USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 14
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 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The affiliated societies of the Church are the Epworth League, Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Woman's Home Missionary Society, the Ladies' Aid Society, the Maternal Association and the Methodist Brotherhood.
THE MELROSE ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Very early in the present century, and long before the Orthodox Church was formed, preaching services were held occasionally by Congregational ministers, either in the little old unpainted school-house, situated on the old road, now Lebanon Street, on a knoll then existing very near where now lives Deacon John Buffum, or, in the parlors of some North Maldenite. These were generally conducted by the resident pastor of the Malden Centre Church.
By the year 1848, after the Railroad had been opened from Boston to Lawrence, it was found that quite a number of
143
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
members of Congregational Churches had become residents of North Malden; besides others, not members, whose sympathies were in this direction; and soon religious services began to be held; first, in the house of Dr. Levi Gould, then living on Main Street, opposite the present Methodist Episcopal Church, in the house now standing and belonging to the heirs of the late George W. Farnsworth. There are those now living who well remember these services, and the part they took in preparing for them; among them Levi S. Gould and Edwin C. Gould; these young boys brought chairs from the neighbors' houses, to accommodate the audiences. Previous to these meetings, Dr. Gould would often take some one of like persuasion in his chaise, and attend church; sometimes in Stoneham and some- times in Wakefield.
After two, possibly three, of these Sunday services at Dr. Gould's the parlors of Deacon Jonathan Cochran, on Grove Street, being larger, were opened for these meetings; and here, April 25, 1848, began the first preaching services, by Rev. Stillman Pratt, who afterwards became the first settled pastor. After a few weeks, the audiences increasing mean- while, the passenger room of the Boston and Maine Railroad Station was obtained for this purpose; and here was formed the Sunday School, with James L. Crosett acting as leader. This was in the days of quiet, before the advent of Sunday trains! Here were held preaching services, and the sessions of the Sunday School for several weeks. This building still stands on Essex Street, and is now used as the freight depot.
Steps were soon taken for the organization of a Church, and a preliminary meeting of brethren was held May 21, 1848, when the Articles of Faith and Covenant, as held by the Church of Stoneham were adopted; and a committee consist- ing of Jonathan Cochran and James L. Crosett, was appointed to call a Council of Churches to advise, and if deemed ex- pedient, to form a Church in accordance with the Congre- gational form. The Council met in the Academy Building, then on Berwick Street, afterwards moved to Main Street, and known as Lyceum Hall, on July 11, IS48. The Churches represented were from Reading, Wakefield, Malden, Stone- ham, Lynnfield, Chelsea, Everett, then South Malden, Saugus, and Medford. The Council approved the proposed plan, and the Melrose Orthodox Congregational Church was then organ-
144
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
ized, with reading of the minutes, invocation, consecrating prayer, sermon by Rev. Isaac P. Langworthy, and other cus- tomary exercises.
The Rev. Stillman Pratt became the first pastor, being called April 18, and was installed May 17, 1849. He had acted as their minister for several months previous. Mr. Pratt took part in the Bi-Centennial Celebration of Malden, which occurred May 23, 1849, writing an original hymn for the occasion, which was sung to the tune of " North Bend," two stanzas of which follow:
Two hundred years have rolled away Since here our fathers came ; And we their sons come here to-day To celebrate their fame. * * * *
God of the nations ! in Thy sight A thousand years are one, - Oh ! here defend us by Thy might, Then take us to thy throne.
The original members, twelve in number, who joined by letter from other churches, July 11, were as follows:
Jonathan Cochran, Levi Gould,
Mary Cochran,
Tristram Bird,
Seth Rich, Sylva Bird,
James L. Crosett, Mary S. Manning,
Elizabeth D. Crosett, Mary R. Pratt,
Lucinda Howard, Olive Carey.
Only one of these members is now living, Mrs. Elizabeth D. Crosett, now of San Francisco, California; she was one of the Sunday School teachers, and one of the choir singers. Some moved away, taking letters to other churches. Dr. Gould died January 6, 1850; Deacon Cochran died January 6, 1885, aged 93 years and 6 months, having been deacon thirty- six years; all the others who remained in Melrose have joined the " silent majority,"
Very soon after the Church was formed, a movement was made to build a meeting-house, which was accomplished through the unwearied efforts of Dr. Levi Gould, Dea. Jonathan Cochran, James L. Crosett and others, who not only solicited contributions, but two of them at least, Dr. Gould and Dea. Cochran worked on the foundations of the building with pick and shovel. Land was bought on West Foster Street, the meet-
145
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
ing-house commenced in October, 1848, and completed and dedicated May 17, 1849; but services had been held in the ves- try as soon as it was completed, March II, about two months before. The land and building cost $3,500 ; of this amount the society raised about $400, among themselves, $600 was con- tributed by members of neighboring churches, and the remain- ing $2,500 was placed on mortgage. For four years after its organization the Church was aided in its current expenses, in sums ranging from $44 to $200 per annum, a total of $619, by the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. The Church then, in 1852, numbered twenty-four members.
Concerning the early days of its history the first Church Manual, published in 1859, has the following:
Very much was due in the early history of the church and in results reached, under God, to the earnest and faithful labors of the first pastor, Rev. Stillman Pratt, and the brethren associated with him. It should also be added, as showing that God has carried us through dark days, that in the early part of 1853, the Meeting House was taken possession of by the mortgagee, and with heavy hearts brethren removed the furniture of the pews. This gentleman, however, made a liberal offer to the society, and by earnest and continued efforts, a sum sufficient to satisfy the mortgagee was raised, chiefly among them- selves, and liberal friends in Boston and elsewhere, and possession of the house resumed.
And from the Revised Manual of 1892:
It is difficult at the present time to realize all that this first venture meant to the few brave souls who constituted the little church. They were but a handful and gave literally "of their poverty that others might be rich." The population was sparse, and the territory only a few oldtime farms, with here and there rocky ledges, rough bits of pasture, and clumps of stunted pine.
This little original white-painted church edifice, with its clock and steeple, was enlarged, remodelled, and made over into a building of Gothic architectural design during the year 1858, at a cost of $10,000. It was re-dedicated January 5, 1859, with a sermon by Rev. Edward N. Kirk, D. D., of Boston.
There is no view of the original church building in existence. In one of its small vestries, a part of the town's primary school was held one or more seasons. There are yet members of the Church and congregation, whose memory clusters around
146
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
the past events, and who bring to mind the pleasant scenes and occurences which took place in the little white church during its history before its absorption in the more stately structure.
ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. From Painting by T. C. Bartholomew.
The remodeled church was burned February 17, 1869. In the picture will be observed a small house which was consumed at the same time. This stood where now stands the residence of Mrs. Emma Burnham. It was then a tenement containing two families, and it has a somewhat interesting history. The original building was the little unpainted school-house, before
147
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
spoken of, and which is minutely described in the chapter on " Educational History." It was not only the school-house in those early days, but various religious services were often held therein, before any church building existed. It was after- wards bought, in 1828, by the Methodist Protestant Society, moved to the corner of Main and Upham (then Church) Streets, where it remained until that society built its new church in 1842; meanwhile having become often called the "Duck Pen." It was then moved to the corner of Myrtle and West Foster Streets, and there burned, as stated. Not at all disheartened at this calamity, the society immediately took steps to build another church. Subscriptions were made, a large lot of land containing 48,800 square feet, at the corner of West Foster and Willow Streets, and adjoining the old church lot, was purchased, and the corner-stone laid November 24, 1869. On this occasion, an address was made by the pastor, Rev. Albert G. Bale, an historical statement made by Deacon Calvin N. Chapin, and a box containing a variety of articles, coins, newspapers, the Melrose Memorial, etc., was placed beneath the stone. The church was finished and dedi- cated October 26, 1870, with a sermon by the pastor, and an address by Rev. Isaac P. Langworthy.
During its erection public worship was held in Lyceum Hall, Main Street, formerly the old Melrose Academy, on Berwick Street, in which the Church was first organized and where some of its services were held. The land and building cost $42,000. Extensive repairs were made in 1890, during which time a handsome memorial window was placed in the front vestibule, by Maurice G. Cochrane, in honor of his grandfather, Jonathan Cochran, so long its senior deacon.
The first pastor, Mr. Pratt, resigned in April, 1851, and Rev. Isaac H. Northrop was installed January 15, 1852. He was dismissed in March, 1853, and the Rev. Alexander J. Sessions was installed in January, 1854. His relationship ceased in 1858, and Rev. Edward H. Buck became the pastor. He died January 31, 1861. Rev. Henry A. Stevens succeeded, being ordained September 12, 1861, remaining until May, 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. Albert G. Bale, who was ordained December 3, 1868. After an unusually long pastorate of twenty-seven and a half years, Mr. Bale resigned in May, 1896, remaining until July 15.
148
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
At the meeting of the Church, held May 4, at which time his resignation was accepted, the following resolutions were presented by Elbridge H. Goss, and adopted.
Whereas, The Rev. Albert G. Bale having resigned the pastorate of the Melrose Orthodox Congregational Church, and the same having been accepted, it is fitting that some expression of the relations that have existed between us for a period of over twenty-seven years, be adopted by us here assembled ; therefore;
Resolved, That it is with deep feelings of regret that the pleasant ties that have so long existed between pastor and people are now to be sundered. He has been in and out with us. these many years, in our sorrows and in our joys : our cheerful and helpful counsellor both to young and old; has given aid and comfort. unreservedly, wherever and whenever needed.
Resolved, That to whatever station in life he may hereafter be called. we can recommend him as a scholar of high cultureand deep experience ; a thinker, sound and logical; a mind. well stored from wide reading and travel; in knowledge, profound and far-reaching.
Resolved, That we can testify to a walk in life among his people, with a character unimpeachable; unstained by the faintest breath of suspicion ; a heart ever open to distress: full of kindliest sympathy ; a disposition the most charitable; in short. a man bearing away with him the universal respect and admiration of all with whom he has been associated, whether of our church and parish, or of his fellow townsmen.
Resolved. That it is the hearty desire of this Church, that wherever his lot may be cast, the choicest blessings of God may be with him and his : that the consolation and sustaining influence of that religion he has so earnestly and faithfully set before his people, may be experi- enced by him through the remaining years of his life.
Resolved. That these resolutions be spread upon the Church rec- ords, and that a copy of the same be sent to the Rev. A. G. Bale, by the Clerk of the Church.
At a meeting of the Church held March 3, 1897, a call was extended to Rev. Thomas Sims, D. D., late of Toronto, Canada, to become its pastor; and at a special meeting of the Society held March IS, the action of the Church was concurred in. The services of installation were waived, and in their stead a mutual agreement for a three years' pastorate was made, and the services of recognition were held May 25, 1897. Ad- dresses were made by Rev. R. A. Beard, D. D., Rev. George A. Tewksbury, Rev. J. Cooper Antliff, D. D., Rev. Joel M. Leonard, Ph. D., Rev. Burke F. Leavitt, Deacon William Mc- Cartney, and the Pastor.
149
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
From the day the Church was organized to the present, year by year, members have joined by letter, and by profes- sion of faith; members have died, or have removed to other parts of the land; many have been dismissed to other churches, but there has been a constantly increasing growth until the
--
ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
present time, when the membership is 496. Since the Church was organized there have been connected with it nine hundred and seventy-nine (979) members; five hundred and eighty-two (582) came by letters from other churches, and three hundred and ninety-seven (397) by profession of faith.
150
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
The Sunday School was organized in the Melrose Depot, in 1848, when it had but few scholars, and was under the leader- ship of James L. Crosett. As soon as the vestry of the church was sufficiently advanced to allow the Sabbath School to meet and organize therein, Dr. Levi Gould became the first superintendent. From that time the school has prospered, increasing year by year until the present, when it numbers 558 members, divided into primary, junior and senior departments. Some five years ago a home department was organized, and is now under the superintendency of Dea. Frank G. Kellogg, with over two hundred members. This consists of such per- sons as cannot well attend the Sunday School sessions con- tinuously, but receive the quarterlies used in the school, agree- ing to study the lesson at least a half hour each week. In connection with this department are twenty-four messenger boys and a "Sunshine Band" of thirty-three members. The total membership of the school is 766.
The Melrose Orthodox Congregational Society was incor- porated under the General Statutes, July 8, 1848, at which time, a meeting having been duly warned, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The following persons were present and signed the constitution :
Stillman Pratt,
James L. Crosett,
Tristram Bird,
Moses Parker,
Seth Rich,
Joseph E. Stanwood,
Jonathan Cochran, John McIntire,
Levi Gould, Nelson Cochran.
Dr. Levi Gould was chosen first clerk of the Society. Here are two distinct but closely allied bodies, Church and Society, each having an entirely different set of officers. The Church, with pastor, deacons, deaconesses, church benevolence and missionary committees, having jurisdiction over the preaching and prayer-meeting services, the choosing of the officers of the Sunday School, the communion table, benevolent contribu- tions, and care of the poor of the Church. The Society has general care and charge of all parish property, builds the edifice, raises all moneys for parish expenses, and unites with the Church in calling or dismissing a pastor.
In 1882, a handsome parsonage was erected on the site of the old church, from architectural plans made by the then pastor, Rev. Mr. Bale, at a cost of $6,000.
151
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Church was recognized in June, 1873, with an historical ser- mon by the pastor, Mr. Bale; as was also the fortieth anni- versary, when an historical sermon was delivered by Mr. Bale;2 and on Sunday the 19th, and Monday the 20th of June, IS98, Church, Society, and Sunday School joined in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary. A sermon appropriate to the occa- sion was preached by the pastor, Rev. Thomas Sims, D. D., and addresses were made by Rev. Daniel March, D. D., Rev. Charles H. Daniels, D. D., and Rev. Smith Baker, D. D. Two past pastors were present, Rev. Albert G. Bale, and Rev. Henry A. Stevens, both of whom took part in the exercises. Also the living past superintendents of the Sunday School, whose names and terms of service are as follows:
Deacon Calvin N. Chapin, 1854 to 1869.
Deacon Curtis C. Goss, January, 1869, to January, 1874. Elbridge H. Goss, January, 1874, to January, 1875. Stephen A. Lovejoy, July, 1877, to January, 1878. Deacon Calvin N. Chapin, January, 1878, to January, 1879. John M. Small, January, 1879, to January, 1880. Stephen A. Lovejoy, January, 1880, to January, 1882. Deacon Curtis C. Goss, January, 1882, to July, 1884. Albert B. Franklin, July, 1884, to July, 1887. George L. Morse, July, 1887, to July, 1890. Don E. Curtis, July, 1890, to July, 1893.
2 This sermon was printed in the Melrose Journal. His text was Deut. viii, 2: "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years." Two extracts follow: "Through the mists of forty years shines a beautiful picture, when on that Sabbath morning the fathers and mothers of this Church met for the first time in the room of the old Melrose Passenger Depot for the public worship of God. It seems more likea missionary meet- ing on the western frontier than the meeting of a Congregational Church in old Massachusetts - on one of its main railroad lines, and only seven miles from Boston.
But forty years ago no such charm- ing picture of suburban life met the eye, as now, from the crest of any one of these hills. Main Street was then, as at present, part of the main turnpike between Boston and Reading. Essex Street extended, then, only as far as Main Street on the east, and ending on the west in a cart-road leading into the woods. On the west side of the railroad was a continuous road from the Highlands. Upham and Howard Streets were the old roads to Sau- gus. There was not, at that time, a single house on Wyoming Hill, which was then a rocky blueberry pasture."
152
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Rev. John L. Kilbon, Jr., July, 1893, to July, 1894.
Don E. Curtis, July, 1894, to July, 1897.
Frank G. Kellogg, July, 1897, to July, 1900.
Don E. Curtis, July, 1900, to July, 1902.
George A. Manning, July, 1902.
Many former residents and members took the occasion to visit and renew the acquaintances of their old church home.
The affiliated societies of this Church are as follows: Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and Woman's Union.
Under this head all other affiliated societies, benevolent and social, each having its separate superintendent or president, are as follows: Foreign Missions; Home Missions; Social Committee; Altruist Committee; Music Committee; and House- keeping Committee.
The present officers of the Church are: Deacons, Calvin N. Chapin, John Buffum, Elbridge H. Goss, Moses S. Page, Thomas H. Tucker, George R. Jones, Frank G. Kellogg, Danforth D. Stratton and Albert B. Franklin. Deaconesses, Mrs. Florence M. Whitman, Mrs. Frances A. Brackett, Mrs. Caroline M. Cox, Miss Susan P. Harrold and Mrs. Frances J. Grout. Clerk, Isaac A. Cochran. Treasurer, John Buffum. Auditor, Wingate P. Sargent.
Previous Church clerks as follows: Dr. Levi Gould served from July 11, 1848, to January, 1850; Samuel Harris, June, 1850, to July, 1854; Edward P. Nevins, July, 1854, to January, 1861; Elbridge H. Goss, January, 1861, to December 29, 1874; Isaac A. Cochran, December 29, 1874, and is the present clerk.
The present officers of the Society are: Assessors, John Buffum, chairman, Moses S. Page and George R. Jones. Treasurer and collector, Elbridge H. Goss. Clerk, Lindley R. Browne. Auditor, Isaac A. Cochran. These together form the prudential committee, and have the general charge of all parish affairs. Previous treasurers: Seth Rich, Dr. Moses Parker and Alverse L. White, who served from 1852 to 1867. Previous clerks: Dr. Levi Gould, Nelson Cochran and Curtis C. Goss, who served from 1866 to 1897.3
8 Possibly others served as treas- son Cochran and Curtis C. Goss ; but names cannot be given as records were burned and charred
urers between Dr. Parker and A. L. White, and as clerks between Nel-
153
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
George A. Thompson has been organist of the Society for twenty-seven years.
In the year 1897, the Sunday School had become so large that the chapel could not accommodate all the different departments; and it was found necessary to have the inter- mediate department meet in the church auditorium. Just before this, in September, 1896, the Altruists, while Frank G. Kellogg was president, inaugurated a movement to raise money with which to purchase a carpet for the chapel, and procure some decorations for its walls, which resulted in raising a moderate but insufficient sum. Soon after, under the en- thusiastic and persistent efforts of Mr. Kellogg, then superin- tendent of the Sunday School, the still wider purpose of enlarging the chapel was adopted, that all might be accomo- dated therein; and with the cooperation of the church and parish committees, a system of weekly offerings by Church and Sunday School was commenced and continued through the years 1897 and 1898, which resulted in raising the sum of $2,500, which was placed in the hands of the chapel fund committee, consisting of Frank G. Kellogg, Don E. Curtis, Curtis C. Goss, George R. Jones, Franklin P. Shumway, Isaac A. Cochran and Elbridge H. Goss, which had been appointed by the Altruists. By a renewed effort, continued through the year 1899, the sum was increased to $6,000 by cash and pledges.
This sum was deemed sufficient by the prudential commit- tee to warrant the Society to proceed with the alterations and enlargement; and preliminary plans were obtained and sub- mitted to the Parish by the chapel fund committee; and at a duly called meeting of the Parish the following were chosen as a building committee : Albert B. Franklin, Chairman; George R. Jones, John Buffum, John M. Small, and Lindley R. Browne, Clerk. Messrs. Hartwell, Richardson & Driver, architects, were employed by this committee, and new plans were made by them for the enlargement, and when submitted it was found that it would require a much larger sum than $6,000 to accomplish the desired object. A new and urgent effort was then made, asking for cash contributions and pledges covering the period of one, two and three years.
in the "Great Fire " of November collector from 1858 to 1867, when the offices were united.
9, 10, 1872. E. H. Goss served as
154
HISTORY OF MELROSE.
The matter was presented to the Society, on Sunday morning, instead of the regular service, by Albert B. Franklin, and the sum of $10,000 was raised, which added to the amount previ- ously raised made a total of $16,000. This result was received with great gratification. Subsequent pledges raised the total to $16, 106.99.
At this time, the spring of 1900, there had been a conviction growing in the parish and community, that the main church building was in an unsafe condition. An examination by the state inspectors, and the architects, Messrs. Hartwell, Rich- ardson & Driver, resulted in the building being condemned. Services therein were at once prohibited by the prudential committee. Plans for the strengthening of the edifice were im- mediately made, and it was found necessary to take $5,677.22 of the above sum raised for the enlargement of the chapel, for this purpose.
A contract was made with Angus MacDonald, and under the charge of the building committee, this strengthening was accomplished by placing eight columns from the foundation, with cross-beams in the auditorium. A new chancel was con- structed, a new system of ventilation for both church and chapel introduced, new windows substituted, and the interior re-plastered and re-frescoed. This was successfully and satis- factorily accomplished, and services for the re-opening of the church were held October 14, 1900, with an appropriate sermon by the pastor, and other exercises.
The chapel building was materially enlarged on its westerly side, under contract with Mr. MacDonald. This has given spacious rooms for the junior and primary departments, a pastor's room, choir room, library room, and in the basement, toilet rooms, coat rooms and kitchen; and on the northerly end an extra entrance. New windows and other improve- ments were made in the main chapel room. The total cost of this enlargement and these improvements, was $11,066.79; making a total outlay of $16,744.01, of which $139.89 was paid by the ladies, from the chapel furnishing fund. This over- run the total amount raised for this purpose about $500, which sum was raised by subscription at a business men's banquet held in the chapel, February 5, 1900. These changes were made and the School met in the newly arranged and finished quarters on Sunday, November 18, 1900. Meanwhile Sunday
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.