USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > Semi-centennial of Center Congregational Church and Society, Haverhill, Mass., with a Historical discourse > Part 3
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
the erection of the Academy in 1826, when the hall of that building was used for the purpose, the scholars with their teachers marching in procession to the church at the close of the school to attend the afternoon service.
After the separation of the first parish the Center Church was formed in 1833. and a vestry erected in which the school was held until the erection of the meeting-house. The first session of the school in this honse was held Dec. 21, 1834, 115 present. The first superintendent of this school was Gilman Parker, Esq .. who labored earnestly and with great success, until stricken down by sickness which resulted in death June 13, 1846, aged 46 years. .
The only record of the school at this period of its history is by the secretary, Mr. James Gale. A few ex- tracts from these records have been made to show their character and to refresh the memory of those who were members at that time.
July 13, 1831. Fair and pleasant. 93 scholars and 24 teachers present. Prayer by Mr Parker .- Robert Marsh, aged 65, a worthy member of the church and society, was killed at the raising of the new meeting-house on Thursday last, July 30, 1834.
Nov. 30, 1831. No school, on account of a great eclipse of the sun in the school hour.
Jan 4, 1835. Very cold, the thermometer this morning at 26 below zero. The coldest ever known; 95 present.
June 7. 141 present. Mr. Dana, a former Superintendent, addressed the school
Aug 30. 152 present. School visited by delegates fram Newbury.
Nov. 15. 168 present -- the largest number that has ever been present. A youth's temperance society this day formed for all under 12 years of age belonging to the school ; those over 12 joining the adult society.
Nov. 12, 1837. Secretary came in late. Superintendent absent.
Nov. 26. Miss Rebecca Marsh, one of our most esteemed and valuable teachers, departed this life on Sabbath evening, Nov. 19. Her funeral obsequies were attended in this church on Wednesday, 22d. May her de- parture quicken all to duty, and lead those who have not made preparation for their last change now to commence that preparation.
And thus the record ends, no record being made after 1837.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
£
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
Mr. Parker was succeeded by Alfred Kittredge, Esq .. who continned seven years, and was sneceeded by Dea. E. T. Ingalls who resigned at the close of the year. Mr. E. G. Frothingham was next chosen, Jan. 11, 1855. and continued two years, and was succeeded by N. S. How, Esq., in 1857, who also continned two years, and was succeeded by Dr. J. Crowell who took charge of the school April 1. 1859. This was at the critical period in the history of the school on account of the incidents attending the formation of the North Church. Of course the school had to be entirely reorganized, and at the first session there were 114 members present.
Large accessions were soon received from the Winter St. school, which was abandoned in 1860, and with united forces great prosperity attended the labors of the fathful workers who were at that time identified with the work. A more complete system of missionary labor was established, and there was a large increase in the benevolent contributions. Sabbath-school concerts were held with more regularity, with Bible topics for recita- tion. The best talent in the church and society was enlisted in the work of teaching, and the school attained an excellence in the solid work of Biblica! instruction which has ever since constituted its chief glory and pride. Among those who were identified with the school at this period of its history may be mentioned Res. (. W. Kelly, Mrs. M. F. Ames, Mrs. R. G. Walker, Mrs. Ezra Kelly, Mrs. Annie S. Downs, Mrs. Crowell, Mrs. C. P. Crockett, Messis. E. J. M. Hale. J. R. Nichols. Geo. S. Chase, J. Howard Nichols, and many others, who gave their valuable services to the work of teaching.
Dr. Crowell resigned in 1869, after a service of eight years, when Mr. F. S. MeKenney was elected to the office of Superintendent which position he faithfully filled for two years, when Mr. J. Howard Nicho's was chosen Sept. 23, 1869, remaining in office only a few months
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
on account of business engagements elsewhere. He wa- succeeded by Mr. John Corson who was chosen Jan. 23. 1870, who resigned July 1, 1871, when Mr. MeKenney was again elected, laboring with success until 1875 Mr. Hazen M. Chase was chosen Feb. 4, 1875, whe served the school with marked fidelity for six years Mr. Win. H. Underhill was elected Supt. in February. 1881, which position he filled with great acceptance. "The present Superintendent was elected February 1. 1883.
Through all these years the school has never lost sight of the fact that the object of Sabbath-school instruction should be to teach the lively oracles of God in a plain. honest, judicious way, giving due prominence to the great doctrines of the forgiveness of sin and redem] - tion through Jesus Christ, the great atoning Savior.
In faithful work, in systematic benevolence, and in the inenlcation of the aggressive principles of Christian- ity, we believe that this school never stood firmer than it stands today. God grant that its future may be more glorious in faithful labor and in the abundance of His blessing. .
Center Congregational Society. A Historical Paper.
BY JOHN M POOR.
The land on which this church edifice stands was leeded by David and John Marsh, Dec. 17, 1834. " to the building committee appointed by the proprietors of the meeting-house for the use of the Central Church and Independent Congregational Society in the enjoyment o! an evangelical orthodox gospel ministry for the worship of the one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
The original style of the first " meeting-house," si called, varied materially from the present structure, both as to exterior appearance and interior arrangements. The front, or entrance was adorned by two massive Ionic pillars, " one on the right hand, the other on the left," in imitation of those at the entrance of King Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem ; the gable being sur- mounted by a belfry and spire.
It was completed, and dedicated on the 17th of Dec. 1834, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. In 1859 the pew-holders voted to enlarge and remodel the meet- ing-house. The old gallery was taken down, the walls finished to imitate heavy stone work, that being the prevailing style of finish at the time, the auditorium was enlarged, and consequently more pews were added. The present tower and spire were built at this time : the work being done by Dea. Alfred Gage, at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars, and was re-dedicated on Jan. 27, 1860.
In 1878 was begun a second radical internal remod- eling of the church. The whole building was raised to a suitable hight to admit of finishing the basement into a lecture-room, diningroom, ladies' parlor, kitchen, and library-room.
A gallery was erected across the westerly end, capa- ble of containing about twenty pews, - new modern styled circular pews,-and a new pulpit were furnished, and the walls and ceiling of the church were handsomely frescoed at a cost of abont nine thousand dollars.
The first vestry was built previous to 1833 on land given by David and John Marsh, and the first meet- ing of the society, or for the purpose of forming the society, was held April 16, 1833; but inasmuch as there does not appear to be any record concerning the ownership, it may be assumed that the society did not own it. This building was consumed by fire in 18441.
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
On May 2d, 1845, the society bought of David and John Marsh additional land on Vestry street, with the same restrictions as were exacted on the meeting-house lot, and a substantial two-story building was created, with a lecture-room on the first floor. The hall above was leased to the Odd Fellows. This building was in use up to the time of the last remodeling of the church in 1878, when it was sold to Orlando Brown, who trans- formed it into a dwelling-house, where it now stands on the old vestry lot.
In the spring of 1856 the society bought of Charles Butters a lot of land on Kent street, and erected a par- sonage at a cost of 84,037.53, which is still owned by the society and occupied by its pastor.
And now, having given a short history of the real estate transactions, we will turn back and give some of our ecclesiastical and personal history :
The first meeting of the society was held April 16. 1833. John Marsh was chosen moderator, and Moses Nichols clerk. No record appears of the number of per- sons attending this meeting, but the number of original signers was 108, of which number only eight are now living, viz: Moses Nichols, Moses E. Emerson, Elias T. Ingalls, Moses Marsh, John Harriman, Samnel R. Spiller. Algernon P. Nichols, and Jonathan Merrill.
The first settled minister was Rev. Joseph Whittlesy. The society voted him a salary of six hundred dollars, but Mr. Whittlesy " is of the opinion that the amount voted him by said society would not support his family, and pay necessary expenses," so they reconsidered their first vote, and finally voted him a salary of "six hun- dred dollars for the first year, six hundred and fifty for the second, and seven hundred dollars a year so long as he shall remain our pastor."
Mr. Whittlesy closed his pastorate with the society in 1839, when the Rev. Edward A. Lawrence accepted a
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
call, continuing until June 12th, 1844, when, at his own . request, he was dismissed.
In May 21st, 1845, the Rev. Benjamin F. Hosford of Thetford, Vt., accepted an invitation as successor of Mr. Lawrence and was duly installed as such. Like a Wash- ington among warriors, or a Webster among statesmen, so Mr. Hosford pre-eminently distinguished himself as a preacher-his manner was gentle, but irresistible and convincing. The writer distinctly recollects portions of the first sermon he had the pleasure of hearing him preach, now more than a third of a century ago.
After a ministry of eighteen years, on account of fail- ing health he was obliged to resign Oct. 21st, 1863. In Nov. 6th, 1863, the Rev. Theodore T. Munger received and accepted a call, almost immediately after the retire- ment of Mr. Hosford, who continued his pastorate until 1869, when he resigned his trust, and the Rev. Charles M. Hyde became the fifth regular settled minister; he continued as such until the 10th of Dee. 1875, when he was dismissed at his own request.
In October of 1876 our present pastor, the Rev. Henry E. Barnes, accepted a call as successor of Dr. Hyde, and on Nov. 23 of the same year was installed. The society changed the name from " Independent Congregational Society" to " Center Congregational Society" in 1840.
The society during its half century of existence has had twenty-four treasurers, viz: Gilman Parker, James Gale, William Taggart, Robert G. Walker, John J. Marsh, John Crowell, Elias T. Ingalls, R. S. Chase, D. W. Webster, G. H. Carleton, James S. Ames, George S. Chase, Ezra Kelly, Moses W. Putnam, W. Stickney Chase. (. II. Ordway, John M. Poor, G. E. Calef, Wm. II. Un- derhill, and lastly C. T. Weaver-all true and faithful men: while it has had only eleven clerks, viz: Moses Nichols, Thos. R. Appleton. Chas. B. Hall, Moses How, James E. Ames, Kendall Flint, John A. Nichols, D. W.
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX. 35
Webster, Geo. W. Kelley, James S. Ames, and last, but . not least, the present incumbent, who has served faith - fully for eighteen consecutive years. the now venerable Thomas H. Appleton.
And now, in reviewing our history as a society for the past half century, the question naturally arises - with all the improved facilities for obtaining knowledge, have we made any progress in righteousness during this period ?
BENEVOLENT CONTRIBUTIONS.
This list is a record as far back as it is attainable, and brought up to Jan. 1883, of moneys raised by the con- gregation, aside from current expenses of church and society. The causes supported are various, including the principal Congregational societies. Contributions were made annually at a much earlier period but no definite report remains.
1566
800 37
936 52
1×67
500 50
1595 59
THIS .
1-77
1216 56
1569 (No paston
750 44 450 M2 1:74 1149 51
1.70 No report
1879
1-13 55
1-71
1-10 50 1578 .
1-62 23
Total for 16 years $23927 00
The pastors of the First Parish, previous to the form- ation of the Center Congregational Church were :
Rev. John Ward, Installed Oet. 10:15. det Dec. 27, 160;
.. Benjamin Rolf,
.. Jan. 7, 1694 ;
". Joshua Gardner, Jan 11, 1211 ; Mar. 21, 1715
.. John Brown
.. May 1, 1519 ; " Dec. 2 1712
Edward Barnard
Apr. 27, 10B ! Inn. 26, 17:1 Mar. 12, 1777 . · Sept 29, 120
.. Ahiel Abbott
June 3, 17:5. this'd June 13, 1503
Joshua Dodge
..
Dadley Phelps, Jan. 9, 1928 :
-
1255 3%
1391 40 1875
1756 30 3004 2
John shaw.
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HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
The pastors of the Center Congregational Chur .A. have been :
Rev. Joseph Whittlsey, insalled Aug. 25, 1-33 ; dis'd April 18, 1:38
" Edw. A. Lawrence, May 4. 1939 ; " June 12, 1:11
Benj. F. Hosford, May 21, 1815 ; " Oct. 26, 1-63
Theodore T. Munger," Jan. 6, 1865 ;
Dec. 11, 1-69
Charles M. Hyde Nov. 15, 1970 ;
" Dec. 15, 1975
" Henry E. Barnes .. Nov. 23, 1576 ;
The deacons of the Center Church have been :
Barnard Brickett, chosen Ang. 28, 1833; dies April 15, 1-36
Samuel Chase,
Aug. 28, 1833; "
Jan. 30, 1870
Ezra C. Ames,
June -, 1836 ; Jan, 15, 1865-
Elias T. Ingalls .. Feb. 2, 185 ; dis'd Mar. 19, 1839
Kendall Fihit Feb. 2, 1855 ; "
Mar. 19, 1859-
George W. Kelly, April 5, 1861 ; res'd Jan. 30, 1808
Joseph Flanders, April 5, 1861
John Crowell, .. Dec. 8, 1870
Ezra Kelly,
Dec. 8, 1570
Names of Church Clerks :
James Gałe,
Thos. R. Appleton, John Crowell.
Ezra C. Ames, George W. Kelly,
Names of Church Treasurers :
Ezra C. Ames, Ezra Kelly.
Joseph Flanders
D 2844.39. 3
MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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