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 18
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The ministry of Mr. Dyer having terminated in December, 1866, was followed by that of Rev. E. P. Marvin, but the first regularly settled pastor of the church was the Rev. Samuel H. Virgin, who was ordained and in- stalled October 27, 1868, and filled the pastorate until February, 1871. He was succeeded, August 29, 1872, by Rev. W. H. Pierson, who served until January 30, 1881.
About this time the membership of this church was divided. A part withdrew, and were recognized ecclesiastically as the Broadway Congrega- tional Church. The portion remaining with the society continued its ser-
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HIGHLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Highland Avenue.
WINTER HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Broadway and Central Street.
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vices and Sabbath-school until they united with other Christians worship- ing with them to constitute the Winter Hill Congregational Church, which was organized January 24, and formally recognized by council January 29, 1883. The society then changed its name to the Winter Hill Congrega- tional Society to conform with the Winter Hill Congregational Church, which it accepted as the church of the society.
The present pastor, Rev. Charles L. Noyes, who had been serving in this capacity since June, 1882, was duly installed as pastor, June 18, 1883.
Since its organization the Winter Hill Congregational Church and So- ciety have enjoyed nearly fourteen years of uninterrupted growth and pros- perity. A debt of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) has been paid off, and resources gathered for the erection of a new building at a cost of $30,000, to accommodate the growing congregation and Sabbath-school. The mem- bership, which began with 43, has increased to a total of 210.
The Sabbath-school, which in 1883 numbered 170 and was divided into 16 classes, has now 250 on its lists -222 scholars, 20 teachers and 8 officers.
Throughout its entire history the church has been efficiently aided, and much of its best missionary work has been done, by a Ladies' Society. They took the initiative both in raising the old debt and in starting the fund for the new edifice.
ST. ANN'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH.
In October, 1877, land was purchased by Father McGrath, on the corner of Medford and Thurston streets, as a site for the church, and four years later St. Ann's was erected. Three weeks after the dedication of the edi- fice, which took place September 25, 1881, Rev. John B. Galvin was installed as pastor, who said his first mass in the church on the 23d day of October in the same year.
Father Galvin's work in St. Ann's parish has been principally devoted to the spiritual building up of his people. For this purpose among other things he has had missions given by the Passionist, Redemptionist, Jesuit and Paulist Fathers. Among the material improvements he has made in the church edifice may be noted the beautifying of the interior by frescoing, the enlargement of the vestries, the reconstruction of the main altar and the placing of new side altars, the addition of vestibules and a very tasteful façade and tower.
November 27, 1894, the church was partially destroyed by a fire, the tower, roof and the upper portion of the walls being partly consumed. In two months after the fire, however, notwithstanding the advent of very cold weather and several severe snowstorms, the edifice was rededicated and made to appear, interiorly, more beautiful than ever.
Among the societies attached to this church in addition to the Sunday- school may be mentioned the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, for the care of the poor ; the Holy Name Society, whose special object is to cultivate a greater reverence for the sacred names of God and Jesus Christ ; and the
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League of the Sacred Heart, whose object is to inculcate a greater love for the heart of the God-Man. They are all in a flourishing condition and bring many blessings upon the people of St. Ann's parish.
ST. CATHERINE'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH. BY REV. JAMES J. O'BRIEN.
The last of the trio of churches erected by the Catholics of Somerville is the one dedicated to St. Catherine of Genoa. In 1891, the parish of St. Catherine was organized, and the Rev. James J. O'Brien placed in charge. Ground for the new church was broken in December, 1891, and the edifice was finished in April, 1892. The first mass was said on Easter Sunday of that year.
The present church on Spring Hill is a temporary frame structure, one hundred and fifteen feet by sixty-five feet, with a seating capacity of about one thousand. It stands somewhat back from Summer street. The grounds around the church are well kept -the grassy lawn is ornamented with flower-beds and trees. The parochial residence is a large and substan- tial building.
The pastor, Rev. James J. O'Brien, son of the late Mayor Hugh O'Brien of Boston, was born in Boston in 1854, and received his early education in the public schools of that city. He studied for a short time at Boston Col- lege and then entered St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Maryland, from which institution he graduated in 1874. He studied theology in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, and was ordained a priest by Cardinal Gibbons, De- cember 21, 1878. For over seven years he labored in Arlington, and in Feb- ruary, 1885, was transferred to St. James Church, Boston. In 1891, he was appointed by the Most Rev. John J. Williams to Somerville. Rev. D. W. Lenehan is the assistant.
The congregation of St. Catherine's numbers about two thousand. The Sunday-school of the parish numbers about four hundred members. The various church societies and social organizations are active in charitable and parish work.
It is the ambition of the people of St. Catherine's Church to erect, in the near future, on the top of Spring Hill, an edifice adapted to the growing needs of the parish.
EMMANUEL (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH.
It is well that the early history of Emmanuel Church, a prolonged struggle against intolerance, partisan fanaticism, and the bitter hostility which mistook the zeal of opinion for religion, should remain unwritten. The struggle was successful, and the knowledge of that issue is sufficient for the present.
The early formation of the present parish known as Emmanuel chapel dates from Easter Sunday, 1862. The place of worship was in a small hall,
REV. NATHAN K. BISHOP, Rector Emmanuel (Episcopal) Church.
EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Summer and Central Streets.
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then at the corner of Milk Row and Park street. A moderate congregation continued to worship there until December 18, 1862, when a permanent organization was effected, as follows :-
"We, the subscribers, members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of Massachusetts, hereby agree to form, and have formed, a religious society for the purpose of organizing a free church in the town of Somer- ville, subject to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the said Protestant Episcopal Church and in continuation of the existing parish, known as Em- manuel chapel.
" R. P. Benton, Ramsey Clarke, Mortimer Lyon, Jno. O. Pierce, Heber C. Lyon, Joseph H. Clark, Peter J. Barry, Benjamin Woodward, Joseph Proc- tor, L. D. Jackson."
Four days afterward, on December 22, 1862, a legal corporation was or- ganized under the provisions of the thirtieth chapter of the General Statutes of Massachusetts, and on December 29, 1862, the first board of parish officers was elected, as follows : -
Clerk, Heber C. Lyon ; wardens, Dr. Francis Dana, Mortimer Lyon ; vestry, R. P. Benton, Philemon Morey, John O. Pierce, Peter J. Barry, Joseph Proctor, Orel Towle, Benj. Woodward ; treasurer, H. C. Lyon.
At the parish meeting, on Easter Monday, 1863, Mr. Reuben P. Benton was elected warden, in lieu of Dr. Francis Dana, who resigned the office. Mr. George Cullis was elected on the vestry to the vacancy created by Mr. Benton's election to the wardenship, and two more vestrymen were elected, viz. : Ramsey Clarke, E. A. Fitcham.
At the parish meeting in 1864, Mr. Joseph H. Clark was elected clerk of Emmanuel parish, and has been annually re-elected ever since. Mr. Benton was re-elected warden at the same meeting, and has been annually re-elected ever since. Mr. Benton was chosen treasurer at that meeting, and continued as such till 1870, when Mr. Clark was elected and has con- tinued as such, ever since.
At the parish meeting, in 1865, Mr. Samuel Reynolds, Jr., was elected junior warden, vice Mr. Mortimer Lyon, resigned, and Mr. Reynolds was annually re-elected till his decease in 1886, when Mr. Robert H. Gibby was chosen. Mr. Gibby declined re-election, and Mr. Geo. A. Gordon was elected junior warden, and has held that position until the present time.
At the diocesan convention in 1864, Emmanuel church, Somerville, was admitted to union with the convention, and has been represented at every convention since. The first delegates were : Messrs. Benjamin Wood- ward, Peter H. Barry and Mortimer Lyon.
The present officers of Emmanuel church, Somerville, are : rector, Nathan K. Bishop ; senior warden, Reuben P. Benton ; junior warden, Geo. A. Gordon ; clerk, Joseph H. Clark; treasurer, Joseph H. Clark; vestry, George I. Vincent, Philip Highly, Frank G. Reynolds, Joseph H. Clark ; delegates to the diocesan convention, Robert H. Gibby, Geo. A. Gordon, George I. Vincent.
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ST. THOMAS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. ANDREW GRAY.
In the spring of 1863, the late Rev. N. G. Allen conferred with Rev. Dr. Lambert, late rector of St. John's Church, Charlestown, as to the advisability of establishing the services of the Episcopal Church in East Somerville. Dr. Lambert heartily endorsed the suggestion and at once circulated a sub- scription paper to obtain funds for the rent of a suitable room for services.
At the suggestion of Dr. Childs, a chapel situated on the corner of Washington and Tufts streets was rented at $125 per annum. Certain changes, rendered necessary to make the building suitable for the services of the Episcopal Church, were effected, and articles of church furniture added. Rev. Mr. Allen took charge of the work, and on Sunday evening, May 17, 1863, the first service was held and a sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. Randall, afterwards Bishop of Colorado.
The Sunday following, May 24, 1863, a Sunday-school was opened, with three teachers and nine scholars, under the temporary superintendence of a Mr. Whitman of Cambridgeport. The teachers were Mrs. Hatch, Miss Wood and Mr. Webb. The school took a recess on Sunday, August 9, for three Sundays, and reopened on Sunday, September 6, with an increased at- tendance. Evening service on that day was attended by a much larger con- gregation than usual.
Rev. Mr. Allen, having accepted a call to Wrentham, resigned the work at East Somerville, officiating for the last time February 5, 1865.
After the lapse of a few months the Rev. F. W. Shelton "entered upon the duties as rector, November 18, 1866." He did not remain very long in charge of the work.
The parish had again been vacant for some time when, on the 18th of July, 1869, the late Rev. George W. Durell "entered upon the duties as rector in Hawkins' Hall," Union square. The church was built in little more than a year after, and used for its holy purposes when finished, though with a debt upon it. The debt having been discharged, the building was consecrated by Bishop Paddock, July 9. 1875, on which occasion the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Burgess, now Bishop of Quincy, Illinois. Mr. Durell continued rector of the parish till the day of his death, August 26, 1895. He was greatly beloved and universally regretted. The parish register shows that during the twenty-six years of his incumbency he had baptized 942 persons, presented 439 for confirmation, officiated at 527 mar- riages and at 755 burials.
The present rector, Rev. Andrew Gray, D.D., was unanimously elected to succeed him. He accepted the election and entered on his work as rec- tor, December 15, 1895. The people are taking hold of the work with him, and a bright and promising future appears to be in store for St. Thomas' Church.
REV. GEORGE W. DURELL, Late Rector St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.
REV. ANDREW GRAY, D. D., Rector St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.
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ST. JAMES' (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH.
The parish of St. James' is an offshoot of St. James', North Cambridge, and was organized as a mission of that church in 1875. A small chapel was built in 1876 on Newbury street, near Holland, in which the first service was held November 26, of that year. April 8, 1880, the edifice was consecrated by Bishop Paddock, the whole cost of construction having been paid. De- cember 12, 1885, this edifice was moved to its present site. On the 18th day of November the mission was incorporated into a separate parish, by the election of a rector, wardens and vestry, in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth. The rector chosen was the Rev. John W. Suter, who was also at that time rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Winchester. The wardens elected were Albert S. Pillsbury and William L. Dodge, and the vestry consisted of Edwin S. Burroughs, Isaac R. Webber, Silas H. Holland, J. Q. Bennett, D. L. Countway, Samuel Hollis, G. G. Little and E. R. Clowsen. Edwin S. Burroughs was elected clerk, and Isaac R. Web- ber, treasurer. The parish as thus organized was admitted into union with the Convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts at its annual convention in May, 1889. In 1892 the edifice was improved by the addition of a chancel and parish room, and a dedicatory service was held by the Right Rev. Phillips Brooks, Bishop of the Diocese, December 7, of that year.
There have been three rectors of the parish since its organization : the Rev. John W. Suter and the Rev. Thos. Bell, who held the rectorship in connection with another parish, and the Rev. Edward P. Lee, the first resident-rector. Many of the services have been conducted by Mr. A. S. Pillsbury, who has held the Bishop's license as Lay Reader since January, 1880. He has also been warden of the mission, from a period long before it was organized into a parish until the present time. The Sunday-school work has always had his efficient aid, the superintendency of which he has held from the beginning.
The church is located on the corner of Broadway and Clarendon ave- nue. The Rev. Edward P. Lee, rector ; Albert S. Pillsbury and John A. Dodge, wardens; Isaac R. Webber, Edwin S. Burroughs, William T. Cleve- land, Otis E. Phalen, George Melluber, William H. Tweedie, Edward B. Lee, vestrymen.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. BY REV. GEORGE S. BUTTERS.
In September, 1855, Rev. Abraham Merril, then preaching at East Cambridge, sent a local preacher named Rufus Gerrish to Somerville to start a Methodist society. A few people were gathered in Franklin Hall, a building then standing at the junction of Washington street and Somerville avenue. Two weeks after a Sunday-school was started consisting of five scholars. The first Sunday-school teacher was Mrs. S. J. Canfield, who taught three of these scholars, and Mr. Gerrish taught the other two. This
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school increased until it numbered nearly a hundred. The first superinten- dent was Joshua Wiley, and the second Asa Mayo, now living in Minnesota. After the services had been commenced a class-meeting was established at at the residence of Mr. J. B. Canfield. Mr. Gerrish continued to supply the pulpit until the next April, when he was succeeded by Rev. D. C. Bab- cock, who remained one year. The first minister appointed by the New England conference was Rev. Charles Baker, who was largely instrumental in the building of the then new church.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church has had the following pastors since the close of Mr. Baker's ministry: Oliver S. Howe, Burtis Judd, Franklin Furber, J. H. Owens, Samuel Jackson, Albert Gould, J. W. Ham- ilton, Wm. C. High, John A. Cass, Geo. S. Chadbourne, Geo. Whitaker, J. W. Hamilton, George Skene, I. H. Packard. The present pastor is Rev. Geo. S. Butters. The present church building was erected in 1874. It is the largest audience room in the city, and the church itself is one of the most aggressive religious organizations in Somerville. Its membership is 577, and its Sunday-school numbers about 700.
PARK AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Early in 1872 a few Methodist families in West Somerville, finding themselves in a new community, and at a distance from their respective churches, met at various private houses and held prayer-meeting services.
These soon led to meetings in larger places, and in May, 1872, a class of eleven members was formed under the leadership of Rev. W. F. Lacount, an aged Methodist minister, who with his family had moved into the place. About this time Dr. G. M. Kingman offered the use of an empty room in his new block at the corner of Elm street and Highland avenue, now occu- pied by Heald's hardware store. Here Sunday services were held consist- ing of Sunday-school and prayer meetings, and sometimes preaching by Rev. W. F. Lacount. May 28, 1872, the first Quarterly Conference was held, Rev. J. W. Hamilton being delegated by Rev. D. Sherman, the pre- siding elder of the district, to preside. Rev. F. J. Wagner of Medford and Rev. W. F. Lacount assisted in the formal organization of the church.
The following official board was elected : Trustees: Chas. E. Joyce, Eugene D. Lacount, Walter K. Foster, Frederick H. Tibbetts, Edward A. Kingman, Jesse Simpson, Silas H. Holland. Stewards: Chas. E. Joyce, Eugene D. Lacount, Jacob F. Emerson, William F. Lacount, Alby J. Warren. The organization took the name of the Holland Street M. E. Church, which, at the opening of the present edifice, was changed to the Park Avenue M. E. Church.
July 1, 1872, the board of trustees took on corporate powers in accor- dance with the laws of the Commonwealth, and appointed a committee to secure subscriptions for the erection of a place of worship. Few in num- bers and poor in purse, but full of faith, they succeeded in securing a cheap and poorly constructed chapel at an expense of about $1,600, in which they
REV. GEORGE S. BUTTERS, Pastor First Methodist Episcopal Church.
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FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Bow Street and Wesley Park.
PARK AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Park Avenue, near Elm Street.
REV. GARRETT BEEKMAN, Pastor Park Avenue M. E. Church.
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received their first pastor, Rev. A. E. Winship, who was appointed to that charge April 8, 1873. Mr. Winship remained one year, and helped much by his enthusiasm in establishing this early foundation of what was to be a strong society. The chapel was dedicated May 1, 1873, Rev. Jefferson Hascall delivering the dedicatory sermon. At this time there was a mem- bership of twenty-one, which has increased to about three hundred and thirty members. In 1880 or 1881 it became evident that a change of site must be made, and the property at the corner of Elm street and Park ave- nue, now occupied by Dr. Bryant, was purchased and was used as a parsonage for about two years. Early in 1882 a part of this property, in- cluding the buildings, was sold, the church retaining 40 feet frontage on Park avenue, to which was added by purchase 55 feet more, making a lot 95 feet by 88 feet, on which the present edifice was erected. Rev. L. A. Bosworth, Geo. R. Emerson and L. W. Jones were the building committee, to whom, by their indefatigable exertions and wise management, the church owes its comfortable home for the past thirteen years. The present build- ing was dedicated February 7, 1883, the dedicatory exercises being under the direction of Rev. D. Dorchester, the presiding elder of the district. The entire cost of the edifice, including furnishings, was about $12,000.
This church has always been a progressive one and a power for good in the community. It is thoroughly organized for every department of work, having a large Sunday-school, a live chapter of Epworth League, as well as a Junior League, and various missionary and benevolent societies. It be- lieves it has a work to accomplish in this place and means to do it.
The following pastors have served the church since its organization :-
Rev. A. E. Winship, April, 1873, to April, 1874.
Rev. John R. Cushing, April, 1874, to April, 1875.
Rev. Albert D. Knapp, April, 1875, to August, 1876.
Rev. Wm. Full, August, 1876, to April, 1879.
Rev. Wm. Merrill, April, 1879, to April 1881.
Rev. L. A. Bosworth, April, 1881, to April, 1884.
Rev. Gilbert C. Osgood, April, 1884, to April, 1886.
Rev. A. R. Nichols, April, 1886, to April, 1889.
Rev. Henry Mathews, April, 1889, to April, 1891.
Rev. John H. Mansfield, April, 1891, to April, 1894.
Rev. Garrett Beekman, the present pastor, received his appointment April, 1894.
The constantly increasing congregations have convinced the official board that immediate steps must be taken to provide a larger audience room, as well as other facilities for effective church work, and it is expected that the needed changes will be carried out early next year.
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UNION SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. By REV. THOMAS ATKINSON.
Was organized by the presbytery of Boston, in Pythian Hall, Tuesday evening, December 14, 1886. At the same meeting elders were ordained, and over sixty members were received by letter and on profession of faith. Rev. C. S. Dewing, D.D., to whose labors the organization was due, was in stalled as the first pastor January 25, 1887.
In October of the same year the congregation purchased their present place of worship from the Congregational society. From the first the con- gregation grew rapidly, and in a remarkably short time the church was clear of debt.
In October, 1893, Rev. C. S. Dewing, D.D., closed his pastorate in order to accept the position of pastor at large of the New England chur- ches. Soon afterwards Rev. Thomas Atkinson was invited to fill the pulpit, and having accepted the invitation began his work in January, 1894. After laboring for three months, Mr. Atkinson was duly installed as pastor in response to the earnest and unanimous request of the people.
The membership now exceeds 250. The people are united and en- thusiastic, so that the outlook for the future is bright.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
By REV. L. M. POWERS.
Memorial services were first held in the Town Hall in 1853, with Rev. George H. Emerson, D.D., as minister. The church was not organized, however, until February 16, 1854. The original incorporators were Ira Thorp, Charles Williams, Erastus E. Cole, Reuben Horton, Edwin Munroe, David Russell, James S. Runey, J. Q. Twombly, Robert Burrows, David P. Horton, Alfred Horton.
The first chapel was built upon land given by Charles Tufts, for whom Tufts College was afterward named. From the beginning the church has had a place of influence among the religious forces of the city and the Uni- versalist denomination. The present building was erected in 1869, and the Social Hall, a substantial structure, was added in 1894.
In forty-three years the church has had seven pastors : Rev. George H. Emerson, editor of the " Christian Leader," Rev. D. K. Clark, Rev. B. K. Russ, Rev. George H. Vibbert, Rev. U. S. Ralph, Rev. Charles A. Skinner, and the present pastor, Rev. L. M. Powers. The church is now in a prosperous condition, and the Sunday-school is one of the largest in the Universalist denomination.
It is decidedly a working church. During the winter the church or Social Hall is open nearly every night. The following are among the offi- cers of the church : deacons, J. F. Nickerson, Arthur W. Glines, J. W. San- born, Irving Smith ; C. A. Kirkpatrick, clerk. Parish committee: J. F. Nickerson, chairman ; L. V. Niles, C. E. Giles, Dr. A. H. Carvill, George
UNION SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Warren Avenue.
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FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, Cross and Tufts Streets.
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Stephens ; Seth Mason, clerk ; A. Hodgman, treasurer ; superintendent of Sunday-school, A. A. Wyman ; George F. Horton, secretary. Sewing circle : Mrs. F. B. Burrows, president. Young People's Christian Union : Dr. George Greenleaf, president.
THIRD UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
BY REV. THOMAS EDWARD POTTERTON.
Early in 1881 a few devoted Universalists, under the leadership of Mr. Carmi D. Chamberlin, gathered to discuss the feasibility of organizing a Universalist parish in West Somerville. The agitation bore fruit in the call, issued July 1, 1881, to meet on the 13th of the same month for the pur- pose of organizing a Universalist society. Clarendon Hall was engaged as a place of worship, and the pulpit was supplied by eminent clergymen, who gave their services in aid of the new movement. At a meeting of the parish, May 24, 1882, it was voted to engage Mr. R. A. White, a student in Tufts Divinity School, for six months. This arrangement continued for nearly a year, when the pulpit was again supplied by different ministers until January, 1884, when Rev. C. A. Skinner, pastor of the First Universalist Church, was called as pastor, to preach on Sunday afternoons for the new society.
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