USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Florence > The history of Florence, Massachusetts : including a complete account of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
The following year the Northampton pastor supplied 5 the Florence and Leeds churches ; and in 1857 Rev. John Noon was stationed here, and services were held in the North schoolhouse, on the corner of Meadow and Park METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI. streets, now occupied by M. C. Howard's paint store. The business panic of 1857-8 made it difficult to pay the preacher's salary and for that or unknown reasons no pastor came to take Mr. Noon's place, and the church disappeared.
Eighteen hundred and seventy marks the beginning of the present society ; in the summer of that year, James E. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. King started a Methodist prayer meeting at the home of the latter, a brick house on Maple street which was torn down to be replaced by Contractor Latham's stone residence. So much interest was manifested in the prayer meeting that a class meeting was started. Both meetings soon outgrew private houses and a hall in Little's block was rented, where Sunday services were also held, with preaching by the Methodist minis-
143
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
ter from the Northampton church, Rev. J. S. Whedon ; later two Wesleyan Academy students, who were preparing for the ministry, came on alternate Sabbaths to conduct the services. One of them, Rev. George Sanderson, was afterwards stationed here.
The hall in Little's block soon became too small, and in January. 1871, Davis Hall was rented and a church formally organized, the con- ference in April appointing Rev. Thomas W. Bishop, the first pastor. Rev. Bishop served the church most acceptably for two years, during which time the land for the present church was purchased and plans for the building made by Architect Thayer, of Boston, and the membership of the society increased from twenty-one to seventy-five.
Rev. William H. Cook was pastor from 1873 to 1875 ; during his pastorate the church was erected and the vestry finished and dedicated. The dedicatory exercises were held September 30, 1874. Rev. D. Richards of Northampton, Rev. E. G. Cobb, H. K. Parsons, and the pastor took part in the dedication, and Rev. R. R. Meredith preached on the sub- ject, "Divine Origin of Christianity." After the sermon, Rev. George Whittaker, then presiding elder of Springfield district, made an appeal for subscriptions and secured eight hundred dollars. At the evening session Rev. E. R. Thorndike, of Williamsburg, read the opening hymn. Rev. N. H. Martin offered prayer, and addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. E. G. Cobb, George Whittaker, John A. Cass, and T. W. Bishop.
Rev. Raymond F. Holway followed Mr. Cook. He was greatly beloved by the people, and during his three years' stay fifty were added to the church and much accomplished for the spiritual and intellectual life of the people. Rev. Frank Bowles began raising the church debt. which Rev. George Sanderson, who came to the church in April, ISSo. continued with so much zeal and such indefatigable labor that thirty- four hundred dollars was raised and the property freed from debt. Not content with this he believed the church might be finished and began collecting funds for that purpose, and work on the audience room of the church was begun. At this time, Rev. M. C. Chapin built a parsonage to be the unincumbered property of the society on the death of himself and wife. At the close of Rev. Sanderson's three years pastorate, resolui- tions were adopted commending his faithful labors, and thanking him for the zeal and energy he had so unsparingly used for the good of the church.
Rev. A. J. Hall, in 1883, continued the work of raising funds for the completion of the church, and it was dedicated, free of debt, June 5. 1884. Bishop Mallalieu preached from Acts ii., 33. Rev. Dr. Ela, Rev. Henry Matthews, Rev. A. C. Hussey, Rev. N. Fellows, then presiding elder, and others took part in the dedicatory service, and Rev. George Sanderson
144
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
preached most acceptably the following Sabbath. Brother Hall is espe- cially remembered for his faithful pastoral work, the poor and sick find- ing in him a sympathizing friend.
Rev. J. F. Allen was pastor from 1885-1888, and won the confidence of the whole community, though he did not hesitate to take an aggres- sive attitude on the subject of intemperance, and other evils. He secured a fine pipe organ for the church, and acted for a while as superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Rev. A. W. Mills, who followed Rev. Allen, is now pastor of a prominent Brooklyn church ; and Rev. A. R. Nichols was stationed here from 1889 to 1891. During his second year he married Adella Shepherd, who had for some time been a resident of Florence.
Rev. John Peterson changed the hour of the preaching service from 2 P. M. to 10.30 A. M., and the Sabbath-school session now follows at
-
-
CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION.
11.45. The faithfulness of his service here is remembered by all the people. In the winter of 1892 the Christian Crusaders held meetings in the vestry with good results. Rev. George F. Durgin began his pastoral relation with the people in April, 1893, being succeeded the following year by Rev. W. F. Stewart.
Among those who have been notable in their support of the church and are now in the church triumphant, are Adna Back, Ebenezer Nut- ting, M. C. Chapin. H. K. Parsons, and Frederick W. Moore ; while many are still living who have endured hardness as good soldiers, that the gospel might be preached from the " corner church."
I45
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
The church sustains, besides the Sabbath-school and preaching serv- ices, prayer-meetings on Sunday and Friday evenings, class meetings on Wednesday evening of each week, an Epworth League, Mission Band, Ladies' Aid Society, and Woman's Foreign Missionary Society.
THE CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION. BY REV. P. H. GALLEN.
FOR many years the Catholics of Florence attended service at North- ampton. When their number increased sufficiently, a request by them for a separate parish was granted by Bishop O'Reilly, and Rev. Cornelius Foley was appointed the first rector in 1878. The new parish included Leeds, Haydenville, and adjoining districts. For some time the services were conducted in one of the halls of Florence, but the desire for a new church grew stronger, and the present site was purchased.
Great enthusiasm was displayed by the young and rapidly growing parish, and much encouragement was extended by the leading citizens of other churches, who, with characteristic liberality, subscribed to the undertaking. Rev. Mr. Foley having been sent elsewhere by the bishop, the work of building the church and of perfecting the parish organiza- tion was assumed by Rev. P. F. Callery. Few outside of the clergy comprehend how exacting and laborious such a work is. All the respon- sibility is thrown upon the rector, and to a sensitive nature the burden sometimes is very hard to bear. It weighed heavily on Father Callery. However, in a comparatively short time success attended his efforts, and the present church was dedicated October third, 1880. Since that time, the society has been undergoing the process of development as regards organization and usefulness. Strenuous efforts were made from time to time by the rector and people to pay the debt contracted in building: societies were formed, and the usual work of a Catholic parish was car- ried forward with considerable success. It was interrupted for a time by the death of Father Callery, whose genial nature had greatly endeared him to his people. His many sterling qualities of head and heart were recognized by those outside his church as well, and much sorrow was felt by the community in general at his death. His remains are at rest near the entrance to the church.
For seven years Father Callery had been ably assisted in the work by Rev. J. J. McMahon, his curate, and greatly to the satisfaction of the people he was appointed rector in August, 1886. For a few years only did he fill the position, until death called him. Scarcely less was he mourned than his predecessor had been. Young and apparently vigor-
10
146
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ous, with a thorough knowledge of the wants of the parish, a pleasant, affable manner, and most winning personality-great hopes were centered in him. His death, in March, 1889, at the early age of thirty-three, was a severe blow to his people. He was buried in Fitchburg, Mass. Other priests formerly stationed in Flor- ence as curates were Rev. James Boyle, now rector of Ware, Mass., and Rev. Thomas Lucey, curate at the Center.
Father McMahon was succeeded in April, 1889, by Rev. P. H. Gallen, the present rector. He was born in Milford, Mass., March 17, 1855, edu- cated in the public schools, and made the higher studies under the Jesuits and Franciscans. He was ordained at Springfield in May, 1881, and his first appointment was to St. John's Church, Worcester. The following year he was sent to Sacred Heart Church, Holyoke, ALTAR OF CATHOLIC CHURCH. where he remained until May, 1883, thence to St. Paul's, Worcester, where he spent six years.
The present condition of the Catholic society in Florence is fairly satisfactory. Its membership has increased from a few families in the early days to nearly one thousand two hundred souls. The moral stand- ing of its members is not inferior to any class in the community, and in business integrity and general intelligence they are second to none. The old feeling of distrust toward the church they represent has disappeared, let us hope, forever, and they are now ready and anxious to promote the good fellowship that tends to united moral action in all matters pertain- ing to the welfare of the community.
THE FREE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
BY HENRY B. HAVEN.
Ti Free Congregational Society of Florence really had its founda- tion in the days of the " old Community." After that organization dis- solved there was no society to assume the support of regular services, but
1.47
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
for some years private enterprise sustained regular speaking, until, in 1863, the following call was issued :-
"To the people of Florence and vicinity : All interested in the promotion of good morals, general education, and liberal religious sentiments, whether Catholic or Protestant, or of whatever sect, creed, or nationality, are invited to meet at the South schoolhouse, on Tuesday, May third, 1863, at three and one-half o'clock, P. M., to organize arrangements for the better attainment of the objects above named."
At this meeting an organization was formed under the following Articles of Agreement :-
" We, the undersigned, inhabitants of Florence and its vicinity, in the town of Northampton, wishing to avail ourselves of the advantages of associate effort for
-
COSMIAN HALL.
our advancement in truth and goodness, and for the promotion of general intel- ligence, good morals, and liberal, religious sentiments, do hereby agree to form ourselves into a body corporate, under the name of the . Free Congregational Society of Florence.'
" Respecting in each other-and in all-the right of intellect and conscience to be free, and holding it to be the duty of every one to keep his mind and heart at all times open to receive the truth and follow its guidance, we set up no theo- logical condition of membership, and neither demand nor expect uniformity of doctrinal belief ; asking only unity of purpose to seek and accept the right and true, and an honest aim and effort to make these the rule of life. And. recogniz-
148
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
ing the brotherhood of the human race and the equality of human rights, we make no distinction as to the conditions and rights of membership in this society, on account of sex, or color, or nationality."
To these Articles of Agreement, thirty-three active, earnest, and thoughtful men and women subscribed, and the society, established upon the principles as indicated in its Articles of Agreement, commenced its work.
Upon the first organization of the society its meetings were held in the South schoolhouse, but in April, 1864, it began to hold its meetings in Florence hall and chapel, which were rooms made for their special use in the new schoolhouse which Mr. S. L. Hill had just built for the use of Warner school district, and to which he gave the property, reserving, in his gift of the building, the two rooms above mentioned, and a third room UTH BEARETH AWAY THE VICTORY." for a library and reading room, for a term of ten years. ABOVE ALL THINGS,T The use of these three rooms, PROSCENIUM ARCHI-COSMIAN HALL. which occupied the whole of the second story of the present school building, he gave to the society for its use, for the time he controlled them.
Near the expiration of this ten years, all the rooms in the building being required for the increasing size and number of the schools in the village. it was decided to build a hall, not only adequate for all the uses of the society, for its Sunday services, Sunday-school, and social gatherings, but of a capacity and design suitable for all general public meetings liable to be called for in a village of the size, enterprise, and public spirit of Florence. The result is Cosmian Hall, a noble edifice, built in a com- manding location, with ample arrangements for the general uses of the public in its main hall, with a seating capacity of nearly seven hundred, with large stage and abundant stage appointments, including organ and grand piano. This hall has been opened on all occasions of general public interest, celebrations, and anniversaries, for the people's use, without any expense to them or the town.
Cosmian Hall was dedicated in 1874, and cost about forty thousand dollars, Mr. S. L. Hill contributing much the larger part, Mr. A. T. Lilly, about ten thousand dollars, and the balance by subscription in the society. In 1893, a platform for the choir was built to the right of the
149
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
stage, and the capacity of the organ was nearly doubled. The lower story contains lower Cosmian Hall, and connecting recitation rooms for use of Sunday-school and other purposes, also double parlors, with adjoining kitchen accommodations for use of the Industrial Union.
For some years previous to the organization of the society, Mr. C. C. Burleigh was a regular lecturer, supported by private enterprise, and he remained the resident speaker after its organization, for ten years. Miss Elizabeth M. Powell, now Mrs. Elizabeth Powell Bond, officiated as assistant in 1871 and 1872, succeeded by Mr. Roland Connor in the last named year, until Mr. Burleigh resigned in 1873, when Mr. Connor became resident speaker for one year. David H. Clark was resident speaker for three years, to 1878. Mr. W. H. Spencer and Mrs. Anna Garland Spencer jointly held the office from 1881 to 1884, Mrs. Elizabeth Powell Bond from 1884 to 1886, and Rev. F. A. Hinckley has been the minister since September first, 1888.
During various times, in which the society has not had a regular min- ister, the desk has been supplied by some of the best speakers from the liberal and reform ranks, among others : 1 Theodore D. Weld, A. 1 Bronson Alcott, Sam- uel Longfellow, Fred- erick Douglass, Wil- liam Lloyd Garrison, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John W. Chadwick, Felix Adler,and George W. Cable ; the design ENTRANCE TO COSMIAN HALL. being to secure the representation of all phases of sincere thought on moral and religious subjects.
The position of the society cannot be better stated than from an extract from its executive committees' reports. "This society believes that in this free interchange of thought and ideas, and in the hospitality that is willing to listen to diverse religious theories, is the surest promise of the truth that maketh free, which Lord Bacon pronounces . the sovereign good of human nature.'"
The minister is not, like the minister or pastor of most religious socie- ties, pledged to advocate and defend a formal statement of faith. He is under no intellectual bonds. He is at liberty to express freely his latest thought, and it is understood he speaks only for himself.
150
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
From the first organization of the society the Sunday-school has been sustained with success and usefulness, as a very important branch of the work of the society. It is held in the forenoon of each Sunday, and is opened with singing and responsive reading, followed, first, by class work, and then by general exercises, including a talk by the superin- tendent. There are at present classes in the study of the life of Jesus, the life and work of Paul, and a class of adults in the economic and moral bearings of political economy. The little folks, of whom there are three classes, receive moral instruction by means of illustrated cards.
A very useful adjunct to the society is the Ladies' Industrial Union, composed of the ladies of the society and others, who, during the winter, hold semi-monthly afternoon meetings in the parlors, doing such work in the line of sewing as is presented, and afterwards in providing a supper for such members of the society as care to attend, followed by a social evening, which may include dancing. The Union yearly turns into the general expense fund some hundreds of dollars as the result of their work.
One of the first works of the society after its organization was the establishment of a free public library and reading room, in one of the rooms provided by Mr. Hill's liberality for that purpose. Subscriptions of books were liberally made by the members of the society, Mr. Hill buying hundreds of volumes for the purpose, and a good library and reading room was maintained by the society for the general public, for .several years ; eventually laying the foundation of the present Florence branch of the public library.
The Free Congregational Society of Florence was one of the first religious bodies to organize on a platform of entire free thought and free speech. It may not be amiss to state here that the two largest contrib- utors and active supporters of this society have not confined their bene- factions to it exclusively, but have devised their property so all the people of the village are receiving the benefit of it : Mr. S. L. Hill in the building and gift to the village of the fine large schoolhouse and later by his endowment of the kindergarten, and Mr. A. T. Lilly by his gift of the Lilly Library, and five thousand dollars for books for the use of the village, and his large estate to the trustees of the Florence kinder- garten, to be used for educational purposes.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
THE FLORENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
BY WILLIAM D. MILLER.
UNTIL 1866 Northampton was divided into school districts. The town, in town meeting assembled, elected a general committee of six who had the general oversight of the schools. Each district had a com- plete organization of its own, built and took charge of its buildings and hired its teachers. The chief executive offi- cer was a prudential committee. The town raised a certain amount of money for the support of the schools, and divided it among the districts, which raised any addi- THE SECOND SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE "WARNER DISTRICT. " tional amount required by direct tax upon the inhabitants of the district. or by subscription.
The district including Florence was called the " Warner district." Leeds was known as " Rail Hill district."
The earliest written record that can be found begins with the year 1845, but the printed town reports date back to 1838. The first school- house in the Warner district was a one-room, wooden building on North Main street, in the southeast corner of the farm now owned by Mr. John F. Warner, and near Mr. J. L. Campbell's house. Traces of its founda- tion can still be found near a large maple tree.
Sometime between 1825 and 1830, the voters in the eastern part of the district outnumbered those in the western part, and the schoolhouse was moved to what is now the center of the village, and located on the corner of Park and Meadow streets, near the cemetery. This caused so much dissatisfaction in the western part that a school was for some time maintained by the Warner families in their houses, at their own expense,
152
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
and later a schoolhouse was built by them on the corner of North Main street and Bridge road, the foundation of which still remains. So far as is known, the town did not aid in the support of this school. The build- ing was afterwards moved to the east side of Park street, and is now the first house south of the late Mr. A. W. Shumway's.
Under date of February sixth, 1846, the following is found in the district record book :-
"Voted, To build a schoolhouse the coming season, by unanimous vote.
"L'oted, To build a one-story house.
"Voted, That individuals by subscription can have the privilege of putting on an additional story if there be money enough raised by subscription to defray the expense of the same.
"Toted, That it be at or near the place where the old schoolhouse now stands."
The " old schoolhouse " mentioned was the one that had been moved from North Main street and placed on the corner of Park and Meadow streets. This house was sold to Nathan Olney for twenty-six dollars, and moved to the corner where the Methodist church now stands. When this church was built, the house was moved a few rods to the south, and now forms a part of the house occupied by Mr. Austin Allis. It appears that individuals did not take advantage of the privilege offered them of putting on an additional story, as a one-story brick building was erected at a total cost of $487.82, which building now forms the lower story of the building occupied by Messrs. Howard & Rice. This was afterwards known as the " North schoolhouse."
The first account entered in the record book shows the expenses of the district for the year 1845-6 to have been $94.45. The next year the expenses were $148.74, the teacher receiving $2.50 a week, and the district paying $1.25 a week for her board. An item showing the cost of wood at that time is -" One half cord hard wood, $1.25." Another, showing the price paid for labor,- " For sawing and splitting two cords wood, $1.00."
April thirtieth, 1845, a committee was appointed to see about the expenses of a new schoolhouse or an addition to the old one. This committee recommended building a new schoolhouse. The report was adopted and a building committee appointed, which built a one story brick building near the northeast corner of the present High school building at a total cost of $774.15. Mr. Hill furnished seats and outline maps at his own expense. This was known as the South schoolhouse.
Besides the main room there was a small square addition opening into it, which was known as the stove room, and contained a large box stove, designed to warm the larger room. One who was there says it
153
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
often was so cold in the main room that the pupils took turns in going into the stove room to get warm.
One winter a man was hired to teach geography by singing the names of capitals, capes, etc., to popular tunes. The following was a verse sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle :-
" Mr. Brewster went one day From Cape North to Gloucester Bay. To bid Farewell to a certain man Whose name was Mr. Walsingham."
The whole school sung while one pupil pointed out the places on the map as they were named.
At this time there was no public building in Florence and the school- house was used as a public hall and for re- ligious services.
The space between the teacher's desk and the seats was utilized for dances, the gentle- men paying three cents apiece for the services of a violinist.
The ground in front of the schoolhouse, which is now occupied by the Congregational church and chapel, was covered with a thick growth of pine trees, through which a foot- path led to the school- house. The present school yard was used as a lumber yard for HIGHI SCHOOL BUILDING. the mill below, and there is a tradition that one of the committee from Northampton, a good old doctor, while trying to guide his sleigh among the logs to the school- house, tipped over, much to the amusement of the boys ; but this acci- dent did not prevent his going to sleep in the warm schoolroom and sleeping through his entire visit.
T
154
HISTORY OF FLORENCE.
Concerning the school grounds, the following report of a committee in 1855 is given :-
" In the school yards we behold a barren waste in regard to which the public appear to take no other interest than in making it a common wood and lumber yard. Catching their inspiration by means of such influences from without, added to the gloom, monotony, and too often uninteresting performances within. we need not wonder if the children consider the schoolhouse as an old Bastile and show their utter contempt for the whole system by cutting up the benches and throwing stones at the windows."
About the same time the committee passed the following vote :-
" L'oted, That the prudential committee be authorized to notify the parents of children to visit the school each week, two from each family."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.