USA > Vermont > Orange County > Williamstown > The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the First Congregational Church, Williamstown, Vermont, August fifth, 1945 : Rev. Daniel E. Hattie, minister, Mrs. Bertha Wiggin, clerk > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 03283 0397
Gc 974.302 W66f The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the .. .
THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
OF
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WILLIAMSTOWN, VERMONT
AUGUST FIFTH 1945
REV . . DANIEL ER HATTIE -- MINISTER 27
MRS. BERTHA WIGGINS-CLERK .
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
On Sept. 2, 1794 the town voted to raise a tax of six pence on the pound for the purpose of hiring the gospel preached in town, and chose a Committee consisting of Cornelius Lynde, Elijah Paine and Elijah Wolcott to procure a preacher. Rev. Jesse Olds was hired, and by vote of the town, received as compensation; "The Gift of two lots of land and a salary of Two hundred Dollars for the first three years". The ordina- tion was held in John Crane's barn, but he was dismissed the same year and one lot of land recovered by the town.
At the organization of the church on August 13, 1795 the members stated their feelings in this manner:
"By the desire of a number of professing Christians in this town the Rev. Elijah Lyman pastor of the Church of Christ in Brookfield, together with Deacon Elijah Ellis, member of said church, convened with the above mentioned professors in this town who were desirous of being embodied into a regular Church of Christ for the enjoyment of Gospel privileges, therefore after particular conversation and a serious deliberation upon that weighty subject, the subscribers were embodied into a regular Church of Christ upon renewing to God, and one another their confessions of faith in Jesus Christ and their Covenant obliga- tions to Him and to each other and in the name of the great Head of the Church they were pronounced worthy to receive all the privileges of the Gospel Dispensation."
At this time the town had erected a meeting house located near the center of the village "on -a certain piece of land in consideration of twenty dollars, in the town of Williamstown, on the highway leading from Warren Pooles to my house, being a part of Number 6 in the twelth range of allotments in said Town, for the erection and keeping in
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repair of the meeting house on said land for the worship of God and no longer". (Extract of a deed signed by Perley Howe. )
This meeting house was remembered as a place with high backed and numerous square pews, its galleries on three sides and its pulpit perched high in the air.
Ten years after the organization of the Church, a Church Society was formed. Not all members were church members, though a goodly number were. The Society had an important part in church affairs such as transacting all business obligations, even hiring the minister, pay- ing his salary, raising money for every purpose.
According to the records the members held their meetings mostly in private homes instead of the Unison Meeting house. What arrangement was made for preaching between the time Rev. Olds left and Nathan Waldo came in 1806 we do not know but believe services were carried on by members with the help of Elijah Lyman, who must have been a sort of god-father to our Church.
During the year 1805 there were great revivals and it was during that year that Nathan Waldo was called at a salary of $400. A large council was called embracing such names as Nathaniel Emmons D.D., Brown Emerson, Samuel Spring, Elijah Parrish and Leonard Woods. Whether they braved a Vermont winter and came to the ordination, February 26, 1806, the records do not say, but Mr. Waldo was ordained.
With his coming the society began to plan for a house of worship and a Committee was appointed to determine whether it would be more practical to buy the already built church and remodel it or build new using what timber was suitable. It was finally voted to build new and in 1814 the new House was dedicated.
It was while all this was being accomplished that Nathan Waldo resigned for the following reasons :
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"1. The pastor hasicome to mourn that his ministry has not been attended with success in turning sinners from moral darkness to light in the Lord. Intthe language of the prophet he has reason to exclaim, 'who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?' During the Pastors ministry here iniquity hath abounded, profanity and other vices have greatly increased and he feels instrained to consider these melancholy facts as tokens of the divine disapprobation of his continuance and that there is a call in Providence for a dissolution of the connection.
2. The want of condivinity between the Pastor and people and the want of confidence in each other without which there cannot be reasonable ground to hope that a blessing will attend the connection of Pastor and People.
3. The Pastor is unwilling by a continuance of the present pastor- Il relation to be a means of dissolving the Congregational Soceity and Having it become extinct, by persons dissenting from the Society.
4. The dimminuation which has taken place in the subscriptions or the Pastors support since his settlement, occasioned by removals by deaths, and by dissents, the sum now being reduced to less than three fourths of what it originally stood at; this affords not a prospect of dequate support to the Doctor and his numerous family in the future. 5. The want of punctuality in payment of the Secretary, the de- "Acit for Two years past having been much greater than heretofore, by eans of whereof the Pastor has been subjected to the disagreeable situation of being sued in a court of law occasioned by the peoples ERilure to fulfill their contract.
6. The unwillingness manifested by the people to contribute to the needs of the missionary Society when this town while destitute frequently received the labors of missionaries.
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7. The not maintaining regular discipline in the church, members of which have practiced speaking evil of the Pastor at such public places as a tavern, a store, and a blacksmith-shop and they have never been censured or even admonished by the Church for such conduct, also in not laboring with a brother to reclaim him from his neglect of duty, who for years has withdrawn his support of a preaching gospel."
By a council of neighboring churches Benton Perley was ordained January 3, 1816, Rev. Chester right of Montpelier preaching the sermon. Perhaps the spiritual state of the church was indicated by the fact that there was a hesitation about observing Communion on "account of neglect of duty on the part of the church in dealing faithfully with erring members". In fact the church meetings record the same problems that we have today, though their method of solution was different. For on June 26, 1807 when the first meeting was held in the meeting house, it was voted "that it be the duty of the Moderator to write every brother who shall neglect attending church meeting and request such brother to attend the next meeting and show just cause of each neglect". From the notes of these meetings we find that a complaint was brought against cone who was seen driving on a highwat other than that used between his house and the place of worship on Sunday".
Another was accused of breaking the eighth Commandment and after much discussion a committee was appointed to converse with this man. eetings were expended before it was finally decided that the facts were 'rue and he must make a public confession within a reasonable time both sin Williamstown and Randolph before he could be reinstated in the good faith of the church.
Many
Brother Brown was guilty of repeated neglect of attending Worship and church meeting and several committees, at one time and another, conferred with him "at no satisfaction on their part" but finally per-
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suaded him to attend a meeting and state his reasons for his conduct. This he did and it was learned that he had been attending the services of the Universalist Church and he was dismissed.
The first communion set was purchased for $14.78. This was to come from Boston and to consist of one Flaggon, two tankers, six cups, one basin, and two platers.
After Rev. Perley was ordained there were some hearty confessions which resulted in good; there was more interest and a goodly number gathered into the church. However it was while the Rev. Joel Davis was pastor in 1831 that forty-two the most to ever unite with the church at one time was added.
In 1833 Rev. Davis was dismissed, but afterward returned and preached a year or two. On November 27, 1844 Eli Taylor , fifth pastor, was installed. During his ministry the church was thoroughly repaired for in 1851 the first real transformation took place. The side galleries, the high pulpit and old pews were taken out. The ceiling was lowered, a vestry made and a very new church emerged.
After Rev. Taylor was dismissed, December 6, 1853, the Rev. Benjamin Abbott, then living in Barre, supplied the pulpit for two years. S.Rev. P. T. Barnard began his work in May 1856. The parsonage was re- paired and in the spring a very great revival was enjoyed; twenty-two 'united with the church in September, among these being a goodly number of young people where there were but few before. This pastorate in- cluded the years of the Civil War and many of our young men went. Of the years that followed there are few records. T. M. May, John . Demeret, William Schofield, R. D. Miller, Idrys Jones followed one priother and with the ministry of J. N. Perrin jr. came the celebration of the first hundred years. On this occasion Rev. P. T. Barnard de- Mivered a paper to which we are indebted for much of the historical
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information since used.
So in a hundred years there were seven ministers serving forty- three years; there were fourteen ministers who supplied from one to five yerrs each. The whole membership for the century was four hundred sixty, and this was the prayer of those at the end of the first hundred years, "God bless you who begin the new century. Cling to the great truths of the Bible and live according to them and the work will prosper in your hands".
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FIFTY YEARS WITH THE WILLIAMSTOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
At a meeting of the church on the twenty-fifth day of July, 1895, a motion was made and carried that the "First Congregational Church of Williamstown is hereby organized in accordance with the charter granted by the legislature of Vermont". A committee of three was appointed to prepare and present by-laws to said Church. In August of that year, another committee was appointed to draft a constitution and in September the by-laws and constitution were accepted and with certain amendments are in use today.
Fifty years ago the minister received $572.00 as his salary and the free use of the parsonage. Just about three times that amount is the present salary paid. Six communion services a year were held. Four times a year is now considered sufficient.
In 1897 Rev. J. Newton Perrin resigned. It was voted to offer Henry Pringle $800.00 and the parsonage to preach the gospel. He did not accept. Perhaps profiting by the past experience they next voted to engage the services of P. P. Womer for the year 1898, if such an arrangement could be made that would prove satisfactory. He remained two years, David Strong taking his place.
At first the Roll Call Meeting began at three o'clock in the afternoon with a song service, then report by the clerk of work done by the Church during the year, the constitution was read and the names of members called with responses given by passages of scripture. Intermission followed by refreshments served in the vestry. The evening service begain at seven o'clock with a song service and prayer. Reports were called for from the different organizations and all departments of . the Church, closing with remarks by the pastor. Our Roll Call is now combined with the Every Member Canvas Supper in the evening when the
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results of the pledges are given.
In 1899 John Dow was given the right and privilege to cross the west side of the parsonage land to haul material to build his house, providing he paid all damages that might be made in crossing said land. Hiram McKee now owns the building.
Around 1900 arrangements were made with the selectment to pay the Congregational Church for John Farnham and others crossing the land belonging to the Church.
Until 1901 whenever there was a Communion Service, the ushers had to take up two collections, the second one to pay expenses of the Communion Table. Then' a special envelope was introduced and the col- lection was taken only once.
People began talking about repairing the Church. The idea caught and a meeting was held in August, 1904, at the parsonage and plans made. On February 13, 1905 the repairs were completed. Up until this time the Church was a one-story building with a balcony in the back of the Church where the choir sang. Incidentally, when the congregation rose to sing, they turned around in their pews and faced the choir. The only heating arrangement was two big stoves in the rear of the Church with thin doors in the vestibule and the stove pipes running the whole length of the Church. There was also another room in the back which was used
for their evening services.
Quite extensive repairs were made. The
building was raised making room for the dining room and basement part. A furnace was installed, the balcony was removed from the back making a beautiful audience room. This was the third time in the history of the Church that it had been repaired. Just about $5,000 was spent in remodeling and refitting. Jerry Hutchinson was contractor. August 10, 1905 the building was rededicated at an all day meeting with a Historical Address by George Ainsworth. David Strong remained
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pastor of the Church eleven years, resigning in 1911. John Irons was called and came in November of the same year.
It had always been the custom to elect a Deacon for life. However, in 1908 the Church decided to pass the favor around and voted to elect one for three years, every year.
In 1915 further repairs were made to the Church, that is, the walls were decorated and the woodwork finished in the auditorium, using a part of the money left by Henry Ainsworth. The large chandelier was removed from the center of the room.
John Irons read his resignation in 1917, but was asked to reconsider, did so and remained pastor until August 11, 1919; the Rev. Charles E. Walsh taking his place in November of that year.
About this time the church decided to try the Every Member Canvas plan. £ It must have been successful as we have our Every Member Canvas now.
Mr. Walsh resigned September 20, 1923. Shortly after this there was some discussion on the advisability of Federation with the Methodist Church. This subject has been under discussion off and on for the past twenty years.
The old horse sheds served their purpose well for many years, but time changes us all, the sheds began to deteriorate, were used less and less except for posting circus bills. Some of the people wanted them taken down, a few others wanted them left, but the matter was taken out of the Church's hands, as one Hallowe'en night they accidently fell down. At least in the morning they were flat. This had to be cleared away as & road had to be made up the hill to the John Farnham place.
Mr. John Kimball began his services with us October 1924 and was with us until a fateful day, October 10, 1932, he and his wife met with En accident which resulted in their death. The community was greatly
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shocked and saddened as everyone, regardless of their different faiths, loved the Kimballs.
February 1933 Courtney Salisbury became our pastor, remaining nearly six years, leaving us January 1939. It was during his pastorate that the Organ Fund was started towards the pipe organ, April 1937. Forty-two families contributed from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast, be- sides a goodly number of local people giving their time and material to help install it. A concert was given in March 1938 to celebrate and to give everybody a chance to hear their new property. The organ was purchased from a church in Bellows Falls which was to be closed. It has been estimated that with the work and the material included, the organ 1g valued at around $1200. This is the third church it has been in as it was used in Keene, N. H. before it was moved to Bellows Falls.
David Evans came to us in June 1939 and remained until November 1941. Charles Curtiss redecorated the down stairs rooms, a new altar was made for the Sunday School which is helpful and instills a more worshipful feeling.
Arthur M. Gillespie was called and accepted and began his work Nov. 16, 1941, remaining until april 15, 1945. The ground of the church were landscaped and the altar remodelled during this time. June 15, 1945, our present pastor, Daniel Hattie begain his services and seems to be well started in his work.
Perhaps it would be appropriate to list some of the gifts received by the church. I will not attempt to tell where each came from for fear some will be left out;
A cabinet made from an organ by Dr. Elliot Watson which holds our Communion Set; the Altar Cloth which rests on the cabinet; the overdrapes at the windows; over a hundred hymn books given in memory of the Misses Alice and Annette Edson; the silver from the Universalist Church in
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memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Kimball; the florescent lights in the dining- room; and a motion picture machine.
To date we have $6662.66 invested funds.
The church has been much interested in missionary work, for many years Mrs. E. C. Smith was the efficient secretary of the Woman's Missionary Society. In 1923 the society became inactive but was reorgan- ized in 1928 as the Missionary Department of the Ladies Aid. In 1944 the Ladies Aid was reorganized as the Woman's Association and due to the fact that a fund had been willed to the Missionary Department with the understanding that the name would be the Woman's Missionary Society of the Williamstown Congregational Church it is now carrying on under that name, but is still a part of the Woman's Association, meeting as a study group each month, excepting July and August, using the study books recommended. This group has sent all of its quota work, boxes of cloth- ing to various places and also gives $15 yearly to church benevolences. There have been ten pastors in the past fifty years. There are now 145 members of the Church. In reading over the names of the members fifty years ago, only two who were members then have remained here in town and are still members. These two are "Mrs. Carl 7. Seaver, wife of one of our Deacons, and the present Clerk of the Church, Mrs. Bertha M. Wiggin. Mrs. Seaver joined in 1890, Mrs. Wiggin in 1888. There are others living who were members then but who are no longer affiliated with the church.
There are probably other interesting facts which should be brought out in this history but all that I shall add is -- May the Church prosper in the future as it has in the past.
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