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 13
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In 1870 an effort was made to unite the two, but neither was willing to give up its house of worship. Each extended an invita- tion to the other to unite with it, but the place of meeting was the obstacle in the way of union. In March, 1872, Elder Hook and Elder Marvin W. Lutz opened revival meetings in Concord. These meetings, which were held in Phenix and Eagle halls, lasted several weeks, and were attended by members of both societies. Elder Hook endeavored to bring the two societies together to worship at The Bethel, but without success. In the meantime The Bethel had been moved in two parts to the west side of Green street, opposite to the present post-office building. When located there an addition of nine- , teen feet was inserted between the parts of the building, making a much larger structure. The Bethel society struggled on for about six years. It had contracted a considerable debt in moving its chapel, and could not meet its payments. Mr. Ford, to whom the debt was due, was obliged to take the building in payment. It was afterwards divided and half of it removed to Prince street, both parts becoming dwelling-houses.
The members of the Bethel society, being left without a meet- ing place, mostly returned to the Centre Street society. The mem- bers of the former did not believe in organization, but the members of the latter did, and had kept up an organized body for several years. To secure union the Centre Street society gave up its organ- ization, and consented to a new one which should embrace the new
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THE SECOND ADVENT CHURCH.
society. This union occurred in 1880, just prior to the coming of Elder LaForest Baker in 1881.
The Centre Street society, which was the parent, and is the only Advent society surviving, had itinerant preaching until the coming of Elder Preble in 1856. He was its first pastor, and the father of organized Adventism in Concord. He continued here for several years, and was followed until 1869 by itinerant preachers. In January of that year Elder John Couch was called as pastor, and served the society for two years. The next settled pastor was Elder William C. Stewart, who came about 1874 and remained about one year. Then the society was without a settled minister until 1881, when Elder LaForest Baker came. Elder Baker remained the greater part of two years, and was succeeded by Elder Frank Knowlton, who was here for a brief time in 1883. From then until 1887 the pulpit was sup- plied, when Elder Robert F. Emerson was called, and remained with the society until 1889. He was succeeded by Elder N. W. Potter, whose pastorate was short. In 1891 Elder Asaph J. Wheeler became the pastor, and continued until 1893. Elder Roger Sherman suc- ceeded Elder Wheeler, and continued with the society for four years. In 1897 Elder Joseph Miett was called, and coming to the society had a successful pastorate of four years, when he was called to Man- chester.
Towards the close of Elder Wheeler's pastorate new troubles came to the society, which led to another division and secession of men- bers. Some withdrew and formed a new society, that worshiped first in Union hall and afterwards in the hall over the market at the corner of Washington and Spring streets. To these Elder Wheeler preached for a brief period. Then followed other supplies, among whom was Elder Robert F. Emier- son, of Maine, who was one time pastor of the Centre Street church. The only settled preacher was Mrs. Mary Page of Exeter, who re- mained about six months. The Washington Street society contin- ued until April, 1900, when loss Second Advent Christian Church. of membership through death and removals compelled it to disband. The remaining members returned to the Centre Street society, or connected themselves with other religious denominations. This pul-
9
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pit was then supplied from November, 1901, until March, 1902, when Elder Harry Selby became the pastor.
Under the ministrations of Elder Miett the Centre Street Advent society was freed from dissensions. The objection to organized effort, which, in the early history of the Adventists, was the occasion of continued troubles, passed away. The society now numbers nearly one hundred enrolled members, and there is an average congregation of about seventy. The records of the various societics were very im- perfectly kept, and some of them are lost. Only the earnestness and enthusiasm of the Adventists have prevented entire disintegration. In the early days the labors of the elders were largely gratuitous, relying as they did upon voluntary contributions of the people, who were usually of very moderate means.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PENACOOK.
Prior to October 15, 1850, there were two Congregational churches of Fisherville (Penacook),-one known as the North Con- gregational church of Fisherville (Concord), and the other as the First Evangelical Congregational church of Fisherville (Boscawen). The Boscawen society was the older of the two, and purchased a meeting-house which was built by the Christian denomination in 1843. The Boscawen society was organized September 11, 1848, and engaged Reverend Isaac Knight as pastor, who began preaching November 12, and continued as pastor until his death, July 15, 1850. The North Congregational society, organized in March, 1849, worshiped in a chapel located on land on the Concord side of the river, the site, on the east side of Washington square, being now used for store and tenement purposes. The first pastor was Reverend Thomas P. Vernon. The records of these two organizations are lost, and but little is known of them except traditional accounts handed down from generation to generation. Both had a hard struggle for existence in the years preceding 1850, when we find them united through the action of a council called for that purpose, which met at the meeting-house on the Boscawen side in the autumn of that year. The union of the two societies did not secure immediately one place of worship; the united society holding services sometimes on the Boscawen side of the river and sometimes at the chapel on the Con- cord side. After about four years of alternation between these two places of worship, the records of the present society show that at a meeting held September 29, 1854, the following preamble and reso- lution were adopted :
" WHEREAS, Almost four years' experience has convinced us that we cannot succeed in gathering a congregation, enlarging the church,
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THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
and in sustaining a Sunday-school, so long as we worship in two houses, therefore :
" Resolved, That it is expedient to discontinue the meetings in two houses and for the present to establish a meeting-house at the chapel in Concord where we have usually met."
This action did not secure the co-operation and harmony that were expected, for it appears that all who should have been con- sulted were not; and March 1, 1860, there is a record, "That the First Evangelical Society and the North Congregational Society unite with the First Congregational Church in Fisherville in deploring the difficulties that have existed between them for several years past, which have proved detrimental both to the spiritual and external prosperity of the church "; and it was then declared by these organizations acting together that it was not proper or right to have passed the vote establishing the meetings in one place, until a certain agreement between the two societies had been duly con- sidered, and that any one concerned had a right to bring forward said agreement before said vote was passed, and that it should have been presented and received attention at that time. With these mutual explanations, the difficulties arising out of fixing one place of meeting were adjusted.
The first church meeting of the present society was held Novem- ber 9, 1850, and an organization perfected by the choice of Calvin Gage, moderator, Greenough McQuesten, clerk, and John Batchel- der, treasurer. At the time of the union of these two churches the following were members :
First church .- Almon Harris, Richard Gage, Joseph Gerrish, John Johnson, Miriam Mann, Jane Morse, Sarah Johnson, Eliza J. Chandler, Harriet Kittredge, Ruth Johnson, Rebecca A. Knight, Calvin Gage, Luther Gage, Daniel Morse, William F. Chase, Mehet- able Gerrish, Judith G. Johnson, Mary M. Butler, Susan Gage, Tabitha Chandler, Phoebe S. Harris, Mary A. Chase, Susannah Conner.
North church .- Henry Rolfe, Nathaniel Rolfe, Nathan Chandler, Luther Shedd, A. O. Blanding, Job Abbott, Eldad Tenney, Jane Chandler, Myra MeQuesten, Jane C. Rolfe, Mary J. Rolfe, Lovica W. Chandler, Rosetta Flanders, Louisa Kimball, Martha A. S. Elliott, John Batchelder, Timothy C. Rolfe, Benjamin Morrill, Jer- cmiah C. Martin, David Elliot, G. MeQuesten, Albert Ames, Nancy K. Hardy, Martha F. Rolfe, Eliza Rolfe, Rebecca Rolfe, Ruth Mar- tin, Mary F. Hoit, Mary Abbott, Myra C. MeQuesten, Mary Tenney.
Preaching for the united church was supplied for several years. In November, 1856, a call was given to Reverend E. Pond to
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become the pastor at a salary of five hundred dollars a year. This call was not accepted, and in February, 1857, an invitation was given to Reverend Albert William Fiske to become pastor at the same salary, with a vacation of three Sabbaths a year at such time or times as he might prefer. Mr. Fiske accepted, and was installed May 20, 1857. He was born at Upton, Mass., January 16, 1802, and was a graduate of Brown university and Andover Theological seminary. He began preaching at Alfred, Me., immediately after graduation, and had a pastorate there of twelve years. Later he was settled at Kittery, Me., from May, 1850, until April, 1857. From Kittery he came to Penacook, where he continued as pastor until dismissed by a council October 16, 1863. He did not take another pastorate, but remained a resident of Penacook the remainder of his life, and for about ten years supplied pulpits in various parts of the state. In 1850 he published a book of miscellaneous articles called "A New Year's Offering," the object being to present such practical views of religion as would tend to a better understanding of the faith and be of help to Christian workers. He continued to be an active member of the church at Penacook until his death, Decem- ber 2, 1892, in the ninetieth year of his age. The whole term of Mr. Fiske's service was six years, ten months, and eleven days. In relinquishing his pastorate he gives credit to the society that his salary has been fully paid, that the church and society were in much better condition than when he began his labors, that the Sabbath con- gregation has considerably increased and the Sabbath school nearly doubled, while the available pecuniary ability of the church and soci- ety is such that it would be easier than heretofore to increase the pastor's salary. The relations between Mr. Fiske and the society were cordial during his pastorate and they co-operated in choosing his successor.
Reverend William R. Jewett, who succeeded Mr. Fiske, began supplying the pulpit before Mr. Fiske's connection with the church was formally dissolved. As early as May, 1863, Mr. Jewett received an intimation that an invitation would be given him to become the pastor of the church, and July 8 both the church and society united in a call. Mr. Jewett was duly installed and continued as pastor until September 10, 1874. In the March previous he had indicated that he intended to resign on account of ill health, and it had been agreed between him and the church that he continue his services until a new pastor could be secured. A call was then given to Marvin D. Bisbee of Chicago, a theological student, who accepted on condition that he could begin his pastorate the following September.
The council, which met September 10, 1874, to dismiss Mr. Jewett,
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THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
also ordained Mr. Bisbee, and installed him as pastor. The pastor- ate of the latter was brief, lasting only two years and a half, when he resigned to accept a call to the Chapel Congregational church of Cam- bridgeport, Mass. Mr. Bisbee afterwards left the ministry to accept a professorship in Dartmouth college, a position he now holds. After Mr. Bisbee was dismissed, the church was closed for several months.
The pulpit was then supplied for several years, the most perma- nent supply being Reverend Ferdinand V. D. Garretson, who appears to have preached in the church the greater part of the year 1879. In January, 1880, the society voted to pay him first what was due him, and all other debts if possible. This vote indicates that its finan- cial circumstances were somewhat straitened. At the same meeting it was voted to request Reverend John H. Larry to supply for one year. He continued to occupy the pulpit under this arrangement until October 12, 1882, when a call was given him to become the pastor, and he accepted. At a meeting held November 28, 1882, there was a motion made to approve of the action taken at the last church meeting in calling Mr. Larry, and this was carried after much discussion by a vote of twenty-nine to fourteen. A council was called, and convened December 21, 1882. At this council a pro- test to the installation of Mr. Larry, signed by twenty-seven members of the church, was presented. The council answered that the ques- tions raised by the protest could be best decided by an examination of the candidate, and after examination voted unanimously to install him. The following April, Mr. Larry resigned to accept a call from the Free Congregational church of Providence, R. I., and in May the council met and voted to dismiss him.
For several months the pulpit was supplied by different ministers. In March, 1884, Reverend Charles E. Milliken was engaged as a preacher for six months. At the end of that time a new engagement was entered into between him and the society. He continued as act- ing pastor until October 1, 1891, when, having previously resigned, he withdrew. Through the winter the pulpit was supplied and candi- dates were heard. Among them was Edward G. Spencer, a student at Andover Theological seminary. In March, 1892, he was invited to become pastor, and accepted. A council was called, and met April 5, 1892. The candidate was examined at length, especially in refer- ence to his subscription to the creed of the Penacook church. The outcome of this was that the council explained to the church that they could not ordain and install Mr. Spencer on account of a differ- ence between his belief and the crced of the church, and advised the church to give the matter careful consideration, and determine whether there could be common ground upon which Mr. Spencer
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First Congregational Church at Penacook.
and the church could stand so as to work harmoniously together. The council then adjourned to allow the church to take action. At a meeting of the church an informal vote showed a large majority in favor of revising the creed of the church, a few against it, and some not voting. The council was then requested to ordain . Mr. Spencer, and defer installation to a later date. That body, however, voted to defer their action until the church could take completed action. A church meeting was held April 17, 1892, at which Mr. Spencer explained his religious belief. The church then voted to revise its creed, thirty- three voting in the affirmative, six in the nega- tive, and one not voting. In May, 1892, the call of Mr. Spencer to become pastor was reaffirmed by a vote of thirty-two to two. The coun- cil met June 7, following, to con- sider the case. Seventeen mem- bers of the church presented a paper expressing their disapprov- al of the belief and teachings of Mr. Spencer, and requested the council to investigate. The coun- cil, after discussion and consider- ation, voted : " That, appreciating the spirit and candor of the candi- date, it desires to express its sympathy both with Mr. Spencer and the church, and [it] would not consider their continued relation with each other for a time as contrary to the advice of the council."
After more than a year's pastoral service under these conditions, the church held another meeting May 7, 1893, and voted to call another council to ordain and install Mr. Spencer. The vote on this call was twenty-six in favor to nine against. The council met in June, and voted to ordain and install Mr. Spencer, who continued as pastor until 1897. At the beginning of that year he resigned, and the council met March 1 and agreed to the dissolution of the rela- tions of the church and pastor. At this meeting, the council said : " The nature of the vote before the council is such that it does not feel privileged to express a judgment upon it, and in this position it wishes it understood that no criticism is passed upon the church or society, or upon the good standing of the retiring pastor, whom it wishes success in his future work."
In May, following, a call was given to Reverend Edward D. Bur- rows, who began his service as pastor the next month. He was at
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THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT PENACOOK.
that time editor of the Congregational Record, published at Concord, and he continued for some time both to edit the paper and occupy his pulpit. In the first part of the second year of his pastorate, Mr. Burrows was stricken with an illness which for months prevented him from attending church service. The pulpit was supplied during this time. Mr. Burrows occupied the pulpit during the summer of 1899, but did not recover sufficiently to continue his pastoral work, and resigned. He was a writer of ability, and acceptable as a pastor.
In June, 1900, the church and society united in a call to John D. Whitley to succeed Mr. Burrows, who was ordained and installed the next month. Mr. Whitley is a graduate of Yale Divinity school, and in his brief pastorate has contributed much to the prosperity of the society. The public reading-room and the men's league testify to his enterprise and zeal, and the society was never more united and in better spiritual condition.
In 1873 a chapel was built on Merrimack avenue on the Concord side. For several years previous to 1870 the church held its prayer- meetings in the vestry of the Catholic church on Merrimack street. In January, 1870, the society secured the use of the small hall in the engine house, on the corner of Merrimack avenue and Merrimack street, which it continued to occupy until the fall of 1873, when the chapel was completed. The chapel lot was purchased and deeded to the deacons of the church in May, 1873, but there is no record of the construction or cost of the chapel. It is known that those who sub- scribed the money received certificates representing their shares in the property, should the church at any time decide to give up the chapel. Several sold their pews in church and gave the proceeds towards building the chapel, and there was an agreement made whereby the midweek prayer-meetings and all the Sunday evening meetings should be held in the chapel.
In 1875 some repairs were made to the church. The alcove back of the pulpit was built, the pulpit made smaller, the platform rebuilt and recarpeted, new pulpit chairs provided, and the walls of the church whitened. In 1876 a bell was placed in the church, the gift of John and Benjamin A. Kimball of Concord.
During the year 1888 quite extensive repairs were made in the house of worship. C. H. Sanders, in making a statement for the committee on repairs, said that two thousand two hundred dollars had been expended, and that the society had not a dollar of debt. Of the amount used, five hundred dollars was contributed by people outside of the church, and the remainder by the society. A rededi- cation of the church occurred Thursday, November 22, 1888. But little change in the exterior of the edifice was made. The grounds
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
were graded, the unsightly blinds removed, and a new chimney erected in the rear. In the interior the walls and ceiling were fres- coed. The windows on the east side of the house and one in the porch were replaced by those of stained glass, which were con- tributed by relatives of past and present members as memorial win- dows. These windows bear the names of Reverend Albert William Fiske, the first pastor of the society, contributed by himself and fam- ily ; Reverend William R. Jewett, the second pastor, contributed by his widow ; Deacon Almon Harris, contributed by his sons, Ezra S. and Almon A. Harris ; Deacon David Putnam, contributed by his family ; Mrs. Nathaniel Rolfe, contributed by her children ; Abiel R. Chandler, by his family ; and Richard Gage, by Mrs. A. B. Cross of Concord, and other relatives.
The floors were newly carpeted and new pews were put in. A chandelier was given by William S. Kimball of Rochester, N. Y., and a clock by J. W. Pearson of Boston. The pulpit remained as before, but the choir was placed behind it. Later, the choir seats were again changed to the rear of the church.
D. Arthur Brown, in his History of Penacook, says: "The first clergyman residing in the village was Reverend Moses Elliott, usu- ally called Priest Elliott, who had a small farm on Queen street. A good but eccentric man, who invariably ended his discourses with a fervid disquisition on the millenium. He was of the Congrega- tional faith, and did considerable pastoral work in addition to cul- tivating his farm. . The first church building in Penacook was erected in 1843, and dedicated October 12th by the Christian denomination, who began services there, on completion of the build- ing, with Elder A. C. Morrison as pastor. This society held regular services in the church until 1848, and then sold the building to the First Congregational society. The Christian society did not, how- ever, give up their services at that date, but continued holding their meetings at the Washington hall for three or four years longer."
The deacons of this church have been Eldad Tenney, Luther Shedd, Almon Harris, Joseph Moody, David Putnam, Thaddeus O. Wilson, Fisher Ames, John R. Davis, Lorenzo M. Currier, and James M. Masson.
The records of the church show that thirty-eight members were added from 1850 to 1860, sixty-seven from 1860 to 1870, ninety- three from 1870 to 1880, thirty-five from 1880 to 1890, and twenty- five from 1890 to 1900. The decade from 1870 to 1880 was in many respects the most prosperous in the history of the church,
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THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (ST. JOHN'S).
The first Roman Catholic priest to visit this community was Reverend John Daly, a missionary whose itinerary included Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. He came here when the Concord Railroad was in process of construction, and there were Irish Cath- olics employed as laborers along the line. To such occasional services as he was able to hold, the few Catholic residents in this vicinity were undoubtedly drawn. The first Catholic service in Concord, tradition says, was held at the residence of Thomas Murphy on Water street. At a later period in the early fifties, Reverend Will- iam McDonald of Manchester included Concord in his missions, and gathered those of the faith at stated intervals on Sunday to minister to their spiritual wants. After a little time the growing burdens of his own parish, and the increase of the Irish Catholic population in Concord, compelled Father McDonald to relinquish the Concord mis- sion, and the bishop of the diocese created the Concord parish, and
provided it with a settled priest. To this pastorate Reverend John O'Reilley was assigned.
Father O'Reilley came here late in the summer of 1855, and his first recorded work was the baptism of four children, August 12 of that year, and the celebra- tion of a marriage the next day. His pastorate was closed by his death, which occurred February 15, 1856, at his resi- dence on Pleasant street. February 17, 1856, Bishop Bacon, who was here to attend the funeral, is recorded as both baptising and marrying some persons of the parish. Father O'Reil- ley's death was much lamented by his parishioners, and relegated Concord once more to the position of a mission. Father Sylvester Malone (lately deceased), a friend of Father O'Reilley, was in attendance at the latter's funeral, and performed some services for the people of the parish during his few days' sojourn. Father ('Reilley was buried near St. Ann's church in Manchester, but later his remains were removed to Calvary cemetery in this city, where a handsome granite monument marks his grave.
Coneord was now added to the mission work of Reverend John O'Donnell of Nashua, and his missionary labors began almost imme- diately, for he is recorded as baptising a child February 26, 1856. For nine years Father O'Donnell came to Concord once every two
House where First Catholic Service was Held.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
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