USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855 > Part 26
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Rev. James T. McCollom was installed pastor of the church, Nov. 8, 1865, but took charge of the pulpit from the first Sunday in October.
For many years there had been a growing conviction that a union of the Mystic and the First Trinitarian Congre- gational Churches would, under existing circumstances, much conduce to the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in Medford. Among the reasons which finally led to such a union, was the founding of an Orthodox church and society at West Medford, which drew so largely from the other churches, that it seemed unnecessary to maintain two organizations at the centre of the town. The two churches had existed many years side by side, doing their great work always in harmony, often in fraternal union of efforts and means, and with the marked blessing of God on their labors.
All preliminaries having been happily arranged in Octo- ber, 1874, the union of the two churches was consum- mated Dec. 31 of the same year ; and the house of worship on High Street, left vacant by the said union, was sold in 1876 to the St. Joseph Catholic Society.
Mr. McCollom, whom the uniting churches, after having seen his daily walk and work for so many years, desired to retain as pastor, and whose dearest earthly joy would have been in walking before them the shepherd of one flock, died Nov. 25, 1874, deeply beloved and lamented by all who knew him.
He was born in Salem, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1814; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1835, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1840. His other settlements were at Pitts- ton, Me., 1841-44; at Great Falls, N.H., 1844-54; and at Bradford, Mass., 1854-65.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
MYSTIC CHURCH.
This Third Congregational Society in Medford was an outgrowth of the Second. The increase of business and population, still further stimulated by the opening of rail- road communication with Boston, led in March, 1847, to a conference with four neighboring clergymen, to whom were submitted statistics and facts showing the necessity of increased accommodation for the Orthodox Congrega- tionalists of the town. Those clergymen were unanimous in advising the formation of a new church and congrega- tion. In pursuance of their advice, separate worship was established in the Town Hall, May 9, 1847; and a new church with sixty members was organized July 6 of that year by a large ecclesiastical council. A substantial, neat, and convenient church-edifice, capable of seating about five hundred, was erected during the summer of 1848, and dedicated Feb. 14, 1849. A valuable organ was furnished in 1854.
A union with the First Trinitarian Congregational Church having been effected in the autumn of 1874, the united body worshipped in the edifice of that church on High Street for more than a year, till the structure on Salem Street, remodelled, enlarged, and ready for use, was re-dedicated Jan. 12, 1876.
Since its organization the church has received 357 mem- bers by letter, and 257 on profession. Its membership (October, 1885) is 326.
The form of admission, confession of faith, and cove- nant of this church are in substantial agreement with the same of other churches of the Congregational order throughout the country ; and they are in full accord with the declarations of faith and polity made at the council held in Boston in 1865, and subsequently re-affirmed in the First National Council of the Congregational Churches which convened at Oberlin, O., in 1871.
We give a list of the pastors of this church, with the time of their settlement : -
Rev. Abner B. Warner, a nephew of Rev. Professor Warner, the first pastor of the Second Church, was in- stalled Oct. 27, 1847, and died in office May 26, 1853,
Rev. Jacob M. Manning, D.D., was ordained Jan. 5, 1854; and dismissed Feb. 17, 1857, to become associate pastor of the Old South Church, Boston.
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MYSTIC CHURCH.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 1850.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Rev. Elias Nason was installed Nov. 10, 1858, and dis- missed Nov. 19, 1860.
Rev. Edward P. Hooker, D.D., was ordained Nov. 13, 1861, and dismissed March 31, 1869.
Rev. Solon Cobb was installed Nov. 3, 1869, and dis- missed March 12, 1874.
Rev. Charles H. Baldwin was installed June 30, 1875, and dismissed Feb. 16, 1881.
Rev. Theophilus P. Sawin, jun., was installed Nov. 16, 1881, and is still in office.
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
On the 10th of March, 1831, the first legal steps were taken towards the formation of this society ; and on the 22d of March of the same year, the society was organized, and all parish officers were chosen.
In April Rev. Winslow W. Wright was installed as its first pastor.
He resigned in April, 1835 ; and Rev. Joseph Banfield was soon settled as his successor, but resigned in 1838. Rev. Dr. Hosea Ballou was settled in 1838.
The meeting-house was built in 1832, and was remod- elled and enlarged in 1850, and again in 1886. In the first instance, the society was kindly invited by the Unitarian parish to use their house of worship while the improve- ments were being made. This invitation was accepted.
Rev. Dr. Ballou, having been called to the presidency of Tufts College, resigned in August, 1853 ; and in April, 1854, Rev. G. V. Maxham was ordained.
The church was organized Jan. 19, 1834, at which time twenty-three persons joined.
The Sunday school was organized soon after the church, probably the same year.
In May, 1838, a Sunday-school teachers' association was formed, "whose object shall be our own mutual improve- ment, and the good of the school committed to our care."
This school has always been large and influential.
Parker R. Litchfield has been its efficient superintendent for more than twenty-five years in succession, and is at this time (1886) at its head.
From time to time when this society has been destitute of a pastor, Revs. T. J. Greenwood, Eben Francis, and Richard Eddy have supplied the desk.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
The settled pastors, succeeding those above named, have been : -
Rev. C. B. Lombard,
Rev. B. H. Davis,
Rev. Russell P. Ambler,
Rev. J. H. Farnsworth,
Rev. W. G. Haskell,
Rev. D. L. R. Libbey, and
Rev. Russell P. Ambler, second settlement.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In July, 1822, Rev. Josiah Brackett preached the first Methodist sermon in Medford, in what was known as the "College Building," now standing on Riverside Avenue.
Preaching was continued, and in 1823 a Sunday school was organized, and held in Mead's Hall, Main Street.
The church was organized in 1822 or 1823.
In 1828 the society was incorporated as the "First Methodist Episcopal Church of Medford;" and a chapel was built on Cross Street, and dedicated.
From 1828 to 1831, the pulpit was supplied by local preachers, among them Rev. C. K. True, Dr. Samuel Coggeshall, and Rev. Stephen Smith. In 1831 and 1832 Rev. Mr. Vanscawer, also a local preacher, was pastor.
In 1833 Rev. Apollos Hale was regularly appointed by the Bishop ; 1834, Elbridge G. Drake was the supply ; and Rev. Mr. Nichols in 1835. In 1836 and the following years, local preachers supplied the pulpit, till finally regu- lar services were discontinued.
In 1842 preaching was resumed and continued by Moses L. Scudder of Charlestown, the Malden pastors, and others ; first in the private house of Ira T. Barker, then in an old brick schoolhouse on Cross Street, which was fitted up and dedicated, but proved to be too small ; and then the Town Hall was rented, and used as a place of worship.
In 1844 Rev. George Pickering was sent by the Confer- ence to this charge; and this year the lot was purchased where Music Hall now stands, on Salem Street, upon which to erect a church-edifice.
The church was completed, and dedicated by Bishop Janes, Dec. 19, 1845.
The next two years the pulpit was supplied by Revs. J. A. Adams and James Shepherd.
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METHODIST-EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
1847. The first social circle was organized in connec- tion with this society, and the ladies of the circle pur- chased the furniture to furnish the parsonage.
The Revs. Thomas Tucker, William Smith, A. D. Mer- rill, J. W. Perkins, and Charles Noble were the next preachers.
The following-named pastors have been in charge from 1855 to 1886 : -
Revs. E. S. Best, William A. Braman, A. F. Herrick, J. A. Ames, H. N. Loud, David Sherman, Daniel Wait, N. T. Whitaker, Frank J. Wagner, T. B. Smith, Thomas Corwin Watkins, Gilbert C. Osgood, James W. Fenn, and Lyman D. Bragg the present pastor.
During Mr. Whitaker's pastorate, a parsonage was pur- chased at a cost of three thousand dollars.
In 1872, a lot having been purchased, the corner-stone for a new church-edifice was laid May 1, 1872, with appro- priate services.
The church was erected at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars ; and dedicated on April 30, 1873, by Bishop G. Haven.
An organ was purchased for the church, at a cost of three thousand dollars.
The Sunday school of the Methodist Society in Med- ford has had an interesting history. It was small at first, but in 1868 it numbered two hundred and seven members. Mr. Ira T. Barker was the first superintendent of this school upon its re-organization in 1843.
Since 1862 this school, as a missionary work, has raised twenty-five dollars per year for the support of young men who are fitting for the ministry in India.
Present number in school: scholars in classes, 191; infant class, 53 ; officers and teachers, 27. Whole num- ber, 271. Volumes in library, 712.
This Sunday school was represented in the army, in the late conflict, by several of its members.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
There was much interest manifested by a few friends in favor of a Baptist church in this town, in 1818 and 1819; and as the result, the first baptism took place in Mystic River, May 3, 1820. July 7, 1841, a Baptist church was organized, and Robert L. Ells was chosen deacon.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Rev. George W. Bosworth was the first pastor. The church was publicly recognized, and the pastor ordained Sept 8, 1841.
In 1842 The First Baptist Society of Medford was legally incorporated, and a chapel was erected on Salem Street, and dedicated to the worship of God, Sept. 17, 1842.
From 1845 to 1870 the following pastors were in charge : viz., -
Revs. B. C. Grafton, G. C. Danforth, E. K. Fuller, T. E. Keely, George M. Preston, and J. C. Hurd.
In May, 1871, the society called Rev. J. G. Richardson to become its pastor, who accepted, and continued till May, 1877. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. P. Abbott, who was ordained Dec. 19, 1877.
In the spring of 1872 a lot was purchased on Oakland Street, upon which to erect a church ; and Sept. 2 of this year the corner-stone was laid, and the 29th of June, 1873, the society occupied for the first time the lecture-room. The old house was then sold, having been used as a house of worship thirty-one years. And on July 10, 1878, the new and beautiful church-edifice was dedicated to the wor- ship of God, to the great joy of the society; Rev. Mr. Bosworth, their first pastor, preaching the sermon.
The total cost of this church was thirty thousand dol- lars. The architect and builder was John Brown, a member of the society, and a Medford man.
April 13, 1880, the society celebrated the event of the liquidation of its entire debt. The occasion was one of great rejoicing, calling together not only the members of the church and parish, but former pastors as well.
This society has a large and flourishing Sunday school, and an extensive and carefully selected library.
GRACE (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH.
From the original settlement of Medford, until nearly the middle of the present century, Churchmen who lived within its borders were compelled by the non-existence of a church of their faith in the town, to seek in neighbor- ing towns the enjoyment of the forms of worship they so much loved. Their desire to do this, and their conviction that under such circumstances they ought not to be com- pelled to support, by the payment of taxes or "rates," the
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worship of the one religious society which for more than a century and a half existed here, led, at least in one case, to serious trouble. For we find that because of his refusal to pay such taxes, one Mathew Ellis was imprisoned by the constable of the town. The said Ellis, however, was not willing thus to suffer deprivation of his religious. liberty, and was granted an appeal from the judgments of the local courts by the " King in council." What the final result of this case was, doth not appear ; but it is probable that the custom of taxing those who were members of the Established Church of England did not long continue. But members of that Church, if they still desired to engage in its worship, were obliged to do so in the old parishes of Christ and Trinity Churches, Boston, or the somewhat nearer parish of Christ Church, Cambridge. This state of things continued until the year 1847.
In November of that year, the project of an Episcopal church in Medford was first agitated ; and at a meeting held on Dec. II, it was determined to make an effort to establish a parish. Christmas Eve was selected as an ap- propriate time for the first service; and the Rev. Dr. Alexander H. Vinton, rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston, was invited to preach on the occasion. One of the Con- gregational churches was loaned for the service, and, in accordance with the custom of the Episcopal communion on the Christmas festival, was fitly decorated with ever- green. This was, so far as is known, the first time that the public worship of the church was ever celebrated in Medford. On this occasion notice was given that there- after there would be regular services in the Odd Fellows' Hall situated in the upper part of the railway-station.
On the evening of Feb. 15, 1848, in accordance with a legal warrant previously issued, seven gentlemen assem- bled in a private house, and organized the parish under the name of Grace Church. An adjourned meeting was held on the evening of May 7, at which a code of by-laws was adopted, and the parish organization completed. At the same time the Rev. David Greene Haskins of Roxbury was chosen rector.
Feeling the necessity of having a church-edifice, the members of the parish at once addressed themselves to that end. On the Ist of September, 1849, a committee was appointed to consider and report upon the best site for such a building. On the 5th of September the com-
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mittee recommended the purchase of a lot of land a short distance from the Square, and opposite the grounds of the present High-school building. The recommendation was adopted. The land was secured ; the work of raising the required funds and building the church was rapidly prosecuted ; and on the IIth of May, the completed church edifice was duly consecrated by Right Rev. Dr. Eastburn, bishop of the diocese. The cost of the land was $1,200; the cost of building and furnishing the church was $2,890 ; or a total of $4,090. Mr. Haskins filled the office of rector until Feb. 18, 1852, when he resigned. He was suc- ceeded on the 14th of the following September by the Rev. Justin Field, who remained as rector until Jan. 1, 1860.
A vacancy in the rectorship existed for a year succeed- ing Mr. Field's resignation. The Rev. A. C. Patterson of Buffalo, N. Y., was invited, and accepted the rectorship ; but circumstances prevented his assuming charge of the parish.
The Rev. George A. Strong became rector in January, 1861, and remained until May, 1863.
The Rev. Charles H. Learoyd of Danvers was elected rector in May, 1863, and entered upon his duties on the Ist of September of the same year.
In the spring of 1866, the project of repairing and en- larging the church-edifice was considered, and plans were adopted. But these were subsequently set aside for the adoption of a larger and wiser undertaking, viz., the build- ing of a new church. The generous proposal of Mrs. Gorham Brooks, a member of the parish, to contribute as much towards the erection of a new church as should be given by the remaining parishioners, stimulated the efforts of those interested in the work; and the result was a general subscription of fifteen thousand dollars. Sub- sequently Mrs. Brooks made a still more generous offer to complete the church, under certain conditions, at her own expense. This proposal was gratefully accepted by the parish ; and the present dignified and beautiful stone church was completed in the year 1868.
At Easter, 1872, Mr. Learoyd resigned the rectorship, which was shortly afterwards filled by the election of the present incumbent, the Rev. Charles L. Hutchins, who entered upon his duties in September, 1872. Since that time the following events in the parochial history of the parish have taken place : -
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
The rectory, situated on High Street at a short distance from the church, was built at the expense of a parishioner, Mr. Dudley C. Hall, in the year 1872, and by him pre- sented to the parish in the early part of the year 1873.
The church-building, which since its completion had remained in the ownership of the family who had gener- ously erected it, and consequently, in accordance with the canonical law of the Church, could not be consecrated, was given to the parish by Mr. Peter C. Brooks and Mr. Shepherd Brooks, and received consecration at the hands of the Right Rev. Henry A. Neely, Bishop of Maine, on the 6th of May, 1873. The services of consecration were of the most impressive character, and were attended by a very large congregation, as well as by a larger number of clergymen than had been gathered together at a similar service in the history of the diocese. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Alexander H. Vinton, and several of the former rectors of the parish participated in the services. In presenting these gifts of church and rectory to the parish, the donors placed them in the hands of the " Trustees of Donations " (a corporation formed for the purpose of holding and preserving ecclesiastical property for the Episcopal Church), thus preventing the possibility of alienation and loss.
In the summer of June, 1873, a successful effort was made to procure a chime of bells for the church. The town, at a meeting in June, voted to provide one bell, and the remaining eight bells were provided by individual gift and general subscription. The bells, of which there are nine, have a total weight of more than five thousand pounds ; the largest weighing fourteen hundred pounds, and the smallest two hundred pounds.
In the autumn of 1877, at a session of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States held in Boston, the Rev. Mr. Hutchins, rector of this parish, was elected secretary of the House of Deputies, and has continued in the office to the present time.
In the spring of 1882, the parish, feeling the need of a building for Sunday-school and other purposes connected with church work, entered upon the plan of erecting a Sunday-school chapel. The necessary funds were secured, and the corner-stone was laid on June II, in connection with the Sunday-school anniversary. The building, which
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
is of stone, was completed in the autumn, and was used for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 22, of the same year. It provides convenient and capacious rooms for the ses- sions of the Sunday school and Bible-classes, rooms for choir use, a proper place for religious services, facilities for various kinds of church work, and an admirable room for a small day school which has since been carried on in it. The total cost of the building and its furnishing was about $7,700.
In the year 1883 a general renovation and decoration of the interior of the church was accomplished at an expense of about $3,000. The church contains many beautiful accessories to worship, the gifts of parishioners and friends. Amongst these may be mentioned a brass lectern, an elegant altar cross, and a marble baptismal font. A memorial bronze tablet erected by parishioners bears the name of her whose Christian munificence built the church, and memorial windows tell of the faithful departed who have gone to rest. Famed both for its exterior and interior beauty, the church is an object of interest and attraction to many visitors.
The experience of the church has been one of general prosperity ; and on its present solid foundation, a still wider field of usefulness is open before it.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, WEST MEDFORD.
This church had its origin in a union Sunday school which held its first session in Mystic Hall, May 28, 1865.
About three years later the West Medford Christian Union was formed for the support of public religious wor- ship ; and preaching-services were held Sunday morning and evening in Mystic Hall, and the Sunday school in the afternoon. As there was no church organization, the arrangement was not altogether satisfactory. Several plans for a church were considered and given up, when a few citizens thought that a Congregational church could be supported if an organization was effected. A meeting was held at the house of Mr. John H. Norton on the even- ing of Feb. 22, 1872, and a committee appointed to con- sider the subject. The committee reported in favor of organizing a church, and submitted articles of faith, and by-laws, that were accepted ; and officers were chosen June I. The church was formally organized with public
EN. BROWN:5C.
WEST-MEDFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
services, June 12, 1872, with twenty-six members, sixteen of whom came from the First Trinitarian Congregational Church of Medford. July 27 a society was formed to co- operate with the church, and to take the place of the Chris- tian Union in the support of religious services.
After much discussion as to location, the society at a meeting held July 7, 1873, voted to purchase the lot at the corner of Harvard Avenue and Bowers Street. A building committee was appointed, of which Mr. C. M. Barrett was chairman ; and steps were taken to erect the present church-edifice.
The corner-stone was laid Sept. 16, and the vestry occupied in May, 1874. The church was finished and dedicated Oct. 14, 1874; and the pastor elect, the Rev. M. M. Cutter, was installed on that day.
John H. Norton and Ira P. Ackerman were the first deacons. David H. Brown was the first clerk of the church, and the first treasurer of the society ; and the Hon. Abner J. Phipps the first chairman of the standing com- mittee. The pastors have been : Rev. Edwin L. Jaggar, acting pastor, Jan. 2, 1873, to July 12, 1874; Rev. M. M. Cutter, installed Oct. 14, 1874, dismissed March, 1882; Rev. Edward C. Hood, installed Sept. 13, 1882.
The number of persons admitted to the church up to this date (1885) is 160.
A communion-service was presented to the church by the Mystic Church of Medford, the largest donor being Deacon Galen James.
The pulpit Bible was presented by Mr. B. C. Leonard.
The church and society have steadily grown with the increase of the population of the village; and under the able and efficient leadership of the present and preceding pastors they have enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, and the heavy debt, which has been a great drawback to success, has been paid. Connected with the church is a flourishing Sunday school of more than two hundred members, and a large and carefully selected library.
TRINITY METHODIST-EPISCOPAL SOCIETY OF WEST MEDFORD.
This society was organized April 1, 1872.
The chapel, corner of Bowers and Holton Streets, in which the society now worships, was erected in 1873, and
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
dedicated Nov. 5 of that year; Rev. Andrew Mckeown, D.D., preaching the dedicatory sermon.
The church has been served by the following named pastors : Francis J. Wagner, June, 1873, to January, 1874; Leonidas L. H. Hamilton, Jan. 18, 1874, to January, 1875 ; Ernest, C. Herdman, January to April, 1875; John F. Brant, April, 1875, to April, 1876; William Full, April 18, 1876, to April, 1877; Jarvis A. Ames, April 18, 1877, to April, 1880; George M. Smiley, April, 1880, to April, 1883. Mr. Smiley was succeeded in April, 1883, by the present pastor, Charles W. Wilder.
The society has increased in numbers and strength along with the growth of the village, and is now enjoying a greater degree of prosperity than at any former period of its history.
The present officers of the church are: Rev. C. W. Wilder, pastor ; Nelson Taylor, William McLean, S. C. Johnson, Leonard Stearns, O. M. Winship, George Hatch, P. G. Scoboria, W. H. Beekman, and L. H. Lovering, trustees; N. Taylor, W. McLean, S. C. Johnson, L. Stearns, O. M. Winship, G. Hatch, P. G. Scoboria, W. H. Beekman, R. Gilmour, M. W. Pierce, and J. F. Richard- son, stewards ; S. C. Johnson, superintendent of Sunday school.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first public service of the Catholic Church was held in the Town Hall in 1849, and was conducted by Rev. Manassas P. Doherty. The attendance gathered from several of the neighboring towns. Services were held once a month, and the congregations were quite large. Confessions were heard in the old Wade House, standing where Small's Block is now located, and occupied by Eugene and Daniel Vaughan.
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