USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 26
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The location proposed was not, apparently, satisfactory to all, for- March 11, 1828, a committee was appointed to procure subscriptions for purchasing the " Strong corner" as a site for the new building. March 12, 1828, the latter vote was rescinded, and it was voted that if the college would give the parish $700, and sufficient money could be raised, to build on the site proposed by the college. The first sale of pews was held Jan. 22, at Boltwood's hotel, with Col. Smith as auctioneer. The sale was adjourned from time to time until March 20, when it was begun anew, with Luke Sweetser as auctioneer: the amount secured was $5,427 ; this sum was increased by payments received for pews at private sale until it amounted to. $6,635. As this sum exceeded the estimated cost, it was decided to begin the building at once. Elijah Boltwood, Horace Kellogg and John Leland were the building committee, W. S. Howland the designer and builder. It was voted to build of brick, if funds could be obtained, and also to build a basement. Contrary to precedent, the work was carried on with despatch and the building was finished in season for the commencement exercises. of the college in 1829.
As "College Hall" the building still stands, a substantial monument to the good workmanship of its builder. Its appearance is slightly altered, the portico in front, supported by huge pillars resting on a stone platform, having been removed, by vote of the parish, in 1861. The building, without and within, was plain even to austerity ; without, the only deviation from a straight line was found in the belfry and the rounded pillars ; within, the square and rectangle governed all. The pulpit and pews and galleries. were as square and as orthodox as was the preaching of the Rev. Daniel ( lark. The pews all had doors and their occupants were buttoned in during the service. The pews for blacks and mulattos were located in the filither corners of the house, over the gallery stairs. In 1828, it was wird that if the trustees of the academy would pay $150 toward the meet- thy.house, the students at the academy should have seats in the gallery ..
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
In 1829, it was voted that the lightning-rod should be transferred from the old to the new meeting-house ; in 1836, to procure blinds for the gallery windows in the west end of the meeting-house; the same year, to "stain the plaistering" inside the meeting house; in 1845, to paint the part of the slips that border on the " isles." In 1832, the parish gave consent to place stoves in the meeting-house if the same should be purchased and put up by subscription. In 1835, the question of removing the stoves was referred to the parish committee. In 1858, the parish committee was to have charge of providing a place for the parish wood, and also to prevent the stoves from smoking and the pipes from leaking. In 1859, the parish committee reported in favor of partitioning off a space ten feet square in the basement and putting in two furnaces. In 1857, a committee was chosen to procure chandeliers and lamps for lighting the meeting-house ; in 1862, it was voted that the lamps in the church and " Agricultural hall" (in the basement) should be changed so as to burn kerosene oil.
In 1830, several votes were passed in regard to " finishing " the base- ment ; Dec. 27 of that year, the first mention is made of a "vestry." Town-meetings were held in the vestry, when completed ; in 1842, the parish voted to charge the town $30 per annum for the use of the vestry, and, in case this was not paid, to prohibit its use. Feb. 2, 1856, a committee was chosen to negotiate with the town, concerning the fitting up of the basement of the meeting-house for a hall. for town, agricultural, and other purposes. The basement was finished and furnished, and was known for a number of years as " Agricultural hall, " being the headquarters of the Hampshire Agricultural society. In 1861, the parish voted to offer the Agricultural society and other owners $250 for their right and interest in the hall and the furniture contained therein. In 1865, it was voted " to purchase of Amherst College the right they have in the meeting-house." In 1854, a "lecture-room " was built, a modest structure of wood in the rear of the meeting-house. In 1838, individuals were given leave to erect horse-sheds in the rear of the meeting-house; from this time on the " horse-shed question " has a prominent place in the parish records.
From an early date, the parish was interested in the question of church music. For many years the singing was by the congregation, and while this assured a goodly volume of sound the quality was subject to improvement. Singing-schools were held under direction and pay of the parish, to which all were invited. In 1790, the parish voted { 16 " to pay the singing maister and defray the expenses of correcting the music in this parish :" at the same meeting it was voted to " higher" Mr. John Stickney to keep a singing-school in the parish three months. In 1821, $75 was appropriated for " reviving " the church music ; in 1829, $20 to " recruit " the singing. In 1830, there was a " quire " of singers. In 1837, the clerk was authorized
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PARISH VOTES.
" to make an explanation to Colo. Barr, and ascertain what damage has accrued to him in consequence of his not having the singing-school." In 1839, the parish voted to substitute "Church Psalmody" for "Watts' Select Hymns ;" at the same meeting, $125 was appropriated for the "double bass viol lately procured for use of the singing choir," and for room, lights and fuel. In 1850, the parish voted to pay $250 and what it could get for the bass-viol for an organ, provided that not less than $250 be obtained from other sources for the same purpose. In 1855, it was voted to raise $200 for the purchase of an organ, and give the bass-viol in addition, if $800 could be raised in three months by subscription ; the organ, a small second-hand one, was purchased the same year. In 1856, $200 was appropriated for singing.
The attitude assumed by the parish on the anti-slavery question, at the time the matter was receiving so much attention from the students at Amherst College, is made apparent by a vote passed April 9, 1838, dis- missing the article relating to granting the use of the meeting-house for the purpose of holding lectures on the subject of slavery. In 1861, it was voted to allow the use of the church for a lecture by John B. Gough.
The parish first showed recognition of the need of a parsonage in 1841, when a vote was passed to purchase the house and lot lately occupied by Mrs. Deborah Shepard, for a parsonage ; this vote was rescinded, Aug. 2 I, at an adjourned meeting. The next minute in regard to the matter is found under date of Jan. 18, 1854, when it was voted " desirable that this parish have a parsonage." Feb. 15, the foregoing was qualified by a vote that it was " not expedient for the parish as a parish to build or purchase a parsonage by taxing its members." In 1854, the General Court passed an act incorporating the proprietors of the parsonage of the First Congrega- tional parish in Amherst. Nov. 16, 1860, a committee was appointed to report in regard to the purchase of a parsonage. Jan. 3, 1861, it was voted to purchase a parsonage for $2,500.
The parish, at its organization and for many years thereafter, raised the funds needed for its expenses by a rate laid upon its members. It was not until well along into the nineteenth century that the plan of renting pews went into effect. In 1813, Josiah Warner gave a note of $100, which was to remain in the parish treasury as a permanent fund, the interest to be paid each year to Rev. David Parsons and his successors in the ministry, as a free gift and not as a part of their salary. Feb. 13, 1816, a special act was passed by the General Court, incorporating Noah Webster, Rufus Cowles, Moses Hastings, Enos Baker and Calvin Merrill as trustees of the ministerial fund of the First parish in Amherst. They were authorized to hold property not exceeding $12,000 in value. The office of conector was put up at auction annually and went to the lowest bidder.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Jan. 6, 1825, the pews were rented for the first time, the sum realized being $605. In 1860, the parish voted to avail itself of the provisions of an act passed by the General Court in 1845, permitting the assessment of all religious charges upon the pews in the meeting-house.
In 1840, the parish voted that its minister should not accept gifts from one not a member of the parish, without accounting to the parish treasurer therefor; this vote was rescinded the following year. In 1859. it was voted that when a person died the sexton should toll the bell five minutes and then strike the person's age, at sunrise or sunset.
As early as 1864, the need of a new meeting-house became apparent and forced its way into prominence at parish meetings. In 1866, a com- mittee was appointed to consider building a new church. Jan. 30 of that year, the parish voted to offer to sell to the trustees of Amherst College the meeting-house and the land on which the lecture-room stood for $10,000 ; if the trustees refused to purchase, then the property was to be offered to the town; if both parties declined to buy, then it was voted to build upon the same site. A committee was appointed to solicit subscrip- tions for erecting a new church amounting to at least $15.000. The committee met with little success, and April 9, 1867, a proposition was made to erect the new church on "the Montague lot." April 15, of the same year, it was voted that in order to secure new strength to the parish and prevent the forming of a new society, steps should be taken looking to the erection of the new building on land belonging to George Montague. April 29, a committee appointed for the purpose reported that they had secured the land desired as a site for $3.900, and that the estimated cost of the church, if built of stone, was $30.000. July 8, the parish accepted the plans presented, and the bid of C. W. Lessey to construct the church for $38,950. The corner-stone of the new building was laid Sept. 21, 1867, and it was dedicated, Sept. 23, 1868. Jan. 20, 1869, the building committee reported that the cost of the church, parsonage, land, grading and organ had been $66,482.86. The parish debt was a few dollars less than $34,000. Feb. 11, 1889, a committee appointed to solicit subscriptions to cancel the debt reported that sufficient money had been paid in and pledged to pay the debt in full. At the same meeting it was voted to celebrate in fitting manner the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the church and parish. The anniversary was celebrated, Nov. 7, 1889, and in connection with this event a historical review of the church and parish was printed.
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SECOND PARISH-FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
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SECOND PARISH-SECOND MEETING-HOUSE.
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REV. NATHAN PERKINS, JR.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE SECOND CHURCH .- PASTORS AND TERMS OF SERVICE .- FIRST AND SECOND MEETING-HOUSES .- JANITOR'S DUTIES .- CHURCH MUSIC. -DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND CHURCH.
The Second church and parish grew and prospered under the minis- trations of Rev. Nathan Perkins, Jr., whose pastorate began in 1810 and continued until his death in 1842. Shortly before his installation, the First church had voted to remove all the censures it had placed upon those who had gone out from it and organized the Second church, and the latter henceforth was recognized and treated as a sister organization. Mr. Perkins was a man greatly beloved by his parishioners. In an obituary notice published in the New York Observer soon after his decease, which it is supposed was written by his intimate friend President Humphrey of Amherst College, he is described as "a man of highly respectable talents, good common sense, and unusual prudence; as kind, affectionate and cheerful in his domestic and social relations, always happy himself, and always contributing to the happiness of those around him ; as a solemn, persuasive and affectionate preacher, as possessed of vigorous health, and rarely absent from his pulpit on the Sabbath, and as holding more occasional meetings than most of his brethren were able to hold ; as instant in season and out of season, in times of revivals ; as deeply interested in the cause of popular education ; as a pattern of punctuality in all his appointments ; as for many years the oldest active member of the ministerial association to which he belonged ; and of his loss as one which would be severely felt for a long time." Oct. 4, 1831, a committee was appointed to confer with Mr. Perkins on the subject of his dismission. Oct. 12, a committee was appointed to consult with him and see if he would make any reduction in his salary, if so, how much. Oct. 14, it was voted that the parish would not take any measure at that time to dismiss Mr. Perkins. He died after- an illness lasting but two days, his dying words being " I love my people.">
During the 32 years of his pastorate the church experienced no less. than six extensive revivals of religion, as the fruit of which 300 members. were added to the church. On his settlement the church numbered 83 members ; before the North and South churches were organized, each of. which drew largely from its numbers, the membership had increased to 349 .. The whole number of admissions up to 1840, by profession and letter, was 300. the whole number during his ministry 373. The whole number of
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
deaths, as given by him in his 30th anniversary sermon, preached Oct. 11, 1840, was 410, including nine deacons and 138 heads of families. Atthat · time, of those who were legal voters at the time of his ordination there were only 12 or 13 remaining, while the number of families or parts of families left was about 80. In August, 1822, the church accepted a full set of furniture for the communion table presented by Oliver Dickinson. In October, 1824, Samuel Hills and sixteen others were dismissed, to unite with members of other churches, in forming the church in South Amherst. Two years later, in October, 1826, Oliver Dickinson and 25 others were dismissed to join with persons from other churches in forming the church at North Amherst.
Rev. Nathan Perkins, the second pastor of the Second church, died March 28, 1842. July 18 of the same year, the parish voted to unite with the church in extending a call to Rev. Pomeroy Belden. The salary offered was $550 per annum, and it was voted to allow him four Sabbaths in each year "in case he wishes to journey for health or other purposes." The parish also voted that it considered the settlement of a minister a civil contract, which could be terminated by either party after a three months' notice had been given. Mr. Belden was a native of East Whately, where he was born March 15, ISII. He was graduated at Amherst College in 1833, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1836. From 1837 to 1842, he preached as stated supply at Deerfield ; he was installed as pastor of the Second church in Amherst, Sept. 14, 1842, and continued in office until his death, which occurred, after a brief illness, March 2, 1849. Mr. Belden was an earnest, faithful and successful minister, winning, to an uncommon extent, the confidence and love of his people.
Oct. 8, 1849, a call was extended to Rev. C. L. Woodworth to settle in the ministry. The salary offered was $550, and he was to be allowed three Sabbaths in the year "for journeying and visiting his friends if he sees fit so to be absent for that purpose." Mr. Woodworth was installed Nov. 7, 1849. He was born at Somers, Conn., May 22, 1823, was graduated at Amherst College in 1845, and at Hartford Theological Seminary in 1848. In January, 1854, he tendered his resignation as pastor, but the parish requested him to withdraw his resignation, at the same time voting him an increase of salary. He continued in office until dismissed, at his own request, Sept. 2, 1863. March 30, 1862, he was chosen chaplain of the 27th Mass. regiment, recruited in this neighborhood and containing many men from Amherst. He remained at the front with his regiment until after the battles in and around Cold Harbor, in which the regiment was all but annihilated, and was mustered out of service in July, 1864. The parish at first voted him a year's leave of absence : when this expired he tendered his resignation, but the parish responded by extending his
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PASTORS OF THE CHURCH.
leave of absence six months. Before the latter term had ended he again resigned and this time insisted that the resignation be accepted. During his pastorate there were several notable revivals of religious interest, as a result of which the church added largely to its membership. Resolutions of regret were passed by the parish at the meeting when his resignation was accepted.
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Aug. 6, 1863. the parish instructed its committee to hire Prof. Vose to preach, if possible ; if not, to hire some one else " as long as the money lasts." Dec. 8, 1864, the parish voted to unite with the church in giving a call to Rev. Jay Clizbe ; the salary offered was $1,000 for the first year. Mr. Clizbe was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., June 16, 1836 ; was graduated at Union College and at Andover Theological Seminary. He was installed as pastor of the Second church, April 5. 1865. In 1867, he offered his resignation ; the parish voted, March 16, 1867, that he be requested to withdraw his resignation, offering, at the same time, an increase of $400 in his salary and to give him three months vacation. Although the offer was esteemed by him a generous one, owing to poor health he felt compelled to decline it. He was dismissed, March 25, 1867, much to the regret of his parishioners.
Aug. 6. 1867, the parish invited Rev. Franklin P. Chapin to settle in the ministry. The salary offered was $1,200, and four weeks vacation was granted him. Mr. Chapin was born in Gill, Aug. 14, 1827 ; he was graduated at Amherst College in 1852 and at Bangor Theological Seminary. He was installed as pastor of the Second church, Jan. 21, 1868, and dismissed, at his request, Nov. 27, 1871. After his dismission, he served for some time as superintendent of schools in Amherst.
June 11, 1873, the parish voted to hire Rev. C. A. Conant to preach one year at a salary of $1,000. He served as pastor of the church four years, though not installed. Mr. Conant was a native of Temple, Me., a graduate of Union College and Auburn Seminary.
Sept. 20, 1876, a call was extended to Rev. Chester W. Hawley to settle in the ministry. The salary offered was $1,000 ; in addition, Mr. Hawley was to have the use of the parsonage and an annual vacation of three Sabbaths. He accepted the call, and was installed. Nov. 15, 1876, remaining in service until Sept. 15, 1879, when his resignation was accepted by the parish, with much regret. Mr. Hawley was born in Hadley, Sept. 20, 1834 : he was graduated at Amherst College in 1858, and at Auburn Theological seminary in 1861.
Nov. 4. 1879, a call to the pastorate was extended to Rev. G. F. Fisher: the salary offered was SSoo, he to have the use of the parsonage and an annual vacation of three Sabbaths. He was installed, Dec. 10, 1579, and his resignation was accepted by the parish, March 31, 1885.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Mr. Fisher was born in Harvard, in 1823; was graduated from Amherst College in 1846, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1849.
Feb. 17, 1886, Rev. Francis J. Fairbanks was invited to settle in the ministry, at a salary of $800 and the use of the parsonage. He continued in office until 1893, when the parish, at a meeting held March 28, accepted his resignation. Mr. Fairbanks was born in Ashburnham, Sept. 8, 1835; he was graduated at Amherst College in 1862, and at Union Theological . Seminary in 1864.
July 20, 1893. the parish extended a call to Rev. C. L. Woodworth, to become acting pastor; he entered upon his labors shortly after and is still in office.
The original meeting-house erected by the parish was first occupied for public worship in 1784. For over half a century it served the purposes for which it was designed by its builders, not, however, without undergoing various alterations and repairs. In 1793, a committee was appointed to "seat " the meeting-house ; in 1794, a committee to keep it swept and the doors shut. In April, 1815, the parish voted that the body pews might be altered into slips, in case money enough could be raised by subscription. In 1790, it was voted " to omit building the pew called the deaf pew, or pew for deaf persons." The glazing of the meeting-house was the subject of many parish votes ; the underpinning, also, needed frequent repairs. In 1820, the sum of $1,200 was raised for repairs, and the committee appointed to carry on the work was instructed to build a belfry, a cupola and one porch, also to shingle and paint the house ; later on the committee was directed to omit building the porch. to " open the house in the center," and build an addition. These alterations and repairs were completed in 1822.
As early as 1836, measures were undertaken for the erection of a new meeting-house. At a meeting held April 11, it was voted to build a new meeting-house if subscriptions could be procured amounting to $2,000, and in that case, to sell the old house and appropriate the proceeds toward building the new one. May 26, it was voted to accept a piece of land six rods wide and nine rods deep presented by Ithamar Conkey, Esq., as a site for the new meeting-house. A building committee was appointed, and authorized to determine the size of the house and the materials of which it should be constructed. The committee were to begin the work as soon as $500 should be added to the sum already subscribed. It is impossible to ascertain just when work on the new house of worship was begun, but it was finished sometime in 1839, when the building, still occupied as a church edifice by the Second Congregational society, was dedicated. Its architect and builder was Col. W. S. Howland, who had, some ten years before, built the new meeting-house for the First parish. Its cost was
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SECOND MEETING-HOUSE.
some $3,000. Feb. 28, 1839, the parish voted to appropriate the old . meeting-house toward building a new one and appointed a committee to dispose of the old building.
The new building was not the property of the parish, but of those who had contributed to its construction. The latter met, Dec. 3, 18.45, and voted to organize as a corporation by the name of "Proprietors of the East Meeting-house in Amherst." They adopted a code of by-laws, which provided, among other things, that the Second parish have the use of the meeting-house for religous purposes or meetings until the proprietors should otherwise direct, on condition that it be kept in good repair and suffered no damage. It should be used for no purpose but religious meetings without the consent of the proprietors. It should only be used and occupied by the orthodox or trinitarian denomination of Christians.
The parish records contain no minutes in regard to the introduction of heating or lighting appliances in the building. In 1852, it was a part of the janitor's duties to build the fires. In 1859, it was voted to relieve the last parish committee of all personal responsibility in reference to the furnace put in the building : also, not to accept of the furnace as it failed to heat the church properly. In October of the same year, it was voted to remove the furnace and get a stove and pipes to put in the vestry to heat the house. In 1879, the old bell was broken and a new one purchased which is still in use. In 1881, the parish had an extended controversy with C. M. Smith & Co. in regard to the use of the meeting-house cellar. In 18og. it was voted " to build one horseblock." As late as 1865, a vote was passed to build a new fence in front of the church.
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The social religious meeting of the church were held, at first, in private houses and afterwards in the upper story of the old brick school-house that stood not far from the present school-house. The chapel was built in 1839, and stood at first directly in the rear of the present church edifice. It was moved to its present location when the parsonage was built.
As early as 1860, the parish committee was instructed to take into consideration the building of a parsonage.
Feb. 25, 1867, a resolution was passed in favor of increasing the pastor's salary sufficient to pay the rent of a small house, or to provide a house by purchase or renting. Sept. 7 of the same year, the parish com- mittee was instructed to rent a suitable house for Rev. F. P. Chapin. Oct. 22. it was voted " to buy the Thornton place." A few months after the litter vote was passed, a committee was appointed to build a parsonage, provided $2,000 should be subscribed, in addition to $2,000 guaranteed by O'Wer Watson, Bela C. Dickinson, William W. Dickinson and Harrison Hawley. The building was completed in 1868.
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