USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Gardner > History of the town of Gardner, Worcester County, Mass., from the incorporation, June 27, 1785, to the present time > Part 42
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IHISTORY OF GARDNER.
George W. Stacy supplied the pulpit of this society for one year or more. Commencing in 1843, Rev. W. H. Fish supplied the pulpit, for a short time. Here ended, virtually, the existence of this church, as a distinctively Unitarian body.
April 27th, 1846, there was an effort made to unite this society, with the Evangelical Congregational Society. Messrs. Smyrna W. Bancroft, David Parker and Amasa Whitney were a com- mittee, on the part of the First Parish, to effect this union. They proposed, "That it be referred to the ministers of the Worcester North Association, to recommend candidates, for the supply of the pulpit, till such times as the two societies, united, shall find one, in whom they can unite in settling over them, as pastor."
The Evangelical Congregational Society voted to accept this proposition, " provided the First Parish will add to it, the fol- lowing amendment, viz. : That the societies, when united, shall employ Rev. William B. Stone to preach for one year, and after that, if we can't agree in the minister, to refer it to the association, according to the proposal of the committee of the First Parish." At an adjourned meeting, December 21st, 1846, the Evangelical Society, " Voted, That under the present cir- cumstances of the two societies, it is inexpedient to unite the two societies. We therefore choose to postpone the matter for the present."
Following Mr. Fish, was Rev. Mr. Banister, who was a strong Calvinist, and in connection with whose ministry, the church began to turn its sympathies towards orthodoxy, as it is gener- ally termed. Precisely how long Mr. Banister occupied, or sup- plied the pulpit, is not stated, in the church or parish records.
October 18th, 1847, the church extended a unanimous call to Rev. John C. Paine, to become their pastor. In this action of the church, the parish concurred, offering him a salary of six hundred dollars per annum, and two Sabbaths vacation. Hay- ing accepted this invitation of the church and parish, Mr. Paine was installed, January 12th, 1848, and dismissed in May, 1864.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
Rev. John C. Paine was born in Ashfield, Mass., January 29th, 1806. He graduated at Amherst College, in 1834. He studied theology at the Theological Institute at Hartford, Conn., and at Princeton Theological Seminary, N. J. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1838. He married Miss Eliza Folger of Nantucket, in 1839. He is now residing at Groveland, Mass. During his pastorate of this church, Mr. Paine proved himself to be a gentleman of thorough culture, of affable man- ners, a studious and devoted pastor, thoroughly interested in the welfare of the people, whom he ever sought to inspire with courage and hopefulness, in times of great misfortune and dis- couragement. As a preacher, Mr. Paine was thoroughly evan- gelical, in the doctrines which he promulgated, possessing a pleasing and attractive address in the pulpit, and drew to him- self and the society, a steadily increasing congregation, so that, for a time, there was no spare pew to be rented in the church. Under his ministry, the church voted, February, 1857, to change their creed and to adopt another, more evangelical.
August 9th, 1864, the parish " Voted, To unite with the church in giving Rev. William D. Herrick, a call to settle over them as their minister, on a salary of one thousand dollars per year, to be paid quarterly," which was afterwards increased to fifteen hundred.
Rev. William D. Herrick was born in Methuen, Mass., March 26th, 1831. He prepared for college at Atkinson Acad- emy, N. H., and graduated at Amherst College, in 1857. He studied theology at Andover Theological Seminary, and was ordained at Redding, Conn., January 18th, 1860, where he re- mained till September 1st, 1864. He was installed pastor of the First Congregational Church and Parish, in Gardner, October 19th, 1864, President J. H. Seelye, of Amherst College, preach- ing the installation sermon. Upon the union of the two churches of Gardner, he was dismissed, May 27th, 1867, and was installed, as pastor of the Congregational Church, in North Amherst, Mass., September 19th, 1867, where he remained till June 11th, 1874, when he was installed pastor of the First
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HISTORY. OF GARDNER.
Congregational Church, in Gardner, Prof. R. H. Mather of Amherst College, preaching the sermon of installation. Dur- ing Mr. Herrick's ministry, as the last pastor, of the First Church and Parish, previous to their union with the Evangelical Church and Society, the church and parish were thoroughly united, harmonious and prosperous.
EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY AND CHURCH
FROM 1830 TO 1867.
Having traced the principal events connected with the First Parish and Church, from the time of their organization, in 1785 and 1786, to the time of their union with the Evangelical Church and Society, in 1867, we will now go back and take up the history of the Evangelical Congregational Society and Church, from the date of their organization to the time of the union of the two churches.
The Evangelical Congregational Society was legally organ- ized June 25th, 1830, by the adoption of the following consti- tution :-
We, the subscribers, members of the religious society, in the town of Gardner, called the Evangelical Congregational Society, considering it our privilege, as well as our duty to assist each other in the support of the gospel ministry, do hereby form into a society, by the name of the Evangelical Congregational Society of Gardner, for the above purposes, and promise, cove- nant and agree to and with each other, that we will conform to and be governed by the following articles, viz. :-
ART. 1. There shall be chosen, annually, a President, to preside at all meetings of the society.
ART. 2. A Clerk shall be annually chosen, whose duty it shall be to record the proceedings, and transaet all the business of the society, agreeable to the statute of the commonwealth.
ART. 3. A Prudential Committee shall be chosen annually, whose duty it shall be to solicit subscriptions, for the support of the gospel ministry in this society, and collect all moneys
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
subscribed therefor, and manage all the prudential concerns of the society.
ART. 4. A Treasurer shall be chosen annually, whose duty it shall be to receive in and pay out, all moneys of the society, subject to the order of the prudential committee of said society.
ART. 5. All the officers of the society shall be chosen by ballot.
ART. 6. Any person voluntarily becoming a member of this society, shall be holden to pay all moneys by him or her sub- scribed ; and may withdraw, at any time, by paying whatever may be due from such person, to the society.
ART. 7. There shall be an annual meeting of the society, holden on the second Monday in April, for the purpose of choosing officers and transacting any other business of the society.
ART. 8. A meeting of the society shall be called, at any time, by the request of ten or more of the members of the society ; and the prudential committee shall give, at least eight days notice, in such manner as the society shall direct.
ART. 9. Immediately after the adoption of this constitution, there shall be chosen a committee of three or more to receive all voluntary subscriptions, by individuals, in money, material, or labor to be applied to the building a meeting-house, for public and religious worship of said society, in the following manner : That when said meeting-house shall have been finished, the pews-except so many as shall be thought necessary, by the society, to be reserved, for the accommodation of those who are unable or unwilling to hire pews-shall be rented to the members of the society-subject in manner to their direc- tion-and the money arising from the rent, shall be applied to the support of the gospel ministry, in this society ; that is, to pay as far as it goes, or is neccessary, the stated salary of our present minister ; and after him, to pay the salary of any one, whom the church and society shall call to preach to them, or to be their settled gospel minister.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
ART. 10. All persons, who contribute of their property for the building of said house, shall have no exclusive public or private interest in the same, above any member of said society, so long as it shall be applied to the use, and in the manner above said ; but when, if ever, said house ceases to be so ap- plied, it shall revert to those individuals, in this place, (Gard- ner) or their heirs, who contributed of their wealth, to the amount of five dollars, and said house may be disposed of ac- cording to their directions; provided, nevertheless, that the original contributors, or their heirs, in this place, shall appro- priate to their own private use, only the principal, originally given ; the remaining value of the house, shall be appropriated, in money, to missionary purposes ; to aid that class of Chris- tians in their missionary efforts, domestic or foreign, in this state, (Massachusetts) commonly distinguished, at this date, (1830), by the name of Orthodox.
ART. 11. This constitution and form of government may be revised or altered-excepting the tenth article, which shall never be altered-at a meeting of the society, called for that purpose, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
ART. 12. Any person wishing to become a member of said society, shall produce a certificate of recommendation, from the prudential committee.
Such was the basis upon which the Evangelical Society was originally formed. Forty-one male members immediately signed the above constitution, by which they were formed into a society for the transaction of business. The necessary officers were chosen upon the day of incorporation. A committee was immediately chosen, to solicit subscriptions for building a meeting-house, and to " examine a piece of ground to set the meeting-house upon, and receive proposals." At an adjourned meeting, on the same day, a vote was passed "to have the society buy a piece of land of Esquire Glazier, near the pound, to set the meeting-house upon." Mr. John Merriam was chosen to procure a plan of Rev. Mr. Gay's meeting-house, in Hubbards-
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
ton. The prudential committee were authorized to take a deed of Mr. Glazier, of as much land as they should think necessary. A committee of three was chosen to let out the materials for building the meeting-house. July 2d, 1830, the society " Voted, That the timber and materials, for a frame, for a meeting-house, shall be brought near the spot where the house is to stand, where the prudential committee shall direct, by the 10th day of September, next." All the necessary materials having been provided, the meeting-house was raised, October 2d, 1830, the society voting " to have no ardent spirits drank, at the raising." The interior was finished the winter following.
This meeting-house was dedicated June 16th, 1831, the society having " Voted, That the Rev. Sumner Lincoln have his choice of all the pews in the meeting-house, for his use." " Voted, That the pews Nos. 1 and 2 be reserved for elderly people." November 19th, 1846, the meeting-house greatly needing repair, the society voted to take out all the pews, and bring the floor to a level, to build new pews, place the pulpit at the north end, build a gallery, for the singers, at the south end, and make such other repairs as should be necessary.
February 14th, 1855, a meeting of the society was called to consider the project of building a new meeting-house. A committee of three was chosen, to ascertain whether the original proprietors, of the society's first meeting-house, would relinquish their claims to it, if they had any. Also a com- mittee of six was chosen, to ascertain if sufficient funds could be raised, to build a new meeting-house, and to see if a place could be found, on which to locate it. The society continued to worship in this meeting-house, until sometime in the year 1855, when it was abandoned as a house of worship, and be- came a part of the chair shop of Mr. Calvin S. Greenwood, at South Gardner.
August 9th, 1855, the new church, of this society, was raised, prayer being offered, at the raising, by Rev. Abijah Stowell, pastor. This church was built, by recommendation of a build- ing committee, after the model of the Barre church. It was
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
dedicated May 8th, 1856. Its cost was about nine thousand dollars. This society continued to worship in this house, until the union, in the spring of 1867. In February, of this year, a movement, looking to the union of the two churches and socie- ties, began to be made, which, after frequent meetings and much discussion, on the part of both societies, resulted in the adoption of the following resolutions, as the basis of union :-
The report, of the two committees, chosen to effect an union, between the two Congregational Societies, in Gardner, embody- ing the conditions, etc., is as follows :-
At a meeting of the committee of the First Parish, of Gard- ner, and the committee of the Evangelical Congregational So- ciety of Gardner, chosen to confer together and agree upon conditions for an union of the two societies, Thomas E. Gla- zier was chosen chairman, C. K. Wood and J. M. Moore were chosen secretaries, the following resolution and conditions were agreed upon and adopted :-
Resolved, That the two societies be united, upon the follow- ing conditions, viz :-
First, the Evangelical Congregational Society dissolve their organization, and the members join the First Parish.
Second, the pew holders in the Evangelical Congregational Society, permit their pews to be resold at auction, to the highest bidder, above the original appraisal, upon condition that they shall receive a sum equal to the original appraisal for the same. If any pew shall not be sold, then it shall remain the property of the person previously owning it, unless such per- son has purchased some other pew, in the house of said society, in which case, such person shall be allowed the original appraisal and the pew shall become the property of the First Parish. If any of the pews now belonging to the Evangelical Congrega- tional Society shall remain unsold, then the First Parish shall take all such as are not sold, at the original appraisal.
Third, the present members of the First Parish shall pay to the Evangelical Congregational Society, the sum of eight hun- dred and forty-three dollars for one-half of their organ, and the
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Evangelical Congregational Society shall allow the present members of the First Parish, the sum of two hundred dollars, for one-half of their right in the bell, upon the house of the First Parish. Then the above-named organ and right in the bell are to become the property of the united societies.
Fourth, it is furthermore agreed, that the present members, of the First Parish, shall retain their meeting-house and satisfy the clains of the pew holders in the same. Provided, the said members shall remove the meeting-house from the common, after having six months notice from the First Parish. And it is also agreed that the Evangelical Congregational Society shall transfer and convey to the First Parish, all their real estate.
THOS. E. GLAZIER, C. S. GREENWOOD, GEORGE KELTON, S. K. PIERCE, J. M. MOORE, LEVI HEYWOOD, S. W. BANCROFT,
Committee of the
Two Parishes.
C. W. BUSH, AMASA BANCROFT, C. K. WOOD,
Gardner, April 18th, 1867.
At a subsequent meeting, of this union committee, held May 7th, 1867, it was " Voted, That the pew holders, in the Evan- gelical Society, give possession of the pews in their house, on the 30th of May, 1867." In accordance with the above agree- ment, the two societies began worshiping together, as one, upon the first Sabbath in June, 1867.
THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CIIURCH.
From the most accurate information which we are able to obtain, from the church and parish records, the Evangelical Con- gregational Church was formed, August 11th, 1830. The mem- bers, composing it, were those who had withdrawn from the church connected with the First Parish, because of the latter's unsoundness. This secession seems to have been a step seri-
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
ously contemplated, for a long time, previous to final action. How large the number of those seceding was, we have no means of stating. It would appear, from the records, that the church, which became connected with the new society, regarded itself, as in fact, the church while associated with the First Parish, and that, by its own act, was transferring itself to the Evangelical Society.
Previous to their separation from the First Parish, and their union with this society, they " Voted, That this church agree to be connected with the Evangelical Congregational Society, of Gardner, for the support and enjoyment of religious worship and ordinances, immediately after the Rev. S. Lincoln is dis- missed, as contemplated." The record then goes on to state that, " Whereas, This church having consented to the dismis- sion of our pastor, the Rev. S. Lincoln, from us, in connec- tion with the First Parish, with the full purpose of retaining his pastoral services to us, in connection with the Evangelical Congregational Society of Gardner :-
Resolved, That we will unite with the E. C. Society, of Gardner, in requesting him to become our minister, and to have his pastoral relation renewed to us, in connection with the said society, on the same day that it will be dissolved, according to a contemplated arrangement."
A committee was chosen, at this time, to inform Mr. Lincoln of the action of the church, and to receive his answer, which was in the affirmative; also to unite, with a committee of the Evangelical Society, in calling a council, to install Mr. Lincoln, upon the same day that his connection with the First Parish should be dissolved. The council, which dismissed Mr. Lin- coln from the First Parish, and installed him over the Evan- gelical Church and Society, convened August 11th, 1830. The society, which concurred in the action of the church, offered a salary of four hundred dollars. Mr. Lincoln continued the pastor of this church, until February 23d, 1842, when his pas- toral relation was dissolved, by a mutual council.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
The church and parish, having previously, extended a call to Mr. William B. Stone, to become their pastor, at a salary of five hundred dollars a year, " beginning on the day of his ordi- nation and .to be paid in quarterly payments," with a vacation of two Sabbaths, he was ordained and installed upon the same day and by the same council, which dismissed Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Stone continued the pastor of this church, till August, 1850, when his pastoral relation was dissolved on account " of bodily infirmity."
Rev. William B. Stone was born in North Brookfield, Janu- ary 24th, 1811. He graduated at Amherst College, in 1839. He entered Andover Theological Seminary, the same year, but finding the rules, of the institution, in regard to discussing the subject of slavery, too rigid to suit his views, he left, atter a few months, and continued his theological studies with the cele- brated anti-tobacco apostle, Rev. George Trask, then of War- ren. Mr. Stone, having served this church eight years and a half, retired from the ministry and went to live with his parents, at the old homestead in West Brookfield, where he still resides, making farming his principal business. He was a member of the legislature, in 1873.
Subsequent to the dismission of Mr. Stone, Rev. D. C. Frost, for a time, supplied the pulpit, at a salary of five hundred dol- lars per year. March 25th, 1852, the society invited Rev. Abijah Stowell to become their stated minister, at a salary of four hundred and seventy-five dollars per year, to be paid in semi-annual payments.
Rev. Abijah Stowell was born in Lyndon, Vt., August 20th, 1815. Without receiving a collegiate education, he studied theology at Andover, where he graduated in 1844. He com- menced his labors in Gardner, in May, 1852, and was acting pastor, of this church, about five years.
October 13th, 1857, a call, was extended to Rev. J. W. Healy, to become pastor of this church and society, at a salary of seven hundred dollars, per annum, to be paid quarterly. Mr. Healy was installed December 3d, 1857, and was dismissed at.
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ILISTORY OF GARDNER.
his own request, July 11th, 1859. Since his dismission, from Gardner, Mr. Healy has received the degree of D. D., and was, for a time, President of Strait University, La., and is now pastor of a church in Ottumwa, Iowa.
October 29th, 1859, the church and society extended a call to Rev. Samuel J. Austin, at a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum, he to have three Sabbaths, annually, for himself, and to leave at any time, by giving three months notice. Hav- ing accepted this call, Mr. Austin was installed over this church December 8th, 1859, and was dismissed at his own request, in May, 1864.
Rev. Samuel J. Austin was born in Becket, Mass., Novem- ber 22d, 1826. He graduated at Union College, in 1847. He studied theology at East Windsor, Conn., and at Andover.
After Mr. Austin's dismission, the church had various candi- dates, to some of whom, they unavailingly extended an invita- tion to become their pastor. Among these, were Revs. John W. Dodge, Temple Cutler, A. K. Wilcox and L. S. Watts. April 5th, 1866, the church and society extended a call to Mr. George F. Stanton, offering him a salary of one thousand dol- lars per annum, and giving him three Sabbaths vacation. The committee chosen to confer with Mr. Stanton, assured him, " that an unusual degree of cordiality and unanimity, in regard to your settlement with us, prevails throughout the parish." Having accepted this call, Mr. Stanton was ordained and in- stalled over this church, June 6th, 1866, Rev. Eden B. Foster, D. D., of Lowell, preaching the sermon, and Rev. W. D. Her- rick of the First Church, extending the right hand of fellow- ship. As the last pastor of the Evangelical Church and So- ciety, Mr. Stanton was dismissed, May 27th, 1867, in order that the union between the two churches might be consummated.
Rev. George F. Stanton was born in Lowell, December 16th, 1835. Having prepared for college at Dummer Academy, he graduated at Amherst, in 1863. He studied theology at Ban- gor Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1866. Since October 27th, 1870, he has been the pastor of the Congrega-
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tional Church of South Weymouth, Mass. While pastor of this church, Mr. Stanton engaged in his pastoral duties, with great ardor and efficiency, and, though his connection with the church was brief, he did very much in promoting its spiritual welfare.
From the time of the formation of this church and society, down to the date of its union with the First Church and Parish, the Evangelical Church ever exhibited an aggressive and pro- gressive spirit. Some of the votes, which it has placed on record, are worthy of notice. May 15th, 1835, " the church unanimously passed a resolution, to refuse to acknowledge slave- holders, as christians, by communing with them at the Lord's table, and also to refuse to acknowledge a slave-holding minister, to be a christian minister, by sitting under his preaching, knowing them to be guilty of the sin of slave-owning." June 6th, 1839, the church voted, " That it is the duty of the pastor to preach preparatory lectures, and the duty of each member of the church to attend."
The following preamble and resolution was presented by Mr. Asa Richardson, July 1st, 1842, and passed by the church, at a regular church meeting :-
" Whereas, the ministers and members of the churches of our land, are, many of them, partakers of the guilt of slavery, either by holding slaves, or by apologizing for the wicked sys- tem, and whereas, the gospel requires us to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness :-
" Be it therefore resolved, That it is the duty of this church, in giving invitation to members of evangelical churches, to com- mune with us, to except all such as are guilty of the sin of slavery, as specified in the above preamble."
It will be seen, from the above resolution, that this church early occupied advanced ground, in regard to our great national sin, and very early put its foot, with emphasis, upon it. It may also be said, that it has always been favored with pas- tors who have led it courageously, not only against this great evil, but also against that of intemperance.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI AND PARISH. SINCE 1867.
In the above sketch, of the two Congregational Societies and Churches connected with them, we have sought to give, as ac- curately and completely as the records and our space would permit, a true history of the more important events connected with these organizations. We are aware, that by some of our readers, the recital will be regarded as too long, too tedious, and withal, disproportionate to the space allotted to the other religious societies of the town. It should, however, be remem- bered, that the existence of one of the societies, whose history has now been given, reaches back to the date of the town's in- corporation, while the other covers a period of forty-eight years.
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