USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Somerville, past and present : an illustrated historical souvenir commemorative of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the city government of Somerville, Massachusetts > Part 17
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SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT.
September 1, 1894, and the present minister, John R. Gow, succeeded to the office in July, 1895. After many revisions of the roll, the church reports three hundred and seventy-three resident members.
UNION SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This, the latest addition to the numerous houses of worship of Somer- ville is one of the handsomest structures in the city. For a long period the society had sorely felt the need of a permanent home, its large and increas- ing number of members being but poorly accommodated in the hall in which its meetings were held, and a number of efforts were made to obtain suffi- cient funds to permit the erection of a proper edifice.
After many struggles and disappointments the necessary amount was at length obtained to warrant the undertaking. Ground was broken on the lot owned by the society on Walnut street, August 12, 1895. The corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies and addresses, October 3, following. The building was completed for occupancy in June, 1896, and on the four- teenth of that month the first services in the church were held. The edifice is a most sightly one, the towers and handsome windows of stained glass of various designs giving it a very attractive appearance. It is of wood above the first story, which is of brick, with slated roof and copper gutters. The main entrance is at the base of the large tower, with other entrances on Wal- nut street and Giles park. The plans were prepared by Architect Warren K. Hayes of Minneapolis, Minn., and the building contract was awarded to John A. Dodge.
The growth of the society has been steady, and it has now a member- ship of nearly two hundred. Soon after the laying of the corner-stone the pastor, Rev. E. J. McKenna, on the 6th of October, resigned. He had been in failing health several months, and upon his retirement Rev. R. B. Moody was engaged as stated supply for the pulpit and later as acting pastor. At the annual business meeting last January, the following official board was elected for the year 1896 : Deacon, (three years) A. B. Gookin, (two years) I. H. Brown, (one year) T. M. Maddison ; moderator of business meetings, G. M. Wadsworth ; clerk, G. H. Streeter ; treasurer, A. O. Taylor ; Sunday- school superintendent, W. P. McGeouch.
WINTER HILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Winter Hill Baptist Church was organized June 27, 1881, and the first church meeting was held on that day. A council was called for June 28, 1881, to recognize the church as a regular Baptist Church.
The church was recognized by a unanimous vote and the recognition ser- vices were held in the evening as follows : sermon by Rev. J. J. Miller, prayer by Rev. J. Cooke, and giving the right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Lisle.
At a meeting on July 5, ISS1, the first Sunday-school superintendent was elected and the first pastor was called. August 30, 1881, it was voted to call a council of churches to ordain the newly elected pastor.
REV. WILLIAM J. DAY, Pastor Winter Hill Baptist Church.
WINTER HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, School Street, opposite Maple Ave.
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January 1, 1882, the first pastor resigned. Temple Hall, the first place of worship, was furnished and an organ purchased.
April 17, 1884, it was decided to hold services in Weldon hall.
April 30, it was voted to call a council for the ordination of the pastor elect, and several were received by letter from the Perkins-street Church.
June 2, 1884, it was voted to appoint a committee of three whose duties shall be to look after a lot of land, solicit funds, and any and all things per- taining to building a house for God's worship.
November 26. the pastor's resignation was accepted.
April 30, 1885, a call was given to the pastorate, and on June 6 it was accepted.
March 18, 1886, it was voted to authorize the circulation of a paper soli- citing subscriptions for funds to purchase a lot of land upon which to erect a church edifice.
June 24, 1886, it was voted to change the name of the church to Winter Hill Baptist Church.
November 4, 1886, a numerous land committee was appointed to devise means for raising money.
April 1, 1887, a committee was appointed to look after the legal organi- zation of the church, and on April 21, the church adopted by-laws for the corporation, and elected officers. One clerk served the church from its or- ganization to this date.
May 5, 1887, it was voted to authorize the trustees to purchase a lot on School street for a house of worship, and that it was expedient to proceed to build. A building committee of fifteen was appointed.
October 8, 1888, ground was broken and the building to which the church had looked forward so long began. The new house was dedicated with appropriate services on the evening of April 10, 1889.
The building is a modern structure, combining the Queen Anne with some Gothic and classical features. The rural English church architecture best describes the style of the building. The edifice is ninety feet in length. The auditorium is forty feet wide and fifty feet in length. The front of the building is seventy feet in width. The tower to the left of the main entrance on School street is twenty feet square and seventy feet in height. The main entrance under a wide archway opens into an ample and attractive vestibule, to the left of which are the ladies' parlor and toilet rooms. Wide double doors open to the right of the vestibule into the vestry room, which is very pleasant, being provided with a fire-place mantel and mirrors, and will seat sixty or more. Beyond this is the library room. The rooms on the second floor consist of one in the tower, an ample hallway and a gallery which will seat eighty-five.
During its history of fifteen years, the church has been served by the following pastors : Rev. L. H. Abrams, who served the church from July, 1881, to January 1, 1883 ; Rev. Samuel Hill, January, 1883, to January 2, 1884 ; Rev. Wm. D. Ward, February, 1884, to November 6, 1884; Rev. Joseph F. Bartlett, June, 1885, to March 11, 1888 ; Rev. Edward D. Mason, April, 1888, to June 5, 1891 ; Rev. Wm. J. Day, May 1, 1892, to the present time.
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THE BROADWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The movement which resulted in the establishinent of this church began with the formation of a Sabbath-school, by a few Christian people of Winter Hill, in August, 1863. The school opened with about fifty members, in Broadway Hall, situated on Broadway, at the foot of Winter Hill. Soon stated preaching was inaugurated, Rev. E. Porter Dyer being engaged for the purpose. An ecclesiastical society was formed, and services were con- tinued in the hall until the 21st of June, 1864, when the church, organized the 14th of June preceding (the result of plans instituted the 24th of Decem- ber, 1863), with the society, dedicated a new church building at the corner of Broadway and Central streets. This building was occupied until the night of December 9, 1866, when it was destroyed by fire. Owing to finan- cial difficulties which had long embarrassed the enterprise and which led to litigation, the church was left to its fate, without home or shelter. The Sabbath following the fire the church assembled in a new dwelling-house on Sycamore street, owned by Mr. Samuel Oakman, a member of the church. On that day the acting pastor, Rev. E. P. Dyer, preached his last sermon. Rev. E. P. Marvin was secured as temporary supply, and under his ministry the church gained twenty-three members. Increase of 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 re- moved to a new chapel on Sycamore street, erected by Mr. Oakman and tendered to the church free of rent. In February, 1868, Rev. Samuel H. Virgin of Andover was ordained as minister, and was duly installed as first pastor of the church October 27 of the same year. During all this period since the fire the expenses had been met by voluntary contributions, but in June, 1869, another ecclesiastical society was formed. On account of poor health, Mr. Virgin resigned in February, 1871. Early in the summer of that year the society voted to build a chapel at the corner of Central street and Broadway, the site of its former meeting-house, the land having been do- nated for the purpose by Mr. Samuel Oakman and Mrs. C. Eldridge, the original owners. The new and beautiful house of worship was completed and dedicated December 10, 1871, just five years after the burning of the former church. Rev. William H. Pierson of Ipswich was installed pastor, August 29, 1872, and officiated as such to both church and society until 1879, when, in consequence of a change in his theological views, other means of relief failing the church, it, in compliance with advice of an ecclesiastical council, voted to vacate the building, which it did in January, 1880, and com- menced services in the chapel it had formerly occupied on Sycamore street. The ecclesiastical society did not continue its connection with the church in this movement, but remained in the old building and under the ministry of Mr. Pierson. In 1883-1884 the church erected a building on Sycamore street on the present site of the church home. The church after the separa- tion had for ministers : Rev. A. H. Quint, D. D., from January, 1881, to May 1, 1884, acting pastor ; Rev. Lewis V. Price, from September 1, 1884, to June
REV. HORACE H. LEAVITT, Pastor Broadway Congregational Church.
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BROADWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Sycamore Street, Winter Hill.
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12, 1888, installed ; Rev. Charles E. Andrews, from September 1, 1889, to March 1, 1891, installed ; Rev. Joseph F. Lovering, from August 1, 1891, to August 1, 1893, acting pastor ; and Rev. Horace H. Leavitt from January I, 1894, installed, the present incumbent. In the fall of 1894, because of large additions to the church membership during the year, and marked in- crease in the congregations, the question of enlarging the church edifice was agitated, though there still existed a debt for the building then in use of about $6,000. The church, which many years before had become incor- porated as a legal organization, voted, in the spring of 1895, to remodel and enlarge its edifice, and some $10,000 was contributed for the purpose. The work was undertaken at once and the new structure was dedicated in April, 1896; the church having, however, a few weeks previous, through the pledges (payable monthly, for three years) of its members and members of the congregation, taken up the entire outstanding debt of the church and the interest thereon for three years, amounting to about $24,000, so that the building and its complete fittings could be dedicated practically free from debt.
The church is now finely equipped with the best and most ample facili- ties, and is in a prosperous condition and growing rapidly.
Its present membership is about 340, its congregation between 300 and 400, and its Sabbath-school about 400 members.
DAY STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. BY REV. PETER MACQUEEN.
Preliminary action was taken looking to the formation of a Congrega- tional Church in West Somerville in the autumn of 1873.
Beginning with Sunday, December 14, religious services were regu- larly conducted by Rev. C. L. Mills, representing the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society.
April 14, 1874, the West Somerville Congregational Church, with a membership of fifty-two, was regularly organized by council, Mr. Mills act- ing as pastor until the following June, when ill health compelled his retire- ment.
For two and one-half years the church worshipped in a hall in Claren- don Block, and the six months following in the M. E. Chapel on Holland Street.
During the summer of 1876 a house of worship was donated to the society by the East Cambridge Evangelical Society, through the Massachu- setts Home Missionary Society.
This building was taken down, removed to the present site and rebuilt, being dedicated December 4, 1876. This necessitated an indebtedness of $5,500, which was carried until the autumn of 1881, when, largely through the efforts of its pastor, Rev. C. B. Summer, a sufficient amount was pledged to pay the same. In the spring of 1882, through the kindness of friends of the church, a bell was purchased and hung in the belfry. In the summer of
REV. PETER MACQUEEN, Pastor of Day Street Congregational Church.
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1888, $1,200 was raised and applied to interior improvements and decorations of the church building, consisting of new windows, new cushions, new car- pet, etc.
Again, in 1896, the church was completely renovated and beautified, and a new Gothic front and Renaissance tower were added. The design of the building was so entirely recast as to present an absolutely modern structure.
The membership of the Day Street Church is composed of kindly, genial folk, who are religious in a quiet, cheerful way, and evermore benev- olent, and in all ways charitable. No one need ever feel the world is cold or life is dreary who enters this comfortable Christian atmosphere. The church sets itself to dignify life and labor, and set a star of hope above every cradle and every coffin.
The pastors and acting pastors have been as follows : Rev. C. L. Mills, April, 1874, to June, 1874, acting ; Rev. James M. Hubbard, June, 1874, to January, 1875, act. ; Rev. Albert Bryant, February, 1875, to January, 1880 ; Rev. W. F. Bacon, January, 1880, to April, 1880, act. ; Rev. C. B. Summer, June, 1880, to November, 1882; Rev. H. C. Hitchcock, November, 1882, to January, 1893 ; Rev. Peter MacQueen, April, 1893.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL (UNITARIAN) CHURCH.
The First Congregational (Unitarian) Church is the mother church of the city. One autumn day a little more than half a century ago, the Rev. Richard Manning Hodges was walking through the green fields and orchards along the main road that led from Charlestown to Cambridge, over the farms of what is now known as the city of Somerville, when, as he tells us in his diary, "the thought occurred to him that he might make himself useful as a religious teacher to many aged persons, young children and others, who from the long distances were prevented from attending church in these first-named towns." But when Mr. Hodges came here on a certain Sunday in March, 1844, to hold religious service, he found that Miss Eliza- beth Page Whittredge, the teacher of the district school, had already on a Sunday in June, 1842, in the first year of the town's incorporation, gathered her pupils and other children on Sabbath mornings, to instruct them in the simple truths of the Gospel, and to hold up before their hearts the sweet and attractive example of Jesus. So the good woman and the good minister united their forces, - the little church and the little Sunday-school, with the result that in August of this same year, 1844, a religious society was orga- nized, and the corner-stone of the first church was laid upon what is now Central Hill park.
Within half a century, four new churches were builded by the founders of this society and their successors, three of them upon the same site. 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 destruction of the second by fire, was dedicated in January,
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL (UNITARIAN) CHURCH. The old edifice on Central Hill.
REV. WILLIAM H. PIERSON, Pastor First Congregational (Unitarian) Society.
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1869. The corner-stone of the fourth church was laid upon its present site on Highland avenue, June, 1894. This edifice, designed by Hartwell and Richardson of Boston, with Sunday-school rooms, parlors, memorial win- dows and all the accessories for the social and religious work of a modern church, cost with the land and appointments, not far from #80,000, which was largely secured by the sale of the old church to the city. Through the efforts of the pastor and the contributions of the citizens, stimulated by a special and generous gift, the church is the possessor of a fine chime of eleven bells, from the old Paul Revere founderies of Boston.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL (UNITARIAN) CHURCH.
Rev. John Turner Sargent, the friend and defender of Theodore Parker, was the first pastor of the church. He was installed in 1846, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Augustus R. Pope, a most excellent man and minister ; Rev. Charles Lowe, afterwards secretary of the American Unitarian Asso- ciation : Rev. Henry H. Barber, now professor in Meadville University, Pa. ; and Rev. John S. Thompson, a graduate of Oxford, Eng., and now settled in Los Angeles, Cal.
The present pastor, Rev. W. H. Pierson, a graduate of Bowdoin College, came to the Winter Hill Congregational Church, Somerville, in 1872. His pastorate lasted nearly nine years, during which time his theological opin- ions underwent a change, and after a ministry of ten years at Fitchburg, he returned to Somerville, and was installed pastor of the First Unitarian Church, April, 1891.
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The First Unitarian Church, if we may accept an impartial and unso- licited testimony, "is one of the strongest and richest church-organizations in the city ; it has a good working force, a wide and intelligent constituency, and, in a quiet way, is doing a good deal for the denomination at large, as well as for charities at home."
Our limits will not allow further mention of the founders, benefactors, past and present supporters of this society, but we may speak of the special devotion of one of its members, the late Columbus Tyler, who bequeathed to the church nearly the whole of his large estate.
The purpose of the present management of the Church is to develop a broad, catholic, humane organization. In its preaching and in its services, the life, influence and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth is held in utmost love and reverence; and if the same insistence is not put upon theories and doctrines as in other communions, much stress is laid upon ethical in- fluences, upon the deep, underlying sentiments of the soul, and upon the constraining need of character, worship and religion.
FIRST ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This church was, as its name indicates, the first of the Congregational denomination established in Somerville, and from it, as the parent church, the various colonies which have grown into prominent church organizations have received much aid and strength.
The first formal meeting, with a view to the founding of a church of the Orthodox believers, was held at the house of Temple Paul, No. 17 Mt. Ver- non Street, April 21, 1853. On September 15, 1853, at the house of Ebenezer Davis, the " First Orthodox Congregational Society " was legally organized. The corner-stone of the first church edifice was laid October 10, 1854, and the building was dedicated July 12, 1855. By an ecclesiastical council, presided over by Rev. Nehemiah Adams, on May 3, 1855, the church was duly organized according to Congregational polity, thirty-nine persons con- stituting its membership. The sermon on this occasion was delivered by Rev. E. N. Kirk, of Boston.
On the following evening, officers were chosen as follows: deacons, Ebenezer Davis, Oliver Dickson, Joseph Lovett; examining committee, N. J. Knight, Joshua H. Davis, James L. Tyler, O. H. Granville ; treasurer, Joseph Lovett ; clerk, Moses H. Sargent.
On January 3, 1856, Rev. Benjamin Judkins, Jr., was installed as pas- tor, the sermon being by Rev. A. L. Stone, of Boston.
On March 16, 1867, the "holy and beautiful house " was burned. The corner-stone of a new church was laid August 27, 1867, and the present edi- fice on the original site on Franklin street was dedicated September 30, 1868.
The names of pastors are as follows : Rev. Benjamin Judkins, Novem- ber, 1855, to June 2, 1858 ; Rev. David T. Packard, July, 1858, to November 28, 1866; Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, Jr., March, 1867, to May 22, 1871 ; Rev. William S. Hubbell, February, 1872, to November 22, 1881 ; Rev. William
FIRST ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Franklin, opposite Perkins Street.
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E. Merriman, I. D., December, 1881, to June 1, 1887 ; Rev. James H. Ross, September 1, 1888, to April 5, 1893.
At one period in its history the membership of the church exceeded five hundred. On April 1, 1896, there were three hundred and sixty-four members. Rev. James M. Gray, of Boston, has recently served as pastor in charge. The Sunday-school and various societies connected with the church have been actively engaged in the interests of morality and religion, and fruitful in good works. At the present time, the deacons are Henry F. Sears, John P. Heath, Barna S. Cole, Charles H. Colgate, Henry M. Moore. The treasurer is George E. Dustin, and G. A. Southworth is clerk.
C. H. Colgate is superintendent of the Sunday-school.
HIGHLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. BY REV. GEORGE S. K. ANDERSON.
The Highland Congregational Church, organized November 11, 1894, with a membership of forty, was incorporated November 28, 1894, and recog- nized by the council, January 21, 1895.
The first movement which finally led to the organization of the High- land Church was a series of open-air meetings, conducted by E. P. Dunham and others, during the summer of 1893 ; but it was not until the following year that the work assumed definite shape. In July, August, and Septem- ber, 1894, gospel tent-meetings were held under the auspices of the free Congregational Church of Somerville, and of the Home Missionary Society of Mass. The meetings were conducted by Rev. Geo. S. K. Anderson, whose services were secured through the Evangelistic Association of New England. The large blessing which crowned the work encouraged the people to go forward, and before the closing of the tent-meetings they voted to organize a church, and to call Mr. Anderson to be its pastor. The lot of land, containing sixteen thousand feet, on the corner of Highland avenue and Lowell street, on which the tent was pitched, was purchased in November, 1894, for $3,835, and a contract for a $6,000 chapel was placed with Messrs Osgood & Stevens.
During the fall and winter of 1894-95 the meetings of the newly organ- ized church were held in Guild Hall, Central street, in a vacant store on Cedar street, and in the homes of the people.
On Easter-Sunday morning, April 14, 1895, nine and a half months after the first tent-meeting was held, the new building was formally opened, and on May 8, 1895, was appropriately dedicated to the service of Almighty God.
One unique and highly commendable feature of this work is that the church has been built, and all present obligations met without the aid of a single bazaar, fair or entertainment. The church is a free church. No seat can be rented or sold. It is a church for the masses, and both pastor and people desire to make it a great life-saving station.
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PROSPECT HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
BY REV. EDWARD S. TEAD.
The Prospect Hill Congregational Church was organized December 30, 1874, in Bacon Hall, Union square, with sixty-one charter members, thirty-seven of whom are now living. The recognition sermon was preached by Rev. S. E. Herrick, D.D., of Boston. Inasmuch as the first meeting- place of the few people who afterward organized the church was in Dea. M. l'. Elliot's house on Prospect Hill - a hill associated with the early history of the Revolution - it was voted to call the new church Prospect Hill Church.
Rev. A. E. Winship was installed as the first pastor, February 9, 1876, and for nine years held the office with the increasing affection and regard of his people. In October, 1883, Rev. Mr. Winship resigned, and on May 8, 1884, the present pastor, Rev. Edward Sampson Tead, was installed.
The first house of worship, situated on Warren avenue, was dedicated in 1876, and became the property of the Union Square Presbyterian Church, October 1, 1887.
In October, 1889, the present house of worship was dedicated, Rev. Alexander McKenzie, D.D., of Cambridge, preaching the sermon. Mrs. Louise Ordway Tead wrote the dedication hymn.
The edifice is one of the finest in the city, and has a seating capacity of seven hundred. The church is progressive in its methods of work, and its influence for good is recognized by all as powerful and permanent.
WINTER HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
BY REV. CHARLES L. NOYES.
In August, 1863, under the leadership of Samuel A. Carlton, now of Boston, a few Christian people of Winter Hill organized a Sabbath-school, there being then no public religious services of any kind held nearer than the Unitarian Church, Highland avenue, the Cross-street Universalist, or the Franklin-street Church, East Somerville.
As an outgrowth of this Sabbath-school an ecclesiastical society was soon organized, and Rev. E. Porter Dyer of Hingham, Mass., was engaged as acting pastor. On June 14, 1865, a church was formally organized, num- bering twenty-eight members.
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