berlin, Mass., June 1935 CLARA S. EAGER
CHAPTER III
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Buildings
When the District of Berlin became incorporated in 1784, they found themselves in a precarious condition as to their schooling facilities. They had inherited from Bolton some old isolated schoolhouses which were "illy located, of cheap construction, and in a dilapidated condition." In 1785 the District was divided into four squadrons, for school purposes. Each squadron was made responsible for schooling arrangements. In 1792 the District built four new schoolhouses, one in each school squadron, cen- trally located.
They were modeled after the typical old red schoolhouse of New England (dimensions 18 x 22 feet), at a total cost of 170 pounds or about $850.00. As the population about the Center in- creased, they felt the need for a fifth schoolhouse. So, after a great deal of wrangling in the town meetings, another school- house was built at the Center in 1836. This was a 32 x 24 foot building, for which the Town voted $500.00. Now there were five school districts in the Town. These various schoolhouses served until the school district system was abolished by a vote of the Town in 1856.
Up to this time each district or squadron had one man whose duty it was to have charge of the school in his district. He hired the teacher and supervised all school matters in his district only. It is easy to see how much difference there might be in methods and accomplishments in the various schools. In 1856 a system similar to our present one was introduced. This was about the time that Horace Mann attempted to have uniform educational facilities throughout the State. Now, the entire school system of the Town is under the control of the voters in the Town Meetings.
In 1857 new schoolhouses were built in the five different sec-
37
38
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
tions of the town. These were of the most improved models, and were considered the best patterns of excellence and convenience then known. The cost of these buildings was reported as follows:
North and South
$2,785.00
East
1,360.00
Center
1,500.00
West
1,358.00
About 1875 the increase in the number of scholars in the center district justified a demand for additional school accommoda- tions, so that "Barnes Hall" of the Town Hall was utilized as a schoolroom, where the more advanced pupils from all of the dis- tricts were instructed. This was known as the Berlin High School, which continued to function until 1879.
These school buildings of 1857 continued to be used to ac- commodate the scholars of Berlin, with various remodelings and readjustments toward a centralized school. In 1906 extensive re- pairs and remodeling was done on the five schoolhouses. They were shingled, painted, and a new heating and ventilating system was installed with the construction of new chimneys. A cistern was built at the East School, and a well dug at the Center, with pumps supplied for each. New desks and chairs were furnished at the Center. The total cost of these repairs was $3,404.17.
In the year 1911 the facilities of the Center School House were enlarged by building a second story to the house, thus furnishing another classroom. This provided for the collecting of all seventh, eighth, and ninth grade pupils into a Grammar grade, and having a teacher for this grade, who should also be Principal of the Berlin Schools. This allowed for grades one through six at each of the five schools under one teacher, instead of nine grades, as previously.
By vote of the Town in 1916, $1,000 was paid for the H. F. Hartwell property, east of the Center School, to provide more adequate playgrounds for the scholars. Considerable work was needed for grading and removal of rocks to put it in condition for a playground, so that it lay undeveloped over a period of years, until taken over by the new Central Building of 1951. Now the Superintendent of Schools reminds us that the school grounds should be beautified. "A little shrubbery here and there,
39
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
flower beds fittingly placed, and shade trees carefully trimmed would go far toward building up the pupils' ideals."
By the shuffling of the five school units, the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools attempted to solve the problem of a shifting school population and a proper grouping of the grades. As a consequence, the North School was closed in 1937, and the East School in 1943. The grades were distributed among the re- maining three schools as follows: All first- and second-grade pupils attended the Center School; grades three to six were en- rolled in the South School; and grades four to six in the West School; grades seven and eight were at the Center School.
In 1949 (the last full year in the several school buildings ) the following adjustment was made:
Grade 1
Center Center
27 21
pupils
one teacher
"
3
South
21
one teacher
4
South
19
one teacher
5 West
16
one teacher
6
West
20
7 8
Center
13
one teacher
Center
9
Total enrollment-146
pupils
"
2
one teacher
On March 9, 1951, the school of 166 pupils was housed in the new Central School Building on Linden Street, with a faculty of ten instructors. The building was formally dedicated as the Berlin Memorial School on August 18, 1951, at which time the Building Committee released to the town the plans, specifications, con- tracts, and keys. The total cost for this building, including equip- ment and grading, was $146,136.51.
Due to the increase of new families in the Town, the school enrollment mounted to 193, and it became necessary to continue to use the old Center building until a four-classroom addition could be built onto the Memorial School building. The Town ap- propriated $69,000.00 for this purpose and it was completed in 1953. The total cost of the four completely-furnished classrooms, and including the additional driven well and pumping equip- ment, was $79,878.84. (Report of Building Committee for De- cember, 1954: Norman S. Coldwell, Carl A. Barter, Cecil Wheeler, Sr., John Campbell, and Mrs. Jeannette Andrews.) The old wooden building was sold and removed.
40
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
A view of a shifting school population.
Fall Term-1909
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Center
6
2
5
2
7
9
2
6
6
45
North
1
3
1
4
5
5
1
2
5
27
East
0
4
0
5
6
2
5
3
0
25
South
3
5
6
8
5
3
4
4
0
38
West
3
6
4
2
2
3
4
0
0
24
159
October 1, 1942
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Center
4
5
11
0
0
0
12
19
0
51
East
0
4
4
1
1
2
0
0
0
12
South
1
7
1
4
7
3
0
0
0
23
West
0
0
0
12
10
9
0
0
0
31
117
October 1, 1949
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Center
27
21
0
0
0
0
13
9
0
70
South
21
19
16
20
36
146
October 1, 1952
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Center Memorial
30
32
24
25
24
18
153
191
October 1, 1953
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Memorial
43
33
30
23
26
24
19
19
217
October 1, 1954
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
Memorial
20
40
31
21
18
28
25
21
204
40
West
20
18
38
41
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Transportation
The original schoolhouses were located in the four quarters of the town so that they were accessible to the pupils of each district, and all nine grades were taught in each school; but when the attempt was made to accommodate certain grades in one building and others in another building, the problem of trans- portation arose. The first transportation problem occurred when it was decided to have the seventh, eighth, and ninth grade pupils come to the Center School. The trolley cars could accommodate those from the east and west, but a horse-drawn school barge had to be installed to carry those from the north and south. This was following the year 1911, after the addition of a second story at the Center. From then on the situation became more compli- cated as each adjustment was made toward consolidation of the schools. The total cost of transportation in 1911, including high school pupils, was $399.73, and for the year ending December 31, 1954, the cost was $8,612.25. Since the abandonment of the Lovell Bus Service the transportation of school children is con- ducted by licensed school busses. During the school term of 1952-53 there was daily transportation of 150 elementary pupils to the Memorial School.
The School Committee made the ruling that no school children should be carried who lived within a mile of the schoolhouse. Therefore, if the front door of the home was within a mile of the school, and the rear door was 5,300 feet from the school, the children of that home could be carried by entering the bus from the rear door.
During World War II, when the government wished to con- serve on the use of gasoline, the Massachusetts Department of Education insisted that Berlin should live up to the letter of the ruling-"no transportation within a mile of a schoolhouse." Ber- lin's arrangement was for the pupils of the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades to attend the West School, and the seventh and eighth grades to attend at the Center. Although there was a school building at the South and the East, these did not accom- modate grades four through eight. The Superintendent of Schools and the Department of Education did not analyze the situation
42
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
and therefore, were disappointed with Berlin's "unpatriotic at- titude," as Berlin continued to carry her scholars to their respec- tive classes.
The question of transportation of school children was always a conundrum to the Conservative. Typical of this is the account in "Life in These United States": "I was driving through the country with an old gentleman to inspect a farm and we were discussing that inevitable topic, TAXES. As we passed a school bus, he exclaimed, 'See! That's what I mean. When I was a boy, we walked three miles to school. Now we spend $8,612.25 for a bus to pick up the children so they don't have to walk. Then we spend $20,171.12 for a gymnasium so they can get proper ex- ercises!'"
Supervision of Schools
Under the original District School System each school district had an agent whose duty it was to see that school was "kept" with the funds allotted to him. This method was changed in 1832 when a School Committee, consisting of three men, was "chosen," who should administer the affairs for the five schools. R. F. Walcott, A. C. Baldwin, and Asa Sawyer were the members of this first School Committee. Rev. Wm. A. Houghton came on the Committee in 1853 and served intermittently until 1886. He teamed up with Elijah C. Shattuck in 1856 and Wm. Bassett in 1858.
This combination made a great outfit for the Berlin schools; they were capable of handling the situation. It was customary for the Committee to hold examinations at the schools to judge of the teachers' good efforts, and if a teacher failed a member of this Committee could, and did, step in and conduct the school. Henry A. Wheeler was elected to the Committee in 1890 and was re-elected until 1900; then he served from 1907 to 1920. Charles A. Nutting served from 1920 to 1933, and John L. Nutting from 1933 to 1951. A host of other citizens have served on the School Committee for shorter periods. The first woman to be elected on the School Committee was Mrs. Addison Keyes in 1885. The next was Mrs. Adelaide R. C. Parmenter, chosen in 1893.
The Town abolished the District School System in 1856 and
43
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
began its operation under the Town system, whereby the fi- nancing of the schools was accountable to the vote of the people at their annual Town Meeting.
Following the provisions of Chapter 431 of Acts of 1888, a School Union No. 6, consisting of the towns of Berlin, Northboro, Southboro and Shrewsbury, was formed. This joint committee chose a Superintendent of Schools (John G. Thompson) who entered upon his duties on May 1, 1890. In 1921 Shrewsbury dropped from the Union to join Boylston and West Boylston, forming Union No. 70, thus leaving three towns in Union No. 6. The following persons have been Superintendents of the Union:
John G. Thompson
1890-1891
Henry S. Bullen
1891-1892
George A. Mirick
1892-1897
Nelson G. Howard
1897-1899
Corwin F. Palmer
1899-1902
William F. Sims
1902-1910
Frederick B. Van Ornum
1910-1921
Charles A. Harris
1921-1926
Henry G. Blount
1926-1948
Roger K. Poole
1948-date
Faculty and School Term
During the early period of the Berlin School District System there were two terms of school-the summer and winter. Each term had a different teacher. A woman generally taught the summer term, and a man conducted the winter term. The winter school was mostly attended by the boys and young men who could not be spared from the farm work during the summer term. It was unusual for the same person to teach more than one consecutive term. In fact, it had happened that during one term there were three changes of teachers.
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