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 11
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Stormy and troublesome as the life of the church had been, it was at this period that it reached its lowest ebb. It was in financial straits and the members were disheartened. The congregation had materially decreased, and many members had backslidden and were indifferent. It seemed as if the organization were in the process of final dissolution. It was then that aid was sought of Reverend Silas Curtis, who may be appropriately called " the father " of the church; for, from the beginning of his ministration, although the church after- wards had trials and tribulations, its life was not seriously threatened. Mr. Curtis was then burdened with the care of the Home Missionary and Educational society, the New Hampton institution, and the Morning Star newspaper interests. He was invited, however, to serve the church as acting pastor, and he immediately began his labors, devoting all the time and energy he could spare from other duties. The congregation began to increase, greater interest was taken by members in its work, and all were greatly encouraged. His pastorate continued until March 9, 1875, when, in consequence of advaneing years and impaired health, he felt compelled to relinquish the care of the church. It was during his pastorate that Mr. Nutting, a former pastor, returned to the city and built a small chapel on the corner of P'erley and Grove streets, as an addition to his house, and there established services. Mr. Nutting at that time had joined the
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Plymouth Brethren. Several of the members of Mr. Curtis's church, being strongly attached to Mr. Nutting, requested dismissal, which, after much deliberation, was granted. This was the second secession of which Mr. Smith speaks. Mr. Curtis's labors seem to have been largely those of love. The society was in debt and unable to meet its current expenses. Having means, he contributed not only of the meager salary allowed him, but from his other resources, to this work, and, later, his generous contribution toward the erection of a new church was so liberal as to assure its success.
The pastorates succeeding that of Mr. Curtis were the following : Reverend Fred L. Wiley, April 26, 1875, to April 26, 1876; Rever- end Harrison F. Wood, May 8, 1876, to April, 1882; Reverend Alfred T. Hillman, July 30, 1883, to April 1, 1886 ; Reverend Frank C. Bradeen, July 30, 1886, to October, 1890 ; Reverend Orrin WV. Waldron, May 1, 1891, to January 1, 1895 ; Reverend Frank K. Chase, July 1, 1895, to August, 1901, and Reverend Thomas H. Stacy, February 1, 1902, who is the present pastor.
Reverend Hosea Quimby, D. D., having been appointed chaplain of the state prison, removed to this city and united with the church February 2, 1872. Dr. Quimby frequently supplied the pulpit. He was the first college graduate to enter the ministry of the denomina- tion. At one time he was principal of Smithville seminary, R. I., and had for students some very distinguished men, among them being ex-Governor Sprague, ex- Governor Howard, and President J. B. An- gell, LL. D., of Michigan.
Reverend S. J. Pitman joined the church April 2, 1869. He also, in the absence of the pastor, preached when his health permit- ted. Ile died in August, 1876.
There have been in all sixteen pastors, cov- ering a period of fifty-seven years. Deacon Smith says of them collectively that they were men above the average in ability. Some were very able preachers, and by many con- sidered eloquent. Three of them left the denomination,-Mr. Catlin and Mr. Hillman joining the Congregationalists, and Mr. Nut- ting the Plymouth Brethren.
. Curtis Memorial Church.
The present church edifice on the corner of Fayette and South streets, which is a memorial to Father Curtis, was conceived during Mr. Bradeen's pastorate. In the early part of Mr. Wood's pastorate, funds had been raised and the old church thoroughly repaired. Just
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
previous to Mr. Bradeen's coming the pew-owners had decided to further repair the house at an estimated cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. After preaching his first sermon, on the morning of July 30, 1886, Mr. Bradeen called a meeting in the afternoon of the leading members for consultation, and there frankly stated to them his views of their contemplated action. He informed them that the house and location were not what they needed, and that it was a waste to expend that amount of money in that location. This announcement came as a great surprise, but he continued to press the matter, and by his enthusiasm and zeal secured the adoption of
his plan. Father Curtis became interested, and pledged three thou- sand five hundred dollars ; Reverend J. L. Sinclair, one thousand dol- lars ; the State Missionary society, one thousand dollars; the Home Missionary society, five hundred dollars ; Reverend Solomon Cole, five hundred dollars ; and wealthy citizens gave liberally. The present lot was purchased at a cost of four thousand six hundred dollars, and when the church was completed for occupancy, at an outlay of nearly twenty thousand dollars, there was left an indebtedness of only one thousand five hundred dollars. This debt was afterwards cleared off by the legacy of Mrs. Lucinda A. Swain, and the society has an edifice of which it is justly proud, free of debt. Its organ, which was later put in at a cost of one thousand six hundred and thirty dollars, was the result of voluntary contributions, and its communion service and clock were the gifts of Norman G. Carr of this city.
The exact number of members up to 1857 cannot be determined, as the roll of members has been lost. Probably there were not far from two hundred. Deacon Smith thus summarizes the membership in different pastorates : The old church, 200; added during Mr. Nut- ting's pastorate, 110; Mr. Moulton's, 10; Mr. Curtis's, 82; Mr. Wiley's, 16; Mr. Wood's, 98; Mr. Ilillman's, 17; Mr. Bradeen's, 42; Mr. Waldron's, 92; and Mr. Chase's, 36,-a total of 703.
Only three members are now left who united with the first organ- ization. Of the twenty-seven charter members composing the last organization, there is but one left in the church. In 1861, Deacon Smith united with the church. There is not to-day a male resident living who then belonged to the church. Its present membership is two hundred and forty-five and its congregation numbers some two hundred and fifty.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
The first movement to secure preaching at Penacook, or Fisher- ville, as it was then called, was made by the brothers Henry H. and John S. Brown, who purchased the store building of Crosby & Gage
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
and refitted it for use as a church, naming it Union hall. They secured the services of Reverend Edmund Worth for preacher, and the first meeting in Union hall of which there is any knowledge was held February 2, 1845. Regular service appears to have been sus- tained here for several months before there was any attempt at organization of a society. Prior to 1845 the Baptists of Penacook were accustomed to go to Boscawen to worship at the old Baptist church of that town. Union hall stood upon land opposite the Con- gregational church, where now stands the house of Dr. Anson C. Alexander, of which it forms the L and stable. After worshiping here for a time, it was thought that the growth of the village war- ranted the organization of a church. With this end in view a pre- liminary meeting of a few Baptists residing in Penacook was called at the home of David Brown, July 19, 1845. Reverend Edmund Worth was chosen moderator, and Henry H. Brown, clerk. The attendance disclosed that there were more Baptists in the vicinity than churches frequently have in their infancy, and it was felt that the territory should be occupied before any other denomination had an opportunity to organize. An adjournment for one week was taken, to enable others to be present. At this second meeting it was formally resolved to form the " First Baptist Church of Fisherville." The Baptist churches of Concord and surrounding towns were invited to meet in council August 6, 1845, to assist in giving the church public recognition, and Reverend Edmund . Worth, John S. Brown, and Benjamin Hoyt were chosen delegates to sit in the council. The council decided in favor of recognition, and in Sep- tember following the church was admitted to the Salisbury Associa- tion. The organization of the church was completed by the choice of Reverend Edmund Worth as pastor, David Brown and Benjamin Hoyt as deacons, and Henry H. Brown as clerk. Mr. Worth was engaged as a supply at that time, and so continued for a year or two. He was undoubtedly installed as pastor at a later day.
The original members of the First Baptist church were: William H. Allen, Chloe F. Allen, Ebenezer W. Allen, Caroline Allen, David Brown, Eunice Brown, Henry H. Brown, Mary A. D. Brown, John S. Brown, Samuel F. Brown, Hannah M. Brown, Martha A. Brown, Philip C. Clough, Lucy Clough, Sarah E. Call, Martha A. Cowell, Sarah A. Burpee, Mary Dickerman, Luke Eastman, Sarah Eastman, Sarah C. Eastman, Benjamin Hoyt, Jeremiah A. Haynes, Sarah L. Haynes, Joseph F. Hale, Lucretia Johnson, Martha A. Perkins, Hiram Simpson, Mary S. Simpson, Jacob L. Tewksbury, Joanna Tewksbury, Edmund Worth, Maria Webster.
The First Baptist society was organized March 20, 1846, with
.
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
fourteen original members as follows : Deacon David Brown, Deacon Henry HI. Brown, Deacon Benjamin Hoyt, William H. Allen, Jere- miah A. Haynes, Jeremiah Burpee, Jr., Hiram Simpson, Reverend Edmund Worth, John S. Brown, Samuel F. Brown, Philip C. Clough, Ebenezer W. Allen, George Puffer, Levi R. Nichols. The first board of officers were : Clerk, Samuel F. Brown ; treasurer, John S. Brown; standing committee, William H. Allen, Henry H. Brown, and Hiram Simpson.
During the year 1847 the question of erecting a church edifice was considered ; but owing to financial trou- bles that year the subject was dropped, and the society continued to occupy Union hall until the winter of 1849, when Graphic hall, built by James Rand, was completed, and thither the society moved for its public meetings. Here the people continued to
worship until 1853, when they moved to the Congregational church on the Boscawen side of the river. This church had been abandoned by the Congregationalists who worshiped there, by reason of their union with the Congregational society on the Con- cord side of the river. During the time the Congregational church was used for Sunday services, the Baptists held week-day meet- ings, part of the time in the small room over what is now the post-office, and part of the time in what was then Granite hall.
First Baptist Church, Penacook.
The continued growth of both the church and the community seemed to warrant movement toward the erection of a house of wor- ship, and in 1857 a committee, consisting of John S. Brown, Dana W. Pratt, and Samuel Merriam, was authorized to procure plans and specifications and cause to be erected a suitable church. Their work progressed so that the church was completed in 1858, and September 8 of that year was dedicated. This church, whose exterior appear- ance has not been materially changed, stands at the corner of Merri- mack and Centre streets. It was built of wood and is eighty by fifty-two fect, with a tower and spire one hundred and fifty feet high. The audience room is fifty feet by seventy feet, with seventy- two circular ships seating four hundred and seventy-five persons, with galleries containing twenty-four slips with a capacity of seat- ing one hundred and fifty persons, exclusive of the orchestra, which was placed over the vestibule. The seats were upholstered and the
8
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
floors carpeted throughout. The basement had five rooms, exclusive of the furnace room and the space under the tower, all of them finished. There were a lecture room, with a seating eapacity of two hundred and fifty, a small vestry for social meetings, two rooms for the Female Benevolent society, and a large entrance room. An organ was purchased at a cost of two thousand and fifty dollars, and a clock with four dials put in the tower, which was afterward given to the city. The entire cost of the building and fixtures, exclusive of the lot, which was the gift of the Contoocook Manufacturing company, was eighteen thousand five hundred dollars, mostly paid by John S. and Henry H. Brown. Of this church the New Hamp- shire Statesman remarked editorially at the time of the dedication :
" For all appointments necessary for a religious society there is no edifice in the central part of New Hampshire, if in the state, that equals this. It is a beautiful memorial of the Christian enterprise and enlarged benevolence of those who conceived the plan and car- ried it to successful completion."
Mr. Worth continued as pastor until March 30, 1856, when he preached his farewell sermon. He was a man of self-poise and gen- tleness, and much beloved by his people, especially the children. He had been at the head of the New Hampshire Baptist Register, which he established in Concord about 1834, and was at all times a free contributor with his pen to the cause of the denomination. He died in Kennebunk, Me., where he was stationed after leaving Penacook.
The immediate successor of Mr. Worth was Reverend Joseph Storer, who was present at a meeting April 4, 1856, with a view to settlement. On May 30, 1856, he and his wife were admitted to the church, and apparently he had then been engaged for service. It was during his ministry that the church was built, and in the November following its dedication the number of the congregation was reported at four hundred, and the number of the Sunday-school at one hundred and forty-three. March 30, 1862, he closed his pas- torate. He was a man of more formality than his predecessor, and though lacking his elements of personal popularity, was universally respected.
The Reverend Joseph Henry Gilmore, son of Governor Gilmore, was the next pastor. A call was given him May 7, 1862, and he was ordained June 19. For a little more than two years he labored acceptably and successfully with the society. He was a man of scholarly attainments, and the church was never more prosperous than during his pastorate, for both as pastor and preacher he was highly esteemed. It was, therefore, with regret that the society accepted his resignation, tendered September 12, 1864.
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
Reverend Ira E. Kenney of Niles, Mich., succeeded Mr. Gilmore. He was called November 25, 1864, and accepted by letter December 19, 1864. He began his labors the second Sunday in March, 1865, and continued as pastor for a little more than three years. His res- ignation March 2, 1868, took effect May 1, 1868. He was succeeded the last Sunday in May of that year by Reverend George G. Harri- man, then a recent graduate of Rochester Theological seminary, who began preaching at that time as a candidate with a view to settle- ment. He was called by the church and society June 22, 1868, and accepting, was ordained September 2, 1868.
It was during his pastorate that the church and society had their first division, and the result was a schism which divided both, and resulted in the organization of another Baptist church in the village. This trouble arose early in 1872 over the question of the desirability of continuing Mr. Harriman as pastor. A majority of the society as such, which was then a different organization from the church, voted in favor of discontinuing his services, while the church, or a majority thereof, voted that he be retained. The society secured the services of Reverend William B. Smith, but Mr. Harriman declined to yield the pulpit. The society insisting however, Mr. Harriman and his followers withdrew. A few weeks later those who had withdrawn established themselves at Sanders' hall, which continued to be their place of worship until early in February, 1878. They perfected an organization, and called it the First Baptist church of Penacook, a name which the old society refused to relinquish. At the Salisbury Association both societies appeared by delegates, claiming to be the First Baptist church of Penacook, and the feeling engendered by this breach was very intense for several years. Reverend J. D. Til- ton supplied the pulpit at Sanders' hall for a time, and was followed by J. K. Ewer, then a student at Newton Theological seminary, as a supply. He was succeeded by Reverend John E. Burr as stated pastor. Various efforts at reconciliation occurred during these years, but it was not until 1878 that these efforts were successful. At a meeting of those who remained at the old church, January 30, 1878, it was voted to invite the members of the Main Street Baptist church to unite with them, and a committee of conference was appointed. This committee consisted of Franklin A. Abbott, Henry F. Brown, John S. Brown, Charles H. Amsden, and Norman D. Corser. In response to this invitation the Main Street Baptist church, February 3, 1878, appointed Willian H. Allen, Moses H. Bean, William Walsh, Charles G. Morse, and John H. Moore as its committee of conference. The conferces met February 4, 1878, and organized, with the choice of Moses II. Bean as moderator, and Charles H.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Amsden as clerk. Then it was voted that a union of the two churches take place February 17, following. Each society was to discontinue the services of its pastor, and a new minister for the reunited society was to be obtained. At the union of the societies, ninety-five members of the Main Street Baptist church were read- mitted to the church from which they had withdrawn. Reverend John E. Burr resigned at the end of three months, as agreed upon by the two societies, and Reverend William B. Smith tendered his resignation July 3, 1878, and closed his labors the last Sunday of December of that year. All misunderstandings were forgiven, and the trouble, which largely arose over questions of church govern- ment, entirely disappeared.
At a meeting of the society, March 16, 1879, it was voted to have Reverend A. E. Reynolds of Natick, Mass., supply for a few months, but he declined. Three months later an invitation was given to Rev- erend Julius B. Robinson to become the pastor, and July 6 he began his labors. Mr. Robinson's pastorate lasted a little more than a year and a half. His health was poor, and he was compelled to. resign on that account, which he did February 9, 1881. A call was then given to Reverend E. C. Spinney, who declined. This was followed by a call to Reverend George T. Raymond of Fitchburg, Mass., who first officiated as pastor July 3, 1881. His pastorate was also brief. He resigned March 28, 1883, and formally closed his work May 27, fol- lowing, though he supplied the pulpit a part of the month of June.
July 1, 1883, Reverend Welcome E. Bates of Waterford, Conn., was present as a candidate. He made so good an impression that he was called a week later. He accepted, and began his labors the first Sunday in November, 1883. His pastorate continued for four years. Receiving a call to a church in Haverhill, Mass., he resigned Novem- ber 20, 1887, and preached his farewell sermon December 11, fol- lowing.
The next pastor was Reverend William N. Thomas of Morrisville, N. Y., who was called April 22, 1888, and began his pastorate in May. It was during his pastorate that extensive repairs were made to the audience room of the church. These were begun in August, 1888. The society worshiped in the vestry until March, 1889, when the repairs were completed. There were also some changes in the interior of the church. The galleries were cut off, and the organ removed from the gallery in the rear to the front of the auditorium. There were also added stained-glass memorial windows, a new ceiling was put in, the walls were decorated, new upholstery placed in the pews, new carpets laid, and new chandeliers and fixtures added,-at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars. The memorial win-
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
dows, eleven in number, were put in by the following individuals or their friends : Deacon Henry H. Brown, John S. Brown, Eunice H. Brown, Samuel F. Brown, Martha A. Brown, John A. Coburn, Abi- gail E. Fox, Reverend Edmund Worth, the first pastor, John Saw- yer, Samuel Merriam, and Charles H. Amsden. The committee on repairs were Charles H. Amsden, Edmund H. Brown, and Anson C. Alexander. The church was rededicated March 14, 1889, at which time Mr. Amsden, in behalf of the committee on repairs, made an extended report and gave a brief history of the church. The dedi- cation sermon was by Reverend C. W. McAllister of Manchester.
Mr. Thomas resigned August 2, 1891, to take effect immediately. His resignation was accepted, and December 13 Reverend Aschel S. Gilbert of Bennington, Vt., was called. Accepting the call, he began his labors January 3, 1892. His pastorate lasted three years and a half. Receiving a call to the Baptist Bethel of Boston, he resigned August 2, 1896, and September 13 preached his farewell sermon. The pulpit was then supplied for a little more than two years, the Reverend Daniel C. Easton acting in this capacity from January 1, 1897, to March 1, 1899.
The first act was taken to unite the society and the church in one legal body January 17, 1898. It was then voted by the society to transfer its property and accounts to the church, when the church should be legally organized as a corporation. A voluntary corpora- tion, as the "First Baptist Church of Penacook," was formed, and the old society was dissolved. The first meeting of the new organ- ization was held and officers elected March 2, 1898. Edmund H. Brown was appointed to act for the board of trustees and receive the property of the society.
It was while Mr. Easton was occupying the pulpit that the par- sonage was sold. This was built largely through the efforts of John S. Brown, who met the expense, except one thousand dollars con- tributed by Charles H. Amsden and John A. Coburn. The house cost, land and all, about ten thousand five hundred dollars. It proved, however, to be too expensive a residence for the ministers occupying it to maintain. Sometime after its completion it had been given to the society. When it was sold a part of the proceeds was returned to Mr. Brown, and the remainder applied to discharge a debt created by the repairs on the church.
February 5, 1899, it was decided to call Reverend William H. Allison, who began his labors March 5, 1899. Under his ministra- tions the church prospered. Mr. Allison resigned to take effect July 1, 1902. Since then the church has been without a pastor. John C. Linehan, in writing of Penacook in 1899, says: "The good reputa-
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
tion for morality which the village has enjoyed from the first is due largely, and ought to be credited, to the men who were the founders of this church."
The Sunday-school has been in existence since 1845 and success- fully maintained. D. Arthur Brown of Penacook is one of the original scholars. The superintendents of the Sunday-school were Henry H. Brown for a generation, Franklin A. Abbott for about fifteen years, Edmund H. Brown for about twelve years, with George A. Dickey, Dr. A. C. Alexander, Henry F. Brown, and John H. Moore following in succession with shorter terms. The Sunday- school has always maintained a good library.
The succession of deacons of the church is as follows : Benjamin Hoyt, David Brown, Henry H. Brown, Franklin A. Abbott, William H. Allen, Henry F. Brown, Edmund H. Brown, and William A. Bean.
Two young men from this church have entered the ministry, Reverend Joseph F. Ficlden, now settled in Winchendon, Mass., and Reverend Millard F. Johnson, now stationed at Nashua. One other candidate for the ministry furnished by this church was William I. Brown, who was an honor man of Brown university and all ready to graduate when the call came for volunteers in 1862. Without wait- ing to receive his diploma he raised a company, was appointed sec- ond lieutenant, served nearly through the war, and was killed in front of Petersburg in 1865. He had engaged his room at the theological seminary at the time of his enlistment. The Grand Army post at Penacook is named after him.
THE METHODIST CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
This church was organized October 28, 1847, under Reverend Silas Quimby as presiding elder, with Reverend Ebenezer Peaslee as preacher in charge. Of the early pastors the record is imperfect. For several years the pulpit was supplied by professors and students of the Methodist Biblical institute of Concord. Others who con- tributed to the preaching were Bishop Osman C. Baker and Rever- end Eleazer Smith. There appear to have been appointments to this church by the annual conference, and pastors in charge, but dates of service are lacking in the early years. Among the names of pastors acting or by appointment who immediately followed Mr. Peaslee arc the following: John Mclaughlin, O. P. Pitcher, Mr. Knapp, H. M. Loud, W. D. Cass, Jacob Sanborn, James Pike, J. C. Emerson, Daniel C. Babcock, Samuel Roy, and Nathan P. Philbrick ; but of some of them little information can be given regarding the dates of their appointment or the length of their service.
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