USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Ludlow > History of Ludlow, Vermont > Part 3
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The Baptist Church
The Baptist church of Ludlow dates no farther back than to 1825. Orlando Whitney and his wife were the first Baptists in Ludlow. The first person of this faith bap- tized here, was Mrs. Simeon Read, in 1800, and the second, Andrew Pettigrew, was baptized in 1803. Before 1800, there was neither school building nor church edifice in town. In 1806, there were thirteen Baptists in town, who held meetings in private houses, sometimes in the house south of Grahamsville, on the farm where Levi Pettigrew formerly lived, and at other times, in the little house built by Asa Fletcher in 1804, which stood on the garden spot of the house now owned by Frank Bugbee. In 1836, the little house where the meetings were held was moved. It is now the property of Mrs. F. A. Walker, and is known as the Leland house. It was used, also, for school purposes. Meetings were also held at the house of Andrew Pettigrew on South Hill, where George Dumas now lives.
Elder Leland of Chester, or Elder Manning of Andover, administered the ordinance of baptism, when no resident minister of the gospel was present. Andrew Pettigrew, who was very prominent among the early Baptists, and dis- tinguished for his Christian zeal, usually appointed and conducted the meetings. He died in 1854, at the age of eighty-five.
Previous to 1819, meetings were sometimes held in the small, one-story meeting-house owned by the Congrega- tionalists.
In 1819, a large, brick building was erected, and called a Union Church. The brick for this church was made in the brick-yard on the farm of Elihu Ives, on North Hill. This farm was later known as the Solon I. Atherton place.
The Baptists occupied the Union church nearly one-half of the time. The pews in this church were very high-backed, and the bottoms of the seats were hung on hinges in such a manner that they could be raised, and elevate the occu- pant so that he could get a better view of the preacher. It was customary for the older people to occupy the back seats, while the children had the front seats, and sat with
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their backs to the preacher. The turning over and slamming of those seats during the long, old-fashioned sermons, often made more noise than can be wrenched from the modern railroad car. The spectacle to be seen on those sabbath mornings in the churches of long ago, would be of much interest to the young people of today. TheAmerican people were much more productive than they are in this advanced age, when the demands of society make a family an in- convenience to be avoided. In those early days, it was a common sight to see a mother enter the church with a baby under one arm, and, in the winter time, a foot-stove in the other hand. To complete the picture, the next older child came toddling in with a basket of linen for the baby, while the next in order tugged along the basket of lunch, composed of brown bread, baked beans, and the like plain food. The woman who entered the church thus escorted, did so without shame, for her children were her crown of glory. In the summer time, these children, and sometimes even men and women who were fortunate enough to have shoes, carried them in their hands until they arrived at the church door, when they put them on, and wore them till it was time to return home. People had to be economical in foot-wear, as there was no W. L. Douglass to duplicate it at a nominal cost, when worn out.
The first recorded business meeting of the Ludlow Bapt- ists, was held June 23, 1821. At this meeting, the brethren expressed by vote, a desire to be set off as an independent church. This desire was brought about because of the in- temperate use of intoxicating liquors by the members of the old Baptist society. Rum and whiskey were taken in exchange for other commodities to such an extent as to cause a division among the members. No further action was taken in this direction until Feb. 2, 1825, when the wish was renewed. At this time, some of the Baptists in Ludlow, were members of the Chester and Andover chur- ches, but the majority belonged to the Cavendish church, and were considered a branch of it. Consent to organize a Baptist church in Ludlow, was obtained of the Woodstock association soon after. This new church was composed of forty members. The first minister who preached here after
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the church was organized, was Rev. Joseph Freeman. He was ordained in Ludlow in 1826, and preached alternately in Ludlow and Cavendish, according to the condition of settlement. Each church was to pay toward his salary, one hundred and sixty-five dollars in money, and share equally in the keeping of his horse.
In 1831, Rev. Elias Hurlburt became the pastor, and re- mained two years. During this time, fifty-three were bap- tized, and nine added to the church by letter. Rev. J. M. Graves became pastor in 1834, and preached until the formation of the church in 1835, during which time, twenty- one were baptized, and thirteen added by letter.
In the spring of 1835, some of the members of the first Baptist society became dissatisfied, and took a vote to build a new church, and the first business done in relation to it, was to sell the pews that were to be in the new church, to the members that were to form the second Baptist church. The pews were all sold at once, with prices ranging from fifteen to sixty dollars each. One of the members of the old church, Asahel Smith, took an oath that he never would enter the old church building, as long as it was occupied for a church. He thought the society had become so un- christian that God would punish them by causing the build- ing to slide off its foundation into the river below. At that early period, people in general were much more super- stitious than they are now. It seems that Mr. Smith's dis- satisfaction with the Baptist society, resulted in his becom- ing interested in the Universalist society at about this time.
June 30, 1835, a council assembled for the purpose of considering the propriety of organizing the church, and Rev. Mr. Graves transferred his relation from the first to the second church, and became its first pastor. The first church closed its connection with the Woodstock Baptist association in 1837. The whole number received into fel- lowship during the twelve years of its existence, was two hundred and twenty-five.
In 1838, after the first church ceased to be recognized by the association, the second church took the name of The Baptist Church of Ludlow. Rev. J. M. Graves served as pastor one year, and was then dismissed at his own request.
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He was succeeded by Rev. D. H. Ranney, who also re- mained one year. Rev. Wm. Upham was his successor, until May, 1838, when Rev. J. M. Graves returned as pastor the second time. He remained until October, 1840. Up to this date, sixty-five had been baptized into the fellowship of the new church, and thirty-eight had been received by letter. In 1840, Mr. Graves last year of service, the first church of this society was built, at a cost of $2,024.36. At this time, the Baptist society severed its connection with the old Union church. In March, 1841, Rev. Baxter Burrows was recognized as pastor, and served the church until 1848. During his pastorate, fifty-eight were baptized, most of them after the revival of 1843. There were thirty-five received by letter. Mr. Burrows died in the insane asylum at Brattleboro, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. In April, 1849, Rev. N. Cudworth became pastor, and served until August, 1852, when he resigned on account of ill health.
In May 1853, Rev. Ira Pearsons commenced his minister- ial labors with this church. He remained nineteen years, and during this time, eighty-nine were baptized, and sev- enty-six were received by letter. The benevolent contribu- tions during this time, amounted to $3,718.21, of which the pastor paid nearly a tenth part. In 1869, the church was repaired at a cost of $1828.12.
Mr. Pearsons was a very able preacher, a man of simple unpretending habits, and much beloved by his parishion- ers. He was not only himself endowed with Christian principles, but had a natural power to spread the light of Christianity in his community. In his eighty-first year, he resigned his charge with this church, and removed to Newport, N. H., where he died in August, 1882.
Rev. J. P. Farrar commenced his ministry in Ludlow, in June 1872, and continued nearly six years, leaving Ludlow, in poor health, for Lynn, Mass. During his ministry, ninety- two united with the church, sixty-five by baptism, and twenty-seven by letter. During Mr. Farrar's connection with the society, it became the largest church of the Wood- stock Association. The highest number of members was two hundred and twenty-three. The benevolent contribu-
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tions amounted to $2,576.29. The largest sum of any associ- ational year, was $545.30. 1166970
In June, 1878, Rev. J. A. Johnston became the pastor, and remained three years. He was a very able and effective speaker. During his pastorate, nine were received into the church by baptism, and sixteen by letter. Oct. 5, 1878, J. Mervin Hull, one of Ludlow's favorite sons, was licensed to preach the gospel.
After Mr. Johnston closed his labors with the church, Rev. L. B. Hibbard was the supply for a few months. In September, 1882, Rev. J. B. Childs became pastor, and served the church until May, 1884. In July, 1884, Rev. R L. Olds commenced his ministry, and continued until March 1890. During his ministry, fifty-four were baptized, and twenty-four united with the church by letter.
Oct. 19, 1890, Rev. D. D. Owen became pastor, and served his parishioners faithfully till Sept. 1, 1898.
In August, 1888, at a meeting of the advisory committee of the church, Pastor R. L. Olds propounded the following question : "Are you in favor of building an $8,000 meeting- house ?" Five voted "Yes", two voted "No". This vote was submitted to the church on the first of September, but no action was taken, as the figures were startling. Feb. 19, 1890, E. P. Kingsbury moved that the secretary of the Baptist society be requested to call a meeting in March, to see if the society would improve the condition of the meet- ing-house. In the same year, the Baptist Church of Ludlow was incorporated under the laws of Vermont, and later secured the ownership of all the property belonging to the three societies, namely: The Baptist Society, The Baptist Meeting-house Society, and The Baptist Church, and two of the societies became extinct. This highly important action of the church, prepared the way for an advance.
Jan. 31, 1891, the church voted that Pastor Owen as- sociate with himself, such helpers as he needed, and pre- pare estimates of the cost of repairing the old house of worship. April 4, 1891, the church informally expressed itself in favor of free seats, when the house should be re- paired or rebuilt. At a special church meeting, April 25, 1891, Pastor Owen presented a plan for reconstructing
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the old church building, with drawings of the remodeled edifice. Previous to this, Dea. J. A. Dennett had employed an architect to make a plan which he presented to the consideration of the church. The estimated cost of remod- eling by either plan, was from four to five thousand dollars. A committee was appointed to solicit funds to repair the building upon the plan which had been submitted by Pastor Owen, namely: Rev. D. D. Owen, Hon. W. W. Stickney, Dea. J. A. Dennett, L. G. Pierce, and A. F. Sherman. May 24, 1891, they voted to call a meeting and appoint a build- ing committee to take charge of the work. Two days later, the following committee were elected: Rev. D. D. Owen, chairman, Hon. W. W. Stickney, Chas. S. Parker, Geo. W. Billings, and Hon. Wm. H. Walker. It was voted that the committee obtain specifications for reconstruction. July 12, 1891, they voted to call a meeting to hear the report of the building committee, and see if the church would ap- prove of the same. On the following day, the meeting convened pursuant to the above call. Chairman Owen re- ported as follows: "The building committee of the Baptist Church of Ludlow, recommend that a new edifice be erected at a cost of $7,000. The report was laid on the table. It was then voted to instruct the committee before appointed to raise funds, for repairs, to proceed to raise $7,000 to build a new church. Aug. 1, 1891, on motion of Delos Bach- elder, the church voted to instruct the building committee to enter immediately upon the work of providing a new house of worship. March 5, 1892, the committee presented a plan for a $7,000 church, drawn by the architect, Geo. H. Guernsey, of Montpelier. The committee reported that they could not contract the job by this plan, at anything less than $9,000. It was moved by S. U. King, that the build- ing committee be instructed to go ahead with the building of the house, on the basis of $9,000. The motion was seconded by Chas. H. Ray, and carried without opposition. April 2, 1892, the contract was given to the Ripley Lumber Co., of Poultney, Vt., to build a new church for $9,000. April 10, 1892, a farewell service was held in the old church, and early in this month, the old church, after a half-century of usefulness, was demolished, to make room for a more modern successor.
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There was much sorrow in many hearts, as the old church was taken down, piece by piece, each having ful- filled its mission of special usefulness through long years of service, in the place where it had been placed by faith- ful hands. This old house of worship had stood at its time- honored post, through many changes, both in Ludlow and the whole nation. It was the birthplace of many souls who were taught their sinfulness within its hallowed walls, where the light from heaven and God first entered their hearts, to direct them to their heavenly home. Many were the voices raised in humble appeal from the old pul- pit, for God to remove sinfulness from the heart of man. Many a blooming bride was brought to the old altar, to seal the matrimonial bond, and passed on to fulfil the sacred duties to which she there pledged herself. Many a mourning heart found comfort here though a chair in the home circle remained vacant. Sabbath after sabbath, through sunshine and storm, the old church bell rang out its warning call, and when the death angel called home a soul, the bell tolled forth the solemn tidings to the world, with the age and sex of the departed one. This custom has now gone out of practice, and to those who do not remember the custom, an explanation may be necessary.
The bell was first swung clear over, then a pause was made to allow the reverberations to die away, then the toll was repeated, with a second pause. Then, if the de- ceased was a male, the bell was struck three times three strokes, with pauses between the threes, and if it was for a female, three times two strokes. Then, after another pause, the age was struck by single strokes, with sufficient pauses between the strokes to allow the sound to die away. In especially sickly times, it would often happen that some one of the church bells in the village, would sound the toll for the dead every day in the week. The first bell of the Baptist church, sent forth in sad tones, its expression of the sorrow of the society and the community, in the death of the nation's great martyr, Abraham Lincoln.
A few years afterward, this bell became cracked, and a new and heavier-toned bell was purchased, and is still in use in the church.
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May 24, 1892, the society added three members to the building committee, L. G. Fullam, A. F. Sherman, and Prescott Adams. The new church was completed early in 1893, at a cost of $11,079.52, and was dedicated Aug. 9, 1893.
This church is a very fine edifice, one of the finest of its size in the state. The architecture is of no special order, but is a combination of various designs. The main entrance is in the north-east corner, directly under the main or bell tower, and leads through a vestibule directly into the audi- ence room on the second floor. There is also an entrance from the east side on the first floor, and from this, winding stairs lead up to the audience-room. The direct entrance to the vestry is from this front vestibule. On the south-east corner of the building, is a second tower, smaller than the bell-tower, which is nearly all occupied by the stairway from the first to the second floor. The outside of the build- ing is very tastefully finished throughout. Nearly one half is shingled with ornamental pine and cedar shingles, and the remainder is finished with clapboards, with the ex- ception of the base of the main tower, which is sheathed with pine sheathing. The roof is slated.
The audience-room, which is beautifully frescoed, the vestibules, and the stairways, are finished in brown ash, filled to show the natural grain of the wood. The seats are of oak, also finished in the natural wood, and are set in a half-circle. They are very pretty and comfortable. The pulpit is oak, and was presented by David Robbins of Detroit, Mich. It is the work of an artist. The pulpit chairs, three in number, were given by Mrs. M. Bronson, in mem- ory of Roswell Smith. The chandelier was put in by Gilbert Barker and Co., of Springfield, Mass. It gives a very power- ful light, having thirty-six jets. This was paid for by the ladies of the society. The pipe-organ is the one that was used in the old church. The vestry and ladies' parlor are finished with plain finish, but are very pleasant, home- like rooms, tastefully arranged.
Three memorial windows of colored glass, form a fine feature of the audience room. The window on the east side, facing the park, was given by Merrill Gassett of Wor-
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cester, Mass. In the center, a cross and crown are shown. The south window was presented by Mrs. Willard Johnson, and in it, an anchor is represented. The north window was presented by the descendants of Dea. Andrew Pettigrew, and represents an open Bible. All these windows are artistic productions, and were very generous gifts, highly appreciated by the society. The result of their efforts must be very gratifying to the projectors and donors of this work. The society at that time was in a prosperous con- dition, and had about one hundred and ninety members.
Rev. Mr. Owen was succeeded by Rev. H. E. Thayer, Dec. 11, 1898, who closed his pastorate Dec. 1, 1904.
Since that date, the church has continued under the pastorate of Rev. E. L. Bayliss, May 14, 1905, to Dec. 31, 1910, Rev. J. H. Thompson, June 1, 1911, to Nov. 1, 1913, Rev. H. H. Stetson, Jan. 4, 1914, to Feb. 23, 1919, Rev. W. B. Chase, May 1, 1919, to Sept. 9, 1923, and Rev. H. B. Rankin, Dec. 1, 1923, to the present time.
The Universalist Church
As early as 1810, there were a few Universalists in town, and they sometimes held meetings on South Hill, at the house of Abel Haild, commonly known as Squire Haild. These meetings were usually conducted by Rev. Warren Skinner of Cavendish. The house where these meetings were held, was built about 1808 by Mr. Haild, and was afterward occupied by his son-in-law, Thomas Whitcomb.
The first Universalist society in Ludlow held its first meeting Oct. 8, 1835, Asahel Smith being chosen moder- ator, and Pliny Parker, clerk. The permanent organization was completed by the adoption of a constitution and art- icles of faith. Nov. 14, 1835, the sum of $1,200 was sub- scribed for the erection of a church edifice, by the follow- ing persons: Pliny Parker, Jacob Patrick, Asahel Smith, Eben Spear, Artemas Arnold, Roswell Smith, Andrew John- son, Jerry Gilbert, Ira Wiley, Thomas Whitcomb, Merrick Spafford, Sewall Fullam, Jr., Abel Haild, Pratt & Bowers, Cyrus Baker, Phineas Spaulding, Abram Adams, John Stimson, Horace Keyes, Frederick Wyman, H. H. Carey, Enos Estabrook, and Zebulon Spaulding.
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For a building committee, Abram Adams, Phineas Spaulding and Asahel Smith were appointed, and the building lot was purchased of Abram Adams. It was deeded to Asahel Smith and Phineas W. Spaulding, May 2, 1836, the consideration being two hundred dollars. The contract was immediately let to erect the edifice. Roswell Smith of Windsor, Vt., had the contract for the mason work. The wood work was taken by Wm. B. Pratt and Varnum Bowers. The church was finished at a cost of about $6,000, and dedicated June 16, 1837. Many small subscriptions were received from people of the Universalist faith, and pews were sold to raise money to be applied to the building fund. The pews were first placed in the church, facing the entrance doors, but this arrangement not being satisfactory, they were, in 1847, turned around facing the pulpit.
There does not appear to have been a settled preacher until 1839, when Rev. Joseph Hemphill was installed, and remained till 1844. Previous to his pastorate, Rev. Warren Skinner and others supplied from 1837 to 1839. Following Mr. Hemphill, came Rev. N. C. Hodgdon, from 1844 to 1846. Rev. John A. Henry, who came next, died Dec. 15, 1847. Then followed Rev. Joseph O. Skinner, 1848 to 1851, Rev. H. H. Baker, 1852 to 1855, Rev. E. S. Foster, 1856 to 1858, Rev. Wm. S. Balch, Apr. 1858 to Jan. 1863, Rev. James T. Powers, 1870 to May 1, 1874, Rev. Herbert E. Whitney, Dec. 5, 1875, to Sept. 19, 1880, Rev. Wm. A. Pratt, from Sept. 26, 1880, to Feb. 26, 1882, Rev. Joseph S. Gledhill, from Apr. 2, 1882, to December, 1883. Then Rev. A. A. Rice supplied till April, 1884. After him came Rev. John P. Eastman, from June 22, 1884, to Jan. 3, 1886, Rev. A. J. Aubrey, from May 1, 1886, to Dec. 25, 1887, Rev. Joseph R. Roblin, from July 15, 1888, to July 1, 1889, Rev. John B. Reardon, from Oct. 1, 1889, to 1891, Rev. J. F. Howard, from Nov. 1891, to Jan. 1, 1893, Rev. Herbert O. Maxham, from Apr. 30, 1893 to Apr. 30, 1897. Rev. John B. Reardon returned Oct. 3, 1897, and closed his pastorate June 14, 1903. Rev. A. E. Russell came Sept. 1, 1903.
The Universalist Society was incorporated under the state laws, May 8, 1888. In 1900, the society decided to build a new church. The farewell sermon was preached in
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the old church, Apr. 7, 1901. This church stood just west of the Fletcher Memorial Library, and as its site was de- sired by Mr. Allen M. Fletcher for a lawn for the library building, it was exchanged for a lot which he purchased on Main street, off the west side of the old, Reuben Wash- burn place. A new church built of brick was erected in 1901, at a cost of about $8,000. The material of the old church was allowed the contractor for use in the construc- tion of the new building. This church was very thoroughly built. The parlors in the basement were cosy and finely finished in natural wood. The audience room was elegantly finished in cypress. Feb. 2, 1902, the first services were held in the audience-room of the new church, conducted by the pastor, but the service of dedication was not performed till July 16, 1902.
Rev. Addison E. Russell closed his pastorate in 1905. Following him came :
Rev. Roy E. Griffith, 1906 to 1910, Rev. Fred LeRoy Payson, 1910 to 1912,
Rev. Lester L. Lewis, 1915 to 1917,
Rev. Alvin M. Smith, 1917 to 1921.
Later, the membership became so small that meetings were discontinued in 1925. In December 1929, the church building was given and deeded to Black River Academy.
The Methodist Episcopal Church
There were a few believers in this faith in Ludlow, as early as 1810, but not a sufficient number for the formation of a society. However, about 1814, a few members from Ludlow, joined the Methodist class of Andover. The class flourished well for a few years, until a dispute arose as to the merits of Mr. Rufus Barton's Christian character. At that time, Mr. Barton, grandfather of Horace and Wesley Barton later well known in Ludlow, lived just in the edge of Andover, south-west of the old Jonathan Hemenway place, in what is now pasture known as the Ellis lot. One sabbath it snowed hard, and Mr. Barton who had just built a new log barn, stayed at home from church to put in the
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stanchions, so that he might stable his cattle from the storm. The pastor, Rev. Mr. Manning, did not approve of this act, so a vote was taken for the purpose of expelling Mr. Barton from the church. But being better liked in the community than the pastor, he was not expelled, but there was so much feeling in the matter that the class was broken up, and some of the Ludlow members then joined the church at Proctorsville. Meetings were sometimes held in town in school-houses, and even out-of-doors, and Elder Shaw presided. Later, he removed to Mt. Tabor. In that town, there is a place called "The Devil's Den." Mr. Shaw had two sons, very wild boys, who were possessed to go to this place to play on Sundays. The elder, not approving of it, forbade their going there. One Sunday, Mr. Shaw went to Weston to preach, and when he returned, ques- tioned the boys to know if they had been to the forbidden place. The eldest boy replied that they had. "Well", said Mr. Shaw, "was the devil at home?" "No," said the boy, "we saw him going toward Weston to preach." It is said that the poor old man worried so much over the bad be- havior of his undutiful sons, that he became deranged in the last years of his life. Close observation shows that the strong points of a man's character, whether for good or bad, are often developed in two-fold strength in his off- spring.
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