USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Somerville, Mass.; the beautiful city of seven hills, its history and opportunities > Part 10
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During this period of growth of the high school the primary, intermediate, and grammar schools were prospering in a corresponding way. In addition to the subjects which com- prised the curriculum in the earlier days, instruction is provided for boys in manual training and for girls in sewing. In 1910
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an important new feature was added to the school organiza- tion in the opening of an independent industrial school for boys in the Davis school building. One year later, October, 1911, an independent industrial school for girls was opened in the large double dwelling at 41 Atherton street. These schools were established in conformity with the provisions of chapter 505, Acts of 1906, and are the beginning of the undertaking to provide vocational training in industrial work. Since 1885 evening schools have been maintained for elementary and high school pupils. These schools have been well attended, and the high school has had a large attendance and a varied and attractive curriculum. In 1911 the expenditure for main- tenance of the schools was $371,579, or .00552 of the asses- sors' valuation of the city.
The city is fortunate in having as superintendent of schools Charles S. Clark, a man of talent, of a broad educa- tion, of an extended experience, united with executive ability equal to directing our great system of schools. Mr. Clark was born in Lowell, Mass., February 19, 1858; Dartmouth College, 1882, A. B., A. M .; George Washington University, LL. B., 1886. He is a member of the Prospect Hill Congregational church, a director of the Somerville Y. M. C. A., a member of the Central Club of Somerville, member of Soley lodge, A. F. and A. M .; Massachusetts Schoolmasters' Club, Boston City Club, and the Somerville Playgrounds Association.
There are two Parochial schools, one for boys and the other for girls, with about 2,000 enrolled pupils, which are known as the St. Joseph's Parochial schools. The large three-story brick schoolhouse at 268 Washington street is occupied by the male pupils, and has as teachers Xavierian brothers with Brother Fabian as principal. The large wooden schoolhouse, 15 Webster avenue, is under the religious order, Sisters of Notre Dame, with twenty-two teachers. Sister M. Theresa is directress.
MARTIN W. CARR SCHOOL
CLASS IN DRESSMAKING Industrial School for Girls
WOOD-WORKING ROOM Industrial School for Boys
MACHINE ROOM Industrial School for Boys
PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES CHAPTER IX.
Church - Social - Fraternal
OUR CHURCHES
From our settlement until the year 1844, the people of this section attended public worship either in Charlestown or Cam- bridge, listening to the persuasive words of John Harvard, the founder of Harvard College, Zachariah Symmes, Thomas Shepard, and many other of the early noted divines. In the membership of these churches are enrolled many Somerville names, such as Governor Winthrop and General Gibones, and later, Nathan Tufts and Samuel Jaques.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL (UNITARIAN) CHURCH is the mother church of the city. Miss Elizabeth Page Whittredge, the teacher of the district school, in June, 1842, gathered the children of the town on Sabbath mornings, to instruct them in the simple truth of the Gospel. When Mr. Hodges came here, in 1844, with the idea as expressed in his diary: "The thought occurred to me that I might make myself useful as a religious teacher to many aged persons, young children, and others, who from the long distance were prevented from attending church," in Charlestown and Cambridge, he joined forces with the good district school teacher, and thus in the year 1844 the first re- ligious organization was formed. The corner stone for the new church was laid upon what is now Central Hill park. Within half a century four new churches were built, three upon the same site, the fourth on the present site on Highland ave- nue. The first church was dedicated in September, 1845. The second church, after the destruction of the first by fire, was completed in April, 1854. The third church, after the destruc- tion of the second by fire, was dedicated in January, 1869. The corner stone of the fourth church was laid in June, 1894. It is one of the strongest and richest church organizations in the city. Rev. Chester A. Drummond, pastor.
PERKINS STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, corner Cross and Pearl streets, was organized May 4, 1845. It was first known as the Neck Village Baptist church, later as the Charlestown
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and Somerville Baptist church, and in August, 1853, as the Perkins Street Baptist church. Its first meeting house was erected at the corner of Main and Haverhill streets, Charles- town. In 1853 it was removed and located on Perkins street, Somerville, at which time it was enlarged. In 1864 the church was remodeled, and on Monday, January 8, 1866, it was de- stroyed by fire. In June, 1867, a new church was dedicated, and in 1873 was enlarged. In 1890 this church was turned over to the East Somerville Baptist church. In May, 1892, the present church was dedicated. Rev. William C. Martin, Litt. D., pastor.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Belmont street, near Summer street, Spring Hill, was organized December 30, 1852, as the First Baptist church in Somerville. The church worshipped in the Beach-street chapel from the date of its organization till March 2, 1873, when they entered their present church, which was dedicated June 12, 1873. Rev. Loren A. Clevenger, D. D., pastor.
FIRST ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was the first of the Congregational denomination established in Somerville, and from it, as the parent church, various others have grown into prominent church organizations. On September 15, 1853, the society was legally organized, and the corner stone of the first church edifice was laid October 10, 1854, and the building was dedicated July 12, 1855. On March 16, 1867, their church edifice was destroyed by fire. The corner stone of a new church was laid August 27, 1867, and the present edifice on the original site on Franklin street, opposite Perkins street, was dedicated September 30, 1868. Rev. Percy E. Thomas, pastor.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, corner Cross and Tufts streets, first held a meeting in the town hall in 1853, and the church was organized February 16, 1854. The first chapel was built upon land given by Charles Tufts, for whom Tufts Col- lege was afterwards named. This church was destroyed by fire January 2, 1868. The present building was erected in 1869, and the Social hall was added in 1894. Rev. H. D. Maxwell, pastor.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In September, 1855, Rev. Abraham Merrill, then preaching at East Cam- bridge, sent a local preacher named Rufus Gerrish to Somer- ville to start a Methodist society. A few people were gathered
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in Franklin hall, a hall then standing at the junction of Wash- ington street and Somerville avenue. The present church building, corner of Bow street and Wesley park, was erected in 1874. Rev. William R. Newhall, pastor.
EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH, corner of Summer and Central streets, dates its early formation from Easter Sunday, 1862. The place of worship was in a small hall, then at the corner of Milk row and Park street. A permanent organiza- tion was effected December 18, 1862. Rev. N. K. Bishop, - rector.
BROADWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH began with the for- mation of a Sabbath school by a few Christian people of Winter Hill in August, 1863, in Broadway hall, at the foot of Winter Hill. An ecclesiastical society was formed, preaching and other services were continued in the hall until June 21, 1864, when the church dedicated a new church building at the corner of Broad- way and Central street. December 9, 1866, the church build- ing was destroyed by fire. Following the fire church was held in a new dwelling house on Sycamore street, owned by Samuel Oakman, a member of the church. Increased attendance led to removal to the town hall in the Forster schoolhouse, where services were continued from July 7, 1867, until January 18, 1868, when the church removed to a new chapel on Sycamore street, erected and tendered to the church free of rent by Mr. Oakman. Early in the summer of 1871 the society voted to build a chapel at the corner of Central street and Broadway, the site of its former meeting house. Just five years after the burning of its former church, the new house of worship was dedicated, December 10, 1871. This church was vacated in January, 1880, and services were held in the chapel it had for- merly occupied on Sycamore street. In 1883-1884 the church erected a building on the present site on Sycamore street. In 1896 the church was completely renovated and beautified, and a new Gothic front and Renaissance tower were added. Rev. Sidney Cooke, acting pastor.
WINTER HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in 1863 was started through the organization of a Sabbath school. On June 14, 1865, a church was formally organized, with twenty- eight members. In 1881 the membership was divided; a part withdrew and were recognized ecclesiastically as the Broadway Congregational church. The remainder were organized and
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formally recognized by council January 29, 1883, and changed the name to the Winter Hill Congregational church. Its beau- tiful church home is located on Broadway, corner of Central street. Rev. Charles L. Noyes, D. D., pastor.
ST. THOMAS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH was started through the efforts of Rev. N. G. Allen in 1863, and a chapel, corner of Washington and Tufts streets, was rented. May 17, 1863, the first service was held, and Rev. Dr. Randall, afterwards bishop of Colorado, preached the first sermon. Rev. George W. Durell became rector, and in 1870 built the church on Somer- ville avenue, Union square. The debt on the building having been discharged, it was consecrated July 9, 1875. Rev. A. H. Kennedy, rector.
PARK AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organ- ized early in 1872. May 28, 1872, the first quarterly conference was held. July 1, 1872, the board of trustees took on corporate powers and appointed a committee to secure subscriptions for the erection of a place of worship. They secured a chapel at an expense of $1,600, in which they received their first pastor, Rev. A. E. Winship, who was appointed April 8, 1873. His efforts laid the foundation for what became a strong society. In 1881 the property at the corner of Park avenue and Elm street was purchased and used as a parsonage. Early in 1882 a part of this property was sold, the church retaining forty feet frontage on Park avenue, to which was added by purchase fifty- five feet more, making a lot ninety-five feet by eighty-eight feet, on which the present edifice was erected and dedicated Febru- ary 7, 1883. The church has been a power for good. Rev. George B. Dean, pastor.
RANDALL MEMORIAL FREE BAPTIST CHURCH was organized July 21, 1883, as the Freewill Baptist Mission Church of Charlestown. In October, 1874, they moved to Broadway hall, East Somerville, and in June, 1879, to a large hall near by. There they remained until April, 1882, when they moved into their new chapel. Their present church building was built on New Cross street. Rev. C. E. Tuller, pastor.
PROSPECT HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organized December 30, 1874, in Bacon hall, Union square. As the first meeting was in Deacon M. P. Elliott's house on Prospect Hill, it was voted to call the new church the Prospect Hill church. The first house of worship, situated on Warren avenue, was
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dedicated in 1876, and became the property of the Union Square Presbyterian church October 1, 1882. In October, 1889, the present house of worship, Bow street, corner of Walnut street, was dedicated. Rev. Paul G. Favor, pastor.
WEST SOMERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH, College avenue, cor- ner Winslow avenue, was organized in June, 1874, and has been extending its influence for good in all the years since. Rev. William Frederick Wilson, pastor.
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH is an offshoot of the St. James', North Cambridge, and was organized in that church in 1875. A small chapel was built on Newbury street, and the first service held November 26, 1876. April 8, 1880, the edifice was dedicated. December 12, 1885, it was removed to its present site on Broadway, corner of Clarendon avenue. In 1892 the edifice was improved, and a dedicatory service held by Right Rev. Phillips Brooks, bishop of the diocese, December 7. Rev. Charles L. Sleight, rector.
ST. ANN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH was first planned for by Father McGrath, who in October, 1877, purchased the land corner of Medford and Thurston streets as the site for the first Catholic church, and four years later St. Ann's was erected. Three weeks after the dedication of the edifice, which took place September 25, 1881, Rev. John B. Galvin was installed as pas- tor, who said his first mass in the church October 23, 1881. November 27, 1894, the church was partially destroyed by fire. In two months after the fire the edifice was re-dedicated and made more beautiful than before. It is in a most flourishing condition, bringing many blessings upon the parish. Rev. Francis J. Butler, pastor.
WINTER HILL UNIVERSALIST CHURCH was first organized in the Methodist chapel, corner of Marshall street and Broad- way, on the evening of June 23, 1879, with the name Winter Hill Universalist parish. The first regular resident pastor was settled in 1888. In May, 1889, the name was changed, on peti- tion to the legislature, to that it now has. In 1888 the present church edifice, corner of Thurston street and Evergreen avenue, was built. Rev. Francis A. Gray, pastor.
WINTER HILL BAPTIST CHURCH was organized June 27, 1881, and the first church meeting was held on that day. A council was called June 28, 1881, to recognize the church as a regular Baptist church. The vote was unanimous, and the
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recognition services were held on the evening of the next day. May 5, 1887, the trustees were authorized to purchase a lot on School street, opposite Maple street, and October 8, 1888, ground was broken and the building long desired was begun. The new house was dedicated with appropriate services on the evening of April 10, 1889. Rev. Otis W. Foye, pastor.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Washington street, corner of Webster avenue, was dedicated in June, 1881, and constitutes one of the largest congregations in Somerville. Its various church societies and social organizations are ever active in parish work. Rev. Christopher T. McGrath, pastor.
THIRD UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. Under the leadership of Carnie D. Chamberlin, a few devoted Universalists in 1881 met to consider the feasibility of organizing a parish in West Som- erville. July 13, 1881, a meeting to organize was held. Clar- endon hall was engaged as a place of worship. In May, 1883, it was voted to buy the land corner of Morrison avenue and Elm street. In September, 1884, the work of building com- menced, and on the last day of the year the church was dedi- cated. Rev. H. A. Hersey, pastor.
UNION SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized by the presbytery of Boston in Pythian hall December 14, 1886. In October, 1887, the congregation purchased their present place of worship on Warren avenue, opposite Sanborn avenue. Rev. Norman McQueen, pastor.
EAST SOMERVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH was organized March 19, 1890. Its constituent members were original members of the Perkins Street Baptist church. The first services of the church were held in Hadley hall. on Broadway, afterward in the Flint Street Methodist church, and since July 25, 1890, in the present edifice on Perkins street, opposite Pinckney street. Rev. F. S. Boody, pastor.
ST. CATHERINE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH was organized in 1891 and dedicated to St. Catherine of Genoa. Ground for the new church on Summer street, opposite Spring street, was broken in December, 1891, and the edifice was finished in April, 1892. Rev. J. J. O'Brien, pastor.
FIRST CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. was organized December 19, 1892. This church is purely Wes- leyan. Its chapel is on Temple street, corner of Heath street. Rev. D. W. Staffeld, pastor.
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HIGHLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organized No- vember 11, 1894, incorporated November 28, 1894, and recog- nized by the council January 21. 1895. The organization of the church was the culmination of a series of open-air meetings, and the lot on which the meetings were held, on the corner of High- land avenue and Lowell street, was purchased and a chapel placed thereon. Rev. George S. Anderson, pastor.
UNION SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH was organized in 1885. and long worshiped in a hall. Ground was broken on a lot owned by the society on Walnut street August 12, 1895. The corner stone was laid October 3 following, and the building was completed for occupancy so that the first meeting therein was held June 14, 1896. Rev. W. Bradley Whitney, pastor.
DAY STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH held its first regu- lar meeting December 14, 1873. For two and one-half years the church worshiped in a hall in Clarendon block, and the six months following in the Methodist Episcopal chapel on Highland avenue. During the summer of 1876 a house of wor- ship was donated to the society by the East Cambridge Evan- gelical Society. This building was taken down, removed to the present site, and re-built, being dedicated December 4, 1876. In 1876 the church was completely renovated and beautified. and was given up in 1911. A lot of land has been purchased at the corner of Francesca and College avenues, West Somer- ville, upon which the society is erecting a new church. Rev. Perley C. Grant, pastor.
MT. BENEDICT CATHOLIC CHURCH on Hathorn street, cor- ner of Arlington street, built in the spring of 1912, was the first new church under authority of His Eminence Cardinal O'Con- nell. Rev. Garrett J. Barry is pastor.
SECOND ADVENT CHURCH, on Putnam street, near Summer street, was organized October 6, 1887. Rev. C. R. Crossett, pastor.
SECOND UNITARIAN CHURCH, College avenue, near Davis square. Rev. W. H. Pierce, pastor.
FLINT STREET METHODIST CHURCH, on Flint street, oppo- site Rush street, was organized in April, 1868, and was the second Methodist church established. Rev. C. L. Smiley, pastor.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, meets in Anthoine hall, School street, near Highland avenue.
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PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE holds meetings at 71 Irving street. Rev. Charles W. Pettit, pastor.
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, Chestnut street, corner of Elm street. Rev. J. W. Gillies, pastor.
AFRICAN UNION METHODIST meets at 11 Harrison street, West Somerville. Rev. Adam Smith, pastor.
RECOGNIZED CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS meets at 8 Sewall street.
SALVATION ARMY has headquarters at 337 Somerville avenue.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
Several citizens became, as a result of association conven- tions in 1867, interested in the need of a Young Men's Chris- tian Association in our then rapidly-growing town. A meet- ing was held in the Perkins Street Baptist church December ", 1867, and the association formed with Hon. W. H. Hodgkins, president, and Hiram L. Makechnie, secretary. For twenty years evangelistic work was carried on. In the summer of 1887 it was reorganized along lines of "definite work for and by young men," at which time headquarters were opened in a Union-square building, and the association employed its first general secretary. In May, 1891, the association was incor- porated under the laws of Massachusetts. In 1893 the associa- tion rented a home at Gilman square and commenced plans for a permanent home building adequate to their growing needs. Through the help of the Women's Auxiliary and other friends, the lot on Highland avenue, 75x149 feet, was purchased, and the erection of the present building thereon was commenced. The corner stone was laid in 1904, and the building was opened and occupied in November, 1905. There was a week of exer- cises of dedication in February, 1906, at which time addresses were delivered by Governor George H. Utter, of Rhode Island. and Senator Dolliver, of Iowa. The land, building, and fur- nishings cost about $85,000. The present membership is 1,200. and any self-respecting man can join. The association building is finely equipped with comfortable and commodious halls, class rooms, reception and committee rooms, dormitories, gymnasium, swimming pool, bowling alleys, etc., and in every detail is equal to any first-class building devoted to Y. M. C. A. work. Its men's meetings, its Bible study are inspirations for great good, Its educational department consists of evening
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courses by expert teachers. Among the subjects taught are: Mechanical drawing, mechanical sketching, machine drawing, electricity, arithmetic, language, spelling, geography, civil ser- vice preparation, business English and correspondence. The physical department classes are arranged for young men, business and professional men, high school and em- ployed boys and boys between the ages of ten and sixteen. Special entertainments and lectures are frequent during the fall and winter seasons.
May 1, 1906, a board of trustees was created to hold any trust funds for the association. That board now consists of Edmund S. Sparrow (chairman), Luke W. Farmer (treasurer), Nathan H. Reed, J. Frank Wellington, and James M. York. The first bequest to the association was the valuable old clock in the entrance hall of the building and $10, from Mrs. Mary L. O. Hinds. Other bequests have been made as follows : Mrs. Nancy J. Litchfield, $2,000; Miss Emily Sawyer, $1,000; S. Newton Cutler, $1,000.
The association's entrance into a greater work and larger quarters was due in no small measure to the interest and activity of Henry M. Moore, prior to 1906, who was widely known as a member of the International and the State Associa- tion of the Y. M. C. A., and who died the week of the dedica- tion of the present building. The large hall in the building was named Moore hall in memory of his work and devotion. Mr. Moore was ably assisted by Mrs. George W. Maynard, then president of the Women's Auxiliary, and Maynard hall in the building was named in loving memory of her great interest in the association.
George E. Day, the present secretary, has through his efforts increased the membership to its present number, and the association has gained the well-merited reputation of absolute loyalty to the gospel truths, of being successful in educational teachings, and in physical work without a superior. And to all this may justly and properly be added the name of Charles L. Stevens, who since 1906 has acted as a wise and earnest presi- dent of the association.
COLLEGE CLUB.
About 100 college men of Somerville, representing various institutions. of learning, met in the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium De- cember 14, 1911, and organized the College Club. The objects
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of the club are to bring the college men of Somerville in closer relation, to encourage the college idea in parents and pupils, and to be of service to the community. The temporary organi- zation is as follows: President, Leon M. Conwell, Princeton ; vice-president, Warren C. Kendall, Dartmouth; secretary, Em- mons F. Whitcomb, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ; treasurer, Drew B. Hall, Bowdoin; executive committee, Rev, Dr. William R. Newhall, George E. Day, and Max Ver Wiebe.
TUFTS COLLEGE.
This noted denominational institution of learning has a part of its property for educational purposes located on Somer- ville soil, in that part of our city adjoining the city of Medford. The Universalists of America were no doubt influenced to lo- cate their great institution at its location overlooking the ro- mantic Mystic valley by the liberal gift of Charles Tufts, of Somerville, of twenty acres on Walnut Hill. This gift was soon increased to 100 acres, supplemented by an additional tract of twenty acres from Timothy Cotting, of Medford. In appreciation of Mr. Tufts' generous gift, the college was given his name. In 1852 a charter was granted the college by the state. On July 23, 1853, the corner stone of the first building, "Ballou Hall," in honor of the first. president, Rev. Hosea Ballou, was laid. The building was completed and formally opened August 22, 1855. Many bequests have been made to this institution since the year of its inception. Most of its landed possessions are in Somerville, with some of its build- ings, its campus, and its principal avenues of approach, and thus, with Medford, Somerville shares the renown of this "first Universalist college in the world." Rev. Frederick W. Ham- ilton, D. D., is its president.
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