USA > New York > Chenango County > Norwich > History and manual of the First Congregational Church, Norwich, N.Y. > Part 3
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The next to occupy the pulpit was Rev. Lyman S. Rexford, w. probably came late in 1827 or early in 1828. He was not installed, a was without doubt only employed as a temporary supply. When } labors ceased is not known. The Church was reported to the Presb tery, September 10, 1828, as vacant, and yet Mr. Rexford was living the village until some time in 1829.
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CHAPTER X.
THE METHODIST AND EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
As early as 1822, Rev. Reuben Reynolds, a Methodist minister, sin familiarly and properly called "Father Reynolds," held prayer mee ings in his house on West Main Street in Norwich, near where no stands the Congregational Church. At one of the first of these mee ings, a member of that Church being present was asked, in true Meth dist style, of her hope. She answered in true Presbyterian style, th ." I hope that I have a hope "-and that was as much as her caution training would permit her to affirm.
A while after this Mr. Reynolds moved into the " old Holcom house "-now No. 1 Pleasant Street-which was moved back to mal room for the present residence of B. Gage Berry, on the south-we corner of Broad and Pleasant Streets. It had a marble shop connec ed with it. One Saturday afternoon this shop was cleaned, and tl next day service was held there. At this service the first Class Mee ing was formed, and Mr. Reynolds appointed leader. During the da
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HISTORY.
Maoung man named Daniel Torrey was reclaimed, and afterwards be- Prene a successful minister.
y asaturday, January 13, 1827, the "First Society of the Methodist iscopal Church in Norwich" was incorporated, and seven Trustees rchcted. These were, George H. King, Caleb Seabury, Miriam Saunders, ndeuben Reynolds, William D. Burdick, Nathan D. Staunton and romomas Neverson. Almost immediately an effort was made to build onmouse of worship, but did not succeed, and none was built until nda5. In that year the " old Church " was erected, and was dedicated knek ' blackberry time "-August or September-1836. Sermon by Rev. or borge Peck. Revs. Lyman Beech and Leonard Bowdish, circuit on achers. There was no settled pastor.
nuen 1830 or '31-the exact date not found-the Emmanuel Episcopal oppurch of Norwich was constituted, and worshiped in the old Court iste use. It is not remembered who the first Rector was, but Rev. Lib- to iny Alonzo Barrows was Rector early in 1832.
nudon Monday, September 17, of that year, "the male members quali- ngel to vote," met in the Court House-the usual place of Divine Ser- hoffe-the Rector, Chairman. David E. S. Bedford and Squire Smith were elected to act with the Rector as a Committee to certify the pro- dings. The Church was then incorporated as " Emmanuel Protest- wh 1, a Episcopal Church of Norwich." David E. S. Bedford and Smith Purdy were elected Wardens; and Jason Gleason, Thomas Milner, n hvid Griffing. Philander B. Prindle, John Clapp, Henry De Forest, Iter M. Conkey and Squire Smith, Vestrymen.
ng in 1834 a lot on East Main Street was bought of Jason Gleason, and t year and the next the Church was built by Eli Elsbre and Benja- Skinner, of Sherburne. On the same ground the old landmark 1 stands in loneliness and decay. It was dedicated and occupied : in 1835, and Saturday, June 4th, 1836, was consecrated by Bishop jamin T. Onderdonk.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CHURCH BECOMES PRESBYTERIAN.
Tuesday, September 8, 1829, the Church obtained permission from enango Presbytery to extend a call to Rev. Horace P. Bogue, a mber of Otsego Presbytery, and pastor of the Church at Butternuts. luthan Hitchcock, as Commissioner from this Church, was sent to a eting of Otsego Presbytery, Thursday, October 29, called at Butter- 's for the purpose, and presented a request for the " translation of Mr. gue. ' The next day, after much discussion, the request was grant- and Friday, January 1, 1830, fixed as the time. He came to Nor- ch toward the last of December, and at a meeting of Chenango Pres- tery, Tuesday, February 2, a formal call was presented to him by uman Enos, Commissioner from the Church, and he was installed
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HISTORY.
by the Presbytery, Wednesday, February 24, 1830. Rev. Peter Lock wood preached the sermon, the services being held at 11 A. M. (Chen Presbty. Records, Book A, and Otsego Presbty. Records.)
In 1831, the second year of Mr. Bogue's ministry, a quite extensiv revival occurred under the preaching of Rev. Augustus Littlejohn who is said to have been a powerful preacher, but not very exemplar! in life. He attained a good deal of prominence as a revivalist unti deposed from the ministry, and excommunicated from the Church in 1841. As a result of this revival forty-seven were added to the Church.
January 21, 1833, at the trial of George Denison for murder, the crowd was too great for the Court House, so the Court adjourned to the Church, and the trial was held there. The next day, during S. S Ran dall's summing up for the defence, a panic occurred, which came neal being a very serious matter. Joseph Marsh, splitting wood behind the Church, made it appear that the gallery was breaking down; but quiet was in time restored.
Wednesday, April 17, 1833, the Presbytery granted a request made by Mr. Bogue, and concurred in by the Church, dissolving the pastoral relation, and Mr. Bogue was directed to " preach to the congregation at Norwich, Sunday, April 28, and declare the pulpit vacant." (Records Chen. Presbytery, Bk. A.)
The Church was not long without a leader. Sunday, June 9, 1833, Rev. Seth Williston began laboring as Stated Supply. He was not installed, and would not engage for any specified time. He remained, however, until the fall of 1834, closing his labors Wednesday, Septem- ber 10. (Letter of Rev. T. Williston.) Probably no service was held in the Church the rest of the year, as quite extensive repairs were made to the building. Where the Church services were held is not known. The repairs were finished in 1835, but probably no formal re- dedication was made.
Sunday, October 12, 1834, Rev. John Sessions preached his first ser- mon in the village, probably as a candidate on the usual " trial for cd s three months;" for in a table of statistics which he made in 1842, he dates his ministry from Sunday, January 4, 1835. Wednesday, Feb- Esu ruary 18, 1835, he joined Chenango Presbytery, was formally called, and the same day installed pastor of the Church by that body, Rev. James Abell preaching the sermon. Mr. Sessions was a rigid Presby- terian. At his installation, the Presbytery, by request of the Church, constituted a Session, and the Church became fully Presbyterian. This action resulted in serious trouble, and caused wounds that were OC never entirely healed. The Church grew, however, during Mr. Ses- sions' pastorate, which was much longer than any that had preceded it, in spite of the unfavorable state of feeling had by some of the mem- bers. The most prominent of these disaffected ones was Truman Enos,
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HISTORY.
kho was a strong Congregationalist. He withdrew from the Church and zbined the First Church at Sherburne, and nearly every Sunday drove › that village to attend service. He remained a member there until 359, when he returned to this Church under Mr. Doane.
Tuesday, April 19, 1842, Mr. Sessions presented a request to the resbytery, in which the Church concurred, through Nelson Chapman, sommissioner, " that the pastoral relation be dissolved." The request as granted, and Mr. Sessions was " appointed to preach to the con- 'egation at Norwich, on the first day of May next, and declare the ilpit vacant." (Chen. Presbty. Records, Bk. A., p. 289.)
About September 1, 1842, Aaron R. Livermore, a licentiate of Hamp- en Association, Mass., began to minister to the Church as Stated apply. He remained until about April 1, 1843, when he was com- lled to leave on account of ill health. (Letter of Mr. Livermore.)
From Sunday, January 14, 1844, to Friday, February 9, 1844, Rev. th Williston again supplied the pulpit, and the next Sunday, Febru- y 11, Rev. William M. Richards began to serve the Church as Stated upply. He was a Congregationalist, and strongly Anti-Slavery, which ade it impossible at that time for the Church to be united on him, d he closed his labors Friday, May 9, 1845.
A call was then extended to Rev. Charles P. Jennings, but the Church t being " homogeneous in doctrine," he refused to accept it, yet came Stated Supply in July, 1845, and remained until January 1, 1847, hen sickness compelled him to give it up.
CHAPTER XII.
THE MEETING HOUSE BURNED.
About the first of June, 1847, Rev. Daniel Clark, Jr., came into the lage as agent of The American Education Society. At a meet- g of this Church and Society, Tuesday, June 15, 1847, he was unan- ously elected pastor, and the following " call " was " made out " d sent to him :
" The First Congregational Society of Norwich, New York, being sufficient grounds, well satisfied of the ministerial qualifications of u, Rev. Daniel Clark, Jr., and having good hopes from our past ex- rience of your labors, that your ministrations in the Gospel will be ofitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to dertake the pastoral office in said congregation. promising you in e discharge of your duty all proper support, encouragement and obe- ence in the Lord. And that you may be free from worldly cares and ocations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the m of six hundred dollars, in regular quarterly payments during the 'm of your being and continuing the regular pastor of this Church."
Jeduthan Hitchcock, Ezra Hewitt, Abner W. Warner, Hiram Weller d Benjamin Chapman were appointed a Committee to sign the above 11, and prosecute the same at an adjourned meeting of the Presbyte-
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HISTORY.
ry, on the first Tuesday in July, 1847, at Norwich. Mr. Clark accept ed the call, and was installed Tuesday, July 6th, by Chenango Presby tery, at 2 P. M. Sermon. by Rev. A. G. Orton.
Tuesday, August 19, 1851, at a meeting of the Presbytery, Mr. Clar] handed up this request: "That the pastoral relation be dissolved fo the following reasons: 1st. The want of a comfortable and perma nent residence for his family. 2d. The insufficiency of his salary ti meet his necessary expenses." Nelson Pellet and Elisha B. Smith Commissioners from the Church, presented the following: "Resolved That we unite with our pastor in his request to have the pastoral rela tion between him and this Society dissolved." The Presbytery grant ed the request, to take effect Monday, September 1, 1851. In Octobe following, Rev. Samuel W. Bush began his ministrations as Stater Supply.
In the winter of 1852 the Society, by Col. Ezra Hewitt, Committee bought of Ralph Johnson the house, No. 295 Broad Street, which sinc April 1, 1852, it has occupied as a parsonage.
In the winter of 1853-'4, there was a revival of very marked inter est in the Church, though not very extensive, and many addition were made during the spring and summer as a result.
Mr. Bush closed his labors in May, 1855. Sunday, January 6, 1856 Rev. Hiram Doane began his ministrations, and Tuesday, July 15. h was installed by Chenango Presbytery, at 2 P. M. Sermon by Rev. A M. McDougal.
Friday, January 30, 1857, the Standing Committee of the Church having resigned, the Church met and passed the following:
" Resolved, That this First Congregational Church in Norwich here after administer its government and discipline after the Congregation al form, as generally understood, believing this to be the course mos evidently indicated in the teachings of our Savior on this subject."
Signed by Elijah Chamberlain and twenty-five others. male member of the Church.
Sunday, February 2, 1858, the Sexton, Daniel Peacock, went to the Church, as usual, at 4 A. M .; built the fires and returned home fo) breakfast. An hour later the Church was discovered to be on fire. Every effort was made to extinguish it, but to no purpose, and at ' o'clock hardly a stick remained, and nothing it contained had been saved. The bell was melted, and several of the younger member: gathered some of the fragments and made them into rings and charms or other ornaments. The following diagram shows the Church as 1 was just previous to the fire.
No service was held that morning, but in the afternoon Mr. Doant preached in the Baptist Church, by invitation of that Society. The use of the Hall at the Academy was procured, and the next Sunday or the next but one, the regular services of the Church were resumed in it. About the middle of November following, a room owned by
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Scale /2 in to ft.
Diagram of Wood Church, with names of Pew Owners, just before it was burned.
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HISTORY.
uwson Close, and built by him for a furniture ware-room, at No. 168 oad Street, was leased and used for all the services of the Church. is room went by the name "Coffin Hall," for several years after rd.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE RETURN TO CONGREGATIONALISM-NEW CHURCH BEGUN.
During the year 1858, the Church began to sever its connection with Presbytery, and to resume its Congregational form of government. is action caused even more serious consequences than that of 1835. ts of excommunication were passed against several of the most minent members; others withdrew, and with them employing Rev. ram Dyer, long a pastor at Preston, held regular religious services the Academy Hall, beginning about the middle of July, 1859.
Tuesday, July 12, 1859, the part of the Society by which Mr. Doane s employed, held a meeting and voted to build a new Church. A oscription paper had been drawn, Wednesday, May 5, 1858, and at time of this meeting the necessary amount had been pledged. veral plans were submitted to the Trustees, and Saturday, Septem- r 24, those drawn by Thomas Cheeseman, an English architect of ica, were adopted, and he was employed to superintend the work. e Trustees at this time were Col. Ezra Hewitt, Lewis Kings- , John Hammond, Samuel R. Per Lee, Samuel H. Barnes and Charles Browning.
The heirs of Peter B. Garnsey, Sen., claiming that the old Church oc pied more land than was covered by the deed executed in 1817, attempt- to prevent the Trustees from occupying any of the disputed land. is action, of course, hindered the work, as the lot would in that case ve been too small. There was also some trouble about the subscription, d Tuesday, January 17, 1860, at a Society meeting, a new one was drawn d circulated until March 17, when it was presented to the Trustees, o thereupon engaged Mr. Cheeseman to draw new plans. Another bscription was drawn August 16, and circulated, but for what pur- se is not known. Thus the work was delayed nearly two years; and oking back over the events of those days, and the bitterness with ich they were filled, it is very easy to see the hand of God in all ese delays, to make even the wrath of men to praise Him, and to re- 'ain the remainder.
Saturday, June 30, 1860, at a meeting of the Society, Mr. Doane ten- red his resignation, to take effect Monday, July 23, providing what as due him of his salary should be paid him by that time. It was not cepted. At a similar meeting, Thursday, August 2, he again pre- nted the same. It was accepted, and he left the place in October.
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HISTORY.
For the next nine months the Church was not regularly supplied w preaching. Services were held in the Hall before mentioned, and p tors from neighboring Churches occasionally preached.
Sunday, February 3, 1861, Samuel Scoville, a student in Union The logical Seminary at New York City, preached morning and evenir on invitation of one of the members, and returned to New York t same week.
Tuesday, February 19, 1861, a series of resolutions was passed enti. ly severing the connection of the Church with Chenango Presbyter and the Church became fully Congregational and entirely indeper ent.
The business of the new Church building had so far progressed th the Trustees had advertised for proposals, and Tuesday, June 4t 1861, the contract was let to Abner Wood, William H. Sternberg a: Henry Alfrey, for $9,127.50. The Trustees were Samuel T. Clar Charles P. Browning, Col. Ezra Hewitt, Lewis Kingsley, Isaac S. Ne ton and William H. Chapman. Charles P. Browning was appoint Overseer, and Benjamin B. Porter, Collector. Work was begun Mc day, June 17, 1861.
CHAPTER XIV.
CORNER STONE OF FIRST BRICK CHURCH LAID.
Monday, June 10, 1861, the Trustees voted to " hire Rev. Samuel Sc ville as the minister of the Society for three months." He accepted, al began his labors Sunday, June 23, preaching in the ware-room Hall.
Saturday, July 20, T. D. Miller was elected Collector of the Chur building fund, and Treasurer of the Society. Work on the new Chur was being pushed on rapidly, and Saturday, August 3, at 2 P. M., tl Corner Stone was laid with the following exercises:
1. Prayer by Rev. Lyman Wright, Pastor of Baptist Church, Norwic
2. Opening Address by Samuel Scoville, Acting Pastor of this Churc
3. Reading of Scriptures, by Rev. Henry Callahan, Pastor Congreg tional Church, Oxford.
4. Anthem-" When the Lord shall build up Zion," (Bradbury,) } Norwich Glee Club: John E. Babcock, Albert Cary, Albert C. L tham, Smith E. Slocum.
5. Reading Historical Sketch of Church and Society, by Hon. Ley is Kingsley.
6. Depositing Relics, and Placing the Stone, by the Pastor and Trus ees, with Remarks by the Pastor, and Rev. Elory Curtis, Past First Congregational Church, Sherburne.
7. Consecratory Prayer by Rev. E. Curtis.
8. Anthem, "And it shall come to pass in the last days," (Bradbury by Norwich Glee Club.
9. Addresses by Rev. Henry Callahan and others.
. ...
---- -
----
....
...
Brick Church, Dedicated June 16, 1862.
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HISTORY.
Singing by the Audience, of the following Hymn, (written for the occasion by Hon. Lewis Kingsley, of Norwich,) and the Doxology; tune, " Old Hundred."
Oh. God of Hosts ! Almighty King ! Accept this tribute which we bring ; And bless our labors as we raise
An earthly temple to Thy praise.
And Thou, the Son, exalted high At God's right hand. wilt Thou be nigh ?
Here let Thy saving power be known, And be our "Precious Corner Stone."
And may the Spirit's quickening love, Descending on us from above,
Here cause contention all to cease,
And grant to us His "perfect peace."
So shall this temple ever be God's house-where He will love to be ;
While Christ the Son, and Spirit too, Here each their glorious work shall do.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow ; Praise Him all creatures here below ; Praise Him above ye heavenly host ; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost !'
Benediction by Rev. William H. Olin, Pastor Methodist Episco- pal Church, Norwich.
he relics deposited in the Corner Stone were:
ist of Officers of the Church, Society, and Sunday School.
ist of Ministers and First Members of the Church, and of the Mem- s who were then alive.
Tames of Pastors of the Village Churches, and the Presiding Elder. Tames and residences of the Architect and Contractors.
opies of the latest issues of "The Chenango Telegraph," "The nango Union," " The Child At Home," "The Youth's Temperance vocate," "New York Evangelist," "Independent," "New York server," "The Sunday School Times," "New York Tribune,"' " The rld," "New York Times," and " Utica Herald."
Copy of the Subscription for the Church Building.
The Covenant and Articles of Faith.
Programme of the Day's Exercises.
. French Quarter Crown, dated 1694, presented by George L. Rider. Collection of American Silver and Copper Coins, presented by va- is persons.
After the stone was deposited, the Pastor, Mr. Scoville, said: " Be- th this stone we bury all bitterness, all hatred against brother mem- s, forever. Upon it we testify to the goodness of God, and conse- te our time, our strength and our money, to Him who is our Lord ever;" and many a heart present responded with a silent yet fer- it " Amen."
CHAPTER XV.
FIRST BRICK CHURCH DEDICATED.
Wednesday, September 18, 1861, Mr. Scoville was called by the urch and Society to become its pastor. He accepted, and began engagement without installation, Sunday, November 3, on a salary eight hundred dollars, and the parsonage. The lease of the ware- om Hall expiring, Concert Hall, over the Piano Building, corner of
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HISTORY.
East Street and the Park, was rented for one year, and the same day November 3 -- was first used by the Church. By cold weather the n Church was enclosed, and during the winter was plastered and fr coed, and was finished early in June, 1862. Monday, June 16, it w. dedicated according to the following programme:
1. Prayer by Rev. E. H. Payson, Pastor of the Congregational Chure Oxford.
2. Singing by the Audience, of the following hymn, written for t occasion by Hon. Lewis Kingsley, of Norwich. Tune: "Old Ht dred.
Our hearts are full, oh, God, to-day ! With thankful songs we hither come ; For in Thy love Thou hast again Bestowed on us a Temple Home.
Long have we been, like Israel's race, Obliged in desert lands to stray, Without a temple for Thy praise; But thou hast brought us on our way.
And now we've reached the promised land, And dwell secure within its bounds; Here too have reared these sacred walls, And throng them now with joyful sounds.
Lord, when Thine ancient people met, To consecrate their "House of Prayer," Thou didst come down in clouds of light, And all the host saw God was there.
So be with us, oh, God, to-day, And meet this people face to face, So take this house now for Thine own, And let Thy Glory fill the place.
3. Reading of Scripture by Rev. A. N. Benedict, Pastor of Bapt. Church, Norwich.
4. Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. Elory Curtis, Pastor of Congregation Church, Sherburne.
5. Singing by Choir, of Hymn 935, Plymouth Collection. " O, bow Thine ear, Eternal One."
6. Dedicatory Sermon by Pastor, Rev. Samuel Scoville.
7. Prayer by Rev. William H. Olin, Pastor of Methodist Episcop Church, Norwich.
8. Anthem by Choir-" One thing have I desired of the Lord"-(Bra bury.)
9. Benediction by Rev. William S. Adamson, Pastor of Congreg tional Church, Greenc.
A debt of $3,000 remained on the Church, which was assumed 1 Benjamin Chapman, and paid by the Church in 1868. The buildir was of brick, with stone trimmings and slate roof. It was 79 feet lol by 46 wide, with a spire at the north-east corner. It was entered 1 two double doors on the east and west sides of the front, opening in small vestibules. The only room was the audience room, which w 59 feet 7 inches north and south, by 42 feet east and west, and 29 fe high, with no gallery. The wood work was of chestnut oiled. A I cess between the vestibules was used for the choir and organ, and similar one at the south end for the pulpit. There were 80 pews cap
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Scale /6 in to the Foot
Diagram of Brick Church of 1862.
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HISTORY.
le of seating 400 persons. A wide aisle ran through the centre of the oom, and narrower ones at each side next the wall. A large chande- ier with sixteen gas burners hung from the ceiling in the centre. The ase containing the Sunday School Library stood in the south-east orner. The organ was built by George N. Andrews, of Utica, N. Y., nd contained twelve stops and one octave of pedals.
The pews in the old Church were owned by individuals, the inexpe- iency of which was becoming every year more apparent. In the new Church the pews were owned and appraised by the Society, and rent- d each year at public auction, the bidding being for a choice from the whole number. From this source came the revenue of the Society. The first rental was Wednesday, June 25, 1862, at 2 P. M., and the oc- upancy began July 1, following, and that was fixed as the beginning of the fiscal year of the Society.
The Church being finished, Mr. Scoville set about the very delicate ask of reconciling and bringing together the two factions. The Spir- t of God prepared the way and prevailed, and in a short time harmony vas again restored. A resolution rescinding the vote of suspension, in lie case of those then living in the village, was passed without dissent, Saturday, July 4, 1863, and in the case of all the others then alive, Thursday evening, May 9, 1867.
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