USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 28
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SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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PARISH VOTES.
The first minute in regard to church music is found on the parish records under date of Dec. 4, 1829, when it was voted to raise $40 to pay a singing master. April 29, 1830, the parish voted to allow Aaron Henry 67 cents for cash paid for violin strings. In 1840, the singers were given permission to move to the west side of the meeting-house if they chose to do so. The same year, it was voted that the double bass viol, " so called," be repaired at the expense of the parish. As early as 1830, a committee was appointed " to assist Mr. Gates in finding a house to hire." In 1849, it was voted desirable that a house be procured for a parsonage. In 1867, it was voted to procure a parsonage by purchase or building. May 6, 1840, the parish voted " that the standing committee be consulted by all lecturers that wish to lecture upon any subject of public reform, and get their approbation before entering the meeting-house for the purpose of lecturing upon said subject." As the anti-slavery question was being extensively agitated at this time, and the members of the South parish had shown a deep interest in it. the lecturers at whom this regulation was aimed were doubtless apostles of the anti-slavery crusade. March 8, 1841, the parish voted to procure one cord and a half of good hard wood and prepare it for the stoves and put it into the meeting-house before the first of June ; also, to procure some person to make fires in the meeting-house. Dec. 29, 1842. the parish clerk was authorized to procure a " trunk " at the expense of the society suitable for keeping its books and papers in. In early times, the church observed many days of fasting and prayer. In 1877, the church voted to use unfermented wine for sacramental purposes.
When the parish was first organized, it followed the custom of nearly all religious societies in raising funds by a parish tax. Jan. 22, 1830, the following vote was passed : "That the money may be raised hereafter in Said Society by free toleration-that is, that every person may pay the Sum he Sees fitt." In 1836, it was voted to raise money by selling the slips, and the following year. to raise money by assessment. May 12, 1846, it was voted " That the meeting-house be open for all (members of the society or not) who feel disposed to meet with us for public worship, with the privilege of paying according as their conscience shall dictate." In 1859 and 1860, a tax was laid upon the members of the parish, who expressed their willingness to be taxed according to their estates. In 1862, some expressed a willingness to pay by subscription, and were allowed to do so. and the balance needed was made up by a tax on those who did not subscribe. In 1867. it was voted to sell the pews at auction to pay current expenses. In 1871, the society appointed trustees to have charge of the bequest of Lieut. Enos Dickinson, and in 1894, it acknowledged a gift of $500 from Mrs. E. J. Williams.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE NORTH CHURCH AND PARISH .- ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS .- PASTORS AND TERMS OF SERVICE .- OLIVER DICKINSON'S MEET- ING-HOUSE .- THE PEW DEEDS .- THE PULPIT AND COMMUNION SERVICE .- THE MINISTERIAL FUND.
In 1823, there were but two church organizations in Amherst; in 1826, there were five. The South Congregational church was organized Oct. 14, 1824 ; the College church, March 7, 1826 ; the North Congrega- tional church, Nov. 15, 1826. It is probable that the same influences which led to the establishment of a church at South Amherst had part, also, in the organization of still another religious society and church in the north part of the town. The churches, South and North, drew their membership in the beginning from the First and Second churches, but while the South church drew the larger number from the original organiza- tion, the North church obtained its original membership largely from the church at East Amherst. When the Second church was organized, a large percentage of its members resided in the north part of the town, and others resident in that section had withdrawn from the First church during the pastorate of Rev. Daniel A. Clark, to unite with the Second church. Mr. Clark was dismissed from the First church, Aug. 5, 1824. He was then invited by residents at North Amherst to conduct religious services on the Sabbath in their part part or the town. He complied with their request, and preached for a time at the school-house in the "City." His were the first regular preaching services to be held at North Amherst.
In the summer of 1826, the precise date not being a matter of record. a parish organization was formed by 59 persons, who signed the following agreement :
" We whose names are hereunto subscribed do associate and form ourselves into a religious society for the public worship of God and public instruction in the Christian religion. And we do hereby covenant and agree each for himself with said society that we will use our best endeavor to promote the best interests of .said society and to obtain for them as soon as may be the powers and privileges of a parish according to law."
The " powers and privileges" referred to were the right to assess and collect taxes for parochial purposes, and exemption from taxation by any other parish. The name assumed by the new society was " The Congrega- tional Union Society of Amherst ." By a special act of the General Court,
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REV. WILLIAM W. HUNT.
passed March 17, 1831, this name was changed to "Amherst North Parish." Of the 59 members of the society, eight were women, either widows or those owning property in their own name, who had no vote in parish meetings ; of the remainder, only 13 were church members. At the first parish meeting, held June 8, 1826, the following were elected as officers of the society : Moderator, Oliver Dickinson; clerk, Charles Cooley ; treasurer, Chester Dickinson; parish committee, Joseph Cowles, Noah Smith, Jr., Daniel Dickinson ; assessors, Daniel Russell, Jr., Jonathan Cowls and Ashley Hubbard. The office of collector was put up at auction and struck off to John Ingram, Jr., at two cents on one dollar.
The church was organized by an ecclesiastical council which met at the house of Joseph Cowles, Nov. 15, 1826 ; Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., president of Amherst College, served as moderator of the council. Letters of dismission and recommendation were presented by 47 persons, each of whom had previously signed a confession of faith and covenant, which were submitted to the council and pronounced by the latter satisfac- tory. The council then adjourned to the church building, where the church was formally organized. The first regular meeting of the church was held. Dec. 20, 1826, when the following officers were elected : Clerk, Daniel Dickinson ; deacons, Daniel Russell, Jr., Ransom Dickinson ; treasurer, Ransom Dickinson. At the same meeting, it was voted that the expenses of the Lord's table be met by an equal tax on the members of the church.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. William W. Hunt. He was born in Belchertown, Sept. 7, 1796, was graduated at Williams College in 1820. and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1824. He first preached for the South parish at Woodstock, Conn., for about a year, and then supplied the church in Conway for a little less than three months. He was ordained as pastor of the church at North Amherst, March 7, 1827, and continued in office until his death, which occurred Oct. 5, 1837. The salary offered him by the parish was $450 per annum. Mr. Hunt was greatly beloved by his parishioners. Although, previous to his settlement, his health had become greatly impaired, he entered into his ministerial labors with an earnestness and enthusiasm that commanded success. During his pastorate of less than eleven years, 111 persons were admitted to the church. A great revival season was experienced in 1831, as a result of which 35 persons were admitted to church membership on confession of their faith. Mr. Hunt was an ardent advocate of the causes of tem- prince and anti-slavery.
In 1838, the church and parish united in calling to the pastorate Rev. Cogien Kidder, but he declined. The same year, a call was extended to He. George Cooke; he accepted, and was ordained, Jan. 15, 1839. Mr.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Cooke was a native of Keene, N. H. and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1832. He served as pastor for thirteen years, and was dismissed on account of ill health, May 20, 1852. During his pastorate 105 persons united with the church. The third pastor of the church was Rev. George E. Fisher, who was installed, Sept. 16, 1852, and continued in office until Jan. 6, 1858. A brief biographical sketch of Mr. Fisher has been given in connection with his pastorate at the Second church. In 1853, the church enjoyed the greatest revival season in its history, 89 persons uniting with it on confession of their faith. The fourth pastor was Rev. John W. Underhill, who was born in Ipswich, April 22, 1829, and was graduated at Amherst College in 1854. He was ordained Oct. 5, 1859, and died in office, Oct. 17, 1862. Mr. Underhill was succeeded by Rev. Daniel H. Rogan, who was born at Kingsport, Tenn., June 4, 1830 ; he was graduated at Amherst College in 1857, studied theology at Auburn Seminary, and was ordained in Bristol, Tenn., in 1859. On the breaking out of the civil war, he came North, and served successively as pastor of the church at Bernardston and the First church at Greenfield. He was installed as pastor of the church at North Amherst, Oct. 5, 1865, and dismissed, Nov. 21, 1866.
In 1864, a call was extended to Rev. William L. Gage, but he declined. In 1864-65, Rev. S. O. Dyer served the church as acting pastor. In 1867, Rev. C. H. S. Williams was called to the pastorate, but declined. The sixth settled pastor was Rev. William D. Herrick, who was born in Methuen, March 26, 1831. He was graduated at Amherst College in 1857, studied theology at Andover Seminary, and was ordained at Redding, Conn., in 1860. He served as pastor of the church in Redding and of the First church in Gardner. He was installed as pastor of the church in North Amherst, Sept. 19, 1867, continuing in the office until May 25. 1874. During his ministry the church enjoyed three revival seasons, one of marked power in 1872, when 53 persons were added to the church on confession of faith. Mr. Herrick was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. George F. Humphreys, who was born in Athol, May 4. 1847. After a partial course at Williams College, he entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he was graduated. He was installed as pastor of the North Congregational church. Jan. 7. 1875, and was dismissed Nov. 4 of the same year. For two years, 1876-78, Rev. D. W. Marsh, D. D. served the church as acting pastor. The eighth settled pastor was Rev. George H. Johnson, born in Worcester, Dec. 29, 1850, graduated at Harvard College in 1873, and at the theological seminary in Bangor, Me. He was installed over the church in North Amherst, July 3, 1879, and was dismissed, Dec. 31, 1888. During Mr. Johnson's pastorate there was a steady gain in church member- ship, and in 1885 the church enjoyed a revival season resulting in the
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THE MEETING-HOUSE.
addition of 26 persons to membership on confession of faith. To. Mr. Johnson the church is also indebted for the preparation of a historical ·manual of the church and society, published in 1889. Mr. Johnson was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Eber W. Gaylord, who was born in Union, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1845. He was graduated at Amherst College in 1866, and at Lane Theological Seminary in 1872. He was ordained and installed as pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian church at Georgetown, Md., May 13, 1873. He afterwards served as pastor of Presbyterian churches at Paradise and Wrightsville, Pa. He was installed as pastor of the church at North Amherst, Dec. 4, 1890.
The original meeting-house occupied by the society is still in use, though dignified in later years by the name of church. It was built and owned by Oliver Dickinson, " Landlord Oliver," who was the guiding and propelling force in the organization of church and society. This meeting- house has a history that can hardly be paralleled by that of any other house of worship in New England. It is a monument to the generosity, energy, business sagacity and Christian activity of its originator. Mr. Dickinson was one of the first to suggest the possibility as well as desirability of establishing a church at North Amherst. Having committed himself to the idea, he permitted nothing to stand in the way of its realization. The first step taken was the raising of a church fund, to which Mr. Dickinson and others were liberal contributors. The income of this fund was to be used in paying the salary of a minister; in raising it, the resources of the com- munity had been so heavily taxed it was deemed impossible to secure by further subscription the money needed for building a meeting-house. Here. as in other matters, Oliver Dickinson proved equal to the emergency. He advanced the necessary funds and became responsible for all liabilities.
The building was constructed by Capt. Winthrop Clapp of Montague. The stone for the foundation came from Pelham, the residents of North Amherst drawing it with their teams. The people generally contributed freely of their time and labor. Here was repeated, on a smaller scale, the scene enacted five years earlier on the brow of College hill, when the walls ot the old South dormitory of Amherst College arose as by magic. There was this difference, however ; the dormitory had no Oliver Dickinson to sand behind it and guarantee the payment of all bills. The cost of the building to Mr. Dickinson was $2,900.' The corner stone was laid by Rev. Nathan Perkins, at that time pastor of the Second church. There had been the customary dispute as to the location of the building : residents at the "City" desired that it should be placed nearer their homes. The question was settled by Mr. Dickinson, who declared that the house should occupy its present site if he had to pay every cent of the expense. The raising was made a gala occasion, liquor being generously provided and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
consumed, the expenses being met by contributions. Mr. Dickinson, being a man of leisure, superintended the construction of the building and care- fully inspected all the material used. He determined that nothing save the very best should be employed in building the house of the Lord ; as usual, he had his way. The house was dedicated, Nov. 15, 1826, Rev. Nathan Perkins preaching the sermon and Rev. John Woodbridge, D. D., of Hadley, delivering the prayer of dedication.
Oliver Dickinson received partial compensation for his liberal expendi- ture of time and money by selling the pews in his meeting-house. To each purchaser he gave a deed, in which he described himself as "sole owner and proprietor of a meeting-house lately erected at the north part of said Amherst." These deeds conferred the right of perpetual owner- ship to the purchasers and their heirs, subject to two conditions. The proprietors were not to allow their pews to be painted or otherwise altered as to their external appearance without the permission of a majority of their own number ; neither were they to sell or lease them to any negro or mulatto, or allow any such person to occupy them, under penalty of forfeiting their rights. These deeds were made out long before the anti-slavery question had come into prominence, so that Mr. Dickinson's motive in inserting this proviso was doubtless to prevent the pews from coming into the ownership of persons of a questionable character. When the building was remodeled in 1842, it became necessary for the proprietors to surrender their original deeds, and through the influence of Daniel Dickinson, his nephew, Oliver Dickinson consented that the provision in regard to negros and mulattos should be omitted from the new deeds. The pews have since become the property of the church. A pew in the gallery was set aside for the accom- modation of colored persons, as was customary in the earlier times.
Some alterations have been made in the external appearance of the building, but the general outline remains the same as when first constructed. Within it conformed to the prevalent style of church, or rather meeting- house, arrangement of the times. The pulpit, a high, round wooden structure, stood at the west end of the building, faced by the high-back wooden pews. There were galleries on all sides of the building, and seats for singers behind the pulpit. The pews were destitute of cushions and there were no carpets upon the floors. There were no means for providing artificial light or heat. Stoves were put in the building in January, 1835 ; the expense was $83.23 and the sum was raised by subscription. The interior of the house was remodeled in 1842, and since that time extensive alterations and repairs have been made. The matter of church music received attention from the parish at an early date. In 1828, a parish tax of $12 was laid for the support of sacred music. In 1835, $75 was appropriated for the support of a singing-school. The parish owned a
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THE PULPIT AND COMMUNION SERVICE.
bass viol as early as 1827, for in that year Augustine Parker was allowed a bill of $1.72 for bass viol strings and $1.35 for a case for the instrument. In 1828, it cost the parish $5.00 for repairs on the bass viol. Within a few years, a very handsome and expensive organ has been presented to the church by Mrs. George E. Fisher, who has also contributed most generously for repairing and beautifying the church building.
Oliver Dickinson not only gave deeds to the purchasers of the pews, but also gave a deed of the pulpit to Rev. W. W. Hunt, the first settled pastor, and to his successors in the gospel ministry. The provisions of this deed were that the pulpit should be used only for the worship of God and the preaching of the gospel, and that the grantee and his successors should believe and inculcate in said pulpit the principles of the gospel as contained in the Westminster Assembly's shorter catechism, forever. Should he or they depart from the standard of faith as above set forth, then their rights in the pulpit were to be forfeited, and to pass to the next successor in the ministry who should fulfil the conditions. A communion service was purchased at an expense of $94, which sum was raised by subscription. This service was not given to the church, but loaned to it forever, on conditions very similar to those outlined in the deed for the pulpit. These conditions attached to the use of the pulpit and the com- munion service were but an echo of the orthodox faith of the founders of the church as embodied in their creed and confession. It may seem strange that such stringent provisions should be adopted, but it must be borne in mind that at the time the church was organized the Unitarian faith was making alarming inroads upon the orthodoxy of New England churches and congregations. Among the residents in the new parish were many whose orthodoxy was not beyond question, as was proved in after time by their uniting with a Unitarian society which they assisted in organ- izing at Leverett. The conflict between the old faith and the new was bitter in the extreme ; the founders of the church at North Amherst were firm believers in the ancient doctrines and determined that their church and their pulpit and their communion service should never pass into the hands of those unfriendly to their faith. A change in the confession of faith was made by the church in 1872, but it remains orthodox to-day as it has been since the beginning.
Before the organization of church or parish, subscriptions were made to what was at first known as the " ministerial fund " and afterwards as the "church fund." The prime mover in the raising of this fund was Oliver Dickinson. The purpose of the fund may be gathered from the following extracts from the original subscription paper :
" Whereas it is in contemplation to erect a meeting house by the inhabitants of the northern section of the town of Amherst and others in adjacent towns, and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Whereas doubts have arisen whether the circumjacent population would be able to support at all times the preaching of the gospet without the aid of a perma- nent fund. We therefore the subscribers feeling through the blessings of Heaven . able and willing to assist in so laudable an undertaking and desirous to perpetuate to posterity the uninterrupted dispensation of the gospel do hereby agree to pay over to Oliver Dickinson the sums severally annexed to our names."
The list is headed by the name of Oliver Dickinson, with a subscrip- tion of $800 ; Joseph Eastman and Jonathan Cowls gave $400 each, and fifteen others smaller sums, from $150 to $2. The total amount subscribed was $2,387 ; of this sum $134 was never paid, but interest on some delayed payments brought the amount up to $2,392.65. Four persons subscribed land, which was afterwards sold for $962.70. The only subsequent addition
to this fund was one of $10 made in 1845. The original intention of the subscribers was to raise a fund the interest on which would amount to a sufficient sum to pay the entire salary of the minister. Trustees were appointed. and were incorporated by an act of the General Court passed in 1827. They were authorized to hold property, the annual income from which should not amount to more than $1,200. Vacancies in the board were to be filled by election by the parish, and the trustees were held liable for any loss that might come to the fund through their mismanage- ment. If at any time a minister was hired who did not preach the orthodox faith, the income was to be added to the principal until an orthodox minister was secured. The subscribers were to have votes in regard to the invest- ment of the fund in accordance with the amount of their contributions. When the question of locating the church came up, a provision was inserted in the regulations governing the fund to the effect that it should be forfeited to the subscribers or their heirs if the house should ever be moved more than fifty rods from its present site. or should a new meeting-house be erected more than fifty rods distant. In 1828. the income of the fund amounted to $170 : the greatest sum realized from it in any one year was $270, in 1846.
The parsonage was built in 1839, a subscription amounting to $1409.99 being raised for that purpose. Two special subscriptions for repairing the church were raised, one of $1, 232.08 in 1860, another of $1, 471.88 in 1879. In 1868, money was subscribed for the purchase of the pews, all but two of which are now parish property. In 1869, the parish purchased for a little over Si,ooo the town's interest in the building known as " Parish hall," formerly used, in part, as a school-room. Money for parish expenses was first raised by voluntary subscription in 1834.
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MRSJEMIMA MONTAGUE
GEN. ZEBINA MONTAGUE
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OLIVER COWLES.
LAND'OD. OLIVER DICKINSON
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THE COLLEGE CHURCH.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE COLLEGE CHURCH. - ITS PASTORS .- CHURCH BUILDING. - ZION CHAPEL. - COLLEGE MISSION WORK.
The organization of the "Church of Christ in Amherst College," in 1826, " on the principles of the Congregational Platform," has been referred to in the historical sketch of Amherst College. Rev. Heman Humphrey, its first pastor, was installed Feb. 28, 1827, continuing in service until he was dismissed, at his own request, April 4, 1845. During his pastorate the church was greatly prospered, enjoying several revival seasons and gaining largely in membership. July 13, 1828, occurred the first baptism of a child of a member of the church, the son of Prof. Edward Hitchcock, christened Edward. In a list of additions to the church in 1831, appears the name of Henry Ward Beecher, then in his freshman year.
April 4, 1845, the day that Rev. Heman Humphrey wa's dismissed from the pastorate, Rev. Edward Hitchcock was installed as his successor. President Hitchcock continued in service until 1854, resigning in April of that year and being dismissed the following November. Under his ministry, the church experienced two great revivals of religious interest, one in 1846, as a result of which 27 persons united with the church on confession of their faith ; a second in 1850, resulting in 33 conversions. President Hitchcock believed that the highest aim of education is the winning of souls to Christ. - He taught and lived the faith that was in him, so that while under his administration the college prospered greatly in temporal affairs there was even greater prosperity in its spiritual interests. Rev. W. A. Stearns was installed as pastor of the College church, Nov. 21, 1854. He continued in office until his death, June 8, 1876. During his ministry the college experienced several revivals of religious interest, some of marked power and fruitfulness.
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