USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > Records of proceedings, etc., in the parish of St. James' Church, Greenfield, from the first formation of the society, September 24th, A. D. 1812 > Part 3
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shall endeavor to inculate. For these I can only recom- mend you to the gospel of truth and the articles of our religion which are founded upon it. There you will find the standard of my faith and the system I have adopted. Of the disputed points in divinity which only serve to bewilder the minds of men and perplex and distract instead of improving, I trust that you as well as myself will remain ignorant. I am determined to know nothing among you save Christ and him crucified, that the Word of God recommends. I shall endeavor to teach, earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, without being influenced by the dogmas of Calvin or the speculations of Arminius. And may the blessing of God accompany my labors for the welfare of your souls. May Peace, Unity and Love prevail among us, and after a faithful course in the Church militant, having served our dear Redeemer on earth, may we all be admitted members of the same society in His king- dom above. (Signed), T. Strong.
(Communicated Feb. 5, 1815.)"
At a meeting held on March 27, 1815, it was voted that the Rector elect be requested to nominate the First or Senior Warden, and Rev. Mr. Strong nominated Thomas Chapman. He was chosen accordingly. Capt. Oliver Sage was chosen Second or Junior Warden.
Early in this same year, 1815, "Shubael Bell, Esq., of Boston and sundry other benevolent and piously dis- posed individuals presented the parish a valuable col- lection of books as the commencement of a library for the benefit of said church." Certain rules and regula- tions were drawn up, the idea being that such library should fill the purpose which is to-day occupied by the public library. It was found, however, that the books which had been presented were not of the sort to be in popular demand. They were mostly of a theological nature, and after a few years the library came to be used almost entirely by the minister.
epts ting Four ·bed, ves;
same the . the also rail- you olish In- IS of more ehold t. I iness, s re- n of able and zeal d un- e of siasm ter of irish; people 1 ex- 1 be ation, same fudge. hould ich I
THE FURTHER MINISTRY OF MR. STRONG.
"The Right Reverend Alexander V. Griswold having been informed by a committee chosen for the purpose, that this parish had elected the Rev. Titus Strong for a Rector, and requested to attend his institution, agree- able to the forms of the Protestant Episcopal Church, appointed Thursday, the 25th day of May, 1815, for that purpose. Accordingly he attended on the said day, but Mr. Strong not having received holy orders as a Priest, and there being but one Presbyter besides the Bishop present, the ordination and institution were deferred to the succeeding day in order that a request might be sent to a second Priest. The church, however, was opened on the 25th, and divine service performed by the Bishop, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Abraham Brownson of Arlington, Vt. At the same time the holy rite of confirmation was administered to twenty-two persons.
On the next day, May 26, the church was opened at 11 o'clock, a. m., and prayers read, after which a sermon was preached by the Bishop. The sermon being closed, the Bishop assisted by the two clergymen, proceeded to the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Strong, and immediately afterward to his institution as Rector of the parish. Mr. Thomas Chapman, Senior Warden, delivered the keys of the church and recognized the Rector in behalf of the parish. The solemn services were closed with the administration of the sacrament."
During this same spring an examination was made
35
into the financial state of the parish, and it was found that the entire debt amounted to about $450. A sub- scription was therefore opened, and more than two-thirds of this sum was subscribed almost immediately.
The first Sexton of the Parish was David Griffin. His annual compensation, according to the records of the parish meeting of 1815, was one dollar in cash and the use of the pew between the Wardens seats.
In October, 1815, an invitation was sent to Mr. Strong from Trinity Church, Montague, asking him to become Rector also of that parish. A meeting being called to see whether any portion of Mr. Strong's services could be allowed by St. James' parish to be given to the Montague parish, it was "Voted, that it seems inexpedient for Rev. Mr. Strong to accept the invitation he has re- ceived from Trinity Church in the town of Montague to become Rector of the same."
It was also voted at this meeting, and for the first time so far as the records show, that "the assessors be directed to assess a tax of the sum of $25 to make up the deficiency in the sale of the pews for the payment of the Rector's salary, during the present year."
At the annual meeting in 1816 the only business of importance seems to have been a discussion as to whether or not the church should be painted. After a long argument it was decided that it should be done if the committee appointed could raise $100 by private sub- scription.
At the meeting held on the 14th day of April, 1817, a large amount of business was transacted. Among other things, it was "Voted, that whereas Asa Goode- nough has unfortunately lost a horse upon a journey on parish business, the said Asa Goodenough may occupy the same pew he did last year free of expense." In the following year it was again voted that pew number 5
ving pose, for gree- arch, that but iest, shop d to : be was the ham holy :two
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ade
NG.
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be appropriated to Mr. Goodenough's free use in con sequence of this great loss which he had sustained.
In 1819 an opportunity was presented to lease the lot of land directly east of the church, it being intended that sheds should be built for the purpose of stabling horses during service. At this same meeting it was also decided that a committee be appointed to confer with the proprietors of the house erected in Church St. for the use of the Rector of the parish, and to ascertain for what sum they would sell the house to the parish.
Thus far apparently no collection had been taken at Sunday services, because in the year 1819 it was voted "that in order to expedite the payment of the Rector's salary and make it more easy and convenient for each individual of the Parish, on each Sabbath there be a collection in order that an opportunity might be given of paying such proportion of the pew rent as should be convenient, the money to be enclosed in a paper with the name of the donor upon it, which would be placed to his credit by the Rector, all money not thus marked to be considered at the disposal of the Rector."
It seems to have been understood that in purchasing a pew in the new church, one was entitled simply to the shell, and any improvements which should be made, such as cushions or a door or shelves, would be paid for by the person purchasing such pew.
Montague was not the only neighboring town which demanded Mr. Strong's services.
In 1821, we find the following note :-
"Greenfield, April 17, 1821.
I do hereby certify that the following persons, to wit: have joined the Episcopal Parish of St. John's Church in Ashfield.
T. Strong, Rector of St. John's Church."
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It seems that on the 15th of June 1820, the parish of St. John's church was organized and Mr. Strong was urged to take the work under his care. At a vestry meeting held in July, 1821, it was voted "that the Rev. Titus Strong attend divine service in the Episcopal Parish at Ashfield, if he thinks best, one Sunday in each month for six months from this time, on condition the said parish pay the sum of nine dollars and sixty-five cents for each Sunday to this parish and defray all expenses Mr. Strong may be at in going to and from Ashfield.
In the year 1820 the matter of a parsonage was again taken up, and the Wardens and Vestry were authorized to purchase for the benefit of the Minister's Fund as many shares in the dwelling house in which the Rector then lived as they thought best, and they were authorized to borrow a sum money, not exceeding $300. of Still further action was taken on this parsonage ques- tion the following year when again the Wardens and Vestry were directed to purchase of the proprietors all or as many shares in the dwelling house as they might think best, said shares to be part of the Minister's Fund, and the house to be forever used and improved by the parish as a parsonage house.
It must have been that when this parsonage was built Mr. Strong himself had put some money into it, and a little difficulty arising as to the right adjustment of the matter, it was decided to try and arrange with Mr. Strong to relinquish all of his claim on the parsonage, amounting to $380, and that the Parish in return should give him the use of the house free of rent except "The land rent which he is to pay so long as he shall remain Rector of the Parish." Evidently the day of free rec- tories had not yet arrived.
In 1826 it was voted that the pew in front of the
at ed r's ch a en be ith ed red
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northwest corner pew be appropriated to David Gardner, the barber, and his associates. In this same year the question of the church in Montague came up, and a com- mittee was appointed "to consult agents from said parish concerning the terms upon which the Rev. Mr. Strong will preach for them one Sunday in each month for the next six or eight months."
Almost every year there was a deficiency in the treas- ury. At various times during these early years different methods were used in the attempt to make both ends meet financially. Usually the pews were sold or auctioned to the highest bidder. Rarely, however, did the amount bid reach the total sum needed for the expenses of the parish. In 1826 the attempt was made to raise the Rec- tor's salary of $500 by subscription. In 1828 it was de- cided to tax the whole parish, their polls and estates, but any persons bidding on a pew were to be credited by the collector with the amount bid as against the tax levied.
There is preserved somewhere a book with the fol- lowing title :-
"An assessment of the property of the members of St. James' Episcopal Parish, Greenfield."
This appraisal is typical of many more.
John Jones, 1 Horse $75
1 Gig 37
1 Chaise 100
Buildings,
$1005
20 acres mowing
800
50
tillage
1500
60
,,
wild land
S16
10
unimproved 50
39
Or this
1 horse $75
4 oxen
120
4 cows
64
6 three yr. olds
96
3 two yr., 3 one do 45
21 sheep 21
400 swine 12
The rate of course varied, being dependent upon the amount to be raised, but usually it was very small.
In 1827 the report is that "the Parish is clear from debt and owns the Parsonage House and the lot together with the ground between said house and the church."
In 1830 at the annual meeting the following report of the Wardens and Vestry was accepted :-
"Respecting pecuniary concerns of the Parish of Saint James' Church, the Wardens and Vestry beg leave to report
That there is now a deficiency of the Rector's salary for the year ending this day of the sum of $109.36, for which, together with a further sum of $20 for repairs about the church and parsonage, a tax is directed to be assessed and collected. They regret exceedingly that it has become necessary to resort to this course, but how- ever disagreeable it may be, a tax must be enforced un- less it is avoided by voluntary subscription."
In 1830 the question of the Parsonage again came up. The struggles of the Parish to keep on its feet financially are truly pathetic. The Rector had to bear the brunt of the trouble, and now he asks to be allowed to release $100 of his already small salary in order that the burden resting on both Rector and parish may be eased.
The proposal which Mr. Strong made is worth
rish ong the
the Rec- de- tes, ited
ned unt
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дег, the om.
fol-
St.
tax
40
quoting in that it shows under what difficulties the par. son labored in this early period.
"The proposition made by the subscriber to the parish is as follows, to wit :-
On condition of a deed being given to him containing a full and indefeasible title to the premises which he now occupies, he will relinquish $100. per annum of his salary during the time he shall continue Rector of the parish. It being understood, however, that if he should leave the parish against the will of a majority thereof and while the stipulated sum of $400 per annum shall be regularly paid, at any time within five years from the agreement, the premises aforesaid or the value of the same shall be restored to the parish.
If an arrangement like the above shall be effected, it is thought that a benefit will accrue both to the Rector and to the Parish. He will be enabled to remove the em- barrassment which now oppresses him, and the Parish will be relieved of some part of the burden of minister- ial support. A greater influence will probably with the blessing of Divine Providence be given to the services of the Rector. Encouragement both to minister and people will be derived from the sense of increased per- manency in the condition of the church, and inducement may be presented to others to unite with the parish who now are restrained by an opinion of pecuniary difficulties.
The parish may, it is true, incur some risk from the uncertainty of life and the mutabilities which are com- mon to our station, and over which we have no control; but when it is considered that the subscriber has for sixteen years struggled with all the difficulties of a new parish, that he has been obliged to expend for the sup- port of his family means received from other sources than his salary, and that he has given the best years of his life to the interests of the parish, it will perhaps
41
not be thought too much to render him the aid which the proposed measure contemplates."
(Signed ) T. Strong.
August 31, 1830.
It is needless to say that the Parish voted to accept the proposal which Mr. Strong made.
The state of the parish at this time and in subsequent years can be judged from the official returns made to the Diocese.
In the convention journal of 1830, we find the fol- lowing report made by Dr. Strong.
"The parish of St. James' Church consists of between fifty and sixty souls who are in general zealously inter- ested in its wellfare. There have, however, within a few years been many deaths and removals of members, upon whom much dependence was placed for support. There is no great probability of immediate increase. Greenfield is a small town of about 1500 inhabitants, and contains four parishes."
He also reports for St. John's Church, Ashfield, and Trinity Church, Montague, of both of which he was in charge.
In 1831 he reports as follows:
"Baptism of Infants, 23; Adults, 8; total, 31.
Communicants added, 9; Died, 1; Removed, 2.
Present members, 65; Confirmed, 25.
Marriages, 1; Burials, 13.
Sunday Scholars, 70.
Missionary Societies, 1; Missionary Contribu- tions, about $35.
This parish is apparently in a prosperous condi- tion. The embarrassments under which it has labored are principally removed; the congregation is increasing in numbers, and a great degree of union and harmony prevails. Within the last year a voluntary reduction of the Rector's salary, on conditions beneficial both to him
, it ctor em- rish ter- the ices and per- ient who ties.
ing he his the uld reof hall rom the
the
the om- col; for new sup- ces ars aps
par-
42
and the parish, has been made. Some assistance has been received from benevolent individuals of Trinity Church, Boston; and there is every reason to hope that under the blessing of the great Head of the Church we shall continue to be prospered in our exertions for the forma- tion of pure and undefiled religion."
Bishop Griswold, in his address to the convention of 1837, has this to say of the parish.
"In the church in Greenfield I have preached three times. Though the population of that town is small, and divided among four or five denominations, and not- withstanding the great loss in our Church there by re- movals, it has uniformly supported itself and increased. Its worthy Rector is one of those few who have not for- saken their charge; and the good effect is seen in the love of his people, and the prosperity of the parish."
In 1841 Dr. Strong reports,
"This parish continues, as at the time of the last report, with but little change for the better or worse. The lines between the religious parishes in the town are so fixed that there seems but little chance of increase to the church. And yet the zeal of its members is not abated nor their harmony interrupted. During the last year the ladies of the society have presented a valuable gown to their Rector, and a subscription of $250 has been raised for repairing the organ. Nearly $100 have also been expended about the church. If our spiritual con- cerns were as prosperous as our temporal, notwithstand- ing our subjection to many wants, we should still have occasion to rejoice."
Ten years later the following report is made by the Rector.
"Baptisms, 22; Communicants, 78.
Burials, 14; Marriages, 13.
Confirmed, 7; Sunday School Scholars, 45. Domestic Missions, $40.
Foreign Missions, $50.
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The concerns and prospects of this parish are more than ordinarily encouraging. The demand for seats in the church is greater than the supply, and there is ev- idently an increasing interest in the services of the sanc- tuary. During the past year the health of the Rector has been such as to interrupt, in some measure, the reg- ular and usual discharge of his duties; and for more than three months he was furnished with ministerial aid from other dioceses. What may be the condition of himself or his parish for the coming year is known only to Him who "does all things well." To His disposal we commit in faith and trust all our hopes and all our cares."
The next year, 1852, he chronicles the loss of Dr. A. F. Stone, the Senior Warden, "who for forty years has labored for the prosperity of the parish, and who has been permitted to witness the increase from five indiv- iduals to a comparatively large and flourishing con- gregation. We trust that he has gone from the services that he loved in the temple below, to worship with those who are ever before the throne of God and the Lamb."
At the parish meeting held in April, 1832, it was voted that the Rector be allowed six Sabbaths absence in the course of the year ensuing, and the compensation he receive (if any) to be added over and above his salary.
The important event of the year 1833, was the Baptism on August 4th of a small child, one John Williams, who afterward became Bishop of Connecticut and in 1887 Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Almost every year we find a plan of the church in the early record books, giving the sittings as they were purchased, and the amount paid by each owner.
In 1834 a set of By-laws was adopted in accordance with a statute passed by the Legislature of the Common- wealth. They are similar in many respects to those passed in the year 1907, save that the number of vestry- men was then five, a very sensible and convenient num- ber indeed.
the
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At a meeting of several members of the parish held at the home of the Rector on the evening of July 29th, 1835, it was decided to organize a society for the dis- tribution of prayer books and tracts. In coming to such a decision the company was influenced by a feeling of "the importance of extending and perpetuating the know- ledge of divine truth in connexion with the principles of the Episcopal Church," and resolved to form them- selves into a society by the name of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in the Parish of St. James' Church.
"At a special meeting of the Wardens and Vestry on Saturday, July 30th, 1836,
Resolved and Voted, that we sincerely and heartily concur in the resolution adopted by the Bishop and Clergy of the Eastern Diocese in reference to the recent death of the Rt. Rev. William White, D. D., of Penn- sylvania and Senior Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and that the Rector of this parish be requested to adapt the service and sermon of tomorrow morning to the mournful event, and that the doings of this meeting be entered upon the records of the parish." The next day Mr. Strong read part of the burial service, and "delivered a discourse from the 12th Psalm, 13th verse." "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the chil- dren of men." So did the Parish take to heart the inter- ests and the sorrows of the Church at large.
In the following September another resolution was adopted of a different character.
"Resolved, in behalf of said parish that we accept with pleasure the splendid present presented by Henry W. Clapp, Esq., of eight side and four pulpit lamps, to- gether with a beautiful bronze chandelier, to be placed in our church for the wellfare of the parish.
Resolved, that while we duly appreciate the noble
45
gift, we cannot refrain from tendering to him our most sincere thanks for the same, and may they long remain a light for those who worship there, and as a memento of his munificence."
In 1837 it was voted to add seventy-five dollars to Mr. Strong's salary (then $400) for the year ensuing, "in consequence of the extraordinarily high price of every article of provision." But at the next parish meeting, the deficiency in the Rector's salary being $160, nothing further was said about an increase the following year.
That the Parish had its trials and difficulties in meet- ing its financial obligations is certain, but the real bur- den fell not upon the Parish but upon the minister. His salary, none too large at best, was not always paid promptly nor in full. These two receipts tell their own story :-
$388.50
Received the above amount on my salary for the year ending Easter 1847.
Jan. 1848.
T. Strong.
Greenfield, September 27, 1838.
Received of Mr. C. K. Grennell, Collector, in cash on the within subscriptions three hundred and fifty- nine dollars and eleven cents toward my salary for the year ending Easter last.
T. Strong.
In Bishop Griswold's address to the Convention in 1839 he speaks of Mr. Strong's relations with Springfield (Christ Church). "The corner stone of a new house, which they are now erecting, was recently laid by the Rev. Dr. Strong, assisted by others of our bretheren, and we trust that through God's blessing the people of that large and growing town will henceforth be favored in
ept nry to- ced oble
was
on
t.
al he ice nt, the ead om dly hil- ter-
ly nd nt
h f
S
1
46
the ministrations of the Protestant Episcopal Church. For, though many pious and good Christians may dis- like our ministrations, in almost every large population there is a considerable number who, on becoming ac- quainted with our ecclesiastical system, decidedly prefer it, and find it most edifying. And where there are likely to be found in any place numbers of such sufficient to form a respectable parish, it is our duty to aid them."
In 1839 each pew holder was assessed one-half his pew rent in addition to what he already paid in order that accumulated deficiencies, mostly in the Rector's salary, might be paid off.
In 1840 a committee was appointed in parish meeting to examine the roof of the church and report the probable expense of repairing the same at an adjourned meeting. A week or so later the parish met at the church to hear this report. This note follows :-
"The committee chosen to examine the roof, not hav. ing made a thorough examination, were directed to go onto the roof and examine the same and report."
The roof was duly inspected and a new one ordered. In 1841 the organ needed repairing, and one hundred and eighty one dollars was subscribed for that purpose.
In 1843 Resolutions were adopted regretting the death of Bishop Griswold, and welcoming his successor, the Rt. Rev. Manton Eastburn, the new Bishop of Massachusetts. During this same year Dr. Strong became one of the incorporators of the "Greenfield Institute for the Edu- cation of Young Ladies," known afterwards as "The Stone School."
In 1845 the church was again in need of repairs, and there was some talk of moving it. Subscriptions were asked, and $822 raised. It was finally decided, after many meetings, "to contract to repair the church where it now stands." Nothing was done in the matter, how- ever, and the next Easter (1846) the question again came
47
up. The meeting refused to accept the report of the committee on repairs largely made up of excuses, and gave it instructions to proceed forthwith. The committee evidently had something on its mind as explanation of this delay, and it finally came out. At a special meet- ing called November 30th, 1846, it was decided "to con- firm the proceedings of the Wardens and Vestry in regard to the sale of the church building to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and Society in Greenfield. On motion of Dr. A. F. Stone, (he being one first in the building of this church) that this parish now proceed to build a new stone church on this ground, the above-men- tioned passed by a unanimous vote."
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