USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Lectures on the history of the First Church in Cambridge > Part 18
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With all these dawning hopes of ours, We dedicate our sacred past. These memories, tender as the flowers, Will yet this massive stone outlast. ]
Abide here, Father, till the day When thy great Church shall rest in thee ; Till heaven and earth shall pass away, Abide here, Blessed Trinity !
The Report of the Building Committee, containing a description of the new house, is here subjoined : -
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APPENDIX.
REPORT.
ON the 5th of August, 1870, ground was broken for the foundation of this building ; appropriate religious services were held, and many interesting circumstances relating to the building of the meeting-house we have just left, and the worthy labors of many connected therewith, both living and dead, were kindly remembered.
Our work went on; the foundation walls were built and covered until the spring of 1871. On Saturday, the 29th of April, 1871, the corner-stone of this edifice was laid, when appropriate services were held, conducted by the Pastor, Rev. A. P. Peabody, D. D., Rev. C. W. Anable, D.D., Rev. Kinsley Twining, Rev. David O. Mears, Prof. H. E. Parker, of Dartmouth College, and Rev. Mr. Jackson.
RECORD OF DEPOSITS IN THE CORNER-STONE.
The leaden box unopened from the corner-stone of the church building on the corner of Holyoke and Mt. Au- burn Streets.
A copy of the Church Manual of 1842.
Names of Members, 1861 and 1871.
Continuation of the Historical Sketch of the Church. An account of the Sabbath School.
Statement of the Building Committee.
Names of the Officers of the Church and Parish, Archi- tect, Contractor, etc., viz. :-
Pastor. ALEXANDER MCKENZIE.
Stephen T. Farwell,
Deacons. Charles T. Russell,
Charles W. Homer, George S. Saunders.
Architect. A. C. Martin.
.
.
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APPENDIX.
Building Committee.
William A. Saunders,
Ephraim P. Whitman,
James P. Melledge,
Asa Gray,
Joel Parker,
Stephen T. Farwell,
John L. Sands,
Nathaniel N. Stickney.
Prudential Committee.
William A. Saunders,
John L. Sands,
Horatio G. Parker,
Charles W. Munroe,
Nathaniel N. Stickney.
· Treasurer.
Francis Flint.
Sexton and Collector. Benjamin F. Wyeth.
Contractors.
Thomas A. Graham,
Carew and Welch,
A. L. Danforth,
J. F. and F. L. Gilman,
Stephen Holmes, James W. Bell,
T. B. Wentworth.
PAMPHLETS, as follows : -
Catalogue of Harvard College.
Catalogue of Andover Theological Seminary.
Mayor's Address to the City Government of Cambridge, 1871, with the Reports of the Departments to the City Council.
Services at the Dedication of the Soldiers' Monument, July 13, 1870.
Services at the Dedication of the Monument to the Men of Cambridge who fell on the 19th of April, 1775. Nov. 3, 1870.
Services in Commemoration of the Twenty-fifth Anniver- sary of the Settlement of Rev. J. A. Albro, D. D., and his Sermon on the Occasion. 1860.
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APPENDIX.
Memorial Services in connection with the death of Rev. J. A. Albro, D. D. December, 1866.
Introductory Sermon by Rev. A, Mckenzie. 1867.
Manuscript Sermon by the late Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., delivered. the second Sabbath after his Installation in 1792.
A book entitled "The Free Gift," by Rev. Nehemiah Adams, D. D
PICTURES OF CHURCHES AND OTHER BUILDINGS.
Of First Parish Church, Rev. William Newell, D. D., Pastor.
- Christ Church, Rev. Nicholas Hoppin, D. D., Rector.
" Baptist Church, Rev. C. W. Anable, D. D., Pastor. " St. John's Chapel, Rev. J. S. Stone, D. D., Rector.
" North Avenue Church, Rev. David O. Mears, Pastor.
" The Old Meeting-House built in 1756, on the site of Dane Law School building ; removed in 1833. (In ex- cavating for the moving of the Law School building in 1871, the corner foundation-stone of the old structure was found, and placed in the north wall of this building, with date inscribed, 1756.)
Of several of the College buildings, and a photograph from a drawing of the new Church building.
PAPERS.
A copy of the Boston Daily Advertiser, of April 29, 1871.
66
Boston Post,
66
66
Boston Journal,
66
Boston Transcript,
66
28,
66 66 Boston Traveller, 66
28, 66
66 66 Congregationalist, 66
27,
Cambridge Chronicle,
29,
66 66
Cambridge Press,
29, 66
66
Cambridge Sanitary Report.
66
Order of Exercises at the laying of the
Corner-stone.
17
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APPENDIX.
Before describing the building, we will pause and grate- fully recognize the kindly favor of our Heavenly Father from the very commencement of the work until this moment. Favored in the season, in the promptness and faithfulness with which all the departments of labor and materials have been supplied, with few mistakes to amend, and, more than all, no accident to life or limb to record, may we not, as the result of these favoring providences, rightfully rejoice that we are permitted to assemble in this beautiful, substantial, and convenient church building ? May it ever remain an ornament to our city, an honor to this interesting and his- toric locality, and by the blessing of God be a permanent memorial and worthy tribute to the ancient faith and record of the Fathers, the impress of whose labors and piety is indelible in the institutions of religion, good learning, and government around us.
It has been our purpose to erect a commodious, substan- tial building, in good architectural taste, adapted to the present wants of the parish, and we hope also for genera- tions to come to be used for the simple forms of Congrega- tional worship.
We are indebted to Mr. Martin, the architect, for the de- sign and plan. He has given much time and thought to the work, and has been successful in the outlines and gen- eral grouping so essential to architectural effect.
The plan, in its general form, is that of a cross, with nave, side and central aisles, and north and south tran- septs.
The extreme interior length of the nave, from front to rear, is 120 feet. It terminates in the rear in an octagonal apse.
The width of the nave is 34 feet ; it is separated from the side aisles by columns and semicircular arches which sup- port the roof.
The breadth of nave and side aisles together makes the
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APPENDIX.
body of the church 60 feet wide. The length across the transepts from north to south is 92 feet.
The ceiling of nave and transepts is of octagonal form, and finishes 46 feet in clear height from the floor.
Two galleries are constructed with convenient stairways within the audience room, one across the front, and the other across the north transept, for the organ and choir.
The building is supplied with 245 pews, affording 1,200 sittings.
The pews, doors, and finish throughout are of black- walnut.
Above the ceiling are large ventilating ducts carefully constructed to afford thorough ventilation.
In the rear are convenient rooms for the pastor, Sabbath- school library, etc., etc.
A vestibule on Mason Street gives access both to the church and the chapel to be built hereafter.
The principal entrance to the church is by a bold door- - way on Garden Street. There are four other entrances on Mason Street. Two will connect with the chapel from the south transept, and with the tower by an arcade of eight arches supported by columns.
The tower and spire on the east corner will be 170 feet high, and will be distinctly seen from all the streets diverg- ing from the Common.
The material of which we have built from the foundation to the tip of the spire is a durable slate, obtained within a short distance of this place ; it will be found to have a warm, rich tint, and was highly recommended by persons whose opinion we may safely accept.
For the corners and such other parts as are subject to great pressure we were fortunate in securing a red granite, in color and texture like the Scotch, a material which has been but little used in this country. This harmonizes pleasantly with the stone used in the walls.
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APPENDIX.
For other dressings, such as belts, doorways, windows, columns, and capitals, the red and light-colored Pictou stone has been used.
The architect says in his description : -
" The general character of the whole construction is de- termined by the use of the 'Round Arch.' It is employed for window and door heads, and for the arcades on Mason Street.
" It appears in the interior for the support of the roof and in the motive for all the ornament.
" No modern building can or should be a strict copy of the old, but if it be needful to specify the style of architec- ture to which the design of the church belongs, it will be found most closely to resemble the earliest of the so-called Gothic, in which the round or full centred arch has the same controlling influence as the pointed arch in the later style.
" The English call it Norman, but the true historic name is Romanesque, which marks its descent from the old Roman Basilicas, the churches in which the early Christians first worshipped."
The estimated cost reported and authorized by the society for building for occupancy, exclusive of but 30 feet of the tower, the chapel and land, was $ 70,000. This work has been done for about $ 2,500 less.
The entire cost when tower and spire are completed, and chapel built, with the land, will be $ 110,000.
The organ, adapted to the architecture of the building, was made by Messrs. E. and G. G. Hook & Hastings.
It has two manuals and a pedal of two octaves and two notes.
Compass of manuals, from Cº to A3, 58 notes.
Compass of pedal, from C to Do, 27 notes.
The case is of walnut with silvered pipes having gilded mouths : there are 31 stops ; 1,705 pipes ; 7 pedal move- ments. Cost, $ 5,000.
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APPENDIX.
On the north and south walls are inserted two stone tablets, one giving the historical events of Newtown and of the church from the beginning; the other devoted to the memory of the ministers, with their names and dates of service.
ON THE NORTH WALL.
The Lord our God be with us as He was with our Fathers.
The Settlement of this Town was begun A. D. 1631. The first Meeting-House was built A. D. 1632.
Rev. Thomas Hooker and Rev. Samuel Stone were ordained Ministers here Oct. 11, 1633 ;
They removed with their people to found Hartford, Conn., A. D. 1636. This Church was formed February 1st, A. D. 1636.
The Cambridge Platform was adopted A. D. 1648.
The Church united with the Shepard Congregational Society A. D. 1829. This House was dedicated A. D. 1872.
ON THE SOUTH WALL.
To the Memory of the Ministers of this Church.
Thomas Shepard, A. D. 1636 - 1649. Jonathan Mitchel, . A. D. 1650 - 1668. . Urian Oakes, A. D. 1671 - 1681. . A. D. 1682 - 1692. Nathaniel Gookin,
William Brattle, A. D. 1696 - 1717. Nathaniel Appleton, . A. D. 1717 - 1784. Timothy Hilliard, A. D. 1783 - 1790. Abiel Holmes, . . A. D. 1792- 1831. A. D. 1829 - 1834. John A. Albro, A. D. 1835-1865. A. D. 1867 -
The beautiful "Memorial Window" in the south tran- sept was made in London, by celebrated artists, and is pronounced admirable in design and execution.
For this we are indebted to the liberality of one of the families of this parish, from whom also we have received
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APPENDIX.
important suggestions, particularly as to the peculiar glass used in the other windows of the building.
The pulpit is the result of the labors of "little workers," the children, guided by those who are ever ready to respond to the calls of duty and good service. The font is also the children's gift.
The other furnishings of the church were supplied by the foresight, industry, and liberality of the ladies of the parish.
In short, in each department of labor necessary to com- plete the undertaking, we have found the right service cheerfully offered at the right time.
It only remains for your committee, therefore, to sur- render this edifice for dedication to the worship of Almighty God and the promotion of his kingdom. May it also be a memorial offering to the long succession of faithful min- isters, beginning with him whose honored name the society bears, -THOMAS SHEPARD.
For the Committee, WILLIAM A. SAUNDERS.
NOTE. - The glass is English, called "Cathedral," and is the same as that used in the early churches of England.
The old method of manufacturing the glass has been lost, and the way of reproducing its effect has but recently been discovered. The glass is just coming into use in this country.
The plan of renting the pews in this house upon a per- manent lease was adopted after full consideration, and has the approval of the parish. The pews have been rented with great readiness, and the financial success of the enter- prise seems already secured.
Pictures of the fourth, fifth, and sixth meeting-houses are to be found in the preceding pages, with a picture of the house erected by the First Parish after the separation.
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APPENDIX.
II.
PARSONAGE.
A PICTURE of the old parsonage, with the house of Judge Dana in the distance, will also be found in its place. Concerning this parsonage the records tell us that "at a public meeting of the church and town to consider of supply for the ministry, it was agreed that there should be a house bought or built to entertain a minister." That was in 1669, the year after Mr. Mitchel's death. In the same year the parish sold for this purpose the church's farm of six hundred acres in Shawshine for £ 230 sterling. Soon after four acres of land were purchased in what is now the College yard, nearly opposite the end of Holyoke Street. In 1670 a house was erected thirty-six feet long and thirty wide. This house was "to remain the church's, and to be the dwelling-place of such a minister and officer as the Lord shall be pleased to supply us withal, during the time that he shall supply that place amongst us." In 1720 a new front was put upon the house. All the ministers after Mr. Mitchel resided in this house until 1807, when Dr. Holmes left it for the house still standing in Holmes Place, and more particularly associated with his name. The old par- sonage house was subsequently taken down.
264
APPENDIX.
III.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH FROM ITS FORMATION IN 1636.
PASTORS.
R EV. THOMAS SHEPARD, ordained February, 1636. Died August 25, 1649.
Rev. JONATHAN MITCHEL, ordained August 21, 1650. Died July 9, 1668.
Rev. URIAN OAKES, ordained November 8, 1671. Died July 25, 1681.
Rev. NATHANIEL GOOKIN, ordained November 15, 1682. Died August 7, 1692.
Rev. WILLIAM BRATTLE, ordained November 25, 1696. Died February 15, 1717.
Rev. NATHANIEL APPLETON, D. D., ordained October 9, 1717. Died February 9, 1784.
Rev. TIMOTHY HILLIARD, installed October 27, 1783. Died May 9, 1790.
Rev. ABIEL HOLMES, D. D., installed January 25, 1792. Dismissed September 26, 1831.
Rev. NEHEMIAH ADAMS, ordained December 17, 1829. Dismissed March 14, 1834.
Rev. JOHN A. ALBRO, D. D., installed April 15, 1835. Dismissed April 15, 1865.
Rev. ALEXANDER MCKENZIE, installed January 24, 1867.
RULING ELDERS.
[The following list comprises the names of those who are known to have been Ruling Elders of the church.]
EDMUND FROST. He came to New England in 1635, and was made a freeman in 1636. He died July 12, 1672.
265
APPENDIX.
RICHARD CHAMPNEY. He came to New England in 1635, and was made a freeman in 1636. He died November 26, 1669.
JONAS CLARK. He was made a freeman in 1647. Or- dained Ruling Elder November 15, 1682. He died January 11, 1699, aged eighty years.
JOHN STONE. He came to New England in 1635, it is thought, and was made a freeman in 1665. . Ordained Ruling Elder November 15, 1682. He died May 5, 1683, aged sixty-four years.
DEACONS.
[The following list comprises the names of those who are known to have been Deacons of the church.]
JOHN BRIDGE. Freeman 1635. Died 1665.
THOMAS MARRIOT. Freeman 1636. Died 1664.
THOMAS CHEESEHOLME. Freeman 1636. Died 1671.
GREGORY STONE. Freeman 1636. Died 1672.
NATHANIEL SPARROWHAWKE. Freeman 1639. Died 1647.
NATHANIEL SPARROWHAWKE. Freeman. Died January, 1687.
EDWARD COLLINS. Freeman 1640. Died 1689.
JOHN COOPER. Freeman 1642. Died 1691. WALTER HASTING. Born 1631. Died 1705.
SAMUEL COOPER. Chosen March 22, 1705. Died 1718. NATHANIEL HANCOCK. Chosen June 7, 1705. Died 1719. SAMUEL KIDDER. Chosen January 22, 1718. Died 1724. JOSEPH COOLIDGE. Chosen January 22, 1718. Died 1737.
NATHANIEL SPARROWHAWKE. Chosen August 5, 1724. Died 1734.
SAMUEL BOWMAN. Chosen August 5, 1724. Died before 1741.
SAMUEL SPARROWHAWKE. Chosen April 12, 1734. Died 1774.
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APPENDIX.
JOHN BRADISH. Chosen May 5, 1738. Died 1741. SAMUEL WHITTEMORE. Chosen November 24, 1741. Died about 1783.
HENRY PRENTICE. Chosen November 24, 1741. Resigned July 14, 1774.
AARON HILL. Chosen July 14, 1774. Died 1792.
STEPHEN SEWALL. Chosen May 18, 1777. Died 1804.
GIDEON FROST. Chosen June 30, 1783. Died 1803.
JAMES MUNRO. Chosen June 30, 1783. Died 1804. JOHN WALTON. Chosen November 19, 1792. Died 1823. WILLIAM HILLIARD. Chosen April 5, 1804. Died 1836. JOSIAH MOORE. Chosen January 4, 1805. Died 1814.
JAMES MUNRO. Chosen August 2, 1818. Died 1848.
STEPHEN T. FARWELL. Installed April 30, 1837. Died Oct. 20, 1872.
CHARLES W. HOMER. Installed January 4, 1849.
CHARLES THEO. RUSSELL. Installed July 2, 1869. Re- signed September 15, 1871.
GEORGE S. SAUNDERS. Installed July 2, 1869.
PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
1872.
Pastor.
Rev. ALEXANDER MCKENZIE.
Deacons.
Charles W. Homer, George S. Saunders.
Clerk ..
George S. Saunders.
Standing Committee.
The Standing Committee of the Church consists of the Pastor, Deacons, the Clerk, Superintendent of the Sabbath School (Francis Flint), and the following brethren : Charles W. Munroe, James A. Shedd.
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APPENDIX.
IV.
CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND FORM OF ADMISSION.
T HE CONFESSION OF FAITH of this church is in substance, and for the most part in language, taken from the "Confession of Faith owned and consented unto by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches assembled at Boston, May 12, 1680." The " Boston Confession" is the basis of the confessions of the Congregational churches of New England, and it expresses the doctrinal views of this church through its entire history.
FORM OF ADMISSION TO THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH. - ADOPTED 1872.
The candidates shall present themselves before the pulpit, where they shall be met by the minister, who shall repeat one or more of the following sentences of the Holy Scriptures, or such other sentences as he may choose : -
Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
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APPENDIX.
The minister shall then address the candidates as follows, and shall recite the Creed of the church for their assent : -
Dearly Beloved, - You have presented yourselves in this holy place to make confession of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to enter into covenant with his Church. We trust that you know the solemnity and the blessedness of this time, and we are confident that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE in one living and true GOD ; creator, pre- server, and ruler of all things ; glorious in holiness, plenteous in mercy and truth.
In the FATHER ALMIGHTY : Lord and giver of life ; who is to be supremely loved and perfectly obeyed ; whose com- mandment is holy and just and good.
And in JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON, OUR LORD; who was in the beginning with God and was God ; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven and was made man. He was crucified, dead, and buried. He arose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the FATHER. He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead ; when every one shall receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Of His kingdom there shall be no end.
And we BELIEVE in the HOLY GHOST, the COMFORTER ; by whom the Scriptures were given ; who renews and sanctifies the heart ; by whose power we are kept unto immortal life. Who, with the FATHER and the Sox, together ONE GOD, is to be worshipped and glorified, world without end.
Before ALMIGHTY GOD our HEAVENLY FATHER we humbly acknowledge our guiltiness, casting ourselves upon his in- finite goodness and mercy.
We BELIEVE in the forgiveness of sins through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose name we confess, whose
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APPENDIX.
Word we receive, in whose mediation alone we steadfastly trust.
We BELIEVE in one Church, on earth and in heaven : in one Baptism : in one Communion in the body and blood of Christ ; and we look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.
You who have now made this Confession do acknowledge the Lord Jehovah - the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST - to be your God ; to HIM you devote your supreme affection ; to his service you consecrate your life ; and naming yourselves with the name of Christ, you avow your purpose to glorify him in your body and in your spirit, which are his.
Baptism will here be administered to those who have not before been baptized, with these words, -
A. B., I baptize thee, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST. Amen.
To the other candidates the minister shall say, -
You who were baptized in childhood do now gratefully accept that as your baptism, while you confirm the covenant which then was made for you.
The members of the Church shall here rise, and the minister shall continue : -
Because you make this Confession, we, the members of this church, affectionately welcome you to fellowship with us in all duties and blessings, rejoicing with you in the joy of the Lord, and praying for you with assurance and long- ing, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye may re- ceive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Here the Church, with those who have just made confession, and those who have been received from other churches, shall repeat this covenant, saying : -
We who are now brought together and united into one Church, under the Lord Jesus Christ, our Head, in such
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APPENDIX.
sort as becometh all those whom he hath redeemed and sanctified to himself, do here solemnly and religiously, as in his most holy presence, promise and bind ourselves to walk in all our ways according to the rule of the Gospel, and in all sincere conformity to his holy ordinances, and in mutual love and respect each to other, so near as God shall give us grace.
Here the minister shall take the new members by the hand in token of fellowship with Christ and the Church, repeating some appro- priate sentence of Scripture. He shall then address them in these words : --
Now, therefore, Beloved in the Lord, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God ; and are built upon the foun- dation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone. For this cause -
[Here all will take the customary attitude of prayer]
we bow our knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
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APPENDIX.
V.
MEMBERSHIP.
A S the early records are imperfect, it is impossible to ascertain the number of those who have been con- nected with the church since its formation. It is estimated that it is not very far from three thousand.
The records show that the number of admissions during the pastorate
of Dr. Holmes was . 221
of Dr. Holmes and Mr. Adams 57
of Mr. Adams 26
of Dr. Albro 423
During the interim after Dr. Albro's pastorate 38
During the pastorate of Mr. Mckenzie is 178
The present membership of the church is about four hundred. A new Manual of the Church has been printed during the present year, giving the names of the officers and members from the beginning, so far as they are known.
VI.
T THE following statement of the decision of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts in the case by which the property rights of this church were practically determined, and of the contrast with that decision of one recently made by the Supreme Court of the United States, has been prepared for this work by members of the Suffolk Bar.
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APPENDIX.
This statement should be read in connection with Lecture VII.
BAKER AND ANOTHER VS. FALES.
IN the case of Baker and another against Fales, reported in the sixteenth volume of Massachusetts Reports, p. 488, the following were the facts : In 1641, John Phillips aliened and sold to the church in Dedham, forever, three acres of land. In the same year, Joseph Kingsbury, upon con- sideration, granted to the church in Dedham, and to the use of the same forever, three acres of land. In January, 1642, the proprietors voted that forty acres at the least, or sixty acres at the most, should be set apart, in an intended division, for public use, viz., for the town, the church, and a free school. In 1655 or 1656, there was granted to the church in Dedham, and to their successors forever, in the dividend near Medfield, one hundred and fifty acres of land. In 1659, there was a similar grant of twenty-four acres of upland in Natick dividend. In the two last grants, there was no designation of any trust or use.
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