USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > The story of Templeton > Part 16
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A parsonage was planned by Mrs. Adams for the First Parish. Completed in 1855, it has until recently been the res- idence of the Unitarian ministers.
In 1859, the church was remodeled by Boyden and Boll of Worcester and still again in 1897. A chapel with kitchen facilities, a hall with stage, and a ladies' parlor and library were completed in 1872. Ministers serving the church through the years are as follows:
Daniel Pond
1755-1759
Ebenezer Sparhawk
1761-1805
Charles Wellington
1807-1861
Edwin G. Adams
1847-1877
Alfred C. Nickerson
1877-1886
Nathaniel Seaver, Jr.
1886-1892
John M. W. Pratt
1893-1906
William F. Skerrye
1906-1922
A. Nicholas Kaucher
1922-1927
Richard Allen Day
1927-1932
..
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Two interim ministers were Otto Duerr and Roger Greeley Forbes. Neither was ordained.
BAPTIST CHURCH
In the early part of the 19th century, there was a general condition of unrest throughout the Congregational churches of New England; members began to differ in doctrine, and the difference became so great that sometimes it was thought best to separate and form an independent church.
As our ancestors came to this country for freedom to wor- ship God as they chose, it came to pass that in the year 1782, twenty-one members withdrew from the First Church and formed a Baptist Society, holding services in private houses. Its name was "The Baptist Church of Christ in Templeton", and their covenant was signed by ten men and eleven women. John Seldon of New Salem was ordained as the first minister on November 19, 1783. He was promised a "suitable dwelling together with all the comforts and necessities of life in sickness and in health, and also to keep his horse, winter and summer, and other horses that might occasionally come with friends, so long as he continued unitedly with the church." Evidently supplies for his temporal wants came in slowly and sometimes failed altogether. The church offered him the house, barn and land where he lived, together with twenty pounds a year ($100.) but he closed the pastorate after one and a half years.
In 1799, a church building was erected at Baptist Common which was in use for over forty years. In 1840, this meeting- house was taken down and moved to a site presented by Capt. Eden Baldwin on the old Gardner road between Baldwinville and Otter River, the land being purchased of Joshua Hosmer, father of Mrs. Mary Stone and Mrs. Gilman Waite. It was placed there to accommodate the East Templeton and Gardner Baptists, but again, this location proved inconvenient, and it
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was moved bodily to its present location in Baldwinville. It was dedicated for the third time in September 1869. A spire was added and the interior refurnished. In 1879-80, a chapel was added under the auspices of the Ladies Social Union which had been formed October 2, 1867. Later a clock was placed in the tower, given by people of the village. During the hurricane of 1938, the spire was destroyed but in time will be rebuilt.
Rev. H. V. Dexter, D.D., of Kennebunkport, Maine, who served the church as pastor for four years (1871-1875), wrote a full and accurate account of the first century of church activ- ities. Dr. Dexter had an interesting family. A son, Edwin, outstanding in the field of education, was given the highest award for his work in Russia under the Czar. A grandson, Silas Perkins, of Kennebunkport, is a well-known poet.
The original covenant made in 1788, was considered very remarkable and the following portion might well be obligatory today in many a church.
"In consideration of the privilege of meeting with the church for worship, the signers agree not only to bear their proportion of all charges for the support of preaching, the building of a house of worship," etc., but (it is added) "that religion be not dishonored by us (although we are not public professors) we believe it our duty to attend to a moral life as rational beings." Dr. Dexter also adds: "A Society is an undesirable appendage to a church under any condition, but one like that of the Templeton Church (Baptist) is as little objectionable as any to be conceived of."
This church has had a long and honorable career down to the present time (1946). It was the mother of five Baptist churches,-Holden, Athol, Barre, Gardner, Winchendon, and has undergone many changes. When in 1866, the church was moved bodily from the old Gardner road to its present loca-
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tion, it was necessary to cross the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks. It is said the building remained on the tracks over Sunday and trains were forced to transfer passengers and baggage around the church. Many an anxious mother saw her son climb the tower and ride on the timbers.
At this time the new spire was added. All this work was contributed, with time and money, by the Christian zeal of local citizens. Before the clock was installed, the bell was rung every evening at nine o'clock. A flourishing society of young people was formed in these earlier days called the "Social Temple." In 1877, a baptistry was built in the church and in 1878-80, a pipe organ was purchased and placed at the rear of the church, ten years later being moved to the front. In 1915, a new instrument was completed, a two-manual organ, given by the Ladies Social Union, and an organ fund left by Miss Eliza May Greenwood. In 1930, a gift of money from Miss L. May Tilden made possible the rebuilding of the organ, and it is called the Tilden Family Memorial Organ.
A detailed history of the Baptist Church, its loyal members, down through the years, its list of pastors and deacons, can be found in a pamphlet written by Mrs. Edith Ward Peabody for the Sesqui-Centennial of the church in 1932, and the church history by Rev. H. V. Dexter, D.D.
The church is indebted to the Massachusetts Baptist Con- vention for financial aid and counsel. Residents have assisted when no minister was available. Reverend A. A. Bronsdon, a neighbor and Congregational minister, supplied often in the pulpit and gave wise counsel and financial aid. Mr. Bronsdon is still living (1946), although no longer residing in Baldwin- ville.
In the histories can be found a record of the devoted work of pastors and laymen, gifts of money for improvement and labor alike from both women and men.
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The silver communion service was given by Dr. William David Smith and his son, of Gardner.
According to Miss L. May Tilden, who wrote a short his- tory of the Ladies Social Union founded in 1867, its contribu- tions of money and hard work, have made repairs, paid taxes and insurance, painted the parsonage, provided special choir music, and even contributed toward the minister's salary. It should be given full credit for the long years of devotion to its church.
TRINITARIAN CHURCH
On April 11, 1832, eleven members of the First Parish Church asked to be dismissed in order to form a new church. It was a friendly withdrawal. The First Church, strong in the faith that freedom to worship was everyone's right, sanctioned the request. Others joined, making the total number twenty- four.
They met in the home of Joseph Baker to form a religious society according to their desires and belief. A council was formed of neighboring churches, and it was voted to organize them into a church designated the First Trinitarian Congre- gational Church of Templeton. The names of the charter members were: Jonathan Shattuck, Simeon Gray, Sarah Gray, David Van Dorn, Relief Van Dorn, Asa Turner, Abigail Tur- ner, Charles Fisher, C. M. Chamberlain, Phoebe Jones, Samuel Dixon, Moses Chamberlain, Susan Upham, Polly Haskel, Olive Hancock, Lydia Learnard, Susan Fisher, Myra Fisher, Eunice Gregary, Abijah Jones, Esra Hyde, Hannah Turner, Naomi Sparhawk. Others followed, and in four years the church had over one hundred members.
In 1833, the meeting-house was built on land given by Deacon Benjamin Hawkes. The four large timbers, 54 feet long and 15 inches square, supporting the roof, were cut on the farm of Captain Asa Turner in Partridgeville. Lorenzo
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Manning's grandfather, assisted by his son and townsmen, helped place them. Hand-hewn shingles were used, and the cost was $1,700. The church stood on a bank on the present site, with wooden steps leading to double doors with large iron latches. The door key was six inches long. A bell was placed and the janitor, Moses Chamberlain, rang it as the bell was rung in the First Parish. A memorial organ was given by Charles May and his sister, Mary, in memory of Mrs. May who had given an individual communion set. (The original set was handsome and is still in possession of the church.) Some of the early organists were Mrs. Jennie Hillman, Mrs. Edward Scollay, Mrs. William Kilner, Miss Maria Blodgett and her niece, Miss Grace Blodgett, and Miss Esther Johnson who gave several years of service until the church was federat- ed with the First Parish.
Up to the 100th anniversary of the church, in 1932, there had been only sixteen pastors, their names being
Reverend L. B. Bates 5 years
Reverend Lewis Sabin 35 years
Reverend C. A. White
3 years
Reverend C. M. Temple 2 years
Reverend R. W. Haskins, Rev. F. H. Kasson,
Rev. George Sterling, each one year.
Reverend Thomas O. Rice 5 years
Reverend Roswell Foster
3 years
Reverend William Sewell 2 years
Reverend G. B. Kambour
11 years
Reverend E. S. Smith 13 years
Reverend George Washington French, 5 years, dying after a long and painful illness.
Reverend Allen A. Bronsdon and Reverend Briggs supplied for one year. In 1925, Rev. William Fryling came for four
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years, followed by Reverend Richard Bailey, and Rev. Edwin Olsen who was pastor until the recent federation of the two churches.
The church has been renovated several times, and again it is to be regretted that the original pulpit of carved wood, painted in white and gold, with an eight foot front, was not retained. It was stored in the horseshed and finally destroyed. A massive brass chandelier with a dozen lights, hung in the center of the ceiling. A gallery was at the rear, and with Colonel George P. Hawkes as chorister, a bass viol, violin and full chorus, the music became a feature. Mr. Moses Richard- son of Boston, gave a memorial window in memory of his mother, Lucy Richardson.
Several descendants of charter members are living in Tem- pleton today, among them Mrs. Edith Gray Hinds and Mrs. Eva Gray Akers, descendants of Simeon Gray.
In 1825, there was formed in the First Parish, by the women, an organization named the Templeton Female Charitable Society; and when the Trinitarian group organized their new church, it was continued as the Ladies Aid, most of their work being devoted to packing and sending barrels to Dr. Goodell in Turkey. Later the name was again changed to the Women's Benevolent Society which remains to this day (1946).
The women of the First Parish organized on November 3, 1835, calling themselves the Ladies Social Circle. A library was started, there being none in town at that time. Some years later it became a branch of the "General Alliance of Unitarian and other Liberal Women."
All churches in the town have depended upon and never found wanting, their loyal hard-working women's societies and at this writing there are Men's Clubs and other organiz- ations ready to do their share.
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THE FIRST FEDERATED CHURCH OF TEMPLETON
A chapter on Templeton churches would not be complete without mentioning a significant event which took place in 1939, concerning the two churches in Templeton Center, - the Unitarian Congregational and the Trinitarian Congrega- tional. It was one hundred and seven years since the with- drawal of the Trinitarian group, and both churches through all those years had been the motivating religious force in the community. Both had been through trying experiences but were fundamentally sound, though small in numbers. In these modern times - in contrast to those when the churches and schools were our forefathers' first concern - a gradual weakness was discernible in the two parishes, both material and spiritual.
After meetings, long discussion, (and rightly so,) question- naires etc., were brought before the two groups, finally result- ing in a Federated, rather than a Union church, and dedication services were held in March 27, 1939. A word as to the dif- ference between these types of organization may not be amiss for other communities faced with the same problem.
Some few years ago, the Institute of Social and Religious Research issued fifteen volumes on its findings. One of its books was called Union Churches, by Elizabeth Hooker, one of the Institute's workers. She stated in simple terms the present-day situation in communities not large enough to sup- port denominational Protestant churches. The first step by religiously-minded men and women was to form "Union" churches. Miss Hooker accounted for a thousand of them, many of which she investigated personally. A large number soon encountered serious difficulties with their varied theolo- gies, and many compromises had to be made, not without
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rancour. Competent ministers were hard to find, and the in- evitable result was that many of these churches died. A few hardy ones survived, and Massachusetts has more than fifty at the present time (1946).
Evolution in religious affairs takes place as in nature, and churches have realized that it must be met with a tolerant and scientific approach if it is to survive as a great moral force. Briefly, in 1908 alone, twenty-eight denominations discarded their sectarianism enough to join forces in forming The Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America. In 1931, thirty-five denominations, counting 139,000 churches, and 116,000 clergymen, with 22,000,000 communicants, had joined this Council.
From this evolved the idea of a Federated Church which means nothing more or less than cooperation. In legal terms, it is a corporation regulated by civil law, being the simplest form of the congregational order. For Congregationalists, there is no higher authority than the congregation.
Each church keeps its denominational connections intact, paying its dues, attending its conferences; the funds of each church are in its own hands, income from investments and weekly contributions being used for general expenses like the minister's salary, sexton, music, and running costs. The sep- arate societies are linked with the federal body by the provision that a candidate for membership must first join one of the parent bodies.
When this federation was formed by the Templeton chur- ches, articles of agreement were drawn up which were ac- cepted by both organizations. These articles provided for the election of three members by each church to form a joint com- mittee, with the addition of the pastor, "except when his own relation to the Federated Church is the business at hand."
In the active life of the church, friction is prevented by the
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rule that only two functions are committed to a Federated Church - worship on Sundays and, at other times, work for the community.
As this is written, in 1946, the First Federated Church of Templeton is seven years old. Its ministers have been
Reverend Edwin Olsen 2 years
Reverend George Ackerly 5 years
Reverend Warren Johnson -just beginning his pastorate, October 1, 1946.
This cooperative body of Christian people is the soul of a Federated Church, on duty seven days a week.
PHILLIPSTON CHURCH
The township of Narragansett No. 6 not only included Tem- pleton but the larger part of the present town of Phillipston. The meeting-house of the First Parish was considerably east of the center of this territory. This condition made it incon- venient for those on the westerly side, especially in the winter. The town voted to occasionally have Dr. Sparhawk preach, closing the First Parish on these Sundays. Much discussion ensued as the inhabitants wearied of the inconvenience. Thus, in 1773, they petitioned the General Court to be separated from the rest of the town as to parochial affairs, and so become a district parish to be known as Templeton West Parish. The Court granted the petition, but it was a long time before the new parish was able to sustain a church.
A Council was formed on November 16, 1785, but there was no settled minister for three years. Its first was Dr. Ebenezer Tucker, ordained November 5, 1788. Two years later this precinct with territory from the southeasterly part of Athol was incorporated as a town and called Gerry after Governor Elbridge Gerry.
Soon the citizens found themselves in political disagreement
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with Governor Gerry, and obtained an act to change the name to Phillipston in honor of Lieutenant Governor William Phil- lips. The moderator of the meeting requesting a council was Rev. Joseph Lee of Royalston who, in addition to serving his large parish, found time to assist other churches. Other clergy- men at this council were Rev. Mr. Sparhawk, Rev. Joseph Dana of Barre, and Rev. Joseph Farrar who lived in Phillips- ton but had no parish. The Templeton and Athol churches contributed to the new organization. The first named deacon was Charles Baker who had been prominent in town affairs and had been a deacon in the First Parish.
The church itself is of interest, being one of the oldest in the county and unique in the fact that it retains its original church building from the point of age. The church at Athol is worshipping in its fifth building; Royalston in its third; Barre in the third; Petersham its fourth; Templeton its second. At one time the Phillipston church was turned partly around, twelve feet being added for a vestibule. The bell was a gift of Loammi Baldwin, a native of the town, and was cast in 1846. A new organ was purchased in 1903, being the gift of over one hundred members and friends. Their names are engraved near the key-board.
Like Memorial Church in Baldwinville, that of Phillipston has been active in the foreign missionary field. Its ninth pastor, Rev. Stephen Harris, had a daughter who was a mis- sionary in China. Rev. P. A. Powers and his wife, Harriet Goulding, both natives of the town, went to Turkey and after Mrs. Powers' death, in this country, Mr. Powers returned, re- maining many years. Sarah Cheney, a church member, married Rev. Mr. Aiken and together they worked in Syria, while Miss Lucy J. Baker a descendant of Cyrus Baker, an original church member, did fine work in South Africa. The Sunday School was begun in 1823 or 4, and the Ladies' Ben-
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evolent Society, organized in May 1843, was originally called "Female Circle of Industry."
In 1891, a unique piece of work was accomplished in the church by A. D. Clifford, a farmer of the town. He built into the steeple a huge clock which has no faces or hands on the outside. It appeals only to the ear, striking the hours by means of a bell placed in the belfry in 1846. In three months, Mr. Clifford built and set the clock in place. The timepiece needed 1500 or more pieces of wood in its construction and was built in Parker's Chair Shop in Goulding Village, being put into the church one piece at a time. The wheels are all of wood except the escapement wheel which is several inches in diameter and is made of brass. The striking weight is a stone weighing a thousand pounds and the running weight is another stone weighing five hundred pounds. The pen- dulum, a boulder, leashed to a long wooden shaft weighs 417 pounds and is 14 feet long. There are 29 wheels, all of wood, the pendulum swings once in two seconds. Mr. Clifford was entirely original in its construction, depending on his in- genuity. Another feat was its assembly by lantern light, for it is pitch dark in the steeple. It is to be regretted that at this writing, it is not kept wound.
Outstanding facts as to the early history of Phillipston and its church may be found in William G. Lord's address de- livered at a gathering of the Narragansett Historical Society in the historic old church on August 7, 1926; also in an ad- mirable history of Phillipston written by Daniel Webster Baker found in Volume 2 of the History of Worcester Coun- ty, together with an historical address delivered by Rev. S. B. Andrews, November 18, 1885, at the Centennial Anniversary of the church.
The present minister of the church is Rev. Charles L. Peeples (1946).
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In 1842, a Universalist Society was organized. The first meetings were held in the old Town House and later in the Town Hall. Services were held on alternate Sundays, and Rev. Gerard Bushnell was the only pastor. Records seem to indicate that this group occupied a building in the center of the village of Phillipston near the cemetery, parts of this building later being used for the Methodist Church at East Templeton. A group of Methodists held services in one of the school houses about 1830, with Enoch Bradley, preacher. A meeting-house was later built in 1849 on what is now Route 2, and usually the Phillipston and East Templeton churches have been served by the same pastor.
Second Day Adventists began their meetings first about 1843. They were held in private homes and other meeting places. A church was organized in 1853, with Rev. C. R. Griggs of Westboro. He was the pastor until 1857, and then meetings were held only occasionally. The last minister was a traveling one, preaching from church to church. The last services were held in Partridgeville with Rev. George Cole as preacher. In 1946, a group are again meeting in the Baptist Church at Baldwinville. When Mr. Cole was asked what was the hardest duty in the preaching profession he answered, "To practice what one preaches."
In the early 1840's, there was in the country a religious move- ment, whose followers were called Millerites and who ex- pected that the world would come to an end within a few months. Clara Endicott Sears has written of this in her book, "Days of Delusion". Although she does not mention Tem- pleton, as there were evidently no outstanding events here, it it known that there was a devoted group in this town who held meetings in their homes and who had their white robes ready for the day when they should be taken up into Glory.
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METHODIST CHURCH
At the Centennial celebration in 1943, the Methodist Church, situated in East Templeton asked Mrs. Lena B. Hale, wife of the late Rev. Francis J. Hale, formerly pastor of the church, to write an historical sketch, excerpts from which are included in this chapter.
"In 1840, the first seeds were being sown which resulted in a Methodist Church. A group of preaching places united in what was called Templeton Circuit, and included were Tem- pleton, South Royalston, Petersham, Phillipston and Hub- bardston. Various preachers held religious services, but records show that in 1841, Rev. Stephen Cushing was stationed in Hubbardston, and "preached occasionally in East Temple- ton on Sabbath or week-day evenings." At the opening of winter 1843, the people of Templeton began to discuss the erection of a meeting-house if funds could be raised. The burden came on a few, but by the close of that year, they had a church and by selling the pews, together with subscriptions, in 1848, they were well on the way towarding discharging the debt of $1,896.30.
The building committee consisted of Abraham Stone, Joel Fales, Hartford Potter, Charles Jennison and Joshua Sawyer. The membership of the church at this time numbered only twenty-three, and discouragement was rife because of the debt and no prospect of keeping the church open for preaching.
The Presiding Elder at the Quarterly Conference that year proposed another subscription paper, and it was headed with $250.00 from Hon. Lee Claflin of Hopkinton, Governor of Massachusetts at one time. History seems to point to the fact that this method was fairly successful. Previous to this, the members decided to set themselves apart from Templeton and South Royalston, and the latter two became a double
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parish. Accordingly, Rev. Willard Smith was assigned to this appointment, preaching alternately at the two places. Before money was raised for the new church building, services were held in the schoolhouse at East Templeton, afterwards used as a blacksmith shop. This building was west of the present church building, later being moved onto the Gardner road between Pleasant Street and the square.
The official board of the church at this time numbered seven, among them, Joel and Mrs. Fales whom Mrs. Hale mentions as "towers of strength in every good project for East Templeton." They were the grandparents of George Howard who still lives in the East village (1946) and who has been a trustee of the church for many years. The late Mrs. Henrietta Turner was a granddaughter.
Records vary as to the original building - one stating that there existed a building for Methodist services in Templeton Center, opposite the home of Deacon J. O. Winch. For lack of funds, this society was disbanded, and its church building moved to Brookfield, Mass. Notes written by Miss Esther Oliver state that the frame, pews, etc., were brought from Phillipston, there having been a Universalist Church in that village. In 1864, the church was declared free from debt; in 1870, it was decided to build a parsonage. Rev. Daniel Ban- nister was the minister, living in the Baker house, now owned and occupied by Dr. and Mrs. Harold Eames (1946). Ansom Peckham gave a building lot, and $900.00 was raised by Lemuel Ingalls and Mrs. Almira Sawyer; men gave of their time in work, and the house was dedicated that year, being situated on South Main, directly opposite Winter Street.
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