USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Ludlow > The history of Ludlow, Massachusetts > Part 11
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
Monson, Rev. Afford Ely, D.D., pastor, and Dea. Andrew Porter, delegate; from the Church in Westfield, Rev. Emerson Davis, pastor. and Dea. J. W. Atkins, delegate; from the Church in North Wilbraham, Rev. John Bowers; from the Fourth Church in Springfield, Rev. E. Russell, pastor, and Dea. Joseph Whipple, delegate.
The Council was organized by the choice of Rev. Samuel Osgood. D.D., moderator, Rev. E. Russell, secretary. Prayer was then offered by the moderator, after which the Council appointed a committee to confer with Rev. A. Sanderson and the Committee of the Church and Society in reference to the mode in which the investigation of the difficulties should be prosecuted, when it was mutually agreed to omit an inquiry into specific charges and base the doings of the Council on general reasons or grounds. The Council, after hearing statements from Rev. A. Sanderson and the Committee of the Church and Society and giving these statements long, careful, and patient attention, voted:
In view of all the circumstances, it is expedient that the Pastoral relation between Rev. A. Sanderson and the Church and Society in Ludlow be dissolved, the dissolution to take place after the lapse of six weeks from this date, unless the parish shall terminate the same by paying him his salary for that term of time or he shall wish to terminate it sooner.
In view of the circumstances which have led to the separation the Council moves and earnestly beseeches the Church to regard their present condition as of the frown of their Redeemer and to return to Him by penitence and prayer. They earnestly beseech the members of this Church and Society mutually to forget and forgive and study for things which make not collision and strife, but for harmony and love.
Voted, also, to recommend the Rev. A. Sanderson as an able and devoted minister of our Lord and Saviour and worthy of the confidence of the churches of Christ wherever God in His Providence may call him to labor.
Mr. Sanderson was dismissed in March, 1843, He was afterwards settled in Tolland and from there removed to Ohio.
Very soon after Mr. Sanderson was dismissed, a unanimous call was given to Rev. J. W. Tuck at a salary of $550. Mr. Tuck's reply is as follows:
To the Congregational Church and Society in Ludlow:
On Monday, the 31st day of July. I was met by your respective Committee acting in your behalf and presented with a call to become your pastor and religious teacher. In that call you thought fit to offer me $550 per annum as a support, while laboring among you. Before you had taken any decisive action in reference to my remaining with you .-
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
pastor, I had preached with you eight Sabbaths and passed my time in the place. It is now two weeks since your call was placed in my hands. Therefore each of us has the satisfaction to know that we have not acted prematurely in reference to the anticipated relation. After prayerful consideration and seeking the advice of older and more experienced persons, I have concluded to accept your call. This has been done with much diffidence and trembling, and with painful solicitado in respect to the future, lest I may not be all that you desire and need in your spiritual adviser and guide. I now cast myself on your leniency. begging a constant remembrance in all your prayers and a place among the affections of your hearts.
Dear brethren, may the Lord ever be with and smile upon you by conferring abundantly both spiritual and temporal blessings, and may each and all of us in all our relations in life and especially in the important and solemn one we soon hope to enter on, seek and receive divine wisdom from on high, that in our ways we may please the Lord. The above may be considered as an answer in general to the very respectful call you have been pleased to give me, and is now submitted to you at your disposal.
Very respectfully yours,
J. W. Tuck.
Ludlow, Aug. 14, 1843.
Mr. Tuck was ordained and installed September 5, 1843.
Jeremy Webster Tuck was born in Kensington, N. H., graduated at Amherst in 1840, and passed through the theological instruction of Andover and East Windsor. Two days before his ordination he was married to Irene M Moody of South Hadley, who died after a year of so of married life. The Mrs. Tuck so well known here bore from infancy the name of Mowry.
In October, 1852, the pastor requested permission to suspend preaching through the winter on account of ill health. Permission was granted, and it was voted that his salary be continued as usual, and he should supply the pulpit at his discretion. A committee was chosen to advise with him and render him such assistance as might be deemed advisable. Mr. Tuck's salary was increased in 1855 to $600, and again in 1857 to $700. In January, 1859, Mr. Tuck sent in his resignation as pastor. He was asked to withdraw this but decided not to do so. It was not till November that a vote was passed to call a council to dissolve the relations between the pastor and people. He was dismissed December 7, 1859.
At a parish meeting held February 13, 1860, it was "voted to give Rev.
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
Warren Mayo a call to settle in the gospel ministry and labor among this people at a salary of $700." It does not appear that Mr. Mayo was settled, but the report of expenses found in the records show that he was paid a salary as late as the year 1862.
In 1863 we find Rev. F. Mvord was paid $480, and the year ending March 1, 1864, the report shows he was paid $100 for ten Sabbaths. The same year several other ministers supplied the pulpit.
Rev. Chester Bridgman was given a call to become the pastor and was Settled May 18, 1864. He remained until July 24, 1866. During his ministry here the chapel was built.
October 1, 1866, the parish voted to unite with the church in giving . call to Rev. C. L. Cushman to settle among them at a salary of $1,000, and he was settled in November. In 1871 Mr. Cushman received & call from the Second Church in Amherst and resigned the pastorate of the Ludlow Church, but as the Church would not accept his resignation he remained until September 1, 1874.
Rev. S. V. MeDuffer became the pastor in 1875 and remained with the church until March 1, 1882. On March 6, 1882, it was "voted to have but one preaching service every Sunday during the ensuing year."
In February, 1883, a unanimous call was given to Rev. Myron I'. Dickey to become the pastor at a salary of $700 and the parsonage. council convened the 14th of June to install Mr. Dickey. In 1887 his salary was increased $100.
June 23, 1889, was observed as the one hundredth anniversary of the organization of the Church. At this time Rev. Mr. Dickey delivered a historical sermon in the afternoon. Others who took part were. Rev. J. W. Tuck, a former pastor; Rey Mr. Buckingham and Rey. Mr. Cone of Springfield, Rev. Mr. Howard of Wilbraham, Rev. Simeon Miller of Ludlow, and Dea. Elisha T. Parsons
Mr. Dickey resigned in 1893 to accept the pastorate of a church in Milton, N. H.
In June, 1893. Rev. E. P. Allen of Sanford. Me., was given a call to this pastorate. He commenced his labors June 25, remaining but one year.
Rev. Everett D. Francis of the Theological Seminary at Hartford, Conn., was secured to supply the pulpit for one year, beginning in March, 1895. In November of that year, he was invited to become the pastor
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
and on the twentieth of the month he was ordained and installed. A few months after he married Miss Mice M. Clark, a member of the parish. Mr Francis resigned April 16, 1905. A council was convened to dismiss him May 16, and he closed his labors the first of July, when he moved to Springfieldl.
Rev. W. Stanley Post of Northampton was next called and accepted the pastorate, commencing his labors here December 1. 1905. He remained until April, 1910, when he accepted a call from a church in Boothbay Harbor Me.
August 11, 1910, Rev. John S. Curtis of Indian Orchard was called, and commenced his work October 1, and is the pastor at the present time 11911).
LIST OF PASTORS
Commenced Loft
Rev. Polatiah Chapin.
1774
1775
David Haschal,
1784
1786
" Aaron Woodward,
1789
1793
..
Antipas Steward. Installed,
1793
1803
Elijah Hedding,
1810
1811
.. Alexander McLean.
1813
1816
Ebenezer B. Wright, Installed.
1819
1835
" David R. Austin,
..
1833
1837
..
Alonzo Sanderson, ..
1839
1843
.. J. W. Tuck.
1843
1859
Warren Mayo,
1859
1862
" Chester Bridgman,
1864
1800
C. L. Cushman,
1 866
1874
5. 1. McDuffce,
1875
1882
M. P. Dickey.
1883
1893
..
E. P. Allen.
1893
1894
1 ... D. Francis.
..
1895
1905
W. Stanley Post.
1905
1910
.. John S. Curtis,
1910
(the present Pastor!
..
..
CHURCH ORGANIZATION
The church was organized in 1789, so tradition says, but nothing in regard to the event can be found, either in the town archives or in the
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TIH- FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
ecclesiastical records of the neighboring churches. No certain statement of facts can be affixed as to the number of members at first nor who they were. There must have been some formal proceedings, something that served the purpose of a council, to render the organization regular so as to be received into the fellowship of the neighboring churches.
But whatever formal proceedings there may have been, they were probably such as did not call for any action of the town and were partici- pated in by only the small number actually interested in religion. The number of members at first was small, not over fifteen, according to the more trustworthy traditions, this number very likely including not more than five to eight men. The committees to hire ministers and transact church business at that time doubtless included men who were original members of the church. The population of the town then was about two hundred inhabitants.
The first committee to hire a minister comprised John Hubbard, Almer Sikes, and Joseph Jones. Others chosen for various purposes included Abner Hitchcock, Oliver Chapin, Joshua Fuller, John Sikes, Moses Wilder, Isaac Brewer, Timothy Keyes, and James Kendall. More would not necessarily be church members, but if there were any men of business talent in the church membership they would be likely to be put on such committees. One man on the building committee, Timothy Sikes, is known to have been a dearon of the church when Rev. Antipas Steward was pastor, so he may have been one of the original members. Dea. Jonathan Clough, of whom we have the record of dismissal with his wife to the church in Wilbraham in 1808, must have been a member.
James Kendall was the first sexton, having been chosen in 1782; his house has been mentioned as one of those used for public worship, and since there is no record of his admission to the church later and there is a record of his death as a member of this church in 1820, the presumption is that he may have been another of the original members. From such facts we conclude that the membership probably included Timothy Keyes, Jonathan Clough, James Kendall, and after these perhaps Abner Hitchcock, Oliver Chapin, and Joshua Fuller.
Therefore, we may conclude a considerable portion of the original membership must have been from the families of these men. A further addition of fifteen members is said to have been made in 1793, when the first pastor, Rev. Antipas Steward, was ordained; but the losses during
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
the first quarter of a century more than equaled the gains, and at the time Mr. Steward left (1803) there were only some half dozen members, and in 1813 there were but five more members, yet the church never became extinet.
The following is a copy of a letter of recommendation to the Church of Ludlow, during the ministry of Mr. Steward, with his endorsement:
To the Church of Christ in Ludlos
Rov'd & Beloved: These may certify that Sabrina Wilson, the Wife of John Wilson has been admitted as a Member in full Communion with the 2 Church of Christ in Chatham. While with us she walked. so far as appears agreeably to her Christian profession. She is there- fore with the consent of the Brethren recommended to your christian witch communion and fellowship in all gospel Ordinances as a meet member of the Church of Christ .- Wishing that grace mercy and peace from the glorious head of the Church may be multiplied to you & the Church universal & asking your prayers for us We subscribe ourselves yours in the faith of the gospel.
David Selden "Pastor of the 2" Church in Chatham."
Chatham, 22 February, 1798.
Endorsement: "Read and voted Admission, according to the Design of the Contents April 291 98 and MY Wilson received to our Watch and Fellowship.
A. Steward.
The records previous to the year 1814 have not been preserved, but about that time occurred what is supposed to be the first large religious awakening enjoyed by the church. There had been much sickness. A fund fever had swept through the community carrying death to many homes. This fact is noted as producing a serious feeling. Key. Nathan Perkins of East Amherst, assisted by other ministers in the neighboring churches, labored with so much success that 38 were added to the church, all of them being leading citizens of the town with their wives.
In 1819 a further addition of 31 members was made. the fruits of labor by Rev. Mr. Curtis of Hadley. In these baptisms of the Holy Ghost the church really began its spiritual life.
The condition of the church at the time of Key. Mr. Wright's coming was very much improved. There were 95 members, of whom 35 were
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
male. Stephen Jones, Oliver Dutton, and Benjamin Sikes were deacons. There was no other church organization in the town at this time. In the first years of Mr. Wright's ministry there were large additions by letter from neighboring churches. The natural inference regarding this unusual number of additions by letter at this time is, that owing to the previous disorganized condition of things, many who had come here to live had neglected to change their church relations and others were unwilling to do so as long as the divided state of feeling existed. The union of the church membership of the community was the first step to the ingathering of those outside.
In 1827 and 1831 large accessions on confession of faith were received, 20 uniting in 1827 and 42 in 1831. The church had grown in the fourteen yours, 1819 to 1833, from 95 to 151. of whom 51 were males and 100 females. Rev. Almon Inderwood, the most successful evangelist that has ever labored for this church, then in the beginning of his career, was present for a time during Rev. Mr. Austin's pastorate. As many as 60 additions were made to the church membership during his term of four years. The membership must have reached nearly or quite 200 and exceeded that of any other time. Since that time there have been several periods of especial religious interest when large numbers were added to the church. The yours of largest additions were 1843, 1849, 1858, 1866, and 1873. A continuing spiritual interest is shown in the marked increase of other years. The present mem- bership is about 170.
In the year 1824, during Mr. Wright's pastorate, a vote was passed by the church to choose a standing committee of three members of the church whose duty it should be to converse with such members as may be guilty of public misdemeanors, with a view to reclaiming them. The three names that head the list of those who have served on this permanent committee were Joseph Miller, 28, Noah Clark, and Joshua Fuller. The same year, September 2, this same Joseph Miller and Ashbel Buur were elected deacons of the church, the special vacancy being the retirement from active duties of the office by Dea. Oliver Dutton. Deacons Miller and Burr accepted the office and served with fidelity ; Deacon Burr until 1839, when, on account of advancing years, he wished to be released from the active duties, and Alva Sikes was chosen in his stead. Deacon Burr died November, 1861, aged 84 years. "Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" is the record concerning him. Deacon Miller
164
HISTORY OF LEDLOW
resigned in 1848, being about to remove from town, but he afterwards returned and died here in 1871. aged 84 year -.
It is said that Dea. Oliver Button and Dea. Benjamin Sikes, who were hard of hearing, used to stand in the pulpit beside the minister while he was preaching.
The first meeting of the parish to organize according to the Statutes of the Commonwealth was held at the meeting-house on the 9th of December. 1835. Officers were chosen and a committee of three "to seat the meeting-house." Daniel Miller, one of the petitioners, executed the warrant for the first meeting, Elisha T. Parsons was the moderator. Elisha A. Fuller the treasurer, and Theodore Sikes the clerk. This organization probably grew out of the controversy concerning the ministry fund. This fund became the source of much contention as the religious societies developed. According to the charter, the town held certain lands in trust for the maintenance of the ministry. Early in the century these lands were sold and the money put into the care of a committee of trustees appointed by the town from year to year For a number of years its revenues were equally divided among the various denominations, all of whom were represented in the pulpit as the years passed on. After the existence of the "Methodist Legal Society." the agitation respecting the fund was carried on with increasing force until some parties petitioned for its disuse in the support of the ministry, and it- appropriation to the purposes of education. A suit followed, which was afterwards carried to the Supreme Court and the case was decided in favor of the defendants. The money has since been used by the Congregational Society for the support of its ministry.
At a meeting of the parish, January 2, 1836, the following rule was voted by which any persons may become members of said parish, viz .: "They shall present to the committee. if there be one, and, if there be not one, to the assessors of said parish, a declaration signed by them in substance as follows: The subscribers, being desirous to attend public worship with the members of the First Parish in Ludlow and to bear their part of the burdens of supporting the same, request that they may be received as members of said parish. And when a majority of said committee of assessore shall endorse their approval of said declaration. the applicant shall become a member by filing the same with the clerk."
During Rev. Mr. Sanderson's pastorate several events are noted, among which were the adoption in 1839 of the church creed and covenant
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
and regulations for the discipline of members and the government of the church. Perhaps it is not understood by all that there were no formulated creeds in the early Congregational churches of New England. Not till 1821 did the First Church in Springfiekl have any formal confession of faith. The Bible was the creed and every man was free to interpret its rule of duty for himself in the light of conscience and the Holy Ghost. responsible unto God to give his revelation an honest interpretation, and impelled thereto by the momentous concerns of his own personal salvation. The adoption of a formal creed, which is now general and has been for more than three quarters of a century, grew out of the necessity of defining distinctly and precisely what one regarded as the essential doctrines of Scripture.
As far back as 1892, a committee had been appointed by the parish to investigate the advantage of having the church and parish incorporated as one legal body. No decision seems to have been reached until, in 1897, at a parish meeting held March 1, it was voted to transfer all its property, both real and personal, with its debts, to the First Church in Ludlow, and a committee was appointed, consisting of Charles P. Jones, Elbridge J. Streeter, and Warren G. Fuller, to make the transfer. At an adjourned meeting, March 29, the committee reported, that they had a quit-claim deed made by R W. Ellis and dated March 20, 1897, conveying the property to the church. It was then voted to dissolve the parish.
The relations of this church with other churches in the town are very pleasant and friendly. There have been in the past closer relations with the Methodist Church than others from the fact of said church having been located at the Center not far from the Congregational Church, until a few years ago, when they built a church at the Village and discontinued services at the Center. The pastors of the two churches worked together very harmoniously, and for some years union services were hekl every month. The social gatherings of each church were attended by members of both churches, and unity and kindly feelings prevailed in the com- munity. We learn from the church records that in years past. a half century or so ago, there were often differences between some of the members which called for the deliberations of the church to settle and in some cases it was necessary to call a council from other churches for advice and their decision as to a just settlement of the difficulties. In more recent years the relations of the members toward each other have been of a pleasant and amicable nature.
100
1HISTORY OF LUDLOW
The benevolences of the church in lite years have been well sustained and we suppose the earlier periods would bear the same record. Though there has never been the peculiar interest which comes from having one of our own members engaged in the missionary work abroad, there is a good and intelligent interest in mission work, both home and foreign.
The first observance of Children's Sunday by the church was in June, 1884. At that time was established the custom of giving a Bible to children baptized in infancy and having reached the age of seven years. This custom is still continued.
Prayer meetings in the early days of the church were seldom known. When they were first established as a weekly meeting the records do not show. They are considered a necessary part of religious worship at the present day.
During the ministry of Key. Mr. Francis the observance of "Old Home Sunday" was established, the first being in July, 1900, and since then the day has been observed several times in the month of August. Members and friends from other parts of the town and from other towns have come and united with the resident members in the worship of God. as was done in earlier years, by hokling morning and afternoon services and singing the hymns of "ye olden time." Sermons and addresses are usually given by former pastors and friends of the church. After the morning service an old-fashioned box lunch is enjoyed under the beautiful oak trees near the church, and old acquaintances are renewed. Usually a large number are present. In 1911 the following invitation was issued:
OUD HOME SUNDAY, JULY 30, 1911
You are most cordially invited to participate with us in the obsery- ance of Old Home Sunday, July 30, 1911, at the First Church, Ludlow Center, Mass. Services at 10.45 A.M. and 2.30 P.M. It is expected that the people will bring an old-fashioned box lunch to enjoy at noon. Carriages will meet the cars arriving from Springfield and Palmer at I udlow Bridge at 9.45 to convey people to the church and return after the afternoon service, at an expense of 25 cents for the round trip. Please send acceptance card to the Committee on Invitations. We trust there will be a large reunion of former members and friends of church and place.
John Springer Curtis, Elmer II. Carver. George H. Sprague. John F. Perham,
Mrs. Charles P. Jones, Mrs. William M. Ashwell. Alfred T. Jones,
Committee on Invitations.
July 16, 1911.
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
In accordance with this the sixth Old Home Sunday service was held in the First Congregational Church. In spite of the threatening skies there was a large attendance. A long time before the service commenced teams filled every place provided for their accommodation. The church was well filled.
The exercises opened with singing, "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow." The choir, consisting of many of the people who years ago assisted in the music, was seated in the high gallery in the rear of the audience room. Miss Marion Jones presided at the organ. The congregation joined in repeating the Lord's Prayer. The choir sang "Jerusalem, My Glorious Home." Rev. John S. Curtis offered prayer and read from the Scriptures. The choir and congregation sang, "Come Thou Almighty King." The morning offering was received. Willis S. Fisher sang "Grass and Roses."
Rev. John S. Curtis gave an interesting address, taking his text from Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the workl and preach the Gospel to every creature." He spoke on "The Message of the Country Church," saying that the Gospel message was the same under all conditions, but the emphasis should be different to fit the people to whom it was pre- sented. He said, in part :
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