USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke, past and present, 1745-1895. > Part 3
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Rev. Dr. J. W. T. Boothe of Wilmington, Del., is the present pastor, a man of wide experience, pronounced views and marked ministerial ability.
Previous to 1853 the few Methodists living in this town were members of and attended service at the South Hadley Falls M. E. Church. A class had been formed this side of the river, and in 1853 Rev. Thomas Marcy com- menced regular preaching services in Lyceum Hall in Exchange Block on High street. Mr. Marcy could devote but a small part of his time to the work here, owing to his duties at Northampton. But the interest manifested in the services, and truly felt by the few of this denomination in the town, warranted the formation of a society, and this was accordingly done in May of that year, with twenty members In the autumn the society moved into Gallaudet & Terry's Hall on High street, where they remained until 1857, when they again moved into Chapin Hall, which they continued to occupy till the completion of the vestry of their Church, July 4, 1869 Of the twenty original members, only three are now living in the city-Anderson Allyn and Rebecca Allyn, his wife, and Mrs. Mary E Barrett. In 1868, the Church officials sent a request to conference for a "man who could build a Church, no matter whether he could preach or not."
In response to this request, in 1868, Rev. I. B. Bigelow was sent-a man who had had considerable experience in the work of Church building, and one who could both preach and attend to business of a temporal nature. Like the workmen of Nehemiah, he, "with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon," even "the sword of the Spirit." So while his work was eminently successful in the speedy rising of the walls of a new Church edifice, his work for the salvation of souls was also greatly blessed.
Mr. Bigelow gave generously of his own means and inspired a like feeling in the hearts of his people, and what is now known as the "Old Methodist Church," corner of Main and Appleton streets, was erected. It was dedi- cated in March, 1870 ; cost $16,000.
The mistake of locating so far down town away from the residential portion was keenly felt twenty years later, and in 1886 Rev. G. C. Osgood, then pastor, began an earnest study of the problem with a view to bettering existing conditions. Energy and hard work were brought to bear in the matter of a new Church, and in July, 1890, the handsome new Church on the southeast corner of Appleton and Elm streets was completed ; cost $42,000.
Rev. W. E. Knox, the present pastor, has taken up the good work and during the hard times has worked inde- defatigably and successfully on the reduction of the Church debt. His work has been carried on under the most diffi-
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cult conditions and the Church is now nearing that triumphant period in Church history when it can declare itself free from debt.
The organization of an Episcopal society dates farther back in Holyoke than many, even a good many of St. Paul's congregation, are aware of. In December, 1849, an Episcopal parish was established in Holyoke, in due legal form, at the office of Mr. Fayette Smith, justice of the peace. The name chosen was Trinity Church. Services were held regularly for about four months, Rev. Henry W. Adams officiating as rector. Rev. Mr. Adams resigned in April, 1850, and the project of an Episcopal Church was soon after abandoned, not meeting with the support which had been anticipated. In the early parish records, under date of June, 1850, appears this record : ""'Owe no man any- thing,' Rom. xiii : 8. There being demands against the parish for about $100, for fuel, rent of organ, making fires, care of room, etc., etc., and no funds in the treasury, the treasurer paid the same from his purse, and so saved the credit of the parish.
No further effort to establish an Episcopal Church in this town was made till 1863. On Sunday, August 30, of that year, at the request of a gentleman residing here, Rev. Mr. Mines, of Westfield, and Rev. Mr. Cooley of South- ington, Conn., officiated at Episcopal services held in Exchange Hall. Services were held in the same place on two succeeding Sabbaths ; and on September 28, the people interested in the formation of a parish met under a warrant duly issued, and with the advice of Bishop Eastburn, to take the necessary steps for complete organization. At this meeting Mr. John E. Chase was chosen moderator and Mr. J. P. Buckland clerk. Committees were appointed to nominate vestrymen and wardens, and to prepare a constitution and by-laws. These committees reported October 12. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the name 'St. Paul's Church" was selected.
Mr. Jones S. Davis offered the society the free use of a chapel and parsonage on Maple street, and here the congregation worshipped two years.
In 1865 the parish was subject to considerable discouragement, for the chapel in Maple street had been given up and meetings were held in the hall of the High Street Engine house which was uncomfortable and unsuitable. In June, 1866, J. S. Davis kindly gave the use of the cloth-room hall of the Lyman Mills until they had a hall of their own. The corner stone of the new Church was laid July 5, 1866, on the present location, corner of Maple and Suf- folk streets.
Rev. Dr. Peet was one of the most remarkable rectors a parish ever had. Some of his first work was to clear
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ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
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the debt on the new Church and on the 9th of April. 1871, he announced to the congregation the happy fact that the parish was now free from all encumbrance. Dr. Peet's ministry showed the strong influence of a consecrated man who entered into the joys and sorrows of his people as though they were his own. Mr. J. G. Mackintosh put into the Church a $3,000 pipe organ.
It was during the Rev. H. L. Foote's pastorate that the Maple street parsonage in the rear of the Church was fitted and ready for use and in 1887 a gallery was built across the north end of the Church. The necessity of a new Church being felt, at Easter, 1888, a permanent building fund was started. Rev. J. C. Wellwood, the present rector, came here in 1881 and did diligent work. In March, 1894, a fine lot at the corner of Appleton and Linden streets was purchased with the view of sometime putting up a large Church, the demands on the present building more than equaling its capacity. The parish house on Maple street, an acquisition of the year 1893, is used for social purposes and forms an important adjunct to the Church.
St. Jerome has the proud record of being the oldest Catholic Church in the city, and Rev. P. J. Harkins, a sturdy, original figure in the history of the Church. The parish organization dates back to 1856. In 1860 the hand- some large Church, corner Hampden and Chestnut streets, was completed.
Previous to the organization of the parish, occasional Catholic services had been conducted here by the pastors of Churches in surrounding towns. In the summer of 1848 such services were held out of doors under a large elm tree which stood in a pasture near where is now the corner of Dwight and Elm streets. In 1849 Father Strain, who was then pastor of the Church at Chicopee, commenced holding services quite regularly in Exchange Hall. At that time there were about 300 Catholics in town.
In 1856 Rev. Jeremiah O'Callaghan was appointed the first resident pastor, and it was under his ministry that the Church edifice was built. He died in 1861, and was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Sullivan.
In 1868 the present pastor, Rev. P. J. Harkins, was appointed to this parish, and under his careful oversight the Church has seen remarkable growth, as is evidenced in the largely increased number of its members, the three other parishes in the city being outgrowths from this one, and in the material prosperity in all the departments of his work.
Connected with this Church are the Convent of Notre Dame, the House of Providence, and two parochial schools, the school of Notre Dame exclusively for girls under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame and the St. Jerome Institute for boys.
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ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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The St. Jerome Temperance Society, owning the fine building on Maple street known as the St. Jerome Tem- perance Hall, was organized by Father Harkins in 1868. Since then the Catholic parish lines of the city have been greatly changed, so that this building is brought into the parish of the Sacred Heart Church.
Prior to 1870 the French people had worshipped at the mother Church of St. Jerome. In 1869 Rev. A. B. Dufresne was deputed by Bishop Williams, of Boston, to organize a new society for the French of this city. He immediately commenced building a Church edifice on Park street, which was dedicated Janurary 1, 1870.
On May 27, 1875, this Church was burned to the ground, the fire originating in the drapery about the altar tak- ing fire during a religious service, while the house was filled with worshippers. By this sad catastrophe 72 persons lost their lives, and many homes were filled with mourning.
That same year the building of the present Church was commenced on the corner of Cabot and Park streets. It was completed and dedicated June 3, 1878.
Father Dufresne died May 14, 1887, and was immediately succeeded by Rev. H. O. Landry, and he by Rev. C. Crevier, the present pastor. The music is rendered by a chorus choir of fifty voices, under the direction of Miss Selina Laporte, who is also organist.
There is one parochial school, for both boys and girls, connected with the parish, and this has about 1, 100 pupils. This school is under the charge of the parish convent sisters.
The present organization, known as Unity Church, dates back to 1874. Previous to that date, however, in December, 1849, a movement for a Liberal Church organization had been inaugurated in Gallaudet's Hall on High street, when the pastor of the Universalist Society at Westfield had preached for a few Sabbaths to a congregation of about 50 persons. This movement was short lived.
Again in 1853 Odd Fellows' Hall, in the Colby Building, on High street, was rented, and Rev. Mr. Ford preached there for nearly three years, the congregation averaging from 75 to 100.
These two movements were fostered and supported for the most part by the Universalist denomination.
In :857 Rev. Dr. Moors, a Unitarian clergyman, commenced preaching services here. Dr. Moors soon re- ceived and accepted a call to Greenfield, Mass., and left his work in Holyoke to the care of Rev. Mr. Penniman. A few months after this the society suddenly collapsed, much to the surprise of many of those specially interested.
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J
CHURCH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD.
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No further attempt was made toward a Unitarian Church in Holyoke until 1874. May 27th of that year 16 persons banded themselves together for the avowed purpose of "maintaining public worship, and advocating piety and good morals under the name of the Unitarian Society of Holyoke." This society was legally incorporated June 27, 1874. In 1875 the Water Power Company, with the same gener- osity that had been shown to other denominations in the city, donated to this society a lot of land, for a Church building, on the corner of Maple and Essex streets 100 by 150 feet. This was an inspiration to the Unitarian people, and July 29, 1875, steps were taken looking to the erection of a Church edifice. A building committee was ap- pointed, and also a committee to solicit funds for this purpose.
September 6 of that year it was voted to proceed at once to build a chapel, not to exceed $6,500 in cost. This chapel was completed some time in February or March, 1876.
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The first record of a meeting in the new edifice was that held on March 22, 1876. The present pastor, Rev. James W. Carney, was called by the society November 23, 1886, and began his duties December 5. He was ordained and installed January 11, 1887.
In the summer of 1889 extensive alterations were made in the Church building, mainly in the way of an ad- dition, making the edifice more than double its original size. This was done at an expense of about $9,000.
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The Church of the Sacred Heart is the third Catholic parish and Church in this city. It is an outgrowth of the St. Jerome parish and was organized by Rev. P. J. Harkins. All the Catholics living south of the center of Dwight street, except the French, are members of this parish. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1876. Rev. James F. Sheehan was the first resident priest. During his pastorate the parochial residence just south of the Church was built.
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART.
Father Sheehan was succeeded by Rev. P. B. Phelan, the present pastor, who found the parish embarrassed with a debt of $40,000, and having an annual income of $2,700 with which to meet all obligations. Notwithstanding this unsatis- factory financial condition, Father Phelan set to work courageously for the finishing of the large upper audience room of
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the Church, and had the satisfaction of seeing this work com- pleted in the spring of 1883. The dedication took place in June. The entire cost of the Church, including the furnish- ings, was about $90,000. It will seat 1,250 persons, and at the time of dedication was the handsomest Church in the diocese. Its dimensions are 80 by 175 feet.
In addition to this work, Father Phelan has erected a building for his parochial schools, and a convent building, both costing $35,000.
He has two schools, one for boys and the other for girls, both taught by nine Sisters of the St. Joseph Convent, con- nected with the parish. In both schools there are about 450 pupils. In 1882 a lot for cemetery purposes was purchased on Northampton street, next to the old town cemetery.
The parish known as " Our Lady of the Rosary " was set apart from old St. Jerome's in the spring of 1886. Rev. M. J. Howard, for some years a co-laborer with Rev. J. J. McDer- mott, of Springfield, was deputed, on March 26, 1886, to assume the direction of the Catholic portion of the population living on the easterly extreme of the city.
At this time no preparation was made for service or lodgment of pastor. By a fortunate combination of circum- stances, the old " Second Baptist " had lost its former useful- ness, and had become the temporary abiding place for the Catholics of Ward One.
During the early summer of 1887, a plot of land known as the "Ely Lot" was secured to the parish, and the foun-
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY.
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dations of the present structure told of the erection of a building whose architectural lines are imposing and churchlike. This Church, begun during the late summer of 1887, was dedicated and handed over to God's service on the 26th of August of the following year. On Sunday, the 23d of October, 1887, the corner-stone was laid amid the gathering of an immense concourse of people by Very Rev. P. Healy, V. G.
Rev. Father McGrath is the present acting pastor. It was from this Church that the present bishop, Rt. Rev. T. D. Beaven, was selected.
The mission from which the French Congregational Church originated was established here December 18, 1884, by Rev. Mr. Cote, the general missionary for the State of Massachusetts of the French Congregational work. The first service was held in Grace Chapel, on Main street, in which Mr. Cote was assisted by Rev. Mr. Provost, of Springfield. Some twenty of the French residents of this city were in attendance. Services were continued in this place, with an average attendance of about ten, until March of the following year, when Parsons Hall was rented.
June 28, 1885, Rev. J. L. Morin, just graduated from McGill University, Montreal, began his labors with this society under the direction of the Home Missionary Society of the Congregational Church.
In July this people commenced holding services in the chapel of the Second Congregational Church, where special interest was manifested, and many conversions were reported.
In this city a part of the population is made up of thrifty, industrious Germans, who now support two Churches. The first, . the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, was built in 1867, at a cost of $5,000, during the first pastorate of Rev. M. Frankel.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
During the pastorate of Rev. M. Buehler, a Lutheran, the parsonage in the rear of the Church was built. In 1888 the organization of the Church was perfected with seventy charter members. Soon after a call was extended to the present pastor, Rev. August Brunn, and he commenced his
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labors here in December, 1888. Under his ministry the Church is prospering. Its membership is about 150. The average attendance at the Sabbath preaching services is upward of 250. The Sunday school has 365 members, with an average attendance of about 250. In the juvenile department of this school the German language is taught.
The first definite steps towards organizing a Presbyterian Church in this city were taken May 7, 1886, when Rev. Joseph W. Sanderson, D. D., field secretary of the New Eng- land Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, visited Holyoke and called a meeting of those interested in the Presbyterian Church ; there were six persons present. These promised hearty support for the Church, and then commenced the work, which steadily increased in value until it was found necessary to erect a build- ing for the use of the people who came in. Rev. J. M. Craig, then pastor, was appointed chairman of the building committee of fifteen persons. A lot was secured from the Holyoke Water Power Company, on the corner of Cabot and Chestnut PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. streets. Work was begun on the foundation in the latter part of September, 1887, and the building was occupied for divine service on the last Sabbath in August, 1888. It was not generally dedicated till March 5, 1889. Sermon by Rev. John Hall, D. D., of New York, Present membership, 450. Rev. G. A. Wilson is the present pastor,
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The Highlands Methodist Church came into existence as a mission in 1885. Mr. James Allyn very generously donated a lot of land containing 14,000 square feet at the corner of Lincoln and Nonotuck streets.
In October the contract for building was let to Mr. L. B. White for $4,000. The corner-stone was laid the first Sunday in November, the Rev. C. S. Rogers, D. D., of Springfield, delivering the address, and on the 26th of March, 1886, the chapel was dedicated to the worship of God, Bishop R. S. Foster, LL. D., officiating and preaching the sermon. A debt of $1,800 remained on the building.
A Sunday school of about eighty members was at once organized, with S. C. Childs as superintendent, and an afternoon preaching service commenced.
In April, 1886, the Rev. G. C. Osgood was appointed to the Main street Church, and continued to hold preaching services at the Highland chapel every Sabbath afternoon for three years. A Sabbath evening prayer meet- ing, led by various brethren and occasionally by Rev. Mr. Osgood, was also started and maintained.
In February, 1889, it was thought best to organize a separate society on the Highlands and March 27, 1889, the new Church was organized with fifty members. Soon after the Church was organized steps were taken to fit up the basement of the chapel for a vestry. This has been done at a cost of $1,000, making three nice rooms, vestry, kitchen and cloak-room, besides toilet rooms. Rev. B. F. Kingsley is the present pastor.
In 1882 Mr. Samuel Etienne, who was a Congregational missionary, commenced holding French Protestant services in this city in the vestry of the Second Baptist Church on Main street. After about three years Mr. Etienne changed his views with reference to baptism, and united with the Baptist Church. This led to a division and separa- tion of his society, part of whom accepted his new views and the rest remained Congregationalists.
In 1886 Mr. Etienne removed to take charge of a similar work in Connecticut, and Mr. I. B. Leclair was appointed by the Baptist Home Missionary Society to look after the interests of the mission here. Some success attended his labors in this community, but owing to dissatisfaction on the part of the society, it was deemed best that he should go elsewhere, and so in December, 1888, he exchanged places of labor with Rev. E. Leger of Waterville, Me. The Sunday services are held in the Second Baptist chapel Sunday afternoons.
Endeavor Mission was started by the Missionary Committee of the Second Baptist Church. It was formally opened with religious services, Sunday afternoon, October 28, 1888, in the vestry of the old Baptist Church, on Main
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street, near Mosher. In 1889 it was decided that a chapel was needed and a committee from the Church, backed by the Y. P. S. C. E., determined to build on the southwest corner of Mosher and West streets. Great credit for carry- ing forward this work of building is due to Hon. Henry A. Chase, chairman of the Missionary Committee, and to Mr. J. Eveleth Griffith, president of the Young People's Christian Endeavor Society of the Second Baptist Church, and treas- urer of this building fund. The present pastor is Rev. F. F. Thayer, a most energetic Christian man.
Grace Mission, a branch of the Second Congregational Church, was started in 1879 by the young men of J. S. Mc- Elwain's Bible class. The first rooms in Parsons Hall on Race street were soon found to be inadequate, and the young men circulated a subscription paper and secured $1,000 for the erection of a chapel on Main street, which was first occupied September 7, 1879. The work has grown to such dimensions that a new Church is now under considera- tion and will be a reality soon. Rev. A. W. Remington is the pastor. In addition to his pastoral duties he publishes a paper, " The Grace Branch Advocate," and sets up and prints the same on the outfit recently purchased for that purpose.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the newest of the Catholic Churches, is situated on the most commanding site in Hol- ENDEAVOR CHAPEL. HOLYOKE, MASS yoke. It fronts Prospect Park, and school and Church are combined in one building in a complete and con- venient manner. The foundations measure 70 by 117 feet, giving a very considerable structure. The main auditorium seats 775 persons ; the school accommodations are well arranged for educational purposes. Revs. C. Bruneault and Alexander have charge of the parish, and have worked up the congregation to its present large mem- bership from its beginning when services were held in the Temperance Hall.
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THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.
The German Reformed Church Society was organized on the 16th of October, 1892, in consequence of the strongly felt need of greater efforts to reach the large unchurched mass of Germans residing in Holyoke, Willimansett and South Hadley Falls, and bringing them into loving accord with our American religious and national life. When organized, the Church counted 23 actual mem- bers, now there are 196. There is a Young People's Society of about 45 members. On February 9, 1893, the Ladies' Aid Society was organized, with 20 or more members ; the same has now a mem- bership of 94, working like bees in a hive for one object: A new Church free of debt. The choir of the Church has 15 members and has rendered invaluable self-sac- rificing services, attracting and helping to hold together a con- gregation that had no regular Church until the new Church was built on Elm and Sargeant streets. This building was dedi- cated last fall under favorable auspices. Pastor A. Buchlos has worked energetic- ally in the estab- lishment of the society and build- ing the Church.
W JMOWES DEL
THE HOLYOKE DAM.
HE completion of the coffer dam in 1848 had been anticipated with great interest, and, when the great day came, the Connecticut River Railroad ran special trains to accommodate those who wished to see the success of the construction. The pond filled slowly, and those who came to see it strolled about the river bed or caught fish in the pools when the subsidence of the water left the greater part of the bed bare. It was nearly three o'clock, and people who had remained all day were going, and after repeated warnings were getting away from all possible danger, should the dam prove unable to bear the strain of the immense body of water. Well for them that they exercised caution. At 3 :20 it became evident that the work and principle of the dam were failures, for the structure broke from its foundations, turned over, swept down with the mighty current, and the grand volume of the " Long River " asserted its right and supreme power once more.
The late Dr. J. G. Holland, then one of the editors of the Springfield Republican, who was an on-looker, gave this description in his paper next morning :
" When the water broke through, the pond had filled to within several feet of the top, and the pent-up waters rushed forth with a VIEW OF DAM WITHOUT APRON. mighty power and dashed and tumbled over the rocky bed below, sweeping away with them the now broken and scattered, but still huge portions of the wreck. The scene was both magnificent and frightful. To describe it were impossible -- no pen limner could convey a tithe of the impression that is vividly marked upon the minds of all who witnessed it. Strong hearts trembled within them and every face was pale at the sight. The labor of many minds and hundreds of hands for a long summer-the pride and the confidence of the contractors, just in the hour of
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