USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > History of Concord, New Hampshire, from the original grant in seventeen hundred and twenty-five to the opening of the twentieth century, Volume II > Part 10
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 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
First Universalist Church.
768
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
was the eldest, he returned to the farm and became the father to the family. He was ordained preacher in October, 1825, in his native town, where he continued to preach until March, 1828, when he set- tled at Lebanon, N. H., preaching there half the time and doing mis- sionary work in surrounding towns. He afterward went to Massa- chusetts, to Connecticut, and to New York, returning to his native place in May, 1849, where he remained until he was called to Con- cord. While the pastor of the Universalist church here he was nominated for governor by a convention of the Know-Nothing Party, assembled at Manchester. It was soon ascertained that he was not eligible for the governorship, not having been a resident of the state for the seven years preceding, so that he did not accept the nomina- tion. His death, which occurred a few weeks later, cast a gloom over the entire community. Returning from Nashua February 5, 1855, he was stricken with death on his way from the post-office to his house. Everybody was drawn to Father Moore, and it was said at the time his name was mentioned for governor that he had not an enemy in the state. He was a pleasing speaker and an earn- est preacher. His funeral occurred at the First Baptist church,- through the courtesy of that society,-on account of its being the largest church in the city, and the sermon was preached by Reverend Sylvanus Cobb of Boston.
Father Moore's successor was his son, John Harvey Moore, who was then preaching in Connecticut. He came at the earnest desire of the society, whose wishes were supplemented by those of his mother. He was about thirty-six years of age, and had been preach- ing about twelve years. At the time of his coming the slavery agita- tion was intense, and Mr. Moore was a pronounced abolitionist. He was an independent, outspoken man, and the society was stirred by his preaching. It was in the days when many churches were rent asunder by the pulpit utterances against slavery, and the Univer- salists suffered with others. Those who remained with the society were strong for abolition and stood loyally by Mr. Moore, among them Nathaniel White, who, when he was told that the minister's views were driving people out of the church, said : "If the principle of freedom is driving people out of the church, I will be responsible for every dollar they pay." The terms of Mr. Moore's settlement were such that he could terminate his connection with the society at any time. January 1, 1862, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted, the society adopting complimentary resolutions on his departure. It was during his ministry that the society built its new house of worship. Various meetings were held to see what could be done towards remodeling the old, or building a new, church. It was
769
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
finally decided to build, and the Dr. Willard property, between the society's land and that of the Baptist society, was purchased. The new church occupied about a year in construction, and was dedicated July 3, 1856. It cost about twenty thousand dollars. Dr. Alonzo A. Miner of Boston preached the sermon. An organ was provided by the ladies of the society at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars.
March 23, 1862, Reverend A. J. Canfield of North Adams, Mass., was called, and accepted. He began his labors here the last Sunday of April, and continued them until January 1, 1865, when he left, partly on account of the salary. He was somewhat peculiar, but a man of talent. It was said of him that he might have a text handed to him as he was going to church, and preach from it that morning. He followed Dr. Ryder to Chicago.
The Reverend Rowland Connor followed Mr. Canfield. He began his service as pastor the last Sunday of May, 1865. He was radical in his views, too much so for some members. The society prospered, however, during his ministry. December, 1866, he resigned to be- come the colleague of Dr. Miner at Boston, where his stay was brief. He afterward left the ministry for the law.
The next pastorate was also brief. Reverend F. E. Kittredge was called March 17, 1867, and resigned to take effect January 1, 1869.
April 18, 1869, Reverend E. R. Sanborn, of Fulton, N. Y., was called. He was then a student at Canton, N. Y., and entered upon his ministry in June following. He closed his labors the last Sunday in December, 1871, going hence to Bloomington, Ill.
June 16, 1872, Reverend Everett L. Conger of Taunton, Mass., occupied the pulpit, and a call from the society followed June 23, 1872. He accepted, to begin service the first Sunday in September following. It was during his ministry that extensive repairs were made to the church. These repairs were begun July 5, 1876, and occupied five months. While in progress the society worshiped in - White's Opera House. The church was rededicated December 6, 1876, Dr. Miner of Boston preaching the sermon. Mr. Conger re- signed May 23, 1880,-the resignation to take effect in July follow- ing. This was accepted with sincere regret, and he went to Gales- burg, Ill., where he became connected with a theological school.
In the autumn following Mr. Conger's resignation the church lost by death its most loyal supporter, Nathaniel White. From its start his purse had always becu open to its needs, and at times it was his helpful self-reliance which prevented collapse. Public-spirited in this, as in other matters, he never turned back from any course he had deliberately determined to pursue. How much he did for this society will never be known, for the records show but a part of his
770
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
White Memorial Church.
continual contributions to square debts and make up deficits. Com- memorative services were held at the church October 10, 1880, which were attended by people of all denominations, as expressive of their respect for a most useful citizen.
The pulpit was supplied until January, 1881, when Reverend A. P. Rein, who had been called the preceding December, began his pastorate,-one of the longest in the history of the society. It was not without its trials, yet the pastor persevered against many obsta- cles; but ill health finally caused him to retire. Largely through his efforts the church was remodeled in 1885 to admit of a chapel, par- lor, kitchen, and other modern equipments. These changes, together with repairs, cost nearly five thousand two hundred dollars, an outlay, which, but for Mrs. White, would have left the society largely in debt. During these alterations, the society wor- shiped in Union hall.
In various vicissitudes, Nathaniel White had come to the rescue,-purchasing pews when they were given up, and otherwise lending a hand, until at the time of his death he was the owner of more than half of the sittings of the church and more than half of its property. Mrs. White, in memory of her husband, made a gift of these holdings to the society. Therefore, at a meeting of the soci- ety October 3, 1885, it was voted to deed the church to the New Hampshire Universalist Conven- tion, on condition that the convention re-convey the property to the society. It was then voted to call the church " White Memorial Church," a name it now bears.
At the annual meeting January 2, 1889, Mr. Rein offered his res- ignation, to take effect March 31 following. It was accepted with regret, and on June 2, 1889, Reverend Thomas W. Illinan of Brat- tleboro, Vt., was called. He came to the society September 9, 1889, and his pastorate continued until February, 1895. He was a man of pronounced views, who made himself felt in the community. A reception given to him at the close of his labors was attended by a large number of the clergy and citizens of Concord.
For a few months the society made efforts to secure a successor, when fortunately its attention was directed to Reverend John Van- nevar, who had come to East Concord on account of his health. A very brief exchange of views resulted in Mr. Vannevar's receiving a unanimous call to become the pastor,-a call he accepted, and began his pastorate September 1, 1895. Few occurrences have been more
771
THE EAST CONCORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
happy in results to the society than that Mr. Vannevar should hap- pen to settle in Concord just about the time that this church needed an experienced pastor. He has given the society its needed stimulus and strength, and largely through his personality, and that of his wife, its influence has been extended in the community. The con- gregation has steadily grown during the years of his pastorate, as evidenced by a considerable increase of salary at the last annual meeting.
THE EAST CONCORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This church was the last of the offspring of the Old North church. It was organized for the greater convenience of the members of the parent church residing in East Concord ; and the separation from the First Congregational society was attended with feelings of mutual regret. It was in the spring of 1841 that the building of the church was begun, and the location selected was on the land of Jeremiah Pecker, Jr. The building committee consisted of Jacob A. Potter, Charles Graham, Jeremiah Pecker, Jr., and William Page. Mr. Potter was the architect. The oak frame for the bell tower was fur- nished by General Isaac Eastman, who also made the vane which swings upon the spire of the church. The cross-beam upon which the bell now hangs was part of an old loom inherited by Mrs. East- man from her great-grandmother, Susanna White Johnson, of Woburn, Mass., daughter of Seth Wyman of Lovewell's fight fame, and grand- daughter of Peregrine White, the first male child born in New Eng- land. The corner-stone of the church was laid June 9, 1841, and the building was completed late in the fall. The dedication occurred in January, 1842. The event was one of the most notable that had occurred in town. The location of the church on Upper Penacook street was selected, for the reason that it was thought, as the village increased in population, it would be the most central. This was about the time that interest in the Sewall's Falls Locks and Canal began to develop.
The number of persons residing in East Concord at that time who were members of the North church was forty-four. February 9, 1842, at a meeting held at the residence of Jonathan Eastman, a committee was appointed to confer with these people and see how many were ready to be organized into a new church. Another committee was appointed to draft articles of faith. At a later meeting the first com- mittee reported the following persons as willing to be organized into a new church : Nathaniel Ambrose, Martha Ambrose, Mehitable Ambrose, Jane Ambrose, Jacob Clough, Susan Clough, Mehitable Palmer, William Heard, Robert M. Adams, Dameras Adams, Jona-
772
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
than Brown, Mary A. Brown, Thomas Potter, Comfort Potter, Thomas D. Potter, Eunice Potter, Jacob A. Potter, Sophronia M. Potter, Thompson Tenney, Harriet Tenney, Nathaniel Ewer, Joseph Potter, Anna Potter, John Eastman, Lucinda B. Eastman, Isaac Virgin, Susan Virgin, James Eastman, Betsey Page, Mary A. Morrill, Abi- gail Glines, Esther J. Emery, Rachel Locke, Harriet Eastman, Sarah Ewer, Azuba Virgin, Caroline E. D. Virgin, Mary J. Blake, Susan- nah S. Lang, Fanny Hoit, Elizabeth Mooney, Mary Pecker, Annie Moulton. Of this number but one is living, Mrs. Caroline (Virgin) Ballard.
The formal opening of the church was March 30, 1842, when a council was convened. The action of the council was ratified by the unanimous vote of the church April 5, 1842. The first sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper occurred on the first Sunday in May, 1842. The first person admitted to the church, aside from the orig- inal members, was Harrison Bean, who was taken in May 1, 1842.
The first acting minister was Timothy Morgan, of Gilman- ton Theological seminary. He - began his labors March 30, 1842, and served until Sep- tember 27, 1843. He was not formally installed. The first ordained pastor was Reverend Hiram Freeman of Concord, East Concord Congregational Church. who followed Mr. Morgan, and continued as pastor until June 26, 1846. Mr. Freeman was installed September 28, 1843. In the correspondence he had with the society regarding settlements he suggested that the salary should be raised to four hundred dollars when business should become usually prosper- ous, and that he should have three Sundays off annually for "resting, journeying, and attending meetings of uncommon interest abroad." The society appears to have accepted his terms, though there is no record that the salary was increased from the amount first paid him. His pastorate was successful, and the membership of the church was largely added to during his stay. He was dismissed that he might engage in missionary labors in the West.
Reverend Winthrop Fifield of Epsom was installed as pastor March 24, 1847. He was voted a salary of three hundred dollars. Mr. Fifield continued in the service of the church until May 21, 1850,
773
THE EAST CONCORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
when he was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council. At this time the church had one hundred and six members.
In 1851 the society voted to appropriate four hundred dollars for the minister's salary, and June 26 Reverend Henry A. Kendall, who had been pastor of the Congregational church of Dublin, N. H., for about eleven years, and was a graduate of the Gilmanton Theological seminary, was installed. His pastorate lasted until May 31, 1858, when he was dismissed.
For a time the pulpit was supplied. Among the supplies was Rever- end Ephraim O. Jameson, of Andover seminary. At a meeting August 4, 1859, it was voted to hire Mr. Jameson as a supply for one year at a salary of six hundred dollars. December 10, 1859, Mr. Jameson was called for settlement by the church, and this was concurred in by the society February 6, 1860. He was ordained into the gospel ministry and installed pastor by a council March 31, 1860. He. con- tinued until November 1, 1865, when he resigned to accept a call to Millis, Mass. During his ministry twenty-two persons were added to the church. From November 1, 1865, until October 1, 1883, the church was without a settled minister. March 17, 1866, Reverend A. A. Baker was engaged for one year from the January previous, at a salary of seven hundred dollars. At the succeeding annual meet- ing it was the unanimous expression of the society that Mr. Baker be secured for another year, and he appears to have been very accept- able. For some reason he did not fill out the second year, for in May, 1867, a call was given to Reverend C. C. Watson, at a salary of eight hundred dollars, which was declined. October 10, 1867, Rev- erend Smith Norton began a supply, and continued until February 1, 1869.
During the year 1868 an effort was made to secure a parsonage. Subscriptions were solicited, and April 11 of that year a committee reported to the society that eight hundred and eighty-one dollars had been subscribed as a donation for the parsonage ; that four hundred and sixty-nine dollars had been collected, and that four hundred and twenty-five dollars had been paid to Benmore Clarke for the John Q. Locke place as a parsonage. A committee was appointed to receive the conveyance in behalf of the society. February 9, 1869, it was voted to give Reverend George Smith a call to preach one year at a salary of five hundred dollars and the use of the parsonage. Mr. Smith continued as the regular supply for two years. He was suc- ceeded by Reverend Herbert R. Howes, who supplied the pulpit during the year 1871. From May 1, 1872, until October 1, 1878, Reverend Abram Burnham was the acting pastor, during which time there were two marked revivals and several persons were added to
774
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
the membership of the church. Reverend W. Gleason Schoppe of Bangor seminary supplied the church from January 1, 1879. At the end of the first year Mr. Schoppe was invited to remain another year, and he did so until November 1, 1880. In February, 1881, a committee was chosen to supply the pulpit for that year. Dur- ing that month Reverend Ferdinand D. V. Garretson preached for the first time as a supply ; and he and Reverend A. E. Dunnells and Reverend Charles L. Tappan appear to have been the regular sup- plies from that time until October 1, 1883. Then Reverend James T. Pyke of Andover seminary was ordained, and continued as pas- tor until April, 1885, when he resigned. It was at this time that Edwin J. Aiken began his services at the church. He was ordained into the ministry and installed pastor October 1 of that year ; but at the close of the second year he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, and was dismissed by council April 27. He was suc- ceeded by Reverend Lewis Goodrich, who was stated supply of the pulpit from April 1, 1887, to April 1, 1888. Mr. Aiken was then recalled, and continued with the church as its pastor until April 1, 1890.
From April 1, 1890, until July 1, 1891, Reverend Richard M. Burr of Chichester conducted the affairs of the society. During his ministry the Y. P. S. C. E. was organized. When his services were concluded, another unanimous call was given to Mr. Aiken. The latter was at that time state missionary and could not accept on account of his engagements. Reverend Nathan F. Carter, therefore, supplied the pulpit until October, 1891, when Mr. Aiken was able to accept the society's call, and continued its pastor until October 1, 1893, during which time fifty-eight persons were added to the mem- bership of the church. He was followed by Reverend George II. Dunlap, who has continued as the pastor of the church until the present time.
In the summer of 1887 extensive repairs were begun in the inte- rior of the church. The work was done under the immediate super- vision of Reverend C. L. Tappan, Thompson Tenney, and Charles E. Staniels. The old seats were taken out and replaced by those of modern design. The singers' gallery was put in its present position in the rear of the pulpit. New windows of colored glass were sub- stituted for those of former days, and new pulpit furnishings took the place of the old. The church was re-carpeted and otherwise re- furnished. The ward house located on the other side of the street was purchased by the Ladies' Benevolent society, moved to the rear of the church and connected with it. The expense of the repairs and refurnishing excceded two thousand two hundred dollars, all of
775
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
which was raised in the parish except one hundred and forty-six dollars.
The fiftieth anniversary of the starting of the society was cele- brated at the church March 30, 1892. There was a very large attendance. An historical address by Reverend F. D. Ayer, D. D., was delivered. A paper on the history of the church by Frank P. Curtis was read, followed by a sketch of the Ladies' Benevolent soci- ety, founded in 1859, by Mrs. Sarah Potter. This celebration occur- red during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Aiken. There were present Reverend C. F. Roper, Reverend L. C. Kimball of Canterbury, Rev- erend C. B. Crane, D. D., and Reverend Nathan F. Carter of Con- cord, Governor Hiram A. Tuttle, and others, who by their words of cheer added much to the enjoyment of the occasion. Letters were read from Reverend E. O. Jameson, of Millis, Mass., and Reverend A. E. Dunnells, of Bath, Me., both of whom had served the church as pastors.
The society received in 1900 a gift of two hundred dollars for church purposes from Mrs. Charles Potter and Mr. John T. Tenney as a memorial of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Tenney, deceased, and former active members of the church. The same even- ing that this gift was acknowledged Mrs. Charles E. Staniels pre- sented the church with an individual communion set. The tankard and four cups previously in use were gifts of the North church, and are now deposited with the New Hampshire Historical society.
Since 1900 the society has made some marked improvements in the interior of the church. It has been the recipient of a hand- some English oak communion table and linen cover in commemora- tion of the first wedding which took place in the church, and a memorial gift from John B. Curtis, one of the oldest members of the church.
The present membership of the church is thirty males and sixty- two females, and the average attendance is about one hundred.
THE CURTIS MEMORIAL FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the year 1897 there was prepared by Deacon Moses B. Smith, and published, an historical address on the Curtis Memorial Frec Will Baptist church, from which many of the following facts have been obtained. Mr. Smith, in his opening, says:
" Few, if any, churches in New Hampshire-if, indeed, any in the denomination-have experienced such vicissitudes, met and over- come more obstacles, encountered and outridden more storms on their voyage, than this church. Its history might be stated briefly in two or three sentences, thus: It has had three births, scceded
776
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
onee, experieneed two secessions, reorganized onee, died onee, and onee, if no more, seemed about ready to give up the struggle and sink beneath the waves of diseouragement and trials."
The ehureh was organized in the house of Reverend John Kimball on the eighth day of Deeember, 1844, with thirteen members, seven males and six females, and Reverend Mr. Kimball was chosen to have the "wateh eare " of the church, while N. G. Spiller and John Drew were elceted deaeons. On May 11, 1845, the Lord's Supper was administered for the first time. The congregation held serviees in private houses for a year or more until the ehuren on Centre street, now used by the Advents, was built, which was about 1846. In October, that year, Mr. Kimball elosed his work.
From that time until 1857 there was a sueeession of five pasto- rates,-Reverend S. T. Catlin, from October, 1847, to April, 1849 ; Reverend E. J. Helme, May 6, 1849, to October, 1849; Reverend A. D. Smith, November 1, 1849, to April 5, 1852 ; Reverend Arthur Caverno, June, 1852, to December 29, 1852; and Reverend Hiram Whiteher, September, 1853, to April, 1857.
During this period the ehureh had a hard struggle for existenee beeause of dissensions and financial troubles. It was with the great- est difficulty that expenses were met, and the treasurer's reeord for one quarter in the year 1849 shows that the pastor was paid only twenty-five dollars and twenty-five eents. So great was the diseour- agement that the society during Mr. Caverno's pastorate seriously diseussed the question of disbanding. In 1852 there was a formal withdrawal of some members, and it required undaunted eourage on the part of the few remaining to continue their work. During Mr. Whiteher's ministry, there was a division in the church; the minority (who controlled possession of the meeting-house) opposing the reten- tion of the pastor, and fixing a date after which he should no longer oeeupy the pulpit. The majority, therefore, seeeded, and engaging Washington hall, held services there on the first Sabbath of April, 1855. The minority continued to worship in the church until they disbanded, which was about the time the church was sold to the Advents, in 1856.
From the majority who went to worship in Washington hall the present church traees its descent. This is the second birth of whiel Deacon Smith speaks. This society purchased, in June, 1855, the old meeting-house of the Universalist society and moved it in two sections to a lot on State and Coneord streets. Even this removal brought trouble, and an injunction was served because of threatened mutilation of shade trees along the route of transit. Through the efforts of Ira Perley, afterwards chief justice of the state, the injune-
777
THE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
tion was dissolved, and the society carried out its plans; the entire expense of purchase, removal, repairs, and cost of lot being about three thousand dollars. The society borrowed money of the city to purchase the lot, and its note was carried for twenty years, during which one thousand two hundred dollars of interest was paid, a no inconsiderable burden upon the society. After the seceders had established themselves in Washington hall, a council was called to organize a church. The seceding members numbered fifty, and, adopting a covenant, elected officers. For a year and a half the church enjoyed some prosperity. Then, doubt existing about the regularity of its organization, a council of ministers was ealled, who decided that the church was not organized in accordance with rules and usages of the denomination, and therefore void. The decision was accepted, and the church voluntarily expired.
On June 23, 1857, the church was reorganized with twenty-seven members,-its third birth. August 21, 1857, Reverend Josiah P. Nutting was called and continued as pastor until he resigned, June 5, 1866, his being the longest pastorate in the church. He was a strong preacher and a successful pastor. He was succeeded by Rev- erend Albanus K. Moulton, who was installed May 4, 1868, and closed his work October, 1869.
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.