USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Gloucester > The book of the three hundredth anniversary observance of the foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Cape Ann in 1623 and the fiftieth year of the incorporation of Gloucester as a city > Part 5
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It is also fitting that the churches of our community should recognize this great event by setting forth the part played in the common life by each particular church during these three hundred years, as the Committee on Religious Services requested. It is not my purpose, however, to give a detailed account of the history of Trinity Church, which would not be possible in the time at our dis- posal, nor necessary, for this task has already been admirably done for the first fifty years of the Church's life by the Rev. Frank G. Clark in an historical address, delivered November 18, 1879, and this account was brought down to date by the Rev. Rufus P. Hibbard at the observance of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the church in No- vember, 1904. Fortunately both of these valuable documents are preserved in print.
I will rather attempt to recall in barest outline the history of our church and to point out some of its particular contributions to the com- munity life.
Trinity Congregational Church was organized under the name of The Evangelical Congregational Church on November 17, 1829. A large council including the ablest ministers of Boston, Salem and the neighboring churches had been called to consider the request for the forming of a new church, and while some members of the council
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MAP OF GLOUCESTER HARBOR. "LE BEAUPORT." Drawn by Champlain in 1606 A, Place where their ship was anchored. B, Meadows C, Little Island. (Ten Pound Island.) D, Rocky Point. (Eastern Point.) E, Rocky Neck. F, Little Rocky Island. (Salt Island.) G, Wigwams of the Savages. H, Little River and meadows. (Brook and marsh at Fresh Water Cove.) I, Brook (at Pavilion Beach.) L, Tongue of plain ground, where there are saffrons, nut-trees and vines. (On Eastern Point.) M, Where the Cape of Islands turn. (The creek at Little Good Harbor.) N, Little River. (Brook near Clay Cove.) O, Little Brook coming from meadows. P, A Brook. (At Oakes' Cove, Rocky Neck.) Q, Troop of savages coming to surprise them. (At Rocky Neck.) R, Sand Beach. (Niles' Beach.) The sea-coast. T, The Sieur de Poutrincourt in ambuscade with seven or eight arquebusiers. V, The Sieur de Cham- plain perceiving the savages. The figures probably denote the depth of water in metres.
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entertained grave doubts of the expediency of establishing another church in this community, it was finally voted unanimously to do so. The council met at the boarding house of Mrs. Clarissa Rogers which was located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets where the drug store of M. L. Wetherell now stands.
The public service of recognition of the new Church was held on the evening of the same day in the Methodist meeting-house which was then located on Prospect Street near Union Hill. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., the father of the world- known Henry Ward Beecher. Dr. Lyman Beecher took for his text, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," Luke 12:32, a text singularly appropriate for the little band of two men and five women who courageously called the council to organize them into a church. That their faith was amply justified is the witness of nearly a century of Christian service.
The events which led up to the organization of the Evangelical Congregational Church are part and parcel of the general movement of the times. In 1825 the First Parish had called to the pastorate Rev. Hosea Hildreth, a Harvard graduate of 1805, who had been a teacher for many years at Phillips Exeter. He followed in the foot- steps of a line of ministers who had been, to quote Rev. Robert Crowell, "highly latitudinarian." In the theological movement of that day toward Unitarianism, the ministers of the First Parish were sup- ported by a large proportion of their people. But two deacons, An- drew Parker and Nathaniel Babson, and five women, Judith Parsons, Elizabeth J. Stevens, Sarah Harraden, Anna Harraden and Pamelia Stacy, requested that they be dismissed and recommended to be or- ganized into a separate church because they "could not be instructed and edified" by the preaching of the pastor. After an earnest effort for a reconciliation this request was granted. Had this schism oc- curred today when the general movement is more or less toward unity, perhaps the unhappy few would have found it easier to follow the advice given them by the Salem Association "to wait in patience and try to be satisfied." It is none the less true, as Rev. R. P. Hib- bard expressed it, that "it was a noble and daring thing to do, for the first seven persons, five women and two men, to separate themselves from the communion of the mother church, and go out into an un- known experience, of struggle, trial, poverty, for conscience sake." And, we may add, those who risk much for conscience sake, possess a moral and spiritual fibre whose high value is not to be computed in terms of intellect alone. This high spiritual heritage came to Trinity Church as its very inception, and we trust that the same love of truth, as God gives it to men to see the truth, will ever inspire her loyal members.
The first meetings of the new church were held on the second floor of a school house which occupied the plot where the Collins School now stands. The church was at first supplied by different ministers, while the members were busy seeking the means of erect- ing a meeting-house and finding a permanent minister. It is to their
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credit that they built their meeting-house before calling a minister. This house was raised May 26, 1831 and dedicated the following September 8. It was fifty-five feet long by forty-two feet wide and twenty-one high, had Gothic windows, a tower and cupola mounted with a weathervane. The first permanent pastor, Rev. Charles S. Porter, was called June 12, 1832, and after ordination assumed the spiritual leadership of the church until May 4, 1835. His efficient and earnest leadership is indicated by the fact that during this brief ministry of less than three years, fifty-one persons united with the church, most of them on profession of faith.
The ministry of Dr. Christopher M. Nickels (September 29, 1835 to June 21, 1848), which followed the auspicious beginning of the little church under Mr. Porter, was easily the most notable during the early years of the church's life. Dr. Nickels was a strong evan- gelical preacher, and possessed a personality which made for peace and cooperation. After nearly thirteen years of successful ministry, he was released with deep regret by both the congregation and the dis- mission council. An interesting side light is cast upon the spirit of those times, however, by the fact that the dismissing council felt called upon to congratulate the church that "no rude dissensions" had driven their pastor from them.
Possibly the fact that Dr. Nickels had gone to sea in his youth, contributed to his keen understanding and appreciation of this sea- faring people. Certain it is that through this period the Church was established as an influential factor in the community. The Church paid off its indebtedness upon its meeting-house; it became inde- pendent of help from the Home Missionary Society; the salary of the minister was increased; and certain individuals put up a building on land of the society in the rear of the church, the lower floor of which was used as a church vestry. The Church also grew in spiritual power. In the later thirties as the result of a revival a large num- ber united with the church, twenty-nine at one time. A total of one hundred and twenty united with the church during the ministry of Dr. Nickels.
Rev. James Aiken, a graduate of Dartmouth College and Union Seminary, was settled as the successor of Dr. Nickels, November 22, 1848. His comparatively short ministry of four years closing Sep- tember 29, 1852, was marked by deepening religious interest and spiritual growth. Twenty-four united with the church during his ministry.
The old meeting house having become inadequate, it is significant that the members took steps toward building a new one during the interim between pastorates, although the building was not constructed and dedicated until some time after the new pastor had been chosen. Rev. Junius L. Hatch, settled January 26, 1854, preached the sermon at the dedication of the new meeting-house on March 22, 1855. This meeting-house was a beautiful structure, sixty-five by forty-nine feet with a projection in front thirty by thirteen and one-half feet, having a vestry in the rear thirty by forty-two feet. Mounted on the roof
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of the vestibule was a belfry and spire, the latter octagonal in shape and rising to a height of one hundred and fifty-three feet above the ground. It is a source of deep regret that this spire became unsafe and in May, 1865, it was necessary to take it down. This building was erected at a cost of $14,000 a sum which would not only accom- plish much more in those days, but was correspondingly difficult to raise. Hence the erection of this meeting-house was a noteworthy achievement. A difference on the question of amusements having oc- curred between pastor and people, it was found advisable to dissolve the pastoral relationship which was done upon advice of council on May 28, 1855. The church then fell upon stormy times, but the solid common sense of a fishing community where men were accustomed to self control, prevailed and harmony was again restored.
Not for three years, however, did the church settle a pastor. On April 28, 1858, Rev. Lysander Dickerman was ordained and installed, but his ministry though fruitful and happy was of short duration, closing on January 19, 1860.
For the next decade the Church enjoyed the leadership of a man of unusual courage, independence and strength. The Rev. Isaiah C. Thatcher was installed as a pastor on April 26, 1860. During his successful ministry, one hundred and thirty-three members were added to the church. Fifty-two of this number united with the church in one year, 1870, the last year of Mr. Thatcher's ministry. This great ingathering, forty-four by profession of faith, was the result of a city-wide evangelistic campaign in which a Baptist Evan- gelist, Rev. Edward H. Earle, conducted the meetings. The depth and solidity of this spiritual awakening is attested by the fact that out of this group have come some of our most faithful and self- sacrificing workers through all the years since then. Among those still living we call to mind John Cunningham, for thirty-one years the faithful Superintendent of the Sunday School; S. Oliver Saville, leader of the choir for a quarter of a century; John Pew, deacon for fifty years this coming December 15, also parish clerk from 1885 to 1891, and clerk of the church from that time until the present; Nathaniel Babson, deacon since the year 1891.
Mr. Thatcher was popular in the community as well as in his church. He took a special interest in the cause of education and served as a member of the school committee for several years. "With profound regret" he was dismissed by advise of council August 18, 1870, after a ministry of lasting value to the church and commu- nity.
An interim of nearly a year followed before Rev. Seth W. Segur was installed, June 14, 1871. After a brief but faithful ministry, he was dismissed by advise of council February 13, 1873.
Rev. F. B. Makepeace of Hartford Seminary began to minister to the church June 22, 1873 and was installed the following year, June 4, 1874. Because of ill health the ministry of Mr. Makepeace was com- paratively short yet he deeply impressed the church by his devotion, sympathy, and earnestness, attested by the fact that forty-seven
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united with the church. He was dismissed by council November 28, 1876.
During the next two years the church had no settled pastor, but was supplied Rev. Dr. A. H. Quint for nine months and by Rev. Dr. J. O. Means for six months.
A new pastor was not settled until January 28, 1879 when the Rev. Frank G. Clark was installed. During his ministry of over eight years, the church made great progress. Mr. and Mrs. Clark were indefatigable workers and the Sunday School especially began to show great growth. Mr. Clark is said to have known every child in the school by name. Gains in membership in the church showed large and consistent growth, 117 uniting by profession and 77 by letter, a total of 194. During Mr. Clark's ministry, the fiftieth anniversary of the church was celebrated with appropriate exercises, the parsonage at 29 Church Street was acquired by the Ladies' Society, a new Hymn Book, "Songs of Christian Praise," which is still in use was adopted, and the meeting-house was enlarged and raised to pro- vide for the present spacious vestries, at a cost of about $12,000. Mr. Clark ended his most successful and useful ministry on April. 4, 1888.
On April 4, 1888, Rev. Rufus P. Hibbard was installed by council and began a ministry of seventeen years, the longest in the history of the church. The church gained greatly in numbers and strength during this period, 170 being received on profession of faith and 73 by letter, a total of 243.
The church grew also in its interest and support of the great missionary enterprises of the churches at large. A large and active Christian Endeavor Society and a Sunday School that taxed to its limit the space available characterized this period.
The Church received at this time our present beautiful baptismal font and a pulpit made from olive wood from the neighborhood of Jerusalem, both being gifts from Deacon John Pew. The Emma Abbott Wetherell Memorial Organ, was purchased and installed through a generous and timely legacy given by one who was neither a member nor a resident of the city but a frequent visitor. Moreover the church received at this time a most generous legacy, the Abbie B. K. Brown Fund of $10,000.
In 1892, the Church was incorporated under the name of Trinity Congregational Church, and the old name and the Society organization went out of existence. This step, in line with modern development, was accomplished without undue friction and long before many other churches took similar action.
During the closing days of Mr. Hibbard's noteworthy ministry, the church celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary with an appro- priate program. Mr. Hibbard was dismissed by advice of council on November 9, 1905, though he had finished his active service some months before. The memory of his gracious, kindly personality is still fresh in the minds of many of our people.
Rev. Charles H. Williams, Ph. D., came to the church after a most
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successful ministry in Cambridge, and was installed by council No- vember 9, 1905. Under Dr. Williams' able leadership Trinity Church continued to grow in strength and influence. One hundred and ninety- nine were added to the church, 131 by profession of faith and 69 by letter. The Sunday School and Christian Endeavor continued in their strong position. A large and active men's club was organized. The present Woman's Association with its comprehensive yet elastic form of organization came into being. An assistant pastor Rev. Carl S. Weist was engaged who did admirable and splendid work especially in the Sunday School and among the young people. The system of rent- ed pews was abolished, and the income from free-will offerings was greater than it had been under the old system. The Church received a generous legacy of three thousand dollars from Mrs. John Gott, the income to be used to supply special musical programs at Christmas and Easter and to provide a Christmas entertainment for the children of the Sunday School.
During the early years of the ministry of Dr. Williams, the meet- ing house was renovated throughout. A hardwood floor, new pews, new stained glass windows and electric lights were installed, and the entire building was repainted without and redecorated within. This was done at a cost between five and ten thousand dollars. The lot on School Street lying immediately back of the meeting house and later the so-called Burnham property lying west of Middle Street were acquired at a cost somewhat above ten thousand dollars.
At the same time the church was maintaining its interest and lending its generous support to many local benevolent organizations and larger missionary undertakings of the churches at large. With deep regret and profound appreciation, the church released Dr. Williams upon advice of council on Jan. 20, 1915 that he might under- take the important leadership of the Second Church of Oberlin, Ohio.
The present pastor began his ministry on the first of June, 1915, and was installed on the 15th of September of the same year. During these last eight years one hundred and seventy-two persons have been received into our fellowship by profession of faith and seventy by letter, a total of two hundred and forty-two, making the present membership five hundred and six. Two hundred and fifty-four chil- dren have been received as Children of the Covenant of baptism.
When our apportionment for missionary benevolence was doubled several years back, both the church and the Missionary Committees of the Women's Association cheerfully met the new requirements and actually oversubscribed the larger figure. At present the church is giving nearly three thousand dollars a year to the regular societies of our common faith besides many hundreds more to local and special causes.
Several years ago an old obligation of two thousand dollars which had been carried with interest for about thirty years was liquidated.
A year ago a committee was formed with the Pastor as chairman to secure pledges toward renovating and beautifying the meeting
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house and the building of a parish house for the needs of the social, educational and religious activities of the church and parish. A building fund of $45,000 was pledged and in addition a special interest fund of $3,500 of which nearly $30,000 has already been paid. With Mr. Charles E. Fisher as chairman of the Building Committee and Mr. Ezra L. Phillips as Architect, the Church proceeded to carry out this building plan which calls for the expenditure of approximately $50,000. Our present beautiful and churchlike auditorium bears testimony to the wisdom of the alterations which have been made, and the parish house which is nearing completion is not only beautiful in its appearance both outward and inward, but will add greatly to the efficiency of the service Trinity Church seeks to render to the people of Gloucester and for the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Our beloved late member, John Gott, bequeathed to the church the sum of $5,000, the interest on $1,000 to be used to provide floral decorations on Christmas and Easter Sundays.
This rapid survey gives little indication of the wide and far reaching work for every good cause in the community which has either gone out from Trinity Church directly or has resulted from the inspiration received within its fellowship. Members of Trinity Church have given largely both of time and money for the maintenance of the Gloucester Y. M. C. A. and the church has for many years made a regular and generous contribution to this great organization. The members of Trinity Church have been active in building up the work of the Gloucester Fisherman's Institute from its very inception, and the Church's annual contribution to its work is among the largest it receives. The present pastor as well as his predecessor is a member of the Executive Board of the Institute. Our members and organiza- tions have been active in furthering the interest of the Addison Gil- bert Hospital. Never a drive for any good cause, patriotic or philan- thropic, but members of Trinity Church are ready with their services, and generous with their financial support.
While our Church received financial help during the first dozen years of its life from the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, twenty-three hundred dollars in all, this sum has been returned many times over to this society, and our other national benevolent organiza- tions. Mr. Clark mentions in his address at the fiftieth anniversary of the church that the benevolent contributions of the church up to that time totalled $21,508 notwithstanding no report existed of the years 1841 to 1858, about one third of the whole period. Mr. Hibbard reported the benevolent contributions of the church for the next twenty-five years as $58,000. According to the figures in the Year Book, which do not include many items of local benevolence, since the report of Mr. Hibbard, Trinity Church has given for work outside of its home expense $50,576, bringing the total to something over $130,000.
From its very beginning, the church has taken an active interest in all welfare work for the good of the Community and especially in temperance reform. As early as December 1831, the church voted
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"that, considering the vast amount of evil occasioned by the use of ardent spirits to the bodies and souls of men, and especially in view of the evils occasioned by it in the church, that we as members of this church abstain entirely from the use and traffic of the same," a resolu- tion which meant something, indeed. Mr. Clark mentions especially the activity in temperance reform of Mr. Nickels, Mr. Thatcher and Mr. Makepeace. Both pastors and laymen since that time have up- beld the tradition of Trinity Church by active participation in the whole movement which finally brought in the adoption of the eighteenth amendment of the Constitution. And when the bell of old Trinity of Gloucester rang out in celebration of the close of this epoch in the history of temperance reform, it marked the close of nearly one hundred years of consistent efforts for temperance by the people of this church. And we have been and will be no less ardent in our campaign for the enforcement of this splendid legislation.
Trinity Church has striven to do her part in every united move among the churches of Gloucester. We have harbored no narrow sectarian spirit. While striving to keep faithful to the splendid traditions of the past, to hold to the faith once delivered to the saints, we have tried to keep abreast of new thought, and new interpretations of Christian truth which commend themselves to the Christian con- sciousness and conscience of the present day. In method the Church has always been ready to try anything new that promised Christian results.
Trinity Church is proud of the consecrated laymen which she has given to every department of the city government, to the cause of education, to the business and labor of our common life. Within these walls they have found the inspiration which comes only from worship of God and communion with Christ. We have failed when we have departed from the teaching of our Master, Christ, but he has never failed us.
As we therefore look back with thanksgiving upon three hundred years of community life, and forward into the unknown future with faith and hope, let us rededicate ourselves and our beloved Trinity Church to the service of God and the welfare of all people.
THE INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN
GLOUCESTER, UNIVERSALIST
Note-Rev. John Clarence Lee, Ph. D., L. D. D. was born in South Woodstock, Vt., his parents being of pioneer New England stock. He graduated from St. Lawrence and Harvard University; was a profes- sor, vice president, and, for a short time, the president, of Lombard College, at Galesburg, Illinois; and for more than three years was the President of St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y., where he en- larged the endowment, built a new gymnasium, expanded the depart- ment of science and increased the number of students and faculty.
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He has written "The Beginning of St. Lawrence University," and many articles for the "Universalist Leader."
In 1900, he was called to the Church of the Restoration, in Philadelphia, which he served for nearly 20 years, until called to Gloucester in 1919. His wife is Mrs. Helena (Crumett) Lee, from Hyde Park, Boston, Mass. They have two sons and three daughters, and also an adopted son. Dr. and Mrs. Lee have taken several trips to Europe, and both have lectured extensively upon their travels.
Dr. Lee was one of the founders of The Congress of Religious Liberals; was vice president of the Universal Peace Union; was for three years president of the Gloucester Associated Charities, and is a director of the Fishermen's Institute and other organizations.
On Sunday morning, August 26th, 1923, a special service was held in the Independent Christian Church in Gloucester, Universalist, in recognition of the Tercentenary Celebration.
The music was by the Quartette Choir, under the direction of George B. Stevens, the organist and director.
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