USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Shirley > History of the town of Shirley, Massachusetts, from its early settlement to A.D. 1882 > Part 22
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The new church was immediately commenced, and was finished in the autumn of the succeeding year. The following description of the new structure was published in a Boston newspaper about the time of its completion :
"The architects were Messrs. Snell & Gregerson of Boston, and the builders, Messrs. Black & French, of Marlboro', Mass. The style of architecture is the early English Gothic, adapted to wooden structures. The length of the edifice, including chancel and vestry, is IIO feet. The width is 41 feet. Including the porch and tower, the width is 66 feet. The height of the spire is 100 feet, and is sufficiently capacious at the base to admit the entrance of carriages. The color of the exterior wall is two tints of light and darker yellowish brown, and the roof is of reddish brown. The interior of the church consists of a nave with aisles and a chancel, the pews extending no further than the pillars of the aisle arches, and hence there is no obstruction to the view of any in the congregation. The nave and chancel are both covered with open-timbered roof and ceiling. There are three windows in the chancel, and the nave is lighted by the windows in the aisles, by a series of clere-story windows, and a triplet window at the end opposite the chancel. Under this triplet window the organ is placed, and beyond this is built the vestry and committee room, with a large entrance porch. The vestry and committee room are reached directly from the audience room, through doors upon either side of the organ. The frescoing was done by William Carl of Boston, from designs furnished by the architects. The ceiling is blue with red border stripes, the timber work of black-walnut color, and the walls are 36
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painted in rich and subdued coloring, relieved by lines of different tints and bands of ornamental design.
"The new organ was built by E. L. Holbrook of East Medway, and its case is in keeping with the archi- tecture of the church. It contains twenty-four stops : nine in the great organ, nine in the swell organ, and six for coupling and other arrangements. It cost about $3,000, and is pronounced a fine instrument. The building is heated by a large furnace. As there are no public gas works in the village, a gas machine from the Empire Gas Machine Company has been placed in the cellar, and the church is finely lighted by jets at the caps of the pillars, and also by two chandeliers suspended from the roof. Everything about the structure is new, excepting the bell which hangs in the tower, and which was taken from the old church."
On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 23rd, 1870, this new and beautiful temple was consecrated to the service of Christian worship, the following being the order of performances :
Prayers were offered by Rev. Benjamin Whittemore, D. D. ; scripture reading by Rev. Benton Smith, formerly pastor of the society, who also offered the prayer of dedi- cation ; sermon by Rev. E. C. Bolles ; an address to the society by Rev. J. G. Adams.
The sermon was a very eloquent and acceptable per- formance. It was founded on the text from Hebrews viii, 2 : "A minister of the sanctuary and of the true taber- nacle, which the Lord pitched and not man."
The entire expense of the church was $25,000, a considerable portion of which was contributed by N. C. Munson, Esq., whose charities have been almost as boundless as the wants of his fellow-citizens. Long will the structure remain, a monument of his generosity and of the perseverance and sacrifices of his fellow-worship- pers.
From the year 1846 to the present time the services of religion have been regularly sustained by the Univer- salists of Shirley, except during a year in 1869-70, when
Autoglyph Print, W. P. ALLEN, Gardner, Mass.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
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their present church was in process of building. Before the period first-named, the pecuniary ability of the society was not such as to have unintermitted Sunday services, even when favored by the labors of a resident minister. Indeed, so much were its prudential interests neglected for several years, that, as a society, it became legally extinct more than once. On the second day of April, 1830, it was reorganized, by process of law, and received the name of the Second Universalist Society in Shirley. Again, in 1845, having a second time ceased from its legal corporate existence, it was re-established by a third act of incorporation under the title of First Universalist Society in Shirley. It is now under such regulations, and sus- tained by such a regard for the ordinances of the gospel, as to justify the belief that it will in future maintain its position and do its appropriate work. It should be the fervent prayer of all Christians that it may gather within its fold any and all who might otherwise be destitute of congenial religious instruction.
In the year 1818-about twelve months after the first meeting-house had been dedicated-Mr. Jacob Wood, who had formerly preached in Oxford, was installed over the Universalist Society. The services were conducted by Rev. Edward Turner of Charlestown, and Rev. Paul Dean of Boston. Mr. Wood was an able preacher. He distinguished himself. by his strong adherence to the Res- torationists' scheme of Universalism, as opposed to the radical theory of Hosea Ballou and others; and he wrote several works-in defence of the doctrines of a future judgment and punishment, to be succeeded by a recon- ciliation of all souls to God ! Mr. Wood remained in Shirley about five years, when he received a settlement in Shrewsbury. He removed from there to Saco, Maine, and from there to Troy, New York, where he engaged in some secular pursuit. He died in 1852, having for several years been partially deprived of the use of his limbs, and of the full power of speech, by paralysis.
After the departure of Mr. Wood the society was des- titute of a resident minister for four or five years. It had,
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in consequence, but infrequent church services on the Lord's day, and a gradual decline of all religious interest became apparent. This condition of things continued until 1829, when Rev. Russell Streeter of Watertown purchased a farm in Shirley, and became a resident here. He was at once engaged to statedly supply the pulpit of the Universalist Society, and became its minister without the usual form of induction. He continued his pulpit and pastoral duties, with varied success, until 1834, when he removed to Woodstock, Vermont. There he resided and preached until 1847, when he removed to Portland, Maine, the place where he had previously labored in the gospel.
During the eleven years that intervened between the dismissal of Mr. Streeter and the remodelling of the meeting-house in 1846, the society availed itself of the partial services of ministers from other towns. For a part of this time it employed, every alternate Sunday, Mr. John Pierce of Lunenburg, a young man of much promise, who early fell a victim to consumption. It also secured the labors of Rev. Mr. Pope of Sterling, half the time, for one or two years; and for a similar time Mr. Harriman of Harvard was employed-since governor of New Hampshire. But after the completion of the im- provements in the meeting-house, Mr. Josiah A. Coolidge, -late of Petersham,-was engaged to constantly supply the pulpit. He accordingly removed to town, and was connected with the society for two years, when the con- nection was dissolved, and he removed to Lexington, where he obtained a more permanent settlement.
In 1849 Rev. Benton Smith, who had been minister- ing in Hardwick, received an invitation to make Shirley his place of residence and become the pastor of the First Universalist Parish. He accepted the call, and very acceptably performed the duties of the sacred office for the space of five years. At his own request his connec- tion with the society was then dissolved ; and he removed, first to South Reading, and then to Chatham, situated on
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Cape Cod. He now resides in Boston, as agent of the Universalist Publishing House. Mr. Smith has always retained a warm interest in the welfare of the society, and has kindly labored in its behalf, both by word and deed.
Soon after the departure of Mr. Smith, the society engaged the Rev. Orren Perkins to supply their pulpit for one year. Mr. Perkins was a man of urbane manners, of pleasing address, and possessed a well-cultivated intellect. He was a frequent contributor to the periodicals of his . denomination, and while he resided in Shirley published a sermon occasioned by the loss of the steamer Arctic, which was a highly creditable performance.
In 1855 Rev. E. W. Coffin, who had previously labored with a society in Gloucester, became minister of the Universalist Society in Shirley. His connection with it, however, lasted but two years, when he received a dismission and removed to Jaffrey, New Hampshire. During a part of the second year of his engagement in Shirley he connected with his ecclesiastical responsibilities the care of a day-school. His fidelity in the discharge of his duties, in both departments of labor, secured for him the merited esteem of his patrons and friends. His removal from town was a source of general regret.
Soon after the departure of Mr. Coffin from the pas- torship of the society Mr. George F. Jenks of Salem was appointed to discharge the duties of the vacant office. After a probation of several months he was invited to accept a permanent settlement. He was accordingly ordained May 5, 1858. The following order of exercises was observed on the occasion :
Invocation and reading of the scriptures by Rev. H. A. Eaton ; sermon by Rev. G. H. Emerson-text, I Cor., i, 21 : "For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching'to save them that believe." The prayer of ordination was offered by Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, who also gave the charge to the people; charge to the pastor by Rev. S. Ellis ; right-hand of fellowship by Rev. Quincy
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Whitney, and benediction by the pastor installed. After a quiet and successful ministry of over three years Mr. Jenks was dismissed from his charge, and entered another field of labor and usefulness. His retiring habits, unob- trusive manners and truly Christian demeanor, commended him to the respect of his parishioners and to the good-will of the entire community.
In April of the year 1861 Mr. Cyrus B. Lombard came to Shirley, and was engaged as a minister of the Universalist Society for an indefinite period. He entered upon the duties of his engagement without the usual form of induction, and for two years labored in word and deed with a due degree of acceptance to the people of his charge. His pulpit talents were creditable, and his voice and graceful delivery commended him as a public teacher of divine truth. His whole term of service was five years ; yet he had periods of absence for months in succession during the latter half of his engagement. During his resi- dence in Shirley he buried his wife, who was a very inter- esting and worthy woman. He removed to Springfield, Illinois, and became a resident of that city.
In the year 1866 Ezekiel Fitzgerald entered upon ministerial relations with the Universalists of Shirley, and sustained those relations a little less than two years. He began his labors under what was considered favorable auspices, but before long found it congenial with his interest and happiness to dissolve his connection, which promised but little of gospel fruit to either party. He soon entered into an engagement with the Congregational (Unitarian) Society at Bolton, and removed to that town.
After the completion of the new church, Mr. H. A. Philbrook became the resident minister of the Universalist Society. He sustained that relation with honor to him- self and success to his parishioners for nearly two years, when he removed to Nashua, New Hampshire, where he found a larger and more congenial sphere for his minis- terial operations.
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From the time that Mr. Philbrook left town, which was December 7th, 1872, until the close of the year 1874, the pulpit was supplied by transient preachers, living in and out of town ; but, at a meeting holden January Ist, 1875, it was voted "on account of the embarrassing times and stagnation in business," to suspend public services in the church for a season. In May, 1876, these services were resumed, and during the October following Mr. J. W. Keyes was engaged as preacher. He was a native of Dunstable, New Hampshire, but came to Shirley from Auburn, New York. He continued his ministrations until April 1, 1879, when he removed to Pawtucket, Rhode Island. From that time to December, 1880, the pulpit was supplied by transient ministers, chiefly undergradu- ates from Tufts College. At this latter date Mr. James Vincent was appointed the pastor of the society on a salary of $900.
This latter settlement gives some promise of perma- nency ; a result devoutly to be desired, in view of the evil of frequent changes, such as have been recorded in this chapter. Certain advantages may be derived from such a course which are not realized under more lasting engage- ments ; but these advantages are offset by evils that cannot be numbered for multitude. To make the connection what it was designed to be-a thorough relationship between pastor and people-time must be allowed for thorough acquaintance which cannot be the work of a few years.
The first church connected with the Universalist parish was gathered under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Wood; and, while his connection with the society lasted, the ordinances were duly observed ; but, during the long interval which subsequently occurred, when the people were without a stated ministry, the ordinances were dis- continued, and the church, as a separate organization, became extinct.
During the pastorship of Mr. Coolidge a new church was organized, consisting of twenty-one members. This
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church was publicly recognized on the first Sunday in January, 1847; and it then received the gift of a new Communion service, presented by Mr. Joshua B. Fowle of Boston.
At its second organization there were but two persons left of the former communion, established by Mr. Wood ; all the others having left town or been carried to their long homes.
Under the ministry of Mr. Smith, five persons were added to the number of communicants, and during the pastorship of Mr. Jenks twelve more made a public pro- fession of religion.
Connected with this parish is a Sunday-school. It was established when the society was without a stated min- istry, but has been quickened and enlarged under the care and oversight of the several resident pastors. For the use of this school, and for adult reading, a library has been gathered, consisting of from seven to eight hundred volumes. These books have been carefully covered and kept, and as arranged upon shelves make an imposing appearance. A good library is of inestimable worth to a religious community.
A ladies' charitable association is also connected with this assembly of worshippers. Through the labors of this institution the upholstery of the second meeting-house was furnished, and some other important fixtures for the church were also supplied. The wants of the Sunday- school have been met from the same source; so, likewise, have the funds of the parish been relieved, from year to year, by this ever-ready charity.
On the whole this may be set down as a working ecclesiastical community, through whose well-directed labors much personal as well as general good has un- doubtedly been realized, and from whose labors an influ- ence will continue to go forth by which the town will be variously and essentially benefited.
CHAPTER VI.
First Congregational Parish-Formation of the First Parish-Engagement of Rev. Mr. Chandler-His Settlement - Hymn Books - New Bell - Sunday- School-Ladies' Benevolent Society-Alteration of the Meeting-House-Legacy of Thomas Whitney, Esq .- Legacy of Hon. James P. Whitney-Church Organ-Removal of the Meeting-House-Other al- terations-Benefactions to the Society-Library, etc.
As we have seen in the foregoing chapters, congrega- tional church government and worship prevailed without dissent in the town of Shirley until the year 1780, when the Shaker secession occurred. This secession was op- posed without avail, both by municipal legislation and mob-law persecution. The number of secessionists was, however, so small that their loss could not materially disturb the ecclesiastical arrangements of the majority. But when, in 1812, the Universalist Society was organized, it was judged expedient, by those who wished to retain the ancient church order, to rally, and by the formation of a parish, disconnect their prudential affairs from the mu- nicipal oversight and charge of the town. Yet the diffi- culties attending such a change were so great that several years passed away before the cherished object could be effected.
The time for its accomplishment, however, came; and, at the request of petitioners, Caleb Butler, Esq., of Groton, a justice of the peace, issued a warrant deputing Thomas Whitney, Esq., of Shirley, to call a meeting for the purpose of organizing the First Congregational Society.
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This meeting was convened March 20, 1822. Na- thaniel Holden, Esq., was elected moderator, and Thomas Whitney, Esq., was chosen parish clerk. Mr. Stephen Barrett, Capt. Artemas Longley and Mr. Willard Porter, were chosen parish committee. Dr. Benjamin Hartwell, parish treasurer, and Mr. Daniel Dodge, parish collector.
For the space of twelve years there was no stated ministry connected with the First Parish. It called its annual meetings and elected its officers, and in this way preserved its identity. During this long period, however, there were steady yet declining efforts made to have the pulpit supplied a portion of the time. For a few of the first years there was preaching for about nine months each year during the pleasantest part of the season ; afterwards, the parish was able to raise funds for only six months of the year, and finally the time was reduced to three months ; and in the year 1832 the pulpit was occupied only for a single sabbath. But few permanent beneficial results could be realized from such a transient ministry. Indeed, a gradual decay of religious interest was manifest through- out the town. The sabbath lost its sacredness as the sanctuary declined, the young grew up without the influ- ences of public religious instruction, and a moral dearth seemed to pervade every class of society.
To save the parish from complete dissolution different plans were projected. At one time it was proposed to raise a five years' subscription, and have regular ministra- tions of the word at once established and placed upon a permanent basis. But after canvassing the town every effort failed of securing an adequate sum, and the project was necessarily abandoned. At another time a proposal was made to unite the Universalist society with the First Parish, and have each pulpit supplied by the same individ- ual, in proportion to the amount raised by each society. But after a few incipient efforts this plan was not found feasible, and was rejected by both parties. With the failure of this last project the hopes of even the most san- guine began to waver, and strong signs appeared that the
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ancient tabernacle of the Most High would be literally forsaken.
While the town of Shirley was thus covered with re- ligious gloom, sectarian effort was at work in many parts of the commonwealth, to divide the congregational order and make a separate denomination of that part adhering to the trinitarian theory.
In 1828 this new schism reached Shirley, and a few . families seceded from the First Parish, took up their re- lation with the First Church, and gathered around an altar of a more congenial faith.
The adherents of the First Society had now become so reduced that very few hopes were entertained that it could ever be so far resuscitated as to resume the public worship of the sanctuary with any prospect of its continu- ance. Yet, a few faithful souls remained who could not be deterred from further effort. Like the Israelites, when enduring their captivity in Babylon, these persons looked towards the sanctuary of their fathers as the place where they could best worship. And their hopes, though often disappointed and long deferred, were. at length fully realized.
In the year 1834 a vigorous effort was made to raise, by subscription, the sum of four hundred dollars with which to secure the exclusive services of some minister for one year. The effort was successful, and the parish was prepared to hear candidates. A Mr. St. Clair came and preached on the two last Sundays in May, of the above- named year. On the first two Sundays of the following month, the pulpit was supplied by a Mr. Chandler, who resided, at the time, in Oxford.
At a parish meeting, convened for the purpose, it was voted to hear no more candidates, but to decide by ballot which of the two who had already presented themselves should be employed for one year. Mr. St. Clair received six votes, and Mr. Chandler received twenty votes, and was declared elected.
At the expiration of his first contract with the parish, Mr. Chandler was engaged for a longer period; and,
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having remained the incumbent of the pulpit about two and a half years, it was proposed that he receive a perma- nent settlement as the minister of the First Parish.
At a meeting duly called, the following votes were passed unanimously :
"I. Voted, that the parish invite the Rev. Seth Chand- ler to settle with them in the gospel ministry, upon a salary of four hundred dollars per annum, to be raised by sub- scription ;- it being understood that either party to the settlement may at all times be at liberty to terminate it, by giving the other party three months' notice of such inten- tion.
"2. Voted, that Thomas Whitney, Amos Day, and Joshua B. Fowle, be a committee to communicate to Mr. Chandler the foregoing vote."
The committee concluded their letter to the candidate, embodying these votes of the parish, with the following words : "The above named committee have the pleasure to communicate to the Rev. Mr. Chandler the foregoing votes, and at the same time to express a wish that he may comply therewith."
To this invitation the candidate gave an affirmative answer, whereupon a committee was appointed to invite a council of ministers from the neighboring towns to assist in the installation services.
On the day of appointment the council assembled, and were gratuitously entertained by the hospitality of Thomas Whitney, Esq. The minutes of the council are here inserted from the records of the parish :
"Shirley, Dec. 14, 1836. By virtue of letters missive , from the First Congregational Church in Shirley, an eccle- siastical council convened at the house of Thomas Whitney, Esq., in said town of Shirley, and was organized by the choice of Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, moderator, and Rev. Washington Gilbert, scribe.
"The moderator led the council in an address to the throne of grace. On entering upon the deliberations
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connected with the occasion, a call being made, the follow- ing churches were found to be represented :
"Church in Lancaster, by Rev. N. Thayer, D. D., and Bro. J. Wilder; church in Bolton, by Rev. Isaac Allen and Dea. Pollard ; church in Fitchburg, by Rev. Calvin Lincoln and Bro. F. Perkins ; church in Pepperell, by Rev. Charles Babbidge and Bro. J. Tucker ; church in Groton, by Rev. Charles Robinson and Bro. W. Livermore ; church in Littleton, by Rev. Wm. H. White and Bro. N. Harwood ; church in Harvard, by Rev. W. Gilbert, Bro. J. Gardner and Dea. Jno. Fairbanks; church in Marl boro', by Rev. Wm. Morse and Dea. E. Rice.
"After having attended to the reading of the proceed- ings of the church and society in reference to the settlement of Mr. Chandler with them in the gospel ministry, and after taking into consideration his qualifica- tions for the office, it was voted unanimously to approve of the same and proceed to his installation.
"The public services were assigned as follows : intro- ductory prayer, by Rev. Mr. White; reading the scrip- tures, by Rev. Mr. Gilbert; sermon, by Rev. Mr. Lincoln ; installing prayer, by Rev. Mr. Morse ; charge, by Rev. Dr. Thayer; fellowship of the churches, by Rev. Mr. Babbidge; address to the society, by Rev. Mr. Robinson ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Mr. Allen.
"The council then adjourned to the church.
" (Signed) "NATHANIEL THAYER, Moderator.
"Attest : WASHINGTON GILBERT, Scribe."
This was the establishment of a ministry, commenced under the most disheartening circumstances, which by the blessing of God has been continued more than forty years.
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