USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Milford, Massachusetts, 1880-1930 : a chronological list of events for fifty years : with illustrations > Part 15
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This 1819 meeting-house was fifty-three feet by twenty-nine feet with tower and spire. In 1848 the high pulpit was removed and other repairs made, and in 1867 the building was entirely re- constructed, the congregation worshipping in Washington Hall dur- ing the period of rebuilding. An addition of thirty feet was added, the house was moved back and raised sufficiently to provide vestries and kitchen. New pews and windows were put in, the organ re- built and placed in the rear of the pulpit, and the galleries re- modeled. Since then exterior and interior repairs have been made and a fine organ installed, but the Church structure is essentially as it was in 1868.
Nearly forty years after this radical reconstruction the Church and Parish built a much-needed Parsonage, on sightly Claflin Hill, one of the finest locations in town. This home of its ministers has been a great asset to the Church and a most welcome solution of the house problem for the ministers and their families.
This first Congregational Church of Milford, the outgrowth of the Second Church of Christ of Mendon has had from the out- set strong and able men as its pastors. During the incumbency of the first two, Mr. Frost and Mr. Long, the Church became firmly established in the civic and religious life of Milford.
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Then came Rev. Smith Bartlett Goodenough, 1844-46; Rev. Preston Pond, 1849-52; Rev. James Trask Woodbury, 1852-61; Rev. Alfred Augustus Ellsworth, 1862-65; Rev. James Brown Thorton, 1865-68; Rev. Sylvanus Cobb Kendall, 1868-72; Rev. Merrill Richardson, D. D., 1873-76; Rev. Oliver Stone Dean, D. D., 1877-1883; Rev. Charles Wetherby, 1885-87; Rev. Webster Wood- bury, 1888-1900; Rev. Franke A. Warfield, 1903-1914; Rev. Allen E. Cross, D. D., 1914-1925.
Of these only Dr. Cross is now living. The present pastor is Rev. G. Edgar Wolfe, Ph.D., installed January 28, 1927.
The Church began its existence with twenty-six members, all males. In 1743 three women joined and twenty more in 1744. By 1780 two hundred and forty members had been admitted. But the number dropped to sixty-nine in 1801. Today the Church has on its rolls 357.
Among the tangible achievements of the Church may be noted the following :
The formation of the Mendon Conference of Churches, by Mr. Frost. This Conference has had many notable preachers and min- isters in its membership, and is in active existence today, this Church having always been a member.
In 1815 Rosalinda Nelson and Roxanna Rawson, moved by missionary zeal, founded the Female Charitable and Benevolent Society. It cared for the needy at home and sent aid to the mis- sions in foreign lands, and was one of the first women societies in the State or Country. It exists today under the name of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and glories in its one hundred and fifteen years of continuous work.
But Roxanna Rawson was also very much interested in the proper training of the young. To her day-school teaching duties she added the teaching of the catechism. And when the mothers complained at the extra time taken she met the children at five o'clock every Sunday afternoon. Thus in 1817 was laid the founda- tion of one of the earliest Sunday Schools in the State and Country. And Roxanna Rawson may rightly be called the mother of the Sun- day School. For the seed she sowed bore fruit in an organized Sunday School in Milford in 1820, which has had a steady and heal- thy development through all the years.
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From the Sunday School have come the Christian Endeavor Society and Campfire Girl movements and last of all is numbered among the societies, the Thalia Club, a group of young women, which combines social and philanthropic activities and is a vital element in the life and growth of the Church.
The Parish or Congregational Church of Milford is nearing its second centennary. For nearly two hundred years it has borne testimony in the community to the truths of God, and the worth of the Christian ideals. May its honorable history continue throughout succeeding generations.
Among the organizations formed in these latter years, that of the Ladies' Association is prominent. Organized in 1881, with the primary purpose of helping to lift the debt then resting upon the Parish, it has faithfully devoted itself to the social and financial interests of the Church and given generously of time and strength in its support.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The first Universalist Society was organized in 1781 and in- corporated in 1824. It is the second oldest Universalist Society in the world. The Church, or body of communicants, was organized in 1850, the Sunday School in 1837, this being the fourth oldest in the Universalist denomination. The Ladies' Aid Society came early into existence, the King's Daughters in 1909; Mission Circle, 1910; Mizpah Club, 1920; Camp Fire Girls, 1925. There are many other organizations such as Board of Trustees, Official Board of the Sunday School, etc. Fifty years ago the Murray Club was prom- inent in the social life of the Town and the Fortnightly Club in the literary field.
The Society has had four meeting places, the Noah Wiswall house, now standing on East Main street, the Brick Church, op- posite Town Hall, now standing, Pearl street Church, destroyed by fire in 1901, and the present granite building on Pine street.
Rev. Adams Streeter was the first pastor, being here from 1781 to 1786; then Zephaniah Lathe, Joshua Flagg, Nathaniel
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Smith, Thomas Whittemore, Jacob Frieze, Adin Ballou, Elbridge Trull, R. S. Pope, H. W. Morse, Z. Baker, William Bell, W. R. G. Mellen, B. H. Davis, William Coe, Williard Spaulding, Henry A. Eaton, David H. Plumb, James R. Johnson, George Hill, R. B. Ambler, G. L. Demarest, E. A. Perry, R. T. Sawyer, S. A. Gardner, E. W. Whitney and Harry F. Fister.
The present pastorate, now in the twenty-second year, is the longest in the history of the Society and next to the longest of all the pastorates in the Town.
METHODIST CHURCH.
As early as 1792 the town records refer to Methodist worship- pers in North Milford, and give the names of several ministers who served them. Among these were Rev. George Cannon, Rev. John Harper, Rev. George Pickering, Rev. Joseph Snelling, Rev. Joshua Soule, Rev. Elijah Hedding and Rev. Nehemiah Coy. This form of Pastoral supply was not adequate for the growing society, so in 1810 a meeting was held in the schoolhouse at North Milford and a religious society was organized.
By 1840 so many members had moved to Milford Center that the Church at North Milford was merged in the present First Methodist Episcopal Church of Milford. Its last formal meeting as a separate organization was in March, 1843, the meeting house was built in January, 1815, and was burned in January, 1860.
The present Church society was organized in 1844, and its Church building, with a parsonage, was built in 1849. The Church building has been twice enlarged and wholly remodeled as to inter- ior, and a new parsonage built.
It is an interesting matter of record that Bishop Francis Asbury once preached from one of the tombs by the roadside in the old burying ground where Memorial Hall now stands.
The first preacher in charge of the North Milford Methodists was Rev. Joseph Snelling, who came in 1801. Rev. Benjamin R. Hoyt was in charge in 1810, and Rev. Van Rensselaer Osborne suc-
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ceeded him. Rev. Isaac Bonney, a local preacher and elder, was pastor when the society was legally organized in 1811, and he served until 1818.
Among other pastors were Revs. Erastus Otis, Hezekiah Thatcher and Herman Perry.
The present society in Milford has had a successful history, and has been served by some of the leading men of the conference. During a recent pastorate extensive repairs have been made to the Church building, including the installation of a steam heating plant.
The following pastors have served the society :
Rev. H. E. Hempstead, 1846-47; Rev. Joseph Whitman, 1848- 49; Rev. C. W. Ainsworth, 1850-51; Rev. Albert A. Cooke, part of 1851; Rev. Isaac Smith, 1852-53; Rev. Aaron D. Sargent, 1854- 55; Rev. Daniel Richards, 1856; Rev. J. M. Bailey, 1857-58; Rev. George G. Jones, 1859-60; Rev. Edward S. Best, 1861-62; Rev. Joseph Scott, 1863-65; Rev. William G. Leonard, 1866; Rev. Lor- anus Crowell, 1867-68; Rev. William H. Hatch, 1869-71; Rev. Rodney H. Howard, 1872-73; Rev. Porter M. Vinton, 1874-76; Rev. George F. Eaton, 1877-79; Rev. Charles Young, 1880-82; Rev. Fayette Nichols, 1883-85; Rev. Charles Tilton, 1886-88; Rev. A. W. Mills, 1889-91; Rev. Luther Freeman, 1892-93; Rev. William C. Townsend, 1894-95; Rev. G. M. Smiley, 1896-99; Rev. Garrett Beekman, 1900-01; Rev. R. E. Bisbee, 1901-02; Rev. W. F. Law- ford, 1903-04; Rev. T. Corwin Watkins, 1905-13; Rev. Walter F. Whitney, 1914-16; Rev. Samuel Dupertuis, 1917-18; Rev. A. C. Williamson supplied several months during the absence of Rev. Dupertuis over seas as Chaplain in World War; Rev. F. T. Pom- eroy, 1919-20; Rev. F. B. Boone, 1921; Rev. E. C. Bridgham, 1922- 23; Rev. Joseph Belcher, 1924-28; Rev. Charles I. Spear, 1929 -.
Besides the Official Board, Stewards and Trustees, there are the Sunday School, Ladies' Aid Society, Dorcas Class, Philathea Class, Epworth League, Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Young Men's Class, Pollyanna Class, King's Heralds Society and Men's Club.
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Milford Church History.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
In 1835 the first administrations by a Roman Catholic priest in Milford were by Rev. James Fitton of East Boston. Dominick McDavitt, one of the first natives of Ireland to reside in Milford, had the contract to build the present Medway road. Two of his employes were critically ill and desired spiritual attention. Rev. Fr. Fitton was sent for, came to Milford and gave it to them.
Fr. Fitton also solemnized the first mass in Milford in 1836, in the home of Edward McGovern. He came to Milford occasion- ally and alternately solemnized masses in the homes of Mr. Mc- Davitt and Mr. McGovern. This procedure was continued until 1847 when Rev. Fr. John Boyce of Worcester commenced holding regular services. He was assisted by Rev. W. W. Gibson in col- lecting funds for a Church. A site was selected on East Main street and the first St. Mary's Church built, and dedicated in 1848 by Rt. Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick. The sermon was by Fr. Matthew, the noted temperance apostle.
The first regular pastor was Rev. George A. Hamilton, March 1, 1850. In 1853 he was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Michael Caroher and he in turn by Rev. Edward Farrelly in 1854. Fr. Farrelly died August 13, 1857 and then Rev. Fr. Patrick Cuddihy came to Milford and remained here as pastor until his death, December 7, 1898.
Fr. Cuddihy was of commanding presence, a man of learning, talent and ability and under his guidance the Church made rapid strides, numerically, financially and in its influence for good. The present St. Mary's Church, the tower, parochial schools and prac- tically all the blessings the parishioners of St. Mary's enjoy were due in a measure to his untiring zeal and energy. He established the schools in 1880.
The corner stone of the present Church was laid by Rt. Rev. John J. Williams, June 1, 1866 and the Church opened for public worship, December 25, 1870. After dedication the old Church property was sold.
The tower on the Church was completed in March, 1890, and Fr. Cuddihy bought a bell in Ireland, which together with the old bell used in the Church, are now in the tower.
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Rev. Fr. Cuddihy acquired during his pastorate much of the property on Main, Winter, Granite and Sumner streets. He also laid out the present cemeteries and built the famous Irish round tower in the new cemetery, which is the only one of its kind in America.
After Fr. Cuddihy's death, Rev. Fr. James T. Canavan, who had been senior curate for 25 years, became pastor. Fr. Canavan died in 1899 and Rev. Fr. John P. Phelan became acting pastor until October, 1904, when Rev. Fr. David F. McGrath was selected.
During the pastorate of Fr. McGrath many notable improve- ments were made to the Church, Church property and he trans- formed the two cemeteries into the best kept Catholic cemeteries anywhere. He built the present tomb in the new cemetery and added materially to the beauty of the famous Irish round tower.
Fr. McGrath also redecorated and renovated the Church, in- stalling new stained glass windows, rebuilding and rearranging the present organ, and also acquired the present rectory on Pearl street. He died in December, 1920.
Rev. Fr. James Dunphy succeeded Fr. McGrath as acting pastor until the appointment of Rev. Fr. William F. Grace as pastor in September, 1922. Fr. Grace remained as pastor until his death, June 11, 1924.
Fr. Grace built the present St. Mary's High school and car- ried on the work of his predecessors in very creditable manner.
Rev. Fr. Leo T. Rock was then appointed acting pastor, remain- ing until the appointment of Rev. Fr. Jeremiah J. Riordan as pastor.
Fr. Riordan has endeared himself to the hearts of the parish- ioners, has done much for the parish and is esteemed, respected and admired by all. His greatest accomplishment, in which he and his parishioners are more than pleased is in reducing the parish debt. His greatest ambition is to live to see all the debt cleared.
Judge John C. Lynch, present chairman of the School Com- mittee, has the honor of being the first and only one of St. Mary's parishioners to be appointed as Justice of the District Court. His selection not only is creditable to the parish but to the entire com- munity.
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A native of Milford, James C. Luby, now of Framingham, has recently been honored with a similar position by Gov. Allen.
Among the societies directly connected with the parish, the Catholic Woman's Club, because of their influence for good in the community, their care of the unfortunate without regard for race or creed, and their devotion to Catholic ideals, should re- ceive honorable mention. They have a well-appointed home on the Church grounds due to the generosity of the parish.
St. Mary's Parochial schools opened in September, 1880, with an enrollment of about 200 pupils, fourteen of them attend- ing the High school. Fr. Cuddihy purchased the Erskine-Cook estate on Main street for school purposes and also used some of the Church property. The school was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame and the first class to graduate therefrom was in 1886 when four young ladies received diplomas.
In 1896, owing to increased attendance Fr. Cuddihy built the present granite building on Winter street. It was completed in 1897. The Sisters of Notre Dame continued to teach until 1904, when they were succeeded by the Sisters of St. Joseph. During their regime they taught in the Sunday school and they also opened a Sunday school in the Purchase district. In 1904 boys were admitted as pupils in the schools.
Many of the graduates of St. Mary's schools have become teachers in the public schools, some have dedicated their lives to the Sisterhood and Priesthood; others are prominent in profes- sional and civic life.
The first Catholic elected to the School Committee was Dr. Thomas Flatley, 1870-1874. Rev. Fr. Canavan was second in 1877. Several have been elected since.
The first Catholic to be chosen sub-master of High school was the late Thomas J. Murphy and the first Catholic principal was Dr. George Hermann Derry. Since then two other Catholics were elected, Christopher A. Fitzgerald and the present principal, Thomas J. Quirk.
A majority of the teachers in the Milford public schools are members of St. Mary's parish or of the Roman Catholic faith.
The Milford young men who adopted the Priesthood as a calling were: Rev. Fr. David F. McGrath, Rev. Fr. Michael J.
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Supple, Rev. Fr. James N. Supple, Rev. Fr. Michael Fitzgerald, Rev. Fr. P. H. Gallon, Rev. Fr. John D. McGann, Rev. Fr. Michael Carroll, Rev. Fr. John A. Conlin, Rev. Fr. Michael J. Ahern, Rev. Fr. Daniel W. Moriarty, Rev. Fr. Peter J. O'Callaghan, Rev. Fr. Patrick Burke, Rev. Fr. James F. Ahern, now chancellor of Springfield diocese; Rev. Fr. Edward M. Raftery, Rev. Fr. Michael T. Burke, Rev. Fr. George H. McDermott, Rev. Fr. John J. Rogers, Rev. Fr. John A. McNamara, Rev. Fr. Arthur E. Sheedy, Rev. Fr. Patrick A. Manion, Rev. Fr. Patrick J. Martin, Rev. Fr. Francis H. Swift, Rev. Fr. Daniel T. Devine, Rev. Fr. Daniel M. Tully, Rev. Fr. John E. Doherty, Rev. Fr. John J. Mc- Mahon, Rev. Fr. J. Fred McDonough, Rev. Fr. John Tracy, Rev. Fr. Maurice O'Shea, Rev. Fr. John F. Donovan, Rev. Fr. Robert Tracy, Rev. Fr. William Smith, Rev. Fr. John C. Sweeney and Rev. Fr. Alfred J. Walker.
Among the Milford young ladies who adopted the life of Sisterhood were: Misses Nellie Burke, Delia Welch, Elizabeth Gibbons, Margaret Finnegan, Catherine Power, Mary McGrath, Nellie McKenna, Catherine Byrnes, Margaret Byrnes, Lydia Broughey, Hannah Coakley, Agatha Mone, Mae O'Connor, May Lillian Ryan, Bridget Hayes, Grace Nugent and Celia Malloy.
The first Catholic to be elected a Milford Selectman was Richard Carroll in 1869. He also was the first Catholic elected to the Board of Health in 1863.
Hon. William R. Burke was the first Catholic from Milford to be elected to the State Senate. Judge John C. Lynch was the first Catholic Town Solicitor. Milford Catholics who have served in the State Legislature since 1880, (Lawrence Reade being the first elected in 1870) were: James F. Stratton, James Lally, John T. McLoughlin, Charles W. Carroll, William R. Burke, Matthew J. Carbary and Atty. William A. Murray.
The record of St. Mary's parishioners in the Civil war is a source of pride.
In the Spanish-American war Capt. John F. Barrett, a mem- ber of St. Mary's parish, was in command of Co. M which saw service at the front.
In the World war St. Mary's was well represented and among its members who gave up their lives in the service were: Sergt.
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Philip Callery, Sergt. John W. Powers, Private John J. Nelligan and Private Frank Esmond. Rev. Frs. Leo T. Rock and James J. Fitzgibbons, curates of St. Mary's Church, served as chaplains.
SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH.
Active efforts on the part of Italian-speaking residents of Mil- ford to have a Church of their own were started on October 21, 1894, when a meeting was held in Town Hall, called by Raphael Marino, Giacomo Cenedella, Leopoldo Castiglioni, Giovanni Aspesi, Pietro Cristani, Daniele Toselli, Giovanni Zorzi, Angelo Donizoni, Bonfiglio Perini and Caesare Riva. Mr. Marino presided and a permanent organization effected with Mr. Cenedella as president and Mr. Marino, secretary.
The committee had received the sanction of Rev. Fr. Patrick Cuddihy, pastor of St. Mary's Church, to proceed with plans, sub- ject to approval of the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Thomas D. Beaven.
Funds were solicited, land near street railway carbarns ac- quired, plans for the Church submitted and accepted. Owing to difficulties the project was abandoned, the land was sold and the money placed in a bank.
The second and successful effort for a Church was made in 1905, and a meeting held in Town Hall at which Mr. Marino pre- sided. A short time preceding this, however, Bishop Beaven sent Rev. Fr. Rocco Petrarca to Milford. He conducted services in St. Mary's Church and in the meantime worked zealously to secure funds for a Church and gather his people into Church formation, with the cooperation of the Committee.
The Church committee was empowered to buy property and these four trustees, Charles Caruso, Raphael Marino, Evangelista Riccio and Santo Mazzarrelli, were given authority to do so.
On June 10, 1905, the trustees acquired from Annie Miett, title to the old John Miller property on East Main street near the "basin."
Services were held there after it was remodeled. A tower and stone front were added and services continued until 1927, when the present Church was built, largely through the generosity
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of the late Miss Elizabeth Supple, who willed her estate to the parish for Church purposes.
Philip Cenedella, chairman of Selectmen, presided at the meet- ing of parishioners previous to the building of the present Church, was later elected president and Rev. Fr. Fontana, the secretary in charge of the building operations.
Fr. Petrarca was succeeded by Rev. Emilio Lona, who es- tablished the present parochial schools in 1920, acquired the prop- erty now used by the Sisters as a home and a school. He remained until 1924, when he was succeeded by Rev. Luigi Fontana and he in turn by the present pastor, Rev. Raymond Dalla Porta.
Under Rev. Fr. Dalla Porta the Church has prospered nu- merically and financially, the parochial schools gaining greatly in membership and several societies connected directly with the Church, organized.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Pine Street Baptist Church was organized February 15, 1853, with twenty-three charter members, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Fisher, School street. The present membership is 198.
On Sunday, there is a preaching service at 10.30 A. M., and at 7.00 P. M. Bible School at noon and Christian Endeavor at 6.00 o'clock.
The present edifice was dedicated July 18, 1861 and the Society incorporated March 3, 1890. The Church building was partially destroyed by fire March 9, 1902; rededicated and Golden Jubilee, February 15, 1903. The interior was remodeled, memorial windows placed and dedication services held October 15, 1908.
On the sixty-fifth anniversary, February 15, 1918, burning of the Church mortgage was a happy feature of the occasion.
The seventy-fifth anniversary was observed on February 12, 15 and 17, 1928.
Pastors-Rev. J. W. Russell, 1853-54; Rev. L. A. Abbott, 1855- 58; Rev. H. C. Hubbard, 1858-59; Rev. R. Holt, 1860; Rev. J. Ricker, 1861-65; Rev. E. H. Page, 1866-68; Rev. F. J. Carr, 1868-
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69; Rev. C. W. Redding, 1869-71; Rev. J. B. Robinson, 1873-79; Rev. A. E. Woodsum, 1880-82; Rev. H. A. Spencer, 1882-87; Rev. F. W. Farr, 1888-91; Rev. L. G. Barrett, 1891-93; Rev. B. McClel- lan, 1894-96; Rev. D. T. Magill, 1897-1907; Rev. S. A. Dyke, 1907- 09; Rev. C. W. Allen, 1910-15; Rev. E. L. Loomis, 1915-22; Rev. L. W. West, 1923-27; Rev. J. G. Beveridge, 1927 -.
TRINITY CHURCH, EPISCOPAL.
First service held in Irving Hall by Rev. Reese F. Alsop, of Framingham. Trinity Parish organized March 13, 1864, incorpor- ated April 11, 1864. Church building opened for service November 29, 1867. Consecrated March 21, 1871 by Rt. Rev. Manton East- burn, Bishop of Massachusetts.
Rectors: Rev. Wm. Hawkins, missionary, 1863-64; Rev. Henry Adams, 1864-65; Rev. G. G. Jones, 1865-69; Rev. E. B. Allen, 1869- 70; Rev. Reginald H. Howe, 1870-72; Rev. J. M. Benedict, 1872-74; Rev. W. F. Lloyd, 1874-77; Rev. G. R. Wheelock, 1877-79; Rev. Andrew Grey, 1879-80; Rev. Wm. J. Alger, 1880-82; Rev. Samuel Edwards, 1882-84; Rev. J. B. Wicks, 1884-89; Rev. Geo. Fisher, 1889-90; Rev. J. B. Wicks, 1890-95; Rev. Harry S. Longley, 1895- 99; Rev. Francis G. Williams, 1899-1902; Rev. Walton S. Danker, 1903-06; Rev. Robert T. Walker, 1906-08; Rev. Geo. A. Barrow, 1909-11; Rev. Howard M. Dumbell, 1912-13; Rev. Arthur J. Wat- son, 1913-15; Rev. Willis J. Hawk, 1916-19; Rev. Dudley Tyng, 1919-22; Rev. George Burgess, 1923 -.
Organizations: Trinity Ladies' Guild, Girls' Friendly Society, St. James Men's Club, Altar Guild, St. James Acolytes' Guild, Young People's Fellowship.
Membership, 280 Communicants. Services, Holy Communion, 8.00 A. M .; Morning Service, 10.30 A. M .; Sunday School, 12.00 M .; Y. P. F., 6.00 P. M.
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GRACE CHURCH.
Grace Church was organized with a membership of forty- three in 1894, as an Independent body, the nucleus being members of a branch of the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Rev. J. Frank Fleming was the first pastor, his term being 1894-98. Then came Victor Morse, 1899-1900; C. B. Danse, 1900- 01; Walter C. White, 1901-04; Rev. Lowden A. Harriman, 1904-05; Rev. John H. Hartman, 1906-12; Rev. Joseph C. Harrison, 1914- 16; Rev. G. Courtney Chase, 1918-22; Charles Shaw, 1922-23; Willian Oughton, 1923-24; Clarence Chamberlain, 1924; Rev. Holger Schluntz, 1924-27; Andrew Hyndman, 1927-29. For the last year Rev. D. Stewart Smith, one of the faculty of the Boston Bible School has supplied the pulpit each Sunday.
Grace Church was incorporated in 1910 and became affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in 1919.
The Society owns its Church building and has no debt.
THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.
In 1905 the heads of ten Jewish families in Milford met and decided to have a Synagogue. A permanent organization was ef- fected with Joseph Marcus, president, Isadore Wyzan, secretary.
The corner stone of the Synagogue on Pine street was laid January 19, 1913, with suitable ceremonies. Rabbi Eichler of Boston conducted the ceremony and made the principal address.
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