USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
The church edifice was burned down October 13, 1848, but under Mr. Pratt's energetic leadership a new building arose on the same site and was dedicated January, 1850.
During a faithful and efficient ministry of twenty-three years Mr. Pratt welcomed into the church nine hundred and fifty-seven; by baptism, four hundred and ninety-five, by letter, four hundred and fifty-five, and seven by restoration. He preached his last sermon from John 8:12, with uncommon energy and pathos, March 11, 1855. He was soon prostrated with lung fever, succeeded by paralysis, from which he partially recovered. But in the autumn he again began to fail, and finally died Nov. 13, 1855, aged forty-nine years, a good pastor and a good citizen.
Rev. W. H. Eaton, late of Salem, Mass., who was canvassing the state in the interests of the "New London Lit. and Sci. Institution," was engaged by Mr. Pratt to supply the pulpit during his illness. This he did with so much acceptance, that the committee asked him to continue the supply, after Mr. Pratt's decease, for an indefinite future. In January, 1856, the church gave him a call to become its pastor, which he accepted, and was regularly installed over the church June 26, 1856.
The first marked work of grace, under the ministry of Dr. Eaton, was in 1858, which resulted in an ingathering of one hundred and twenty persons; the work was carried on without foreign aid. About forty married persons were baptized, and about thirty family altars established.
Dr. Eaton closed his labors without leaving any stain upon the church or its pulpit in 1869. Dur- ing his pastorate he welcomed to the fellowship of the church three hundred and sixty-two persons, one hundred and eighty-nine by baptism, one hundred and fifty-two by letter, sixteen by experience, and five by restoration. Prof. J. W. Churchill, in his historical address, said of him, "While firm and unyielding in his personal convictions, he never witheld sympathy and co-operation from any plan for the public good which seemed to him to be for the general welfare."
Dr. W. H. Eaton, D. D., died in Nashua, June 10, 1896, being survived by his wife, Caroline Bartlett Eaton.
After candidating more or less for about five months, the church extended a call to Rev. H. H. Rhees of California to become their pastor, which elicited a favorable reply, and he commenced his labors on July 1, 1870, and on the fourteenth of the same month he was publicly recognized as the pastor of the church.
156
HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.
Mr. Rhees' pastorate covered a period of only two and a half years, but they were fruitful in large additions to the church. He gave the hand of fellowship to one hundred and nineteen persons, eighty-one by baptism, twenty-nine by letter, eight by experience, and one by restoration. He closed his labors with this people Dec. 31, 1872. Since 1878 he has been a missionary in Japan.
In church meeting held March 27, 1873, the church voted to extend a call to Rev. G. W. Nicholson of Essex, Conn., to become their pastor. He accepted the invitation and entered upon the duties of his new position on the first of May following.
There were several seasons of awakening and conversion during Mr. Nicholson's earnest and efficient ministry. He showed his faith by his works. He had charge of the church about eight years. In that time there were added to the church two hundred and fifty-two persons, one hundred and thirty-six by baptism, seventy-eight by letter, twenty by experience, and eighteen by restoration.
He was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Johnston, of Ludlow, Vt., who entered upon his labors in connection with this church in June, 1881. As the fruit of his labors of love and works of faith during the term of his pastorate of over seven years, he received by baptism one hundred and twenty- nine, by letter, sixty-seven, by experience, nine, by restoration, one; in all two hundred and six. He resigned Sept. 2, 1888, and in May of the following year he was succeeded by Rev. O. J. White, of New Jersey. In the five years of his pastorate he received into the church, by baptism, one hundred and seventy-three, by letter, seventy-eight, by experience, nine, by restoration, two; in all two hundred and sixty-two. His pastorate ended August 31, 1894, and he was succeeded on December second by the present pastor, Rev. C. L. White, during whose pastorate thus far thirty-nine have been received into the church.
CROWN HILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
In November of 1883 Rev. J. A. Johnston, pastor, and several of the members of the First Bap- tist church of Nashua hired McQuesten's hall in Belvidere, and began holding religious meetings on Sunday afternoons. On Jan. 6, 1884, the "Belvidere Mission Sunday school" was organized in the same hall, and was continued there for seven years; Charles D. Whiting, superintendent, succeeded by William H. Lovell.
May, 1890, Captain E. M. Shaw gave a bond for a deed of a tract of land on Allds street, on which to erect a chapel. W. H. Eaton, D. D., John O. Marshall, W. H. Lovell, C. W. Hopkins and Charles D. Whiting, all members of the First Baptist church, acted as trustees, and organized, under the name of the "Crown Hill Baptist Mission."
In addition to the above donation of land Mr. Shaw agreed to give $500 towards building a chapel. This chapel was completed and furnished at an expense of about $3300.
Dec. 31, 1890, the Baptist chapel on Crown Hill was dedicated. The house is 40 feet wide by 52 feet deep, with a tower 12 feet square containing a belfry in which is hung a bell given by the Ladies' Sewing circle of the First Baptist church. The seating capacity accommodates 300 people. On the evening of Jan. 12, 1891, the trustees of the mission appointed C. S. Seasholes of Newton Theological institution to take charge of the work of the mission.
April 23, 1891, his resignation was accepted, and on the eleventh of May following, F. R. Enslin of Newton acted as missionary, remaining fifteen months. The trustees were now convinced that for the mission to grow into a church, a constant worker on the ground must be secured. Under this conviction an invitation was extended to Rev. Thompson A. Howard, who accepted the call, to become their pastor, and entered upon his work in November, 1892.
With his earnest, judicious work it was soon apparent that the time had come when a church should be formed.
This organization was effected Sept. 20, 1893, under the name of the "Crown Hill Baptist Church." Fifty-eight names were enrolled as constituent members, the present number is one hundred and eight.
Mr. Howard has proved by his work that he is an able leader, enjoying the distinction of being the first pastor. He is held in high esteem by his people.
157
HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
In the autumn of 1826 a comparatively small number of persons in sympathy with more liberal views of the Christian religion than prevailed among the denominations, united themselves into a society known as the "First Unitarian Congregational Society of Dunstable." For the first year it hired the church built by the Nashua Manufacturing company, familiarly known as the Olive Street church, but they soon obtained a religious home of their own, built in a pretty grove of oaks on the north side of the river facing what is now Canal street. This house was finished in the spring of 1827, and, on the twenty-seventh of June of that year, was dedicated, and to the present day has been occupied by that society.
Its first pastor was Rev. Nathaniel Gage, whose ministrations extended over a period of seven years. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Emmons, who, being in delicate health, was compelled, after a ministry of two years, to ask a dismission.
The year following, 1838, Rev. Samuel Osgood became its pastor, and under his ministrations the church throve and prospered exceedingly. But, at the end of four years, Mr. Osgood resigned his pastorate to accept a call to Providence, R. I.
During the next two years the society was without a settled pastor, but toward the close of 1843, Rev. A. C. L. Arnold was settled but remained only one year. He was succeeded by Rev. S. C. Bul- finch, a man of saintly character, who remained its pastor for seven years, and finally withdrew, to the great sorrow of all. Rev. Martin W. Willis came next, but on the breaking out of the Civil War he went to the front as chaplain of the Fourth Regiment.
In 1862 Rev. Samuel S. Stuart, a young man fresh from his theological studies, was settled and remained until 1865.
Rev. Minot G. Gage, a son of the first minister, followed, and occupied the pulpit to the satisfac- tion of all, until 1869, when failing health necessitated his withdrawal from the ministry altogether. Rev. Clarence Fowler was the next pastor, but he resigned after a pastorate of only two years, to be succeeded, the following year, 1873, by Rev. Thomas L. Gorman, a former clergyman of the Univer- salist faith. After a service of five years, Mr. Gorman gave place of Rev. Henry C. Parker, who re- mained until 1888, nearly ten years. He resigned to accept a call to a larger field, and was succeeded by Rev. Cary F. Abbott, who remained a little less than three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Enoch Powell, who was settled early in 1892 and is the present pastor.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Methodism came to this country in 1760, was brought to New England some thirty-eight years later, but did not appear in this community in organized form until 1831.
Sometime in the fall or early winter of 1831 Rev. Samuel Norris, a Methodist preacher, came to Dunstable, and twice on the same day preached the gospel of Methodism.
In August, 1832, the N. H. Conference met at Lyndon, Vermont, Bishop Roberts presiding. A request from this little band for preacher was granted, and Dunstable became a regular appointment as a part of Amoskeag circuit. James G. Smith was put in charge of this circuit, with William E. Locke as his colleague. Besides Dunstable, the preaching places were Amoskeag and Amherst. They found at this station a society with about forty members. The meetings were held in a school house on the Indian Head corporation.
The first church was built in 1833, and dedicated Nov. 12, at the junction of Orange and Lowell streets. After some reverses, the church rallied under the pastorate of Rev. William D. Cass, in 1835.
In 1838 the Rev. Jared Perkins was pastor and the membership was two hundred and fifty. He was one of the most popular men of his time both in church and state. He was elected to congress and performed honorable service. He died in 1854, when pastor of the Chestnut Street church.
In 1843 Lorenzo D. Barrows became pastor. At this time the town of Nashua had been divided, and that portion north of the river became the town of Nashville, and so remained for about ten years. and when re-united became the city of Nashua. In April of this year certain members of the church living on the south side of the river organized a Second Methodist society, securing the church on
158
HISTORY OF NASIIUA, N. H.
Chestnut street, formerly occupied by the Baptists, and started under very flattering auspices, but it greatly weakened the First church, and made it a year of trial. Mr. Barrows returned the second year, but soon failed in health, and in the middle of the year was compelled to leave and seek a differ- ent climate. J. G. Smith, the first pastor, filled out the Conference year, and about the time of Con- ference, May, 1845, another secession took place, in which Ezra Drowne, one of the leading members and original ones, and B. L. Jones, donor of the church lot, were leading spirits. Disaffection was the cause and the slavery question was also involved in it. A Wesleyan Methodist society was formed and services were held in the old Free Will Baptist church, opposite the freight depot and close to the Lowell Street church. This Wes- leyan church existed only two years.
James Pike was appointed to Nashville in 1845. He was a man of great administrative ability which he showed not only in guiding the church with wisdom in its time of trouble, but also as a member of congress, as colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment, N. H. Volunteers, during the war and for many years as a presid- ing elder.
In the next pastorate, that of Rev. Henry Drew, the society on Chestnut street disbanded and the members returned to their old home, but in 1850 a society was again started on Chestnut street, which did good service to the community until, in 1881, it united with the Main Street church.
The church on Lowell street became too small for the growing society and under the able ministrations of Ebenezer A. Smith, the first pastor, who, under the new rule, was able to serve the church three years, steps were taken to secure a new and more commodious house of worship, now known as as the Main Street Methodist church. The corner stone was laid with impressive ceremonies, in which the Masonic order participated, June 13, 1867, and the church was dedicated July 22, 1868, under the pastorate of Rev. George Bowler. For a short time before entering the new build- ing, worship had been conducted in the City Hall.
This first year in the history of the society under its new name, and in the new house, was one of remarkable prosperity. The pastor, who, as a pulpit orator, had few peers, was exceed- ingly popular, and the large church was crowd- THE METHODIST CHURCH. ed at each service. But the year closed in gloom. March 26, 1869, Mr. Bowler was called from earth to heaven. For some days he had been confined to his house by illness, but he was not thought to be seriously sick until the day before he died. His death was a stunning blow to the society. On Easter Sunday, in the house where multi- tudes had hung upon his eloquent words, and from whose pulpit shortly before, his last sermon was preached from the words, "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth," his funeral was attended by an immense concourse of people.
The next pastor was Angelo Canoll, who came from the New England conference and remained
159
HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
two years. He preached to large congregations, and his labors were blessed in the conversion of souls.
In April, 1871, Varnum A. Cooper was transferred from the Providence conference and stationed at the Main Street church, Nashua. He remained three years. Though he did excellent work in other directions, whose fruit remains, he will be chiefly remembered for his successful attempt to extinguish the church debt. He is now the superintendent of the "Home for Little Wanderers" in the city of Boston.
In 1874, Rev. Charles Shelling, from the California conference was appointed pastor, remaining two years. The next pastor was Rev. Charles E. Hall, who served three years. His successor, Rev. J. R. Day, after two years' ministry, went to Grace church in Boston. He was followed by Rev. Dr. B. P. Raymond, during whose term of office, Chestnut Street church, after a continuance existence of thirty-one years, was reunited with the original family in the Main Street church.
Dr. Raymond having been called to the presidency of Lawrence university at Appleton, Wis., his unexpired term was filled by Rev. P. M. Frost, from Vermont.
Rev. James Henry Haines was minister from 1885 to 1888 and Dr. J. Z. Armstrong from 1888 to 1891. His pastorate was followed by that of Rev. C. W. Rowley, whose acceptability to the congregation was manifested by his being invited to remain during the longer term of office now allowed in the Methodist church.
Rev. C. W. Rowley was called to the Methodist church in Manchester this present year, 1896, and was succeeded here by Rev. J. M. Durrell who is the present pastor.
The present membership of the church is over seven hundred. We give the appointments to the Methodist Episcopal churches in Nashua, since their formation.
APPOINTMENTS, 1832-1896.
LOWELL STREET.
James G. Smith, 1832-1833.
A. P. Brigham, 1834.
W. D. Cass, 1835.
W. H. Hatch, 1836-1837.
Jared Perkins, 1838-1839.
S. Kelley, 1840.
J. W. Mowry, 1841-1842.
L. D. Barrows, 1843-1844.
Henry Hill, 1858-
C. C. Burr, 1844. James Pike, 1845-1846.
Charles R. Harding, 1859-1860.
Lewis Howard, 1861.
Jacob Boyce, 1845-1846.
Charles Young, 1862-1863.
G. W. H. Clark, 1864-1865.
E. A. Smith, 1865-1867.
MAIN STREET.
George Bowler, 1868. Angelo Canoll, 1869-1870.
B. P. Raymond, 1881-1883.
P. M. Frost, 1884.
V. A. Cooper, 1871-1873. Charles Shelling, 1874-1875.
J. H. Haines, 1885-1887.
J. Z. Armstrong, 1888-1890.
C. E. Hall, 1876-1878. J. R. Day, 1879-1880.
C. W. Rowley, 1891-1895. J. M. Durrell, 1896.
CHESTNUT STREET.
Jared Sparks, 1854. George S. Dearborn, 1855-1856.
H. H. Hartwell, 1857-1858. Sullivan Holman, 1859-1860. Linville J. Hall, 1861-1862. W. H. Jones, 1863-1864. Robert S. Stubbs, 1865-1866.
Elijah R. Wilkins, 1867-1869. Daniel C. Babcock, 1870.
Truman Carter, 1871-1872.
Hiram C. Kelsey, 1873-1874.
L. P. Cushman, 1875-1877.
O. H. Jasper, 1878-1880.
Elihu Scott, 1855. Dudley P. Leavitt, 1856-1857.
Thomas Rood, 1847. (Nashua). Henry Drew, 1847-1848. (Nashville).
D. M. Rogers, 1849.
Elijah Mason, 1850-1851. (Nashville). John Mclaughlin, 1851-1852. (Nashua). Lewis Howard, 1853-1854. (Nashua). Franklin Thurber, 1854. (Nashville).
160
HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. HI.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the present year the Free Baptists of the city have begun to hold services in the building recently occupied by the First Congregational church on Main street, and a pastor, Rev. Charles S. Perkins, has been installed. This church is but at its beginning and has not had time to make any history for itself.
The First Free Will Baptist church was organized November, 1838, and was under the pastoral care of Elder Silas Curtis, to September, 1839. He was succeeded by Elder Thomas M. Preble, who was dismissed in September, 1841. In December of the same year, Elder Benjamin Phelon was chosen pastor. He was dismissed in December, 1842. In 1843 the church numbered forty members; the Sunday school fifty-six members, and the library contained one hundred and fifty volumes.
They erected a church in 1844 opposite the freight depot and near the Lowell Street church, at a cost of $600.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Fifty years ago, in the spring of 1845, a few Churchmen petitioned Bishop Carlton Chase, the first bishop of New Hampshire, to send a clergyman to Nashua. This resulted in the immediate appointment of the Rev. Milton Ward. For a period of twelve years services were held at intervals
THIE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
in private houses and in the Town hall. Of all the clergy who officiated during those early years the only one now living is the much loved and venerated principal of St. Paul's School, Concord, the Rev. H. A. Coit, D. D.
In April, 1857, the Rev. J. G. Hubbard, rector of Grace church, Manchester, called a meeting in Nashua, to consider the organization of a parish. This resulted in the formation of the parish of St. Luke's church, with the following officers :- Wardens, Chas. Cunningham and David A. Warner; vestrymen, T. H. Gibby, I. C. Bradbury, Hugh Mckean, J. A. Devereaux; clerk, J. P. S.
161
HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
Otterson; treasurer, T. H. Gibby. The Rev. Edward P. Wright of New Jersey was chosen first rector.
May 27, 1857, Bishop Chase writes: "In the work undertaken in Nashua we have been much blessed and encouraged. The Lord be praised for thus selecting another city of refuge for offending men. Our friends there have acted with noble liberality, the like of which I scarcely remember." An excellent hall was engaged by the vestry, until, by God's blessing, the parish might be able to erect a church.
May 27, 1857, the parish was received into union with the Convention, and, on October II of the same year, was visited by Bishop Chase, who confirmed thirteen persons.
During the eleven years that followed, St. Luke's church was erected at the junction of Pearl and Temple streets. For a time large congregations attended, but the poor construction of the church and its remote situation, rendered it permanently valueless. This added to the short rector- ships of excellent clergy and two unworthy ones in succession having obtained the position, and the quarrelsome spirit of certain members of the congregation, led to St. Luke's church going out in darkness. In October, 1868, Bishop Chase closed the church, and refused to send another clergyman. For two and a half years no services of the church were held in Nashua. In the meantime Bishop Chase died.
On the twenty-first of September, 1870, the noble minded, zealous, and earnest William Woodruff Niles, the present bishop of the Diocese, was consecrated as his successor. Nashua had, too, become an important commercial centre. Under much discouragement, with strong faith, the new bishop set about reorganizing the church.
He first declared the old parish of St. Luke's extinct. He then organized a new mission, under the name of the Church of the Good Shepherd. A hall was engaged, on the corner of Main and Factory streets, where Beasom block now stands. The Rev. Jas. B. Goodrich, a former pupil of the bishop, in whom he had perfect confidence, was put in charge. The bishop provided the entire salary of $1,500, raising it outside of the parish. Mr. Goodrich completed a rectorship of four years, during which time he won all hearts by his genial, sunny disposition and Christian zeal, at the close of which time ill health compelled him to resign.
The outlook for the parish was, however, still dark. The faithful had to climb two flights of stairs to attend service. Numbers were few and the prospect of obtaining a church seemed still distant.
In July, 1875, the Rev. Jacob LeRoy was appointed to the mission. For ten years he labored with heroic zeal and faithfulness. In 1878 Mrs. Lucia A. Rand, of Middletown, Conn., in memory of a beloved and sainted daughter, built the present stone structure, the Church of the Good Shepherd.
The bishop and Mr. LeRoy secured $6,500 with which to pay for the land; and, on Nov. 21, 1878, the beautiful little church was consecrated and forever set apart for the worship of Almighty God.
On Sept. 26, 1883, the Church of the Good Shepherd, having been organized as a parish, was admitted into union with the Convention of the Diocese.
July 15, 1885, the Rev. William Hall Moreland succeeded Mr. LeRoy as rector. In 1888 the parish for the first time became self-supporting and has continued so ever since. This great advance was largely due to the loving zeal of Mr. Moreland, aided by the generous liberality of one layman.
Dec. 27, 1890, a comfortable parish house, with rector's room, parlor and kitchen, built by the efforts of the parishioners, was opened.
July 3, 1893, the Rev. William Hall Moreland, after eight years of faithful and successful service, resigned the rectorship, and on July 6, 1893, the Rev. Charles Bancroft, was elected and entered upon his duties.
Dr. Bancroft resigned his charge in April, 1895, and in due time the Rev. James Goodwin of Hartford, Conn., was called to succeed him.
THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
Forty years ago, in 1855, so far as the native American population was concerned, Nashua was a larger city than it is to-day, for the foreign population at that time was about four hundred, and the
162
HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
total population was 11,000. This Roman Catholic population was then composed, almost without exception, of Irishmen, who had been attracted to the locality by the building of the Wilton railroad, together with their wives and children. In November of 1855, the Rev. John O'Donnell came to take spiritual oversight of this small company, and worship was commenced in Franklin hall. Meanwhile, a great influx of Irish people was taking place, and the building of what was then the finest ecclesiastical edifice in the city was pushed with such energy that it was consecrated in 1857. At the time of the consecration two thousand communicants were added to the roll of the church.
There was more or less prejudice on the part of the New England community against the creed and the nationality of the young priest, but Father O'Donnell, by the geniality of his character, his ready wit, and his frank manliness, won his way into the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He served for many years on the school board and his monument is not only the church that he built, but also the school-house which has been named in his honor.
The church was only a few years old when the Irish immigrants began to diminish, and the influx of the French Canadian population began. In 1855 the population of Nashua was 11,000 and of that number four hundred were foreigners. In 1873 the population was 12,000, and of this number 5,000 were of foreign birth or of foreign parentage. It is not the province of this chapter of the history to enter into any discussion of the causes of the shrinkage of about 4,000 in the native American population. Of the 5,000 Catholics of 1873, 2,000 were Irish and 3,000 Canadian French.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.