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 43
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Having now traced these two churches, the one from its be- ginning, in 1786, the other, from its divergence in 1830, to their confluence in 1867, we have now to record the history of the united parishes and churches, to the present time. The history of the union of the two parishes having been already given, on page 509 need not here be restated.
At a meeting of the two churches, May 14th, 1867, the fol- lowing resolution was presented and adopted, viz. :-
That the First Congregational Church and the Evangelical Congregational Church, in Gardner, unite and become consoli- dated, in one church, adopting the Articles of Faith and the Covenant of the Evangelical Congregational Church and the name of the First Congregational Church, in Gardner, and be connected with the First Parish, in said Gardner.
Also, resolved, that this union be consummated by a mutual meeting of both churches, to be called at such time as the union committee may deem proper.
AMASA BANCROFT, S. W. BANCROFT, C. K. WOOD, ALLEN FOLGER, C. WEBSTER BUSH,
Committee of the First Church.
C. S. GREENWOOD, WIIEATON WILSON, MARO COLLESTER, THOS. E. GLAZIER, HENRY LAWRENCE,
Committee of the Evangelical Congregation'l Church.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
The first meeting, of the united parishes, was held May 30th, 1867, at which, all necessary officers were chosen. As has already been stated, the first union service, of these churches, was held upon the first Sabbath in June, 1867. Various can- didates supplied the pulpit, for several months. November 6th, 1867, the parish voted to concur with the church, in extending a call to Rev. Temple Cutler, offering him fifteen hundred dol- lars a year, as salary. Mr. Cutler declined the call. Decem- ber 23d, same year, the parish united with the church in extend- ing a call to Rev. William Belden, offering him a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per year, to be paid quarterly, and two Sabbaths vacation. This call Mr. Belden accepted, in a letter bearing date January 4th, 1868, and was installed the 22d day of the same month, Rev. C. Blodgett, D. D., of Pawtucket, R. I., preaching the sermon. Mr. Belden was dismissed March 22d, 1869.
June 23d, 1869, the parish voted to concur with the church in extending a call to Rev. John E. Wheeler, to become their pastor, offering him a salary of two thousand dollars a year, payable quarterly, and granting him two Sabbaths vacation.
Rev. John E. Wheeler was born in Amherst, N. H., Septem- ber 9th, 1833. He graduated at Amherst College, in 1857, and studied theology at the Connecticut Theological Institute. He was installed pastor of this church, August 25th, 1869, and closed his labors on the first Sabbath in July, in 1872.
November 19th, 1873, the parish voted to concur with the church, in extending a call to Rev. F. A. Warfield, to become their pastor, offering him a salary of two thousand dollars, and the use of a parsonage, with a vacation of four Sabbaths. Mr. Warfield declined the call, which was renewed January 13th, 1873, and was again deelined.
September 24th, same year, the parish coneurred with the church in extending a call to Rev. W. D. Herriek, to become their pastor, with a salary of two thousand dollars annually, payable quarterly, and four Sabbaths vacation, with the use of a parsonage. This call was declined, in accordance with the
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
advice of a council called at North Amherst, Mass., to advise the church and pastor, in regard to dissolving the pastoral re- lation, then existing between Mr. Herrick and the church, in that place. On May 15th, 1874, at a meeting of the parish called to coneur with the church, in renewing the call to Rev. W. D. Herrick, " It was voted, yeas, seventy-six, nay, one, that we renew the call to Rev. Wm. D. Herrick, to become our pastor, with an annual salary of two thousand dollars, payable monthly, and the use of a parsonage, and that he have a vaca- tion of four Sabbaths." This call was accepted, by Mr. Her- rick, and he was installed, June 11th, 1874, since which time, he has remained pastor of the church and parish.
It is due to the facts of history, to state, that at the com- mencement of the union of the two churches and societies, the feeling existing between the hitherto separate peoples, was not as unanimous and cordial, as could be desired. Gradually, however, old lines of separation have become less distinct, while the era of brotherly kindness has come to be more and more prominent, till, at the present time, as great harmony, cordiality, unanimity and spirit of co-operation, exists, as can be found in any of our churches. It is true, indeed, that the church, since the union, has not been exempt from some degree of internal commotion and sharp contention, among its mem- bers, resulting, it may be feared, in the permanent disaffection of some, arising from cases of discipline, concerning which, there seems to have been a conscientious difference of opinion ; yet time, the great healer, is kindly doing its work, in effacing these unpleasant memories and bringing the membership, grad- ually, into " the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace."
In 1875, the parish erected a parsonage, which is both com- modious and convenient, for which they voted the sum of six thousand dollars. This parsonage is located on Cherry Street, and is, at present, occupied by the author of this work.
February 15th, 1878, on motion of Mr. Henry Heywood, it was " Voted, That the parish build a new church, on or near the site where the hell church now stands." The parish " Voted,
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
That Charles Heywood, Philander Derby, Charles W. Conant, Augustus Knowlton, Henry Heywood, Gardner A. Watkins, Alvin M. Greenwood, be a building committee ; that they be empowered to decide upon the location and a suitable place for the proposed new church edifice, and to cause the same to be constructed as soon as, in their judgment, it may be properly done."
Justice requires us to state that for nearly three months, pre- vious to the date of this parish meeting, Mrs. Alvin M. Green- wood, daughter of Mr. Levi Heywood, and Mrs. Henry Hey- wood, voluntarily, took upon themselves, the task of raising, by subscription, a sufficient sum of money, with which to erect the new church edifice, without incurring a debt upon the society. They entered zealously upon their work, till by energy, courage and perseverance, they at length had the satis- saction of seeing their labors rewarded, by the pledge, from responsible parties, of nearly thirty-two thousand dollars. Such ladies are worthy of special mention, in thus taking their places among " the honorable women, not a few." Many daughters have done virtuously, but they have excelled them all.
The committee chosen to erect the new church edifice, have promptly and diligently taken up their work, and after having examined various plans, have adopted the one presented by Mr. James E. Fuller, architect, of Worcester. Ground was broken, for the church, upon parish land, at the head of the common, June 17th, 1878. The work will be completed and the church ready for dedication, sometime in June of the next year. The following is a description of the edifice :---
The First Congregational Church Edifice is built in Gothic style, with steep slated roof, southern front of sixty-four feet by one hundred eighteen feet in length, having square tower at southeast corner, one hundred twenty-five feet high, containing clock with four dials. The material is brick, underpinning and steps of Rockport granite, with trimmings of Longmeadow and Ohio sandstone. It is lighted by stained glass set in lead sashes, a large Rose window adorning the front gable. It has
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
four entrances, two in front, and one on each side leading to auditorium and chapel. The main audience room is sixty-two by eighty-four feet, forty feet high, with open timber roof, decorated walls and ceiling, and wood finish of ash and black walnut.
It has six hundred sittings facing the north end which is oc- cupied by the preacher's platform in the centre, choir and organ at his right, and pastor's room at his left. On both sides of this platform are passages to the chapel, which is thirty-three by sixty-four feet, containing lecture room, twenty-eight by thirty-two feet ; infant class room, twenty by twenty-two feet ; library, eight by ten feet ; parlor, sixteen by twenty-four feet. In the upper story, are dining room, kitchen, lavatory, and all modern appurtenances, for social gatherings. The building is heated, by four furnaces, and piped throughout for gas.
The entire cost of the church edifice, furniture and organ, will be thirty thousand dollars. When this work is completed this society, with its parsonage and beautiful church, will be placed upon a permanent, prosperous and debtless foundation, with a grand opportunity for usefulness before it, in the years to come, as the parent church and society of the town.
THE BAPTIST SOCIETY AND CHURCH.
It is evident, from an examination of the records of the First Church, as kept by its pastor, Rev. Jonathan Osgood, that sentiments peculiar to close communion Baptists, began to man- ifest themselves, among some of his members, to his great an- noyance and grief, as early as 1813. Among those who were dissatisfied, with the tenet of infant baptism, so strongly held by the First Church and its pastor, were Mr. Sullivan Jackson and his wife, Sally. So great was the anxiety of the church and pastor, that these members should be convinced of the error of their ways, the church was stayed, after divine service, on May 7th, 1815, and a committee was chosen to converse with these uneasy individuals, and if possible, to induce them to return to the fold. At a subsequent meeting, this committee
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reported verbally, " that they could not convince our brother and sister, Sullivan Jackson and Sally his wife, of their error." Whereupon the church requested the pastor to prepare a letter to be sent to said Jackson and his wife, which letter was pre- pared and laid before the church, and a copy ordered to be sent. This letter, as it lies spread upon the original church records, is filled with argumentation upon the question of infant baptism, affectionate entreaties to return, earnest avowals of a readi- ness to forgive past errors, and an assurance of continued love and fellowship. Still, as if already convinced that his words would be unavailing, Mr. Osgood says, " but if you persist in your error, we cannot but esteem it our duty, to withdraw our watch and communion from you ; not that we reject you, but still hope, that by the aid of divine grace, you will see the error of your ways, return to your duty, and renew your solemn vows to the God who made you. If you do this we shall be ready and willing to receive and embrace you, as our brother and sister."
Notwithstanding this entreaty, so tender and pathetic, Mr. Jackson and his wife Sally, as well as some others, sympathiz- ing with them, in their peculiar views, evidently refused to be reclaimed from " the error of their ways." Ceasing longer to worship with the First Church, they, with others, withdrew and for several years, attended the Baptist Church in Templeton, till, in the year 1827, active measures were taken by Mr. Sul- livan Jackson and nine others, to form a religious society, to be called " The Baptist Society in Gardner." The following record, declares the object which these individuals had in view, which we here give as showing the basis and first action of this society :-
We, the subscribers, impressed with the importance, of a preached gospel, and believing that it would be for our benefit and for the benefit of families and neighbors, to establish a Baptist Society, in the town of Gardner, of which we are in- habitants, do agree that we unite in a society, to be called the Baptist Society in Gardner, and it is our intention to organize
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
this society, with the approbation and under the patronage of the Baptist Church and Society in Templeton, and to consult and co-operate with them, so far as circumstances will permit.
SULLIVAN JACKSON,
DANIEL H. GRANT,
GEORGE SCOTT,
JOEL DERBY, JR,
EZRA BAKER,
ROBERT POWERS,
MOSES M. GAGE,
ASAPH FOSKETT,
CALEB PRIEST,
LIBERTY PARTRIDGE.
Gardner, May 25th, 1827.
The parochial society, now connected with the Baptist Church, in this place, was legally organized, January 30th, 1828. Dea- con Sullivan Jackson was chosen moderator and Mr. George Scott, clerk, at whose house the parish meetings were held, for some length of time. The society set itself, at once, to the task of procuring preaching, and the necessary funds to sustain it. March 10th, 1830, they voted that " the money received, be laid out in preaching, on the Lord's day, at the house of Deacon Sullivan Jackson, for the year to come." March 9th, 1831, they voted to raise money by subscription, and " that the money raised, be laid out in preaching, on the Lord's day, at the Southwest school-house, in Gardner."
March 6th, 1833, the society chose Ezra Baker and Sullivan Jackson, a committee to hire preaching, and that this com- mittee procure a place of worship. This committee proceeded, at once, to the discharge of the duty assigned them, of erecting a house of worship, for the society, which was completed in 1833, at a cost of three thousand dollars, towards which, Sul- livan Jackson, George Scott and Walter Greenwood, were very generous contributors. This meeting-house is located in South Gardner, at the junction of Broadway and High Street. The society continued to occupy this meeting-house, till the year 1872, when, feeling that the place was " too straight " for them. they determined to enlarge and repair it, adding fifteen feet to its length, frescoing the audience room, furnishing new pews, cushions, pulpit and carpet. A commodious vestry, with ante- rooms, in the basement, was also supplied. A new spire was
66
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
erected, in which was placed an excellent clock, thus making a neat and convenient house of worship, at an expense of about seven thousand, five hundred dollars. This church was rededi- cated November 6th, 1872.
In May, 1851, at the decease of Mrs. Mary W. S. Bradford, the society began to receive the benefit of a legacy of four thousand dollars, left by her former husband, Mr. Abijah M. Severy, the income accruing from three thousand, to be ex- pended in support of preaching, and the income of one thou- sand, for the support of sacred music in connection with the church and society. In addition to this, in 1870, Mrs. Susanna Stone, dying, left, in her will, a legacy of one thousand dollars, the income of which is to be expended in the support of preaching. At the time the meeting-house was repaired, in 1872, a commodious dwelling house was built, near the church, by Deacon Marcius A. Gates, which has since been occupied as a parsonage. At the present time, the society is in a very flourishing condition.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first movement looking to the formation of a Baptist Church, in Gardner, was in the year 1830, when twenty-three members of the Baptist Church, in Templeton, then residing in Gardner, represented, by letter, to the church in Templeton, " that they thought their number and circumstances such, it would be for their advantage and the general interest of the cause of Christ, to be organized into a distinct church." On the 15th of November, same year, an ecclesiastical council was convened at the house of Sullivan Jackson, in South Gardner, for the purpose of organizing and recognizing them as a Bap- tist Church. The council was composed of the Baptist Churches in Templeton, Westminster, Princeton and West Boylston. After duly considering the question, " Shall a church be con- stituted at South Gardner," the council voted to recognize them, as a Baptist Church, by public services, conducted in the South- east school-house. Rev. Abial Fisher preached the sermon, Rev. Appleton Morse, of Princeton, gave the right hand of
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
fellowship, and Rev. Elisha Andrews gave the charge to the people. At the same time, Mr. Sullivan Jackson was ordained, as deacon of the church. The following is a list of the pastors of this church, from its organization, till the present date :-
From May 1831, to March 1834, Rev. Samuel Glover ; from March 1834, to April 1837, Revs. Winthrop Morse, Joshua Millett, John Holbrook, and Ransom O. Dwyer, a licentiate ; from April 1837, to June 1838, Rev. John Clapp; from Au- gust 1838, to May 1840, Rev. Andrew Pollard ; from June 1840, to October 1842, Rev. William H. Dalrymple ; from Oc- tober 1842, to October 1843, Revs. Erastus Andrews and N. B. Jones ; from April 1844, to November 1847, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton ; from June 1848, to May 1849, Rev. B. H. Clift ; from November 1849, to January 1853, Rev. Amasa Brown ; from April 1853, to December 1860, Rev. R. K. Ashley ; from February 1861, to May 1864, Rev. Wm. H. Walker ; from No- vember 1864, to April 1867, Rev. George W. Ryan; from October 1867, to April 1868, Rev. C. L. Thompson ; from Sep- tember 1868, to October 1870, Rev. Joseph Burnett ; from October 1870, to July 1875, Rev. William Read; from Sep- tember 1875, to November 1877, Rev. S. T. Frost; from December 1877, to the present date, Rev. F. B. Sleeper.
It will be seen, by the above list, that this church has never been long without a stated minister. The faithfulness of these pastors, is attested, by accessions to the church, yearly, both by profession of faith and by letters from other churches. Be- ginning, in 1830, with only twenty-three members, the church has gradually increased, till, at the present time, it numbers one hundred and fifty-nine members.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
According to the best information, which we have been able to obtain, the Catholics, of Gardner, were first temporarily organized in 1863, by the Rev. Thomas Bannon, then resident pastor of Templeton, and other missions. Previous to this time, as far back as 1856, the Catholics, of this town, attended ser-
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
vices at Otter River, with an occasional visit from the pastor of the mission, Rev. Edward Turpin, then resident of Fitchburg. In the summer of 1856, Father Turpin celebrated the first mass in Gardner, at the residence of Mr. Patrick Carney. In 1863, so greatly had the number of Catholics increased within the mission, that it was found necessary to divide it into two divi- sions. Rev. Thomas Bannon was appointed pastor of the North division, and was located at Otter River, where a small church had been erected. Having ascertained that the number of Catholics, in this town, were about three hundred, he deemed it advisable to organize them into a congregation, to whom he ministered, by public services, in the Town Hall, at least once a month. Here he formed a Sunday school, and laid the founda- tions for the present, permanent and prosperous organization. Having served his people for two years and a half, he was obliged, by ill health, to resign his position, and was succeeded by Rev. William Orr, who himself, shortly after, was obliged to retire from the mission, on account of the severe labors in- cident thereto. In 1871, so great was the work required, it became necessary again to divide the mission.
The Rev. Dennis C. Moran is now pastor of the parish com- prising Winchendon, Gardner and Ashburnham. He is a man of great energy, zeal and perseverance, as is evident from his efforts in organizing the present Catholic Society, and in erecting their new church edifice. Under his care, a church debt society was formed for the purpose of accumulating a fund which should, at some future day, be so increased as to warrant the erection of a church edifice. The people became imbued with the same spirit which animated their pastor, and almost every Catholic contributed his offering to this desired object. Some time previous to the erection of the church, a great fair was held, in aid of this project, contributions of money and articles of value being freely given, by all classes, the Protes- tants, themselves, contributing liberally. The receipts amounted to thirteen hundred dollars, which, added to the amount already accumulated, placed the society on a permanent financial basis.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
In the fall of 1873, a site for the new church edifice was pur- chased on Cross Street, upon which, work was immediately begun. The church was completed and ready for occupation, December, 1874, at a total cost of twenty-six thousand dollars. It has a seating capacity of seven hundred. Mass was first celebrated in this church, on Christmas day, 1874.
It is proper to state, in this connection, that the Catholics have a cemetery located in the westerly part of the town, on the road to Otter River, which has been consecrated to the burial of their dead.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
In 1864, Rev. Jacob Baker, while acting as Universalist State Missionary, began preaching the distinctive doctrines of Uni- versalism in Gardner. On the 4th of June, of the same year, a society was formed and the following preamble was adopted, together with a brief constitution :-
PREAMBLE.
Desirous of discharging all proper obligations, and being im- pressed that the true, Christian element is designed to draw the members of the human family into friendship in society, and that God asks the devotion of the heart, and the homage of the world : Therefore, the better to co-operate with the spirit of our Lord, we organize a religious society, and pledge our united efforts as far as possible to support and further its prin- ciples.
At a meeting held March 7th, 1865, the parish committee were instructed to secure the services of Mr. Baker one-half the time for the ensuing year. He continued his labors with the society, and did much toward sowing the seeds of the " Larger Hope" broadcast. He was a strong advocate and able defender of Universalist principles.
On the 19th of March, 1866, the society extended a call to Rev. Harrison Closson, to become their pastor. He preached one-half the time, till January, 1867, when the society secured his undivided services.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
CHURCHI ORGANIZATION.
A church was organized on the evening of April 23d, 1868, and publicly recognized with appropriate exercises, on the first Sunday in June following. At the first meeting, which was held at the home of the pastor, the covenant formerly held by the First Congregational Church, was adopted with the addition of scripture quotations from the first chapter of Ephesians, making it more distinctly Universalist in sentiment. The or- ganization was to be known as The Church of the Unity and Restoration. The following covenant was afterwards adopted, expressed assent to which should be essential to membership in the church :-
COVENANT.
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.
We believe in the existence of an all-perfect God, who has done, is doing, and will still continue to do all that infinite love can prompt, all that infinite wisdom can devise, and all that in- finite power can execute, to save every soul from sin, and train all to holiness, without doing violence to human freedom. That being perfect in wisdom, knowledge and love, and having already converted, regenerated and saved some of the most ignorant and hardened unbelievers, and the most wicked sin- ners of earth, he will continue his work of redemption until all souls are converted, regenerated and saved.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son, and sent of God, the mediator between God and man, and the delegated Saviour of the world. We accept his precepts as the rule of our life, and his doctrine as our hope and comfort.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, as the spirit of truth and love, which is sent forth into all the world to guide men into all moral and religious truth.
We believe in the necessity of faith and repentance ; that we must break off our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by turning to God.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
We believe that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to maintain order and prac- tice good works, for these things are good and profitable unto men.
Rev. H. Closson was installed as pastor of the church on the 23d of June, 1869, Rev. A. A. Minor, D. D., of Boston preach- ing the sermon. Under the ministry of Mr. Closson, the church and society grew and prospered. Continual additions were made to their numbers, until a large and influential parish was built up. Toward the close of his labors, in the spring of 1871, an effort was made to further improve the place of wor- ship, services being held, at this time, in the " bell meeting- house." A portion of the society wished to remove the build- ing and to fit it up thoroughly. Others desired to build a new church. But difficulties arose, mistakes were made, and no definite plan of action was agreed upon. The result was, the organization became for a time impaired.
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