USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 76
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In April, 1838, a religious society was formed at Amoskeag. It was known by the name of "The First Congregational Society" in Amoskeag village. The spirit and design of this society may be seen from the following extract from the Preamble : "The object of this association is to support and enjoy more effectually the institutions of our holy religion. Our belief is in the reality of a Divine Revelation, our desire is to know its truths-zealously to maintain these is our fixed purpose. We unite in the fear of God. For success our hope is in the riches of His mercy. Praying for Divine assistance, for purity of intention, mutual affection, a love for the truth and a holy concern for our best interests, we unite for the furtherance of our object." At the organiza- tion of the society, Daniel Farmer was chosen President, and Geo. W. Kim- ball Secretary. The name of the society has since been changed to the First Congregational Society in Manchester. Among the first things attempted by this society was the erection of a house of worship. Various plans were pro- posed and different sites were mentioned. Finally in the spring of 1839, the society commenced building their present house of worship. It was completed the following autumn, and dedicated in November of the same year. The house was built of wood, 64 feet wide by 81 long, without galleries or a tower, and at an expense including land of about $5500, though the land, valued at about $500, was given by the "Amosk-ag Manufacturing Company."
The house contained 122 pews, and would accommodate about 650 persons. At a subsequent period this house was enlarged. It is now 100 teet long and 64 wide-contains 164 pews and will accommodate 900 persons. The expense of the enlargement was about $3000. The society also own a vestry which
725
FIRST M. E. CHURCH.
cost about $1500. They have an organ in their house of worship which cost about $1500. Other additions and improvements have been made, which, to - gether with the increased value of property in this city, would make the whole amount of the property of the society at the present time, about $14,000 or $15,000, on which there is a debt of $6000. All the expenses of the support of the institutions of religion are sustained by a tax on the pews, which are own- ed by the society. For the year 1854 the amount collected was $2674,63 .- This society has always made a liberal provision for the support of the gospel, as well as having allowed their pastor seasons of rest, and supplying the pul- pit during his absence.
Mr. C. W. Wallace, then a licentiate of the Londonderry Presbytery, com- menced his labors with the first Congregational church and society on the last Sabbath of April, 1839. He did not commence preaching as a candidate for settlement. He continued, however, to supply the pulpit until Nov., of the same year, when he received a call to settle as the pastor of the church and society. The call was accepted, and on the 8th of Jan. 1840, he was ordained Of the council convened on this occasion, Rev. C. P. Bradford was chosen moderator, Rev. J. Clement scribe, and Rev. E. L. Parker assistant scribe .- Thirteen churches were invited to be represented on the council, each having a pastor. Of these, only Rev. Thomas Savage of Bedford retains the position then occupied, while the moderator, the assistant scribe, Rev. Dr. Burnham of Pembroke who offered the introductory prayer, and Rev. U. C. Burnap of Lowell who preached the sermon, have been called to their rest and reward .-- The pastor of this church was the first minister ever ordained and installed in this town, and his settlement occurred ninety years after the town was incor- porated .*
THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH .- REV. GEO. M. HAMLIN.
The First Methodist Episcopal church in Manchester was organized Sept. 27, 1829. For a number of years previous to this date there had been Methodist preaching in the place a portion of the time, by the Rev. Orlando Hinds, John Broad- head, E. Peaslee and others. In the year 1829, there was a re- vival of religion under the labors of Rev. J. Broadhead, and about eighty united with the church. The Society now felt the need of a stated ministry and a more commodious place of worship than had previously been enjoyed. Accordingly, measures were taken to erect a suitable house of worship, and in 1830, the Meeting House which has been occupied by the 1st M. E. Society since the above date, was erected at Man- chester Centre, at a cost of $2000. The Rev. Matthew New- hall, from the N. H. Conference, was the first preacher station- ary here. His connection with the station continued two years. The following preachers have been successively sta- tioned at Manchester centre : Silas Green. Caleb Dustin, Con- verse L. McCurdy, Wm. J. Kidder, Matthew Newhall, Wm. S. Locke, Chas. H. Eastman, Ezekiel Adams, Horatio N. Taplin, Henry Nutter, Isaac W. Huntly, Elijah R. Wilkins, Robert S. Stubbs. The church now numbers 106 members and is now under the pastoral charge of Rev. Geo. M. Hamlin. The fol-
N. H. Churches .*
726
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
lowing fact proves that the church has not been altogether void of prosperity since its organization. , Eighty members (the same number that was connected with the church when first organized) have been removed from the church by death or letters, showing an addition of the present membership.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. REV. B.F. HEDDEN.
On the 2d of August, 1835, ten persons belonging to differ- ent Baptist churches, met for the first time in a hall, at Amos- keag, to worship according to their cherished denominational belief, amenable only to God and their own conscience.
The Goffstown church had previously voted to acknowledge them, as the "Amoskeag Branch of the Goffstown Church." Rev. J. Peabody faithfully performed the duties of an under shepherd, until Oct, 1837, during which time the Branch en- rolled on its list forty-nine members,
Dec. 1st, 1836, they met at the house of Dea. John Plum- mer to consult with other friends, in regard to the religious ex- pediency, of being formed into an independent church. The Branch unanimously agreed to ask a dismission from the Goffs- town church ; to adopt the articles of faith and practice, as presented by the New Hampshire Baptist State Convention, and also to request their pastor to select and invite an ecclesiastical council to meet with them for further deliberation.
Accordingly Jan. 4, 1837, the council convened at " Roger Williams Hall," and publicly recognized the Branch as an in- dependent church. The following are a part of the clergymen who assisted on the occasion : Rev. D. D. Pratt, Rev. George Evans. Rev. Bartlet Pease, Rev. Mark Carpenter, and the pas- tor Rev. John Peacock.
As the manufacturing interest rapidly increased on the east side of the river, it was deemed advisable by this church, and other friends in the vicinity, to erect their house of worship near the centre of the new village. The First Baptist church edifice was built by a few enterprising men, on a lot of land given by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, on Manches- ter street, and was publicly dedicated to the worship of Al- mighty God in the year of 1840. It was the third house thus set apart within the precincts of the now densely crowded city. The building is of brick, 80 feet in length by 60 feet in width, of good architectural design, and surmounted with a dome and bell. The building was completed at an expense of $6000 .-
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
727
ST .MICHAEL'S CHURCH.
The society have an excellent organ, and a new commodious vestry, the funds being furnished for its erection by the "La- dies Charitable Society" connected with this church.
Rev. E. K. Bailey commenced his labors in 1837, and con- tinued with this people a number of years. After his resigna- tion the pulpit was supplied successively by the following pas- tors : Rev. James Upham, Rev. Benj. Brierly, Rev. T. O. Lin- coln, Rev. Isaac Sawyer, and the present pastor, Rev. B. F. Hedden.
The whole number of persons added to this church since its commencement is 784, the present number is 297, being con- stantly lessened by dismission and death.
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. (Protestant Episcopal. ) REV. ISAAC G. HUBBARD.
In June, 1840, the Convention of the Diocese of New Hampshire was informed that the services of the Episcopal church were desired in Manchester. In compliance with this desire, the Rev. P. S. Ten Broeck of Concord, officiated in the school house on Lowell St. the second Sunday of July follow- ing. Services were soon after held by the Rev. T. Edson of Lowell and others. In September of the same year, the Rev. Wm. H. Moore, of the Diocese of New York, then a recent graduate of the General Theological Seminary, visited Man- chester by invitation, and officiated two Sundays in a Hall in " Union Building," which had been appropriately fitted up for the purpose. The attendance was encouraging, and an invita- tion was extended to all favorable to the organization of a church, in conformity with the rites and doctrines of the Prot- estant Episcopal church, to meet on Monday evening, Nov. 28, 1840. A number of gentlemen met at the time appointed, and the Rev. William H. Moore having been called to the chair, the following resolutions were presented and unanimous- ly adopted :
" 1, Resolved, That believing the rapidly increasing population of this town demands an extension of spiritual principles, and whereas there are many among us who feel a strong attachment to the institutions of the Episcopal church, and desire to extend the blessings of the Gospel of Christ, therefore,
" 2, Resolved, That in humble reliance upon God's blessing on our enter- prise, we will now proceed to organize a church, whose doctrines and ordi- nances shall be in accordance with the Articles, Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.
" 3, Resolved, 'That this Corporation shall be known under the title of the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of Saint Michael's Church, Manchester, Hills- boro' Co., N. H.
ยท4, Resolved, That by our persona! exertions and prayers we will endeavor to
728
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
build up this society and parish, in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and ex- tend the blessings to those who may be pleased to unite with us.
5, Resolved, That we now proceed to elect two Wardens, and four Vestry- men, and a Secretary.
Accordingly the following officers were elected :
Senior Warden-Wm. A. Burke. Junior Warden-J. S. T. Cushing. J. Appleton Burnham,
Vestrymen Oliver W. Bayley,
Robert Read, ( Henry C, Gillis.
Secretary-Samuel T. Wetmore.
On' the 17th of Dec. an invitation was extended to the Rev. W. H. Moore to become the rector of the parish. That Rev. gentleman accepted the invitation and entered upon his du- ties on Christmas Eve., 1840. A building previously used by the Free Will Baptist Society, on Concord St. having been rented, the congregation removed thither in June, 1841. Here they gradually gained in numbers and strength till the place was filled, when it was determined to make an effort to erect a church. By the generous exertions of the congregation second- ed by donations from abroad, and the gift of a lot of land on the corner of Lowell and Pine streets, by the Amoskeag Com- pany, this purpose was accomplished ; and the church costing with the organ $2,300.00, and free from debt, was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, by the Rt Rev. Manton Eastburn, of Mass., Thursday, Dec. 28th, 1843. During the
ministry of the first Rector, the evils incident to a new enter- prise, in a very fluctuating community, were experienced .- Many of those who united with the parish removed, and the church was thus deprived of some of its most devoted and efficient members. Its light was thereby diffused and the good which it accomplished was manifested more exten- sively. After a rectorship of more than seven years, his health failing, the Rev. Mr. Moore resigned April 23, 1848. He was succeeded, in the following June, by the Rev. John Kelly, a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford. Under his energetic ministry the parish continued to prosper. The interior of the church building was much improved by a new chancel arrange- ment, by tempering the glare of the white walls with neutral tint, and by graining the wood work. A debt, also, which had gradually accumulated, was liquidated. In April, 1852, the Rev. Mr. Kelly resigned, and accepted a call to the church in Warren, R. I. The next May, the present rector, the Rev.
729
UNITARIAN SOCIETY.
Isaac G. Hubbard, entered upon his official duties. Since then a parsonage has been built, at a cost, including the land, (which was purchased at a generous discount from the Amoskeag Company) of $2100. This church may now be regarded as firmly established and in a prosperous condition. By reference to the Records, it appears that under the rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Moore, 9 adults and 24 children were baptized, and 14 persons were confirmed. Under that of the Rev. Mi. Kelly, 14 adults and 27 children were baptized and 44 persons were confirmed. Under the present rectorship 12 adults and 57 children have been baptized and 41 persons confirmed. The present number of communicants is 80.
UNITARIAN SOCIETY. REV. WM. L. GAGE.
The first distinctive preaching in this city, of the doctrine commonly held by Unitarian Christians, was in the month of January, 1841, by Rev. S. Osgood, then of Nashua. For about four months in this year meetings were held on the Sabbath, by those attached to that form of religious faith, but no attempt was made to organize a society, or to settle a pastor, and there being no suitable place in which to hold their meetings, it was decided to suspend them till another year, when the Town Hall would be ready for occupation.
In the month of March, 1842, Mr. Briggs of Boston, preach- ed in the Town Hall, one Sabbath, and Rev. O. H. Welling- ton, preached during the month of April. On the 24th of April in the same year, a meeting was held of all those interested in the support of the worship of Almighty God, after the us- age, and in general conformity to the doctrine received by Uni- tarians, at the house of Mr. William Shepherd. At this meet- ing only nine persons were present. Although few in num- bers, they were strong and earnest in their purpose to establish such religious institutions as seemed to them best adapted to promote religious truth, and a christian life among men, and after careful deliberation, it was unanimously resolved to form a society for the more effectual support of religious worship, and Messrs. E. A. Straw, and Daniel Clark, Esq., were appointed a committee to draft a constitution, and By-Laws, for the gov- ernment of the society, and report the same at some future meeting. Accordingly, on the 27th of April, another meeting was held, at which Mr. Straw reported, and the society adopt- ed a suitable constitution, of which the following is the
PREMABLE.
"The object of this Association is to support and enjoy the more effectually,
730
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
the institutions of our Holy Religion. Our belief is in the reality of Divine Revelations, and in the Bible, as the record of that revelation. We desire to know its truths, and, in all charity and love towards our fellow men, to main- tain them. Such being our purpose, we unite ourselves in this association, with the love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ ; the love of the divine truths as taught by Christ during his mission upon the earth ; and the love of all his children, our fellow men and brethren, strong in our hearts ; hoping to establish and maintain an altar where the sons of man may worship their Creator as their consciences shall dictate, untrammelled by any of these fetter- ing creeds, the offspring of human ingenuity alone. To do this we pledge our zealous and humble efforts, and in promoting this object, it shall be our strong endeavors to merge all local and party feelings and all sectarian prejudices.
Praying for Divine assistance and hoping for the riches of God's grace and mercy, concious of purity of intention, of mutual affection, of a love for the truth, and holy concern for our fellow men, we unite ourselves for the further- ance of our object into a Religious Society."
Among the early signers of the constitution adopted with the foregoing Preamble, we find the names of Messrs. E. A. Straw, Wm. Shepherd, Daniel Clark, Esq., Benj. F. Osgood, Herman Foster, Esq., James May, J. McK. Wilkins, Esq., J. H. Moor, Wm. P. Riddle, G. W. Tilden, A. G. Tucker, B. F. Manning, Dr. M. G. J. Tukesbury, C. F. Warren, J. B. Upham, J. D. Kimball, Geo. Hall, H. H. Ladd, and John H. Kimball.
At this same meeting, E. A. Straw, Esq., was unanimously chosen Secretary, and Treasurer, and at a subsequent meeting, Mr. J. D. Kimball, was chosen President, and Messrs. Wm. Shepherd, and B. F. Manning, Directors. A committee was also chosen to confer with Mr. Wellington, as to his settlement with them as Pastor of the newly formed society, who, after a short time accepted the call tendered to him. Mr. Wellington was ordained to the pastoral office in this city Tuesday evening, July 10th, 1842, at which time, Rev. C. Stetson, of Medford, preached the ordination sermon to the acceptance of those who invited him to perform that duty. In the afternoon of the same day, a church was organized in connection with the so- ciety, on which occasion, a discourse was preached by Rev. Wm. Channing, then of Nashua, from the text. John, XVII, 22, 23. "That they may allbe one, even aswe are one, I inth em and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in me." After this discourse, the covenant agreed upon was adopted, and a declaration made that by this act of faith a new branch of the church of Christ was established, consisting at this time of but eight members. The rite of the Lord's Supper was then administered, when the members of the newly formed church, together with such of other churches as chose to unite with them in that religious service, partook of the solemn sacrament.
Mr. Wellington's ministry continued for nearly two years,
731
UNITARIAN SOCIETY.
when ill health induced him to leave the city in March, 1844. During the first year of his ministry, the religious services of this society were held in the Town Hall, but in 1843, the church formerly occupied by the Episcopal Methodist Society, was purchased and moved to the lot corner of Pine and Mer- rimack streets, given by the Amoskeag Corporation, where it now stands.
At the close of Mr. Wellington's ministry, Rev. A. D. Jones was chosen pastor, and was installed July 10th. 1S44. He con- tinued his services for one year. After this. the society con- tinued destitute of a settled minister for some time ; Rev. M. J. Mott preaching for the society for one year, but not being in- stalled as pastor nor residing in the city, and various clergymen supplying the pulpit for different periods of time. The society did not increase in numbers, and was only sustained by the self sacrificing spirit and earnest determination of its few mem- bers.
On the 5th of Feb. 1848, a unanimous invitation was ex- tended to Rev. A. B. Fuller, to become pastor of the society, which call was accepted, and Mr. Fuller was ordained to the pastoral office in the evening of the 19th of March, 1848.
The society had much increased in numbers, and, on the 1st of July measures were taken, and subsequently carried into effect, for the enlargement of their church by the addition of twenty-four pews.
The church numbers at this time about forty communicants
The basis upon which this society professed to be founded, is not a strict agreement in doctrinal opinions, but the reception as their guiding principles of action, of these rules, viz ;
"1st. This Society believe that the Bible is an authoritive and sufficient rule of faith and practice, and is the creed and the only creed, that should be imposed upon churches, and the only platform upon which all churches can be found- ed.
2d. As God has made no two minds alike, diversities of opinion, even among Christians, must be expected to occur, diversities which no man, or body of men, have a right to suppress by any measures, other than an appeal "to the law and the testimony," by fair argument and persuasion, and not by expul- sion from Church membership, or by the cry of heresy, and, therefore, this Society recognizes as its second leading principles the right of private judg- ment.
3d. As men may believe in correct doctrines and yet have corrupt hearts- may profess religion, without possessing it,-may comply without entering into their spirit-and may have many excellent feelings and emotions, and yet not be Christians, but cannot live habitually the Christian life, and manifest con- stantly the Christian temper and spirit, unless they be Christians. This society therefore, further declare, that in their Judgment, the Christian life and char- acter, are the only true or reliable tests among Christians, and cheerfully agree to invite and receive to their fellowship, all, both ministers and people, who
732
THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
manifest this character and receive the Scriptures as their rule of faith, how- ever much any such, may differ from the majority of the society in respect to opinions."
Mr. Fuller's ministry was very successful, but receiving a call from the New North Church, in Boston, and society, he gave up the promising field, for another of no less usefulness, and resigned his pastoral office June 18th, 1853.
Rev. Francis Le Barron was unanimously called to be his successor, and entered npon his duties immediately after the resignation of Mr. Fuller. Mr. Le. Barron's ministry continued for a little over two years ; his resignation was accepted the 14th of October, 1855.
In May, 1856, Wm. L. Gage, of Boston, received a unani- mous call from the society, and was ordained to the work of the ministry on the 25th of June. He is the present pastor.
FRANKLIN ST. CHURCH .- REV. S. C. BARTLETT.
This, the second Congregational church, was formed in 1844, by coloniza- tion from the first church. The crowded state of that congregation, and the prospect of a rapid influx of population into the city, had led many individu- als, including the pastor of the first church, seriously to consider the expedi- ency of organizing a second church and society. The first public movement was made on the 27th of April. After the adjournment of the annual meet- ing of the First Congregational Society, held on that day, another meeting was organized by the persons present, and a resolution was introduced, affirm- ing the expediency of immediate measures for the formation of a second church and society. The resolution was discussed and laid upon the table; and a committee, consisting of Rev. C. W. Wallace, Asa O. Colby, Abram Brigham, Andrew Moody, and W. G. Means, (all professors of religion,) was appointed to make further inquiries. After one week, the committee reported strongly in favor of the project; and the resolution of the previous meeting was adopted. On the 7th of May, at a meeting publicly called for the purpose, a constitu- tion for a second Congregational society was presented, discussed, adopted, and signed by sixteen individuals. Josiah Crosby, M. D., was chosen President, and Abram Brigham clerk and treasurer. Legal notice of the existence of the society was given in the Manchester Memorial on the 23d of May, signed by twenty-six individuals. The society immediately hired the town hall as a place of worship, at a rent of $150 a year, and commenced public services on the first Sabbath of June.
A committee had been appointed on the 20th of May, to confer with the first church on the expediency of forming a new church. The result was, that an ecclesiastical council of ministers and delegates from nine neighboring churches-Rev. A. Burnham, moderator, and Rev. P. B. Day, scribe-assem - bled on the 27th of June, 1844, at the house of Rev. C. W. Wallace ; and on the same day organized the second Congregational, now named " The Franklin St. Church." It was composed of twenty members ; eight of them from the first church, and the remainder, members of various churches, who had been waiting for this movement. David Brigham was the first deacon chosen, and Thomas Carleton the second.
The first pastor was Henry M. Dexter, then recently from Andover theologi- cal seminary, who received a unanimous call, and was ordained Nov. 6, 1844. Sermon by Rev. E. N. Kirk of Boston. Salary, $800 the first year, $900 the second, $1000 afterwards. After a faithful ministry, Mr. Dexter was dismis- ed March 14, 1849, to the very deep regret of the church and people. He was
FRANKLIN STREET CHURCH.
733
FREE WILL BAPTIST SOCIETY.
succeeded by Rev. Henry S. Clarke, installed Sept. 29th of the same year ; ser- mon by Rev. Walter Clarke of Hartford, Conn. On account of his health, Mr. Clarke, after an acceptable ministry, was dismissed July 1, 1852.
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