History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 26

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire > Part 26

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In the following year, 1839, the society removed to the village of Manchester, on the east side of the river, and erected the church now occupied by the society in the same year. The church was dedicated in 1840. The size of the house originally was fifty by eighty feet. The land on which the church stands was given to the society by the Amoskeag Company, and contains ten thousand square feet.

It appears by the records that on the 12th day of April, 1842, several members of the society met at the residence of the pastor for the purpose of consult- ing on the subject of church organization. A com- mittee was appointed to report on the subject, and on the 10th of May following, a church was organized.

oldest record there is of a legal meeting is Decem- ber, 1850, at which time S. W. Parsons was elected president.

The society has had in its history ten settled pas- tors, - Rev. Frederic A. Hadsdon, whose pastorate began with the history of the church and closed in 1837. Neither the records nor the history of Man- chester show that there was any other settled pastor until 1840, but older members of the society say that Rev. Hiram Beckwith was settled for two years after the resignation of Rev. Mr. Hadsdon. Rev. N. Gunni- son, the next pastor, began his services in May, 1840; he resigned in October of the same year. Rev. George W. Gage was ordained as pastor in June, 1841, and was dismissed at his own request in 1843. In January, 1843, the Rev. B. M. Tillotson was settled as his successor, and continued in charge until October, 1859. He was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Bowles in June, 1860; he resigned in 1866. The Rev. S. L. Rorifaugh was installed June 26, 1867, and resigned October, 1868. He was succeeded, January 1, 1869, by Rev. Thomas Berden, who resigned in December, 1871. The Rev. G. L. Demarest began his labors as pastor September 1, 1872, and closed his labors Feb- ruary 1, 1875. Rev. L. F. Mckinney became pastor of the society on the 1st of May, 1875, and continues as pastor at the present time, or nearly ten years. After the building of the church the society prospered beyond expectation, and the house proved too small for the congregation; accordingly, in 1850 it was en- larged by an addition of twenty-five feet in width, or one-half its former size; it was rededicated the same year with appropriate services. In 1855 a vestibule was added to the front and the organ now in use pur- chased at an expense of three thousand dollars. In 1878, the church being in need of repairs, it was deter- mined to raise funds for that purpose. Eight thou- sand dollars was the estimated cost, which was readily subscribed, and in June of that year the work was commenced, and under judieions management was completed at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The church was rededicated with appropriate services in October of the same year, Rev. A. J. Patterson, D.D., preaching the sermon. The one thousand dollars re- maining was applied to the payment of a debt of fifteen hundred dollars that had long been owed by the society. The following year the balance of the debt was paid, and from that time till the present the entire expenses of the society have been paid from the pew rentals of the church. The society cele- brated the fiftieth anniversary of its organization on the 2d of November, 1883, with appropriate exercises.

Thus it appears that a second church was organ- ized, though there is no record that the first church Twice in the history of the society a new society was ever disbanded. Thus far we have only a record has been organized from it, but neither were destined of churches. Whether during this period there had to live. Nearly every society in Manchester numbers been a parish organization we know not, but there probably was. The oldest record is in 1846. The

among its members those who once worshiped with the Universalists. Almost the entire wealth of one of the large societies was in time past connected with this organization. Some of the most influential mon

1 By Rev. L. F. Mckinney.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

in the city and State have been connected with this church, and few churches have done more to educate and liberalize the general public. The church build- ing is now the oldest in the city. The society is free from debt and prosperous. With a faithful member- ship in the future, as in the past, and the blessing of God, it will still have a work to do that shall redound to the good of the community and the praise of Him who is the source of all truth.

Grace Church.1-The first services of the Episcopal Church were held in the school-house, on Lowell Street, on the second Sunday in July, 1840, by the Rev. P. S. Ten Broeck, of Concord, and were followed by others, conducted by the Rev. T. Edson, of Lowell, and other clergymen. A hall in Union Building was subsequently fitted for services, at which a meeting for the organization of a church, to be known as St. Michael's, was held November 28, 1841, and on De- cember 17th the Rev. W. H. Moore was elected rector, and entered upon his duties on Christmas eve.

A building, previously used by a Baptist Society, on Concord Street, was hired and occupied in June, 1842, and until December 28, 1843, when the congregation removed to a new church, built of wood, on the north- east corner of Lowell and Pine Streets.

On the 5th of June, 1860, the corner-stone of a new church, to be built of stone, was laid on the same lot by Bishop Chase. The name of the church was at this time changed to Grace Church, The church was built after designs by Richard Apjohn, and was con- secrated December 4, 1860.

The church has grown with the growth of the city, the present number of communicants being over two hundred. The following is a list of the rectors, with the duration of their rectorships: the Rev. W. H. Moore, from December 24, 1841, to April 23, 1848, six years and four months; the Rev. John Kelly, from June 18, 1848, to April 1, 1852, three years and ten months; the Rev. I. G. Hubbard, from May 16, 1852, to April 1, 1866, thirteen years and eleven months; the Rev. W. J. Harris, from June 3, 1866, to January 1, 1869, two years and seven months; the Rev. L. Sears, from November 1, 1869, to the present time, fifteen years and six months.

commenced the erection of a brick church, on the | 1880, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Manchester,

St. Ann's Church (Roman Catholic) .- In 1844, when the Catholic population of the town numbered about six hundred, Rev. William McDonald was ap- pointed as their pastor. They commenced worship the next year in Granite Hall, and, four years later, southeast corner of Merrimack and Union Streets, known as St. Ann's. After they had begun to hold services in it, it was found to be unsafe, and they were compelled to take it down and rebuild it. The prop- erty, including a parsonage, is now valued at about sixty thousand dollars. The venerable Rev. William Mc Donald still remains the pastor at St. Ann's,

assisted by Rev. John T. Lyons and Rev. John Griffin.

St. Joseph's Cathedral .- St. Joseph's Church was built in 1869, on the southeast corner of Lowell and Pine Streets, being dedicated April 18, 1869. Rev. John O'Brien was pastor until 1877, being succeeded by Rev. Thomas D. Healy, who remained in charge until June, 1880, when Rev. Denis M. Bradley became pastor. Rev. James Doherty and Rev. F. X. Burke have been his assistants. This church, on the occa- sion of the consecration of its pastor, Rev. Denis M. Bradley, as first bishop of Manchester, was raised by the Holy See to the dignity of a cathedral, and is now known as St. Joseph's Cathedral. The right reverend bishop is assisted in attending to the spiritual wants of the people by Rev. Thomas Reilley, Rev. Denis Hurley and Rev. John Temin. The church property, including the new episcopal residence, is valued at about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.

RIGHT REV. DENIS M. BRADLEY, BISHOP OF MAN- CHESTER -Bishop Bradley was born in Castle Island, County Kerry, Ireland, February 25, 1846. His father died in 1853, leaving his widow to care for their family ofsix children. In 1854 she came with them to America and settled in Manchester, N. H., where the boyhood of Bishop Bradley was passed. He attended the Catholic schools of Manchester, and for a more lib- eral education entered the College of the Holy Cross, located at Worcester, Mass., where he was graduated in 1867. In September of that year he entered St. Joseph's Provincial Theological Seminary, located at Troy, N. Y., where, June 3, 1871, he was ordained priest. Shortly after his ordination he was assigned to the cathedral at Portland, Me., by Right Rev. Bishop Bacon, where he remained nine years, during which time he filled the various positions of rector of the cathedral, chancellor of the diocese and bishop's councilor under Bishop Bacon, and also under his successor, Bishop Healy. Close applica- tion and long-continued attention to his various duties at Portland impaired his health, and in 1879, with the view of regaining it, he went to Europe, where he remained six months, and returning but slightly improved by the change and rest, re-entered upon his duties at the cathedral, which had become even more exacting than when he left. After a short time, finding that he was unable to discharge the very laborious duties of his position, he was, on this ac- count, chosen by Right Rev. Bishop Healy, in June, N. H., which position he held until consecrated to the high position of bishop. It having been found that the diocese of Portland, embracing, as it did, the States of Maine and New Hampshire, was too large to be properly cared for by one bishop, the arch- bishop and bishops of the province of Boston united in a petition to the Holy See to create New Hamp- shire a new diocese, with Manchester as the Episcopal See. The Holy Father, in accordance with the prayer

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101

HISTORY OF HILLSRORONICH COUNTY NEW ITAMDEHID L

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MANCHESTER.

of the petition, created the Sce of Manchester, and appointed Rev. Father Bradley its first bishop. He was consecrated in his cathedral church, in Man- chester, June 11, 1884, by the Most Rev. Archbishop of Boston, at the age of thirty-eightyears, four months and six days, thus being the youngest person in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States to hold so exalted a position. There were present at the consecration ceremonies the arch- bishop, six bishops and one hundred and eighty- five priests. Bishop Bradley has under his jurisdic- tion about eighty thousand Catholics, under the spiritual care of forty-five priests. There are in the new diocese forty churches, fifteen parochial schools, two academies for young ladies, two orphan asylums, one hospital and one home for aged women.

Bishop Bradley is a gentleman of culture and has the confidence and respect of a large number of the citizens of the State, irrespective of denominational boundaries.

St. Augustine's Catholic Church (French) .- To Rev. J. A. Chevalier's efforts is due the organization of the parish of St. Augustine. When he came here, in May, 1871, the French were worshiping at St. Joseph's and St. Ann's. He immediately took steps to organize a congregation of the French Canadians of the city, and soon held services in Smyth's Hall, which were well attended. Subsequently his followers worshiped eleven months in a hall at the corner of Ehm and Pleasant Streets, and then for two years in the church at the corner of Merrimack and Chestnut Streets. Meanwhile money for a church edifice had been raised, and one was in the process of erection at the corner of Beech and Spruce Streets, its dedication occurring November 27, 1874, which, with the parson- age, is valued at sixty-five thousand dollars. Rev. Mr. Chevalier still remains the pastor, and is assisted by Rev. C. Leafertuné.

St. Marie Catholic Church (French) .- So large has been the increase of Manchester's French population that St. Augustine Church soon became inadequate to accommodate the worshipers, and in 1880-81 another church, St. Marie, was erected in West Manchester, on Beauport Street, nearly opposite the MeGregor bridge. Its dedication occurred in the spring of the latter year. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph D. Halde. He remained in charge of the parish until March, 1882, when Rev. Peter Hevey, the present pastor, was appointed as his successor. The church property, which includes a parsonage, is valued at eight thousand dollars.

Christian Church .- September 21, 1870, in Whit- ney's Hall, Ferren's building, occurred a meeting which brought into existence the Christian Church in this city. A society was organized October 19th of that year, and the men and women interested in what is technically known as the Christian belief held meet- ings in Whitney's Hall for a year. January 15, 1871, the First Christian Church was organized. The first

settled pastor was Rev. O. J. Hancock, assuming charge of the church August 6, 1871. The next month the place of worship was changed to the city hall. Mr. Hancock left the church August 28, 1872, and shortly after was appointed superintendent of the Young Men's Christian Association. January 5, 1873, Elisha H. Wright became pastor, remaining until Sep- tember 9, 1876. The other pastors have been E. C. Abbott, from September 15, 1876, to February 10, 1879; D. B. Murray, from April 1, 1879, to April 1, 1880. The present pastor, Rev. Gideon T. Ridlon, has had charge of the church since December 18, 1881. The society owns no real estate, but leases Mirror Hall as a place of worship, which it has occupied since 1876. The church membership is one hundred and forty- one.

St. James' Methodist Episcopal Mission Church. -This church was organized June 2, 1881, under the name of the People's Methodist Episcopal Mission Church, with twenty-three names upon the member- ship list. Services were held in the city hall for eighteen months, the church then removing to the chapel that had been erected on Pennacook Street, near Pine, and has since worshiped there, but for the last few months under a new name,-the St. James' Methodist Episcopal Mission Church. The society greatly prospered under the ministration of Rev. William A. Loyne, who acted as pastor from its in- ception until April, 1885, when he was succeeded by Rev. Otis S. Danforth.

Second Advent Society .- Believers in the second advent doctrine held services in Manchester as early as 1843, and have continued them most of the time since, worshiping in Granite HIall, Merrimack Hall, in halls in Museum Building, Merchants' Exchange and Mar- tin's Block. In 1881 a church was erected between Pearl and Arlington Streets, near the Ash Street School-house. Not till 1870 did the Adventists have any organization, but on the 1st of August in that year they formed a society on the basis of a belief in the speedy coming of Christ, and the adoption of the New Testament as a rule of life, making Christian character the only test of membership. The present chapel was dedicated January 2, 1881. The property owned by the Adventists, which includes a parsonage, is valued at five thousand dollars. Elder Charles R. Crossett, who had been pastor of the society since its reorganization, in May, 1880, having resigned, a call was extended to Elder B. MeLellen, of Lowell, which was accepted in October, 1883. The Second Advent Christian Association controls the property.

City Missionary Society .- In the spring of 1847, J. L. Seymour was employed as a city missionary by individuals interested in the cause of religion, who paid his salary and hired a hall, where he opened a Sunday-school and conducted religious services. In this way the idea of a free church was suggested, and the building on the northwest corner of Merrimack and Beech Streets was built in 1850, and dedicated on

106

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the 23d of October of that year. The land on which it stands was given by the Amoskeag Company, and the money which built it was the contributions of in- dividuals in the city, and of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in the State. The property is held in trust, on condition that the seats in the church shall be free, and that public worship shall be main- tained by the Manchester City Missionary Society, which was legally organized April 24, 1850. Shortly after the church was built it seemed desirable that a church should be regularly organized to worship there, and December 30, 1852, it was formally organized un- der the name of the Christian Mission Church, which has been extinct for many years.

West Manchester Union Congregational Church was organized September 10, 1883, with fifty members. Ira Barr, George Murdough and Adam Dickey were elected deacons, and Ira Barr clerk. On Thursday evening, September 13th, Charles F. Carter, of Chico- pee, Mass., a graduate of Andover Theological Semi- mary, was ordained and installed as pastor of the church.

The building in which the society worships, located on Main Street, was constructed in 1820 by the resi- dents of Piscataqnog who were of the Presbyterian faith ; but the occupants of the ten dwellings then constituting the village were not able to support a pastor, and services were not held regularly, and in 1842 the proprietors disposed of it. The purchasers fitted the upper portion for educational purposes, and an academy was opened that year. The Wesleyan Methodists held services in the lower part in 1855. For ten years, from 1856, the Presbyterians occupied it, having organized a church in 1859. In 1870 the church building was given to Mrs. Mary P. Harris, through whose liberality it was repaired. She placed it in the hands of the Young Men's Christian Associ- ation, which leases it to the Union Congregational Society.

Spiritualist Society .- This society was organized December, 1880.

German Church of the New Jerusalem .- This church was regularly organized September 4, 1881, by Rev. A. O. Brickman.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This church was organized in June, 1882. Services are held at the Mission Chapel.

First Presbyterian Church (German) .- The church organization was effected July 26, 1882, by the Pres- bytery of Boston. The pastor, Rev. Fred. Erhardt, was installed October 16, 1882.

French Protestant Church .- The organization of this church was effected March 24, 1881, when the first pastor, Rev. Gideon Aubin, was installed.

CHAPTER VII.

MANCHESTER-( Continued).

Odd-Fellowship-Other Lodges and Societies-The Blodget Canal -- Driving Park-Court-House-Cemeteries-Water-Works-Fire De- partment-The Amoskeag Veterans-Military Record, 1861-65-List of Officers and Privates-Soldiers' Monument.

ODD-FELLOWSHIP1 as understood and practiced in this country, though, in a measure, the outcome of an English order, is emphatically an American institu- tion, and will ever be so regarded in history. It claims no great antiquity. Its origin is not clouded in the misty legends of ages long since written on the scroll of time. No mysteries surrounded its birth ; no Eleusinian rites attended its baptism; no Druidic ceremonies were performed as it entered upon its ca- reer of usefulness through the instrumentality of men then only known in the humblest walks of life, seek- ing to lighten the burdens of a common humanity and to promote the interests of those banded together for a common purpose. The leader in this fraternal and benevolent enterprise, that has now culminated in one of the grandest charities of this or any other age, was Thomas Wildey, an Englishman by birth, an American by adoption. A mechanic by trade, of generous impulses, possessing a sympathetic heart and an open hand, soon after his arrival in Baltimore, and while struggling for a livelihood among those of his own class in a portion of the city visited by want and pestilence, he conceived a scheme of mutual assistance and self-help in time of sickness and gen- eral misfortune. To this, he thought, might be added the pleasures of a social hour when the toils and bur- dens of the day were at an end. Full of this idea as he plodded at his trade or rested his weary body at night upon a scanty bed, with the encouragement of one sympathetic soul only, John Welch, he ventured to call a meeting at the Seven States Tavern, on Second Street, for consultation. This meeting occurred on the 26th day of April, 1819, at which time five per- sons were present, whose names have become distin- guished, and one of which, at least, is immortal, for the part taken in the organization of a world-wide charity. We give their names for historic reference : John Welch, John Duncan, Richard Rushworth, John Cheathem and Thomas Wildey. These were the founders of Washington Lodge, No. 1, still ac- tive, whose humble commencement marks the origin of American Odd-Fellowship, now grown to be one of the largest, most successful and eminently popular fraternities in the world. Thomas Wildey, in a special sense, was the father and founder of American Odd-Fellowship, and his great name will ever be as- sociated with this wonderful mission of humanity in the world.

Owing to adverse circumstances and the unrelent-

1 By P. G. M. Joseph Kidder.

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MANCHESTER.

ing prejudices that existed against all secret societies in our country, the growth of Odd-Fellowship was slow and feeble. At the end of two decades there were only one hundred and thirty lodges, with a membership of less than ten thousand. The total revenue fell below sixty thousand dollars, while the annual relief did not aggregate five thousand dollars. In 1840 the bulk of the lodges were located in Mary- land, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, while in ' thirteen other States and Territories the order had gained a foothold only. About this time people began to consider the excellency of its principles, and to ad- mire its unselfish charity and benevolent works. In three years it took a rapid stride and more than tri- pled its lodges, membership, revenues and relief. A widespread interest was awakened, and its growth became almost unparalleled in the history of the organization. Like a huge wave, started at the centre of the sleeping lake, it widened and broadened its circles until its influence touched nearly every State and Territory in the Union. It was during the latter part of the year 1843, September 11th, that it gained a foothold in New Hampshire in the organization of Granite Lodge, No. 1, at Nashua. At that time Man- chester, now the queen city of the State, was only a vigorous little town lying on the east bank of the Merrimack River. The population was small, but the people had great expectations. Among those drawn to the embryo city in the hope of acquiring wealth and achieving an honorable reputation among their fellows were men of liberal views, sagacious instincts and benevolent impulses. Anxious to pro- mote the material interests of the place and to better their own condition in legitimate ways, they were still not unmindful of the claims of society for a higher civilization and better systems of relief to those in sickness and in want. In various ways they learned of the new benevolent and fraternal order, just estab- lished in a neighboring town. They desired to test its practical value by personal knowledge. They would see and know if its pledges and promises were fulfilled through its daily works, and if the results would justify the necessary expenditure of time, money and effort to organize a lodge. Five of this class applied to Granite Lodge and were admitted to membership and took their degrees, as the preliminary steps for a branch of the order at Manchester. Armed with the necessary papers, they applied to the proper source for a charter, and on the 21st day of December, 1853, Hillsborough Lodge, No. 2, was duly organized by grand officers from Massachusetts. The names of these pioneers, representing different trades and professions in life, were Dr. Charles Wells, Walter French, James M. Barnes, Isaiah Winch and Jacob G. Cilley. These brothers, one after the other, having fulfilled their mission, dropped out from the earthly life and entered the lodge of the unknown. The last to part with his lodge was the venerable Dr. Wells, who died December 28, 1884. Of those ad-

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 26

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168