USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 16
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THE ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
The greater number of the original members of this society be- longed to the First Congregational church, and withdrew from that when it became identified as being of the Unitarian faith. Cling- ing to the religion endeared to them by long association and train- ing, they soon sought a new home where they might carry out its observance. With this end in view a council was called at the house of Hon. Job Goodale-now owned by Mr. Willis Stratton, at which Rev. Samuel Taggart was chosen moderator, and Rev. James Taylor scribe, and resulting in the formation of a society January 9, 1823, with 15 members :
Jonathan Slate. Mrs. Phoebe Hastings. Job Goodale. Mrs. Mary D. Cook. (Rev. A. Cook's wife.)
Mrs. Lydia Goodale.
Anna Searle.
Timothy Slate.
George Parmenter.
Mrs. Tirzah Slate.
Samuel W. Chapin.
Samuel Hastings.
Joseph Slate.
Mrs. Olive Hastings. Rufus Hastings.
Mrs. Sylvia E. Slate.
Not owning a place of worship, an arrangement was made with the Baptist society whereby they obtained the use of that church alternate Sabbaths. In 1831 Judge Goodale erected a small build-
160
ALTERATIONS IN THE CHURCH.
ing just east of his residence, securing to them the land by will. It was dedicated August 18, 1831, a sermon being preached by Rev .. Aretas Loomis of Colrain.
Judge Goodale also gave to the society the parsonage, together with the adjacent building, then known as Goodale Academy. The latter was disposed of, together with the greater portion of the land bequeathed. In 1846 the church was thoroughly repaired and en- larged, some of the alterations being executed in a novel manner.
According to the Rev. D. H. Strong the building was removed and the foundations relaid on a larger scale. Restored to its posi- tion the old church was split "through the middle, lengthwise, cut- ting ridge and gable, wall and floor alike as one might saw a box in two. Then the two sections were moved apart to the outer walls and the space built up between." A belfry was added, within which, through the generosity of Mrs. Lydia Goodale (widow of Judge Goodale) a bell was soon placed. The church was rededicated July 2, 1846. Sermon by the pastor, Rev. Willard Janes, from the 26th psalm, 8th verse.
In 1890, through the munificence of Mr. Richard F. Newcomb of Quincy, Ill .. a native of Bernardston, and a descendant of Judge Goodale, the building was materially changed, Mr. R. L. Crowell, chairman of the committee, having charge of the work. An addi- tion was placed upon the north end, thus admitting in tasteful arches the pulpit, organ and choir loft and speakers' platform. The windows of the auditorium are of cathedral glass
"Through which the lights, rose, amber, emerald, blue," glow in soft radiance upon the assembled worshippers.
Downstairs in place of the old vestry one beholds everything which good judgment could suggest pertaining to convenience and comfort. The Sunday school rooms are pleasant and well adapted to their use, while for the social gatherings of the parish. parlor and kitchen supply every need. Furnaces have supplanted the old stoves; in fact all bespeaks the sound taste and judgment expended upon the different apartments, and in these accessories and the ren- ovation, free from debt practically, the society are to be congratu- lated. The rededication occurred December 12, 1890, the sermon being delivered by the Rev. Mr. Cowan of South Deerfield, from the
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GOODALE MEMORIAL CHURCH.
text "Thy kingdom come." The interest of the occasion was en- hanced by the presence and participation in the exercises of the resident pastors, also of those of the neighboring towns. An in- teresting account of the founding of the society was given by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Strong, and letters filled with kindly expressions from absent friends were read.
"Two large revivals have been experienced, one in 1841, when 4I were admitted to the church in one year, one in 1852, and I I were admitted. In 1839 an accession to the church was made by members from Gill."
For a considerable portion of the time since 1840 missionary aid has been received.
The society has been designated as the "First Presbyterian," later, in 1831, as the "Evangelical Congregational," and since 1833 as the "Orthodox Congregational." In 1891, at the first annual par- ish meeting after the repairs were made, the following was resolved:
"That we, members of the Orthodox Congregational society of Bernard- ston, hereby express their heartfelt thanks to Mr. Richard F. Newcomb of Quincy, Ill., for his very generous gift towards reconstructing and reno- vating their house of worship. This gift is the more appreciated since it comes from one representing the family of the original donor of the church property-the Hon. Job Goodale, whose devotion and support while the church was in the weakness of its infancy, makes his name inseparable from its history.
Voted, That the foregoing resolution and votes be placed upon the rec- ords of the society and a copy of the same be forwarded to Mr. Richard F. Newcomb.
Voted, That the church building now owned and occupied by the Ortho- dox Congregational society of Bernardston be hereafter known as the "Goodale Memorial Church."
At present there are about sixty church members.
DEACONS.
Timothy Slate, chosen 1824. Died 1847.
Perrin M. Richards, 1839. Dismissed 1849.
Samuel W. Chapin, 1841. Died 1851.
Lyman Griswold, 1849. (?) " 1863.
Curtis Chapin,
1852.
1875.
Henry Slate,
1862.
Arthur F. Wells, 66 1875.
162
REV. VINSON GOULD.
Rev. Vinson Gould, the first settled minister of the Orthodox society, was installed October 30, 1833, and the sermon on that oc- casion was by Rev. Artemas Boise. Mr. Gould was born in Sharon, Ct., August 13, 1773, graduated at Williams College, in 1797; was a tutor two years at that college ; studied divinity with Dr. Backus of Somers, Ct., and was ordained at Southampton, Mass., August 21, 1801, as colleague with Rev. Jonathan Judd, first minister of that town. Dismissed from Southampton, January 5, 1832. He was ' dismissed from the society in Bernardston, December 21, 1836, after a ministry of a little more than three years. He resided af- terwards at Southampton, and died there April 4, 1841, ae. about 68 years. In 1808 he married Mindwell, daughter of Dr. Sylvester Woodbridge of Southampton. She died in 1837. During his min- istry in Bernardston he was preceptor of "Goodale Academy." Mr. Gould's ministry continued at Southampton till the fifth of January, 1832, a period of 31 years. Among his qualifications for sermonizing, was a remarkable power for illustration. Very few ministers made more pertinent use of passing events. The lead- ing characteristic of his mind was quickness of apprehension. He seized with the rapidity of instinct or intuition upon any casual incident which could throw any light upon the subject in hand.
He gave much time and thought to the promotion of the interests of the common school. His peculiar talents had here a fine opportu- nity for employment. The ease, the perfect facility with which he could adapt his remarks to the capacities of those whom he ad- dressed, have been acknowledged by all who were familiar with the circumstances. The same interest in children was manifest in the annual catechetical instruction which he superintended. In the summer of every year, nearly all the children and youth in the place between the ages of six and sixteen assembled in two par- allel rows in the aisles of the meetinghouse, and recited to the pas- tor in the hearing of many of the congregation in four or five suc- cessive Sabbaths, the whole of the assembly's shorter catechism. The considerateness with which Mr. Gould put the more difficult questions to the trembling catechumen so that he could not miss, will long be remembered.
" Early in his ministry he labored for some months with good
163
REV. BANCROFT FOWLER.
success as a missionary in the destitute portions of Maine. When it was proposed to remove Williams college to Northampton, Mr. Gould acted with gratifying success as an agent in raising the large fund which the trustees of the college named as a condition of the removal. Of the old and very useful Hampshire Missionary Soci- ety he was a trustee and active friend. The Hampshire Education Society also found in him an intelligent and warm supporter. The dawn of the foreign missionary enterprise in 1810 he hailed as the indication of a brighter era to the church. Of the property which God had given him (larger than most clergymen are favored with) he was a liberal almoner. At a day when comparatively few Chris- tians were awake to their great duty of laboring for the conver- sion of the world, he entered with characteristic ardor into the va- rious plans of benevolence."
After his dismission from the church in Southampton in 1832, Mr. Gould taught a high school in South Hadley. He subsequently preached for some time in Bernardston. He then returned with his family to his house in Southampton, continuing to preach as occasion offered, in the neighboring towns, and still feeling the deepest interest in the progress of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
Rev. Bancroft Fowler was installed as the second pastor of this church December 21, 1836, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Roger G. Hatch of Warwick. Mr. Fowler's ministry here was of two years' duration, he being dismissed December 31, 1838. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass., September 12, 1775 ; graduated at Yale College in 1796; studied law at Northampton two and a half years; was tutor at Williams College from 1799 to 1801 ; then as- suming the same position at Yale, where he remained until 1804. May 22, 1805, he was settled as pastor at Windsor, Vt. He was dis- missed from there in 1819; from this time until 1825, he occupied the chair of professor of sacred literature at Bangor seminary, then took up his residence at Pittsfield, Mass. In 1828 he took charge of a female seminary at West Brookfield, remaining there until 1831. He was installed as pastor of the Second (Orthodox) Con- gregational church in Northfield, April 21, 1831, and after a pastor- ate of about five years, was dismissed July 20, 1836. He then took charge of Goodale Academy in Bernardston, and was installed pas-
.
.
164
REV. FREDERICK JANES.
tor of the church there, as before mentioned. November 20, 1839, he was settled at Greenfield, N. H., and dismissed from there April 22, 1845. His final residence was at Stockbridge, where he died. He was twice married, first to Lucretia Curtis, who died at Bernardston, October 12, 1837, aged 49 years; second, to Miss Ripley of Greenfield, Mass. (?) She was buried at Greenfield, N. H.
Rev. Frederick Janes, the third minister of this society, was born in Northfield, Mass., May, 1808. His collegiate studies were pur- sued at Yale and Amherst colleges, but he did not graduate, al- though he spent several years in teaching and studying theology. November 8, 1837, he was ordained as an evangelist in New York City by Rev. Joshua Leavitt. Until 1838 he preached in North Walton, N. Y., then until 1840 in Colchester, N. Y. November 4, 1840, he was installed as pastor over the society in Bernardston, the sermon being by Rev. Charles Wiley of Northampton; he was dismissed after a pastorate of three years, November 9, 1843. In 1844 he was installed in Pelham, where he remained but a year. The three succeeding years he was agent for the American Protes- tant Society, then assumed charge of a female seminary in West- ern New York. After remaining here a year he preached some time in Michigan, then (1854) took up his residence in New York City, where he became the editor of the "Christian Parlor Maga- zine." He was the author of the genealogy of the Janes family. His last years were spent at the home of a daughter in Willing- ton, Ct., where he had at one time preached, and his decease oc- curred there the latter part of the year 1890, at the age of 82 years. His father was Deacon Xenophon Janes of Northfield, and his an- cestor, William Janes, who came from England in 1637. Wm1, Sam- uelª, Jonathan3, Ebenezer4, Xenophon®. He married September 15, 1833, Paulina Burnell, who died November 20, 1851, married (2) January 18, 1853, Rachel B. Truesdale, who died 1874.
CHILDREN.
Margaret P., b. September 17, 1834. Mary S., b. June 28, 1836. John C., b. July 6, 1839. Lucy A., b. June 10, 1841; m. Albert Leffer. Josephine A., b. December 10, 1854.
165
REV. CHARLES KENDALL.
Wm. A., b. November 11, 1856.
Anna F., b. April 3, 1858.
Isabella, b. June 10, 1861; d. May 9, 1864.
Charles H., b. October 23, 1865.
Rev. Charles Kendall was born in Westminster, Mass., Febru- ary 14, 1813, and was a son of Edward and Polly (Gerrish) Kendall. His early life was passed in his native place, serving as clerk in a country store six years. When 18 years of age he became personally interested in the subject of religion and he chose at once the min- istry as his department of labor through life. In 1832 he entered Westminster Academy, and began his preparatory course under Wm. C. Clark, finishing the same under Josiah Clark, (who was later of Easthampton). In the fall of 1834 he entered Amherst College, remaining there two years, when the failure of his health compelled him to leave. In 1837, having in a measure regained his health, he returned a second time to Amherst, and graduated in 1839, in a class of 57. That fall he taught a select school in Oakham, entering the Union Theological seminary in New York in December of that year. From here he graduated June 24, 1842. He was licensed to preach by the third Presbytery, N. S. in New York, April 8, 1842, and the succeeding August began his labors in the ministry at South Hadley Falls. He left there in Febru- ary, 1843, after fulfilling an engagement of 6 months. In the au- tumn of 1843 he received an invitation to settle over the Orthodox Congregational society in Bernardston, which he accepted, and was ordained January 24, 1844, Rev. T. Packard, Jr., preaching the sermon. He remained in town until 1853, when, on account of im- paired health, he left for a residence in East Tennessee, but was taken ill on the way, which induced a change of plans. He was for six months engaged in teaching a female seminary in Mercers- berg, Pa., where also he supplied for the greater part of that time the pulpit of the O. S. Presbyterian church. He was dismissed from his pastorate charge in Bernardston, July, 1854, having been there ten years. The same year he began to labor with the church in South Royalston, Mass., and continued until January, 1856. The following May he was invited to take charge of the Trinitarian church in Petersham ; here he remained until October, 1860, when he removed to Auburn, Mass., to take charge of the church in that
166
REV. CHARLES KENDALL.
place, and where he remained six years. From conscientious mo- tives Mr. Kendall was never installed over but one church. As a supply he felt that he could accomplish more good and he always identified himself with the church where he labored, thus becom- ing responsible to his own church. He was married July 25, 1842, to Maria, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Howe of Marlboro, who died September 28, 1858, in Petersham. Mrs. Kendall was educated at Amherst and Mt. Holyoke seminary. She had the care of the female department in New Salem academy one or more years, and was also associate principal in the academy in Mexico, N. Y. She left five children: Harriet E., born September 2, 1843, in Marlboro; Charles Henry, born July 15, 1845, in Bernardston and Agnes Maria, born September 15, 1858, in Petersham. Possessed of a quick, well-balanced mind and a kind and benevolent spirit, she was always greatly beloved by every people among whom her lot was cast.
On June 21, 1859, Mr. Kendall married (2) Sarah E., daughter of Benjamin and Mary Gilbert of Stamford, N. Y. She was educated at the female seminary in Mercersberg, Pa., and for some time was teacher in the Collegiate Institute in her native place.
Mr. Kendall was a man who won his way into the hearts of the people in a manner given only to a few, and not only his old parish- ioners, but the townspeople as well, all hold him in loving remem- brance. Throughout the county he was well known for his constant interest in all good reforms, in education, music and temperance. That he possessed a keen sense of the humorous, is illustrated by the following incident : While preaching in town he borrowed one Saturday afternoon a five dollar bill from the parish treasurer. Monday morning he promptly paid it back, and upon Mr. N-'s remarking that it was the same bill which he had borrowed, Mr. Kendall replied Yes! He had simply borrowed it because he thought that he could preach better with the knowledge that he had a little money in his pocket, from which we may conclude that in those times, in the smaller places at least, money was not at all times any too plenty. Likewise it may have illustrated a truism in that the sense of possession even of a little, enters largely into the element of success.
167
REV. WILLARD BRIGHAM.
Mr. Kendall died March 19, 1873, in Windham Center, N. Y,, where he was in charge of the Congregational Society. "He passed away as he had lived, with a perfect trust in the Lord."
Rev. Willard Brigham was born May 4, 1813, in Marlboro, Mass., where his paternal ancestors had resided since the first settlement of the town. His collegiate education was obtained at Williams College, from which he graduated in 1838. Pursuing his studies further, he completed the Andover Theological course in June, 1842. For one year, 1839-40 he taught the academy at Pepperell. In the winter of 1842-3 he went to Wardsboro, Vt., and May 24, 1843, was installed over the Congregational church in North Wards- boro. Here he remained 12 years, being dismissed March 20, 1855. The two succeeding months he supplied for the church at Plain- field, Mass., receiving a call to settle there and to which a negative answer was returned. From June 1, 1855, to March, 1856, he sup- plied at Bernardston, removing thence to Ashfield, Mass., where he was formally installed March 12, 1856.
Mr. Brigham was twice married. His first wife was Maria Dav- enport of Boylston, with whom he united himself May 4, 1843 ; she died in Ashfield, September 21, 1857. His second was a Miss Cleve- land of Medford, Mass. His children were Helen F., Albert J., Herbert W. and Mary M. Brigham.
Succeeding Rev. Mr. Brigham, came Rev. Harrison Greenough Park. He was ordained August 12, 1856, and dismissed April 26, 1858. Mr. Park was the son of Rev. Dr. Calvin Park of Providence, R. I., and a brother of the distinguished Andover theologian. He was educated at Brown University and Princeton Seminary.
Prior to his pastorate here, he had been engaged in ministerial work at South Dedham, South Danvers and Burlington, and had also been engaged in the publication of a family magazine.
After leaving town he had a short pastorate at Westminster, Vt., and was for several years agent of the Massachusetts Temperance Alliance, residing at Norwood, Mass., where he died June 28, 1876, in his seventieth year.
In 1854 he published a book, entitled "A Voice from the Parson- age." He was a talented and able preacher, but his connection
168
REV. HARRISON G. PARK.
with a business establishment - which he entered into with the hope of bringing new residents into the town and so advancing the interests of his charge-interfered with his pastoral success.
One of his daughters-Julia, was married to Henry, son of Mr. John Valentine Hale of this place.
Rev. Theodore Jarvis Clark has twice been connected with this society, the only pastor thus honored.
He was the son of Dea. Enos and Susan Allen Clark, and was born at Northampton, Mass., February 14, 1815. His collegiate education was obtained at Williams, graduating from that institu- tion in 1836. The succeeding year was spent as a teacher at Ken- yon College, Ohio. His theological studies were begun at East Windsor, Vt., remaining there one year, then teaching a year at Northampton, and finishing his studies at the Andover Theolog- ical school in 1841.
October 5, 1842, he married Julia Pierpont, daughter of Alvah and Mary Hollister of Manchester, Vt. October 11 of that year he was ordained pastor of the church at Cummington, Mass., received his dismission May 26, 1852, but continued to preach there as a sup- ply until April 11, 1859. June 19 following, he was installed over the church in Bernardston, continuing in that relation till May 1, 1861. June 11, 1862, he took pastoral charge of the second church in Ashfield, Mass.
In 1885 he returned to Bernardston to reside. Soon after, the pulpit of the Orthodox society was left vacant by the resignation of Rev. Mr. Grimes, and Mr. Clark was invited to supply, which he did until May, 1888, nearly three years.
His ministry here was characterized by a feeling of good fellow- ship with all his ministerial colleagues, and an earnest, hearty co- operation on the part of his parishioners. He died 1896, at North- field.
Rev. Daniel H. Rogan was the pastor of this society from 1861 to 1863. He was a native of Tennessee, where he was preaching at the breaking out of the rebellion. Ardently supporting the Union's cause, he was obliged to sacrifice all that he had and flee to the northern States, a section with which he was acquainted, as
169
REVS. D. H. ROGAN AND A. B. FOSTER.
he had graduated at Amherst college and his wife was an Amherst lady, Miss Hunt. He preached his farewell sermon in Bernardston, March 23, 1863, and was ordained over the north parish at Green- field, Mass., the next Sabbath, March 30. He was a man cordially remembered by all, an excellent preacher and devoted to the best interests of the cause in which he labored.
Rev. Andrew Butler Foster was the son of Andrew Butler and Clarissa (Davenport) Foster; he was born in Brookline, Mass., De- cember 6, 1819. Four years later his father died, and his mother returning to her former home, Dorchester, Mass., it was there that his boyhood was spent, and his primary education received. In 1833 he entered Phillips-Andover Academy, three years later- 1836-he entered Amherst College, where he remained for the four years' course, graduating in 1840.
He first connected himself with Dr. Codman's church in Dorches- ter in 1836. Upon the completion of the collegiate course in 1840, he began his ministerial studies at the Connecticut Theological institute at East Windsor. His ordination took place in 1844 at Orford, N. H. Here he remained for seven years, asking for and re- ceiving his dismission because of a throat trouble, which obliged him to abandon, for the time being, his professional work. During this time he was associate principal of Thetford, Vt., academy. In 1852 he resumed ministerial labor, being installed at Petersham, Mass., and remaining there three years. His succeeding pastorates were at Erving, Gill, Hanson, Westminster, Vt. In 1863, he as- sumed charge of the Congregational parish in Bernardston, going thence in 1865 to Orange, Mass.
In 1872 a return of the throat trouble formerly experienced com- pelled him to again give up his chosen vocation, and he accordingly engaged in business, purchasing an interest in a drug store in Orange. He later succeeded to an entire ownership. In 1889 fail- ing health obliged him to retire from any active labor. His death occurred at Orange, February 25, 1891.
Mr. Foster was married October 3, 1844, to Irene C. Cooley of Amherst, Mass.
Rev. Truman Allen Merrill is a native of Maine, born in Pros-
170
REV. TRUMAN A. MERRILL.
pect in 1818. His father was Rev. Thomas Merrill, a pastor of the Baptist church in Prospect from the year 1814 until his death in 1824.
Mr. Merrill early engaged in teaching, which avocation he most successfully pursued for three years in the city schools of Bangor, Maine, also in the country towns in his native State. His theolog- ical study was obtained at Bangor Theological seminary, from which he graduated in 1855. His ordination in the gospel minis- try took place at Bristol, Me., July 14, 1858. He served brief pas- torates in Richmond and Belfast, then in May, 1865, took up his work in Bernardston, where he labored most successfully for eight years. Upon his arrival the society seemed in a weak condition, but hard work soon developed an interest in religious work, and during the years that followed, Mr. Merrill had the satisfaction of seeing the church established once more upon a firm and progres- sive foundation. The church edifice was thoroughly repaired and the organ purchased, thus adding to the attractiveness of the place of worship. Especially was a fraternal spirit inculcated, and union meetings with other denominations were carefully arranged and most successfully carried out, thus bringing about a spirit of re- ligious harmony throughout the town, and a brotherly interest each for his neighbor, was excited to an unusual degree.
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