USA > New York > Chenango County > Norwich > History and manual of the First Congregational Church, Norwich, N.Y. > Part 4
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHURCH ENLARGED AND RE-DEDICATED.
The Week of Prayer, which began Sunday, January 1, 1865, was followed by an extensive revival. The meetings were continued until April, and as a result fifty-four were added by profession to the Church, ;he Pastor doing all the pulpit labor.
About this time the small brick building, standing west of the Church, and formerly the County Clerk's office, and later used as the fire engine house, was rented, and used for prayer meetings and infant class of the Sunday School, for most of the time until about 1867; after this time the audience room of the Church was used for all the meetings and services of the Church.
In the spring of 1871, the organ was moved to the south west corner of the audience room, and Albert Cary was hired as Precentor. The choir was given up, and congregational singing adopted. This plan was continued until April 1, 1873.
In 1871 it began to be felt that the building was too small. The membership had increased, and the audiences at the Sabbath services were much larger, so that many families were unable to obtain sittings. Various plans for enlargement were proposed, but none seemed accept- able, until in 1873, William M. Woollett, an architect at Albany, by request of the Trustees, drew a plan that seemed to contain the least
34
HISTORY.
of objectionable features, and it was accepted, and Mr. Woollett em ployed. The Guernsey property had been sold in settlement of the es tate, and all that portion on the west between the Church and the " Goose-pond lot" was bought for the Trustees, by Warren Newton, for $5.000. During the winter and spring following materials were bought, and Isaac S. Newton was appointed Building Committee. The Trustees were John Hammond, Samuel I. Foote, Warren Newton, David May. dole, John Mitchell and T. D. Miller.
Following the Week of Prayer, January, 1872, the signs of a revival began to appear. Rev. Mr. Potter, the Evangelist, was employed, and a series of union meetings was held, which were very powerful. Eve- ry service was crowded to overflowing. Places of business were closed during the hours of service, and the Spirit of God seemed to pervade the whole community. Forty-nine were added to the Church
About the first of January, 1873, an orchestra was organized by re- quest of the Pastor, to assist in the music at Sabbath evening services. It consisted of the following: J. H. Gould, Organ; H. De Long, Vio- lin; E. A. Steele, Cornet; A. E. Race, Baritone; C. R. Johnson, Flute; and not long after, Wm. E. Gilman, Clarinet, was added. The or- ganization was named "The Congregational Orchestra," and played at Church service for the first time Sunday evening, January 12, 1873. It continued to play at Sabbath evening service-each person, except the organist, without compensation-until about the first of April, 1874, when the sickness of one of its members, and the absence of an- other, caused it to be dropped for the time, and it was not resumed.
Saturday, March 29, 1873, the Trustees advertised for proposals for building the enlargement of the Church, and on Monday, June 3, 1873, ground was broken for the cellar, Mr. Scoville shoveling the first wag- on-load of dirt. Late in the fall the walls were finished, but it was well into December before the roof was on and the building enclosed. A few of the courses of brick inside at the top were very badly dam- aged by frost and wet, but it did not seriously injure the building. Nothing more was done during the winter, and very little until nearly the first of June, 1874, because the payment of subscriptions had been delayed, through disagreement and misunderstanding. After that time, however, work was resumed vigorously.
This addition was nearly twice the size of the Church, and was joined to it on the west. The Church was not broken into, however, and services were held in it until the fall; the last being on Sunday evening, September 27, 1874. The prayer meeting on the Thursday evening following was held in the west division of the new part. The room was not finished, was cold, and rubbish of various kinds covered the floor, yet the Spirit of God was there, and a young lady requested prayer for her own conversion.
The next two days the room was cleaned, the seats from the Church were moved into it, and Sunday, October 4, the regular Sabbath servi-
Brick Church, as enlarged, 1874,
.
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HISTORY. 1426521
ces were begun there. This room was used for all the services and meetings of the Church while the rest of the building was being com- leted. The work was pushed ahead with such vigor that on Monday, December 21, the Pastor issued to the members and citizens the fol- owing notice:
DEAR BRETHREN :
By God's favor, our new Church accommodations will be ready for us at the close of his week. An event so long looked for, for which many have prayed and labored, and which is to be of so great benefit to us as a Church and Society, and to this community, hould be marked with appropriate exercises. We have therefore decided that the Ded- cation Services shall commence on Sunday next. We invite you all to take part in their njoyment aud profit.
SAMUEL SCOVILLE, Pastor.
At once every part of the building was as busy as a beehive. On hat day everything was in readiness, and the dedication services vere begun, and carried on from day to day, as follows:
Sabbath, December 27, 1874.
0:45 A. M .- Renewed Consecration of Ourselves unto God. Text: 1 Chron., 29:5. " Who then is willing to Consecrate his Services this day unto the Lord."
7:00 P. M .- Sermon upon the Power of Prayer, by Rev. C. C. Johnson, of Smyrna.
Monday, December 28.
Dedication of the Pastor's Room for the use of the Young Men's Congregational Club.
8:00 P. M .- Room presented by William S. Hewitt, in behalf of the Trustees, to the Pastor, for Dedication.
Response by the Pastor.
Hymn.
Responsive Reading-Psa. 119:1-24.
Prayer. Hymn.
History of Y. M. C. C., by Robert D. Eaton.
Address by Daniel A. Rexford.
Hymn.
Refreshments, (Guests invited by Card.)
Tuesday, December 29.
Conference of Churches belonging to Oneida and Chenango Association invited.
2:00 P. M .- Prayer and Conference Meeting, in charge of Rev. R. Cross, of Hamilton.
Sermon by Rev. O. Miner, of Syracuse.
7:00 P. M .- Dedication of Conference and Sabbath School Room. Room presented by S. I. Foote, to Rev. G. Porter, of Greene, for Dedication.
Remarks and Prayer.
Hymn by Sabbath School.
Repeat Psa. 24.
Hymn by Infant Department.
Names of Classes, Mottoes and History given. Hymn. History of Sabbath School, by Mrs. E. Hewitt. Our Prayer Meeting Rooms, by John Hammond.
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HISTORY.
Wednesday, December 31.
9:15 A. M .- Conference Meeting, under charge of Rev. G. Hardy, u. Madison.
Sermon by Rev. J. Dean, of Westmoreland.
7:30 P. M .- Dedication of Church Parlors.
Guests Welcomed.
Room presented by N. P. Wheeler, to Rev. E. Taylor, D. D., of Binghamton, for Dedication.
Prayer.
Relation of ours to other Denominations. Address by Rev. A. F. Beard, of Syracuse.
Addresses by Pastors of the Village Churches, and others. Evening Exercises interspersed with Music, by Young People's Association.
Thursday, December 31.
7:30 P. M .- Dedication Sermon, by Rev. J. C. Holbrook, D. D., of Syr acuse.
Room presented by I. S. Newton, to Rev. Dr. Holbrook, for Dedication.
Statistics of Church read by the Clerk, William D. Porter. Prayer by Rev. Edson Rogers, of Cincinnatus.
10:00 P. M .- Watch Night Services.
Sermon by Rev. J. G. Eckman, Presiding Elder, Norwich. Friday, January 1, 1875.
7:30 P. M .- Supper in Lecture Room, provided by the Women's Work ing Association. Renting of Pews for the ensuing year.
Saturday, January 2.
2:00 P. M .- Preparatory Lecture by the Pastor. Examination of Candidates for Admission to the Church.
Sabbath, January 3.
10:45 A. M .- Preaching by Rev. J. C. Holbrook, D. D. Communion of the Lord's Supper.
7:00 P. M .- Praise Meeting.
Saturday, at Preparatory Lecture, William D. Porter and Samuel I. Foote were elected Deacons, and at Communion next day were or- dained.
The whole building is 124 feet 6 inches by 74 feet. The Audience Room is 84 feet by 59 feet 7 inches, and about 30 feet high. Connect- ed with it on the west by sliding doors, is the Lecture Room, which is 44 feet 3 inches by 36 feet 2 inches. South of this Lecture Room is the Primary Sunday School Room, the partition between them being composed almost entirely of doors and sliding windows, so that the two can be used together. Over these are the Young Men's Room, 22 feet 9 inches by 14 feet 4 inches; the Parlor, 44 feet 8 inches by 35 feet 10 inches-both having a cloak room attached; and the kitchen, 15 feet by 15 feet, with cook stove, sink, pump, etc.
Dear Friend :-
Sunday, March 7th, 1909, will be our Decision Sunday. We know you will do all you can, mean- while, to help each member of your class, who is not a member of the church, to a decision for Jesus Christ. We plan to use the enclosed card, asking everyone to sign in one of the spaces provided.
Faithfully yours, WALLACE A. COREY, EDWARD P. DREW.
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HISTORY.
CHAPTER XVII.
DEBT RAISED-CONCLUSION.
Special meetings were begun January 4, 1875, and held for about hree months, during which time fifty joined the Church by profession und nine by letter, the pastor doing all of the pulpit labor.
The whole Church had been built at a cost of about $50,000, about $35,000 of which had been paid, leaving a debt of about $15,000. The exact amounts not now known.
On Sunday morning, June 6, 1875, the pastor, Mr. Scoville, preached lis fourteenth Anniversary Sermon, after which he called for subscrip- ions and pledges from those present, for the purpose of paying the lebt. A subscription was drawn, payable in four yearly payments, und at the close of the service $9, 600 had been pledged. Before July 1, he whole debt was provided for.
October 19, 20 and 21, the Annual Meeting of the State General Con- gregational Association was held in the Church. The meeting was a arge one, and many of the most noted men in the country were pres- nt and made addresses. Great benefit to the Church and community esulted from it. In a report of this meeting the writer says: "For wo days the Church was filled morning, noon and night, to its fullest neasure, people coming in from all the region round about. Fervent prayers and joyful songs broke out at intervals between speeches, ser- nons, essays, reports and debates. The meeting at Norwich will be emembered for a life time, as a charming exemplification of the best as- Jects of Christian fellowship. The reason of this was, the preparation vas thorough; the reception was Christian; the attendance was large; }od was there." (H. W. Beecher in " Christian Union.")
Sunday, December 12, Miss Sarah F. Smiley began a series of Bible eadings and union meetings, which were very profitable. The union neetings were continued during the winter and spring following (1876), ed by the Methodist, Baptist and Congregational Pastors. Thursday, May 4, Rev. A. B. Earle came and remained until May 16. As in 1872, he whole village was moved, and scores were converted to God. Fif y-three were added to this Church by profession, and twelve by let- er.
In March, Mr. Albert Cary declined a further engagement as Choir- ster, and Mrs. Nettie C. Mitchell, who had been Organist for several rears, accepted the position, and gathered a choir from among the young people of the Church and Society, as follows: Soprano, Misses Ella E. Harwood, Maria E. Smith, Harriet B. Scoville, Agnes McCaw, Catharine M. Nagel, Sophia M. Martz, Mary Roe, Sarah Roe, Mary Wetmore, Jennie Harris, Mary Dunlap, Helen E. Grant, Mary I. Porter, Katharine N. Breed, Hannah Carr. Alto, Miss Hattie Benjamin. Tenor, Charles B. Chapman, L. Randall Gibson, William S. Kellogg. Base, Ed. L. Nash, Charles B. Chapman, Thomas B. Lewis, Robert D. Eaton,
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HISTORY.
Theodore C. L. Moeller, Pitt L. Page. Through the untiring and fait] ful labors of Mrs. Mitchell, the choir has made steady progress, and it sti does its part in the Sabbath worship. Many of the original members hav left town, and two have died; but others have taken the vacant placer and to-day the Church can boast of a choir that is very efficient, entirel harmonious, with unwavering confidence in its leader, and true to th Church it serves. With very few exceptions its members are als members of the Church.
Sunday, June 23, 1878, being the seventeenth anniversary of Mı Scoville's engagement, and occurring on the same day of the week o which the engagement began, quite elaborate preparations were mad to celebrate it; but owing to the death of W. S. Hewitt, one of th Trustees, only the morning service was devoted to it. The pulpit wa profusely decorated with flowers, the choir sang appropriate music and the Pastor recognized the day in his sermon.
Thus, through sixty-five years of prosperity and adversity, has thi Church been led like David of old, by Him in whom the foundation were laid; and to-day, more than at any time in its history, is His han a blessing and guidance shown. With full hearts we join our voice with that great congregation who have found Him within its walls and sing
" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; Pratse Him, all creatures here below ; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host ; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
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10
EARLY AND COTEMPORARY CHURCHES
IN CHENANGO COUNTY.
The Churches of Oquago, 1st Sherburne, Lisle, Jericho, and Oxford, Il formed before 1800, have already been noted. From that time to e organization of the Church at Norwich, the following came into xistence, and flourished with more or less vigor:
In 1802, a Congregational Church was organized at South Bainbridge, y Rev. Daniel Buck, with members taken from the Church in the orth part of the town. (H., ps. 68 and 298.)
The same year, a little later, the 2d Congregational Church of Sher- urne was formed on " Sherburne West Hill," by a secession from the rst Church. (H., ps. 72 and 289.)
In 1807, the " First Congregational Church at Coventry " was formed, ith fourteen members, by Rev. David Harrower. (H., ps. 68 and 00. )
At some time before 1814, date not known, the Congregational hurch at Plymouth was organized. (H., p. 292.)
July 28, 1814, the Congregational Church at McDonough was organ- ed, with fourteen members, by Rev. John Truair. (H., p. 294.)
October 25, 1814, the First Congregational Church at Pharsalia was rganized, with ten members, by Rev. Oliver Hitchcock, of Truxton, nd Rev. Abner Benedict, of Paris. The latter was brother of Rev. oel T. Benedict. (H., p. 291.)
About this time, date unknown, the Congregational Church at Guil- ord was organized. (H., p. 297.)
EARLY ECCLESIASTICAL BODIES.
As early as 1801 an ecclesiastical body was convened for the accommo dation of Congregational Churches in Chenango County, and vicinity nearly all the Churches then in the County being of that denomination The first meeting was held at Jericho-now Bainbridge-in the house of Rev. Joel Chapin. It was composed of Mr. Chapin; Rev. David Harrower, of Walton; Rev. Seth Williston, of Lisle; Rev. Hugh Wal lis, of Solon; and ten delegates from Churches.
The next meeting was held at Franklin, Delaware County, in Feb ruary, 1802, but no regular Association was formed. A meeting wa however appointed for the next October, at Oquago-now Colesville Late in this year, or at some time in the next-some say October, 1803 by the Council, at the installation of Mr. Williston, at Lisle-was or ganized " The Susquehanna Association, taking in some of the North ern Counties of Pennsylvania." This became extinct in 1809 or 1810. (H., ps. 70-'1-'2.)
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The " Union Association ' was formed in 1808, from it, and part of " Oneida Association," and included the Counties of Broome, Otsego. Chenango and part of Madison, (F., p. 11.) February 20, 1822, " Un. ion Association " was dissolved by its own vote. (H., p. 112.)
Monday, May 29, 1826, the General Assembly of the State of New York, on petition, formed the Presbytery of Chenango. It included Chenango, Delaware and part of Broome Counties. The first meeting was held at Oxford, Thursday, June 29, 1826. All the ministers and. Churches that had belonged to Union Association in this section soon joined this body, on the " Accommodation Plan." (H., p. 112.)
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BIOGRAPHY OF MINISTERS.
[The first seven of these biographical sketches are of ministers who eached in Norwich before the organization of this Church. So far is known they were the only ones. Then follows a sketch of every nister who has acted as Stated Supply or Pastor to this Church, from organization to the present time-twenty in all.]
REV. MANASSEH FRENCH.
Mr. French came into the village of Norwich in 1793 or'94, and lived th his brother, who settled on the Joseph Brown farm, about a mile d a quarter south of the Court House. He was the first minister at held religious services in the village, and was a practical, unaffect- man. He probably remained three or four years. It is not known at denomination he belonged to, nor how he was supported. It possible that he was a missionary, but his name does not seem to be the catalogue of any Missionary Society. (Clark's Hist., Dr. Har- , and Uncle John Pellet.)
REV. ELISHA RANSOME.
" Elder Ransome " was the second minister who held religious servi- s in the village, but the date at which he came is unknown. He obably remained only a short time. He was a Baptist, and a very dly man. In 1812 he was Chaplain of Militia for this section. Mrs. ijah Lewis remembers him as he rode his horse at " General Train- g " that year. At the organization of this Church he conducted the amination of candidates. He was then a Pastor at Plymouth. (Dr. arris, Mrs Lewis, and old Manual.)
REV. JOHN CAMP.
Mr. Camp graduated from Yale College in 1777, and in 1778 was li- nsed to preach by New Haven East Association, Conn. He became astor at New Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y .- date unknown-and
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BIOGRAPHY OF MINISTERS.
remained there until near the close of the last century. While there lith became intemperate, but so far controlled the habit that when he le liv the Church he was dismissed as a minister in good standing. He proform ably came to Oxford very soon after this, but whether he lived thentis C or only came at stated times to preach, is not now known; but thejany is no doubt that he preached in that place and in Norwich alternateparri for seven or eight years. In 1799 he organized the Congregation Church at Oxford. When Rev. Seth Williston was installed over tl Church at Lisle, in May, 1801, "a number who had called themselv members of the Religious Society," who had imbibed the infidel sen İMr ments of the time, were opposed to him, and after a while, wit luc drawing from the Church, employed Mr. Camp to be their ministe He located in 1802 at Chenango Point-now Binghamton-and, it supposed, preached in all this section of country, wherever he coul find employment. Not far from this time he, for a while, preached the body of Christians which in 1807 were organized into the Fir tas lf Congregational Church of Coventry, by Rev. David Harrower. H intemperate habits increased, "and in a short time he became a not rious drunkard." Being so far away from the Northern Associate Presbytery to which he belonged, it was some time before his chara on ter was investigated; but it was finally done in 1806, and " he was d posed from the ministry and excommunicated from the Church bic Christ," the evidence against him being very strong. It was after th that he was employed at Lisle. He is described as being a ready speal er, "and popular in his manner of preaching; but the pious of hi flock were not fed;" "that nothing calculated to alarm the sinner was said, and at funerals "the most fulsome flattery was employed i 5 depicting the character of the deceased." About the time of his death which occurred in 1821, he sincerely repented of his sin, and throug the efforts of Rev. Benjamin Niles, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Binghamton, he was restored to the Church; but before th fact could be made known to him he was dead. (H., ps. 74 to 76, an 295, and Records of Oxford Church.)
REV. JONATHAN HASCALL.
Mr. Hascall was examined and received as a minister by Otsego As sociation, (Baptist,) at Salisbury, Herkimer County, N. Y., September 5 1805. He undoubtedly held religious services in this village-NoI wich-as early as 1811, and perhaps before, for on Sunday evening December 8, 1811, after the evening service, as it would seem, he mar ried James W. Gazley to Patty-Martha-Randall, sister of the late Dea Charles Randall. (Old newspaper.) He was then living in Oneida Coun ty. In the fall of 1812 he was employed to preach in Norwich for a year d and in December, Truman Enos, Joseph Slater and Job Stafford wen
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BIOGRAPHY OF MINISTERS.
enth their wagons " and moved him down " from Oneida County, and le lived in the " old Buttolph house," just north of the toll gate on the robrwich and Otselic Plank Road. He was living in this village when ents Church was organized, and was very much opposed to it, saying enny very hard things against it. (Baptist Hist., old Manual, and Dr. terris. )
REV. DAVID HARROWER.
Mr. Harrower was born of Scotch or Scotch-Irish parents, and was Licated a Calvinist. He was one of the forty persons who were formed o the Congregational Church at Walton, October 12, 1793. He was lained by Northern Associated Presbytery, probably in October, 1795. hile studying for the ministry the Walton Church supported his nily, and in October, 1795, it employed him as its Pastor, though he s not installed. He remained until June, 1806, giving the Church f his time. The rest was given to Delhi, Colchester, and other vns adjacent. During the year 1800, and perhaps longer, he labored f his time in Franklin. In 1807 he organized the First Congrega- nal Church at Coventry. He was then a missionary, but his home s in Walton. June 23, 1808, he was one of a Council at Oxford ich ordained Rev. Eli Hyde, and installed him over the Oxford urch. In 1810-'11 he labored with Rev. Joel T. Benedict, in revi- s in Windsor and other places. In 1812-'13 he was a missionary in s section, in the employ of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, I preached and labored several times in Norwich. In 1814 he en- ged three-fourths of his time to the Holland Patent First Presbyte- n Church for three years, and spent the remainder of his time in uben; the rest of his seven years pastorate there he gave to Holland tent one-half his time, and the other half to Trenton and Steuben. The last twenty years of his life were spent with a son in Steuben unty. N. Y., or in Tioga County, Pa., at which place he died De- mber 20, 1853, aged nearly eighty-eight, and was the last of the for- original members of the Walton Church, of which he had been a mber nearly fifty-five years. He was a zealous missionary, and his ors extended over the whole of Southern New York. He did a eat deal in preparing the ground for the planting of this Church. anual of Walton Ch., Oxford Ch. Records. H., ps. 68 to 71, 124 1 304. F., ps. 170, 177, 579, 408-'9.)
REV. GEORGE COLTON.
Mr. Colton was son of the first Pastor of the Church in West Hart- 'd, Conn., and settled in Bolton, Conn., from which place he went a missionary in the employ of the Missionary Society of Connecticut.
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44
BIOGRAPHY OF MINISTERS.
While a missionary he labored for a time in this village-Norwich-Ga and was here when Mr. Benedict organized this Church, June 14, 1814. at Nothing further is known regarding his labors here. After his mis li sionary labors closed he returned to his home at Bolton, and there Th died, bequeathing all his property to the Missionary Society of Con-putt necticut. (Letter of Rev. M. N. Moore.)
REV. JOEL TYLER BENEDICT.
Mr. Benedict was born in Middletown, Conn., September 6, 1772, and was the son of a Presbyterian clergyman. He studied law, and was, in 1794, admitted to the bar in Fairfield County. January 1, 1796, he married Concurrence Wheeler, of Southbury, Conn. Early in 1801 he was converted, and April 19 of that year, with his wife, joined the Church in Branford, Conn. Soon after this he left the law, having practiced about six years, and studied for the ministry with his father, who was then preaching in New Jersey. He did not go to college.
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