USA > Vermont > Windham County > Rockingham > History of the town of Rockingham, Vermont, including the villages of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham, Cambridgeport and Bartonsville, 1753-1907, with family genealogies > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Early in 1835, the year before the first pastor was ap- pointed, steps were taken toward erecting a church building, which was completed for occupancy during that year. The first number of The Bellows Falls Journal, printed August 8, 1835, had this advertisement :
"An adjourned meeting of the proprietors of the METHODIST MEET- ING HOUSE, to be erected in this village, will be holden at the Methodist Chapel on the 15th of August instant at 6 o'clock afternoon. A general attendance is requested. Bellows Falls, August 3, 1835."
The same building is in use to-day, and in the same location, but it was thoroughly repaired and enlarged in 1880-I
179
Methodist Church of Bellows Falls
by raising the building and putting commodious social and vestry rooms on the first floor under the audience room, and again it was improved in 1900. The first parsonage owned by the society was built on the same location as the present one at No. 75 Atkinson street, about 1850. Previous to this time it is probable that a dwelling was rented for the pastor, as, in 1847 a vote was taken authorizing the purchase of a cook stove, two bedsteads and eight chairs, "provided other charges in the district would do a like work for their par- sonages." In 1892 a generous offer by the late Franklin P. Ball led to the sale of the first parsonage, which was then removed to Underhill avenue where it now stands, and the erection of the pleasant parsonage now used by the society. The last official report of the church shows church and parsonage property valued at $13,700.
Among the names of those most intimately connected with the organization of the church, to whose efforts in its infancy was due the successful establishment of a Methodist church here, and whose liberal subscriptions for the purchase of pews made the erection of the church building a possibility, were Sanford Granger, Charles E. Chase, Sr., and S. Cowdry, each at that early day prominent business men of this locality. The subscriptions were made in cash and notes, with additional sums for choice in pews. The average price paid for the pews was about $30 each. One person purchased eighteen pews as his subscription to the enterprise.
The first mention of stewards appears in the records of 1840, and they probably were trustees of the church property the same as now. They were Sanford Granger, Charles Chase, Franklin Henry, John Clark, Eli Evans, and William B. Kendall. The first benevolences of the church to missions and the American Bible society are recorded in 1842. The Sunday school was in 1863 organized into a missionary society, and so became auxiliary to the present board of foreign missions established by the Methodist Episcopal church in the early part of the last century. In 1842 and again in 1843, interesting and successful camp meetings were
180
History of Rockingham
held on land then owned by Eli Evans, now reached by an overgrown road leading from the Springfield road a short distance below the blacksmith shop of Dexter Benson, about a mile east of the village of Rockingham. This is not far from where Rev. John Williams had preached on Sunday, March 5, 1704, the first Christian sermon ever delivered in the territory which afterward became the state of Vermont, and from whom the river took its name.
This location was used as late as 1854, as the Christian Messenger during that year said :
" The late Camp meeting at Rockingham, Vt., was attended with results which call for devout thanksgiving twenty-five at least, for the first time sought and obtained forgivness of sin : more than that number entered into a state of entire sanctification, and a considerable number more were reclaimed from a back slidden condition."
The sessions of the Vermont conference have been enter- tained in Bellows Falls three times since the church was established here ; in 1875 with Bishop Gilbert Haven presid- ing ; in 1885, Bishop Thomas Bowman presiding, and in 1900 with Bishop Stephen Merrill presiding. The church policy of short pastorates makes the enumeration of the differ- ent pastors for all the years cumbersome, but the present pastor, Rev. L. Olin Sherburne, began his work here in April, 1902, previous to which Rev. Frank W. Lewis, now presiding elder, served the church five years.
The first record of the church having an organ was one purchased in 1861. Ernest E. Ramsey was chosen record- ing steward in 1886 and he has served continuously until the present time. In 1897 the church adopted the order of ser- vice recommended by the General Conference, and in 1898 the bi-monthly observance of the Holy Communion was adopted.
The first serious idea of establishing a Congregational church in Bellows Falls originated with Mrs. Mary I. Walker, wife of Charles I. Walker, Esq., later Judge Walker of Detroit, Mich. They came here from Saxtons River in the spring of 1848 and he engaged in the practice of the law.
181
Congregational Church of Bellows Falls
The idea was heartily seconded by Mr. Walker and to them belong the honor of first moving in the establishment of a Congregational service, culminating later in a church and society.
On the 23d day of July, 1850, Messrs. Charles I. Walker, C. F. Hall, H. H. Stone, C. F. Pease, A. T. Gibson, H. S. Allbee, George S. Norcross, and possibly others, met at the office of Mr. Walker and signed their names to articles of association under the laws of Vermont, as then existing, to be known as the "First Congregational Society of Bellows Falls." The first meeting was called at Mr. Walker's office the same evening, and an organization effected, with Mr. H. H. Stone as moderator and Mr. Walker clerk. The name of the organization remained the same until March 19, 1889, when it became incorporated under the name of the "First Congregational Church of Bellows Falls," and the old society was dissolved.
An ecclesiastical council of sixteen members, representing the Congregational churches of Keene, Charlestown and Walpole, N. H., and Brattleboro, Putney, Westminster West and Saxtons River, Vt., convened August 9, 1850, at the Methodist meeting-house, at which time and place the organization of a new church was approved. Rev. Amos Foster of Putney was moderator, and Rev. J. D. F. Richards of Charlestown, scribe. The new church consisted of the following eight members : Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Hall, Mrs. Mary Walker, Mrs. Augusta Winchester, Mrs. Roxana Cushing, and Miss Mary. Under- wood, all bringing letters of dismissal and recommendation from other churches.
Prior to the organization of the church, a Congregational clergyman occasionally occupied the Methodist pulpit with the approval of that society. Regular services were, how- ever, first held in the historic hall over the shed in the wing of the Mansion House, later called the American House. It stood near the foot of School street stairs, and in it were held the first meetings of three of the local churches before they
I82
History of Rockingham
had buildings of their own. After a short time, however, the brick school-house at the corner of School and Cherry streets was obtained for the purpose until the new church was com- pleted.
December 18, 1850, the society voted to take "immediate measures to erect a meeting-house for this society," and chose a committee to procure a plan and report at an early date, limiting the cost of said house to $2,000. They were George S. Norcross, Holland Allbee, Charles F. Pease, A. T. Gibson and George O. Henry. It was also voted to build " on the lot purchased by Mr. Walker of Russell Hyde for $300," and this has been the location of the church ever since. March 19, 1851, plans were presented and approved, fixing the dimensions at fifty-one by thirty-eight feet, and a build- ing committee consisting of Holland Allbee, C. F. Hall, George O. Henry, A. T. Gibson, and C. F. Pease were directed to proceed with the work. William Stone was the builder, doing all above the foundation for $2,000.
September 22, 1851, the society held a meeting in the " vestry of the new church," the upper part evidently not being completed. December 3, the basement was accepted. The date of dedication is unknown, but it was probably the same day as the ordination of the first pastor, December 12, 1851. The total cost of the church was $2,840.82. The carpets were furnished by the ladies of the society, as was also the bell which was hung in its place in August, 1855, and has now given forth its welcome for over half a century. The church had no pipe organ until August, 1856, when one costing $400, built by a local builder named William Nutting, was presented by A. A. Stone, who afterwards removed to Chicago.
Extensive repairs were made in 1866 and 1867, costing something over $2,000. At this time the south walls of the building were moved fifteen feet enlarging the building that amount.
Again in 1883, during the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Das- comb, extensive changes were made in the church building.
183
Congregational Pastors at Bellows Falls
An addition was built on the east side fifteen feet wide the whole length of the church. Also an organ recess was built on the west side and the tower on the north-east corner. The church was raised sixteen inches and a ladies' parlor, pastor's study, and a large vestry room arranged in the base- ment. The entire cost was a little over $8,400. An organ costing $2,500 was presented by Hon. William A. Russell of Lawrence, Mass., who was at that time actively engaged in business enterprises here. The building committee were C. W. Osgood, O. L. Slader, O. B. Arms, Rev. A. B. Das- comb and Wallace White. The builders were Richardson & Willard of Westminster. The church was re-dedicated November 1, 1883, Rev. J. L. Withrow, D. D. of Boston, preaching the dedicatory sermon.
In 1898 a lot was purchased on South street and the first parsonage owned by this church was erected at a cost of of about $5,000.
For the first seventeen years the church was aided by the Vermont Domestic Missionary society to the extent of $2,850, it being $200 per year for six years and $150 for eleven years. Since 1876, the church has annually contributed a liberal amount to this society, to which it was so largely indebted in its earliest years.
The different pastors have been ;- In 1850, Rev. Joel R. Arnold, an elderly gentleman from Waterbury, Conn., then a resident of Westminster West, who supplied a little more than a year and was the first regular minister.
Mr John G. Wilson from Nelson, N. H., succeeded Mr. Arnold October 26, 1851, and was ordained as an evangelist December 12, 1851. On account of ill health he closed his labors here October 31, 1852.
Rev. Elijah H. Bonney from Pawlet, Vt., followed as stated supply for six months.
An extended vacancy then occurred until July 5, 1854, when a call was extended to Rev. Samuel E. Day, who was installed February 21, 1855. A call elsewhere led to his dismissal October 14, 1857.
184
History of Rockingham
Mr. Isaac S. Perry began service about January 1, 1858. He was ordained as an evangelist January 21, 1858. He closed his labors here June 1, 1862.
Mr. Samuel S. Gardner succeeded him, beginning his regular ministrations August 3, 1862. He was ordained pas- tor October 3 of the same year, and dismissed May 11, 1864, to take effect June 30 of that year.
Rev. Moody A. Stevens became acting pastor October 30, 1864 and remained until the autumn of 1867.
In September, 1868, Mr. Cyrus Hamlin of New York city, was called to the pastorate and ordained pastor, October 29. He was dismissed March 26, 1874.
Rev. Nathan F. Carter was installed as pastor October 26, 1874 and closed his ministrations here in May, 1879.
Rev. Alfred B. Dascomb of Westminster, commenced his labors in this church as acting pastor in June, 1879, and closed them in September, 1890, on account of ill health.
Rev. J. Ellsworth Fullerton came here from Brighton, Mass., and was installed March 25, 1891. He died October 27, 1897, while still pastor of the church.
Rev. John H. Reid came here from a pastorate at New- buryport, Mass., and was installed April 26, 1898. He severed his connection with this church April 1, 1903, to take up journalistic work in Walden, N. Y.
Rev. Jay T. Stocking commenced his work October I, 1903, coming from an assistant pastorate in the Church of the Redeemer in New Haven, Conn. He was installed December 9, 1903. He resigned to take effect September 15, 1905, to accept the pastorate of a Newtonville, Mass. church.
Rev. Arthur Peabody Pratt, the present pastor, came here from Chelsea, Mass., and was installed May 24, 1906.
To June 1, 1900, there had been a total of 525 persons who at various times had been members of this church. The present membership is about three hundred.
During the first ten years of the existence of the church, Mr. George O. Henry was chorister, and among others who
185
First Catholic Mass Said in Town
have rendered long service in this capacity have been Messrs. Samuel E. Baird, S. F. Merrill, L. L. Bennett, Charles Howe, and Calvin L. Barber, the last named having faith- fully served for a notably long period.
The first deacons were elected February 26, 1862, O. T. Cressey and Hiram E. Adams. Previous to this the church had only acting deacons. Men filling the offices in later years have been Messrs. J. E. Drury, C. H. Tarbell, C. J. Josslyn, George E. Fay, Henry C. Johnson, Charles W. Osgood, John B. Morse, Walter H. Black and Nathan G. Williams. Mr. Johnson was elected deacon in 1876. Mr. Osgood was elected in 1880. Both are still serving, and with Messrs. Morse and Williams constitute the present board. Mr. Williams, the present superintendent of the Sunday school, has served continuously in that capacity for the past twenty-six years.
September 30, October 1 and 2, 1900, the semi-centen- nial of the organization of this church was celebrated, the principal address upon the occasion being delivered October 2, by Rev. J. L. Withrow, D. D., of Boston, who preached the sermon at the re-dedication of the building in 1883.
As far as can be ascertained the first mass ever said in the town of Rockingham by any priest of the Catholic church was during the year 1848. Until that year but few Catholics had come into the town, but the building of the different rail- roads at about that date brought a large number of Irish here. From 1848 to 1853 Father Daly, a missionary of the Fran- ciscan order, who was connected with the Boston diocese, visited this section about once in three months, holding ser- vices generally in a railroad shanty, but saying Mass occa- sionally in a large building standing where the office of the Vermont Farm Machine company now is. It was erected for a boarding house for the projected cotton mill in 1835, and later used as a hotel, known as the "Valley House." In a report made by Father Daly about this time, the bishop was told that the number of Catholics in Rockingham, Windsor, Woodstock, and Plymouth was about four hundred.
186
History of Rockingham
In September, 1850, Bishop Fitzpatrick of Boston, accom- panied by Rev's. George Fenwick and Samuel Mulledy, visited Bellows Falls, coming here from Rutland. No avail- able hall seemed adapted to the wishes of the bishop and, in looking about the village, he was struck with the beauty of the large pine grove then standing north of the present church edifice, and he determined to hold his services there. In his account he wrote as follows :
"On the hill at the west side of the village is an extensive pine grove. We find there a beautiful place for divine service. Two parallel lines of tall pine trees form a fine nave about a hundred feet long, covered by the limbs, which form an arch above. The ground is entirely free from undergrowth and perfectly dry. At the extremity of this natural nave a temporary sanct- uary is formed of cotton cloth enclosing three sides, and covering the top to keep off the wind. Four Masses are celebrated in the forenoon. ( Thursday, September 5, 1850.) People come from within a radius of twenty-five miles. A great number confess. At the last Mass the bishop (using Father Daly's big trunk for a platform) preaches to the people in English and French. Over a thousand are present, of whom only a few are protestants. Confirmation after the sermon. In the afternoon we again hear confessions in the house of John Corbley, an Irish Catholic. Next morning we again spend several hours in hearing .confessions. Two Masses are said and confirmation again administered. Total, 75 confirmed."
The "John Corbley" of whom the bishop speaks was John Corbally, an old and highly respected resident, moral and broad minded. He came to Bellows Falls in September, 1828, and resided here until his death February 11, 1876. Mr. Corbally was a gardener and accumulated some prop- erty, owning at his death all the land on Cherry street extending from the present Dennis Flavin's homestead around to the place now owned by David Savage. This property he purchased in 1832. Until nearly, or quite, 1848 he enjoyed the distinction of being the only resident Irish Catholic. He left three daughters and a son ; Mrs. Barney Cannon, Jr., and Mrs. John Tiffany of Bellows Falls, Mrs. Jesse Snyder of Columbus, Ga., and John A. Corbally of Atlanta, Ga., who is a prominent architect and builder of that city. He was the builder of the present state house of Georgia. The home- stead, in which the early Mass referred to by the bishop was celebrated, stood on the site of Mr. Cannon's tenement house
..........
....... .
-
-
CHURCHES OF BELLOWS FALLS, 1907.
EPISCOPAL. UNIVERSALIST. BAPTIST.
CONGREGATIONAL. CATHOLIC. METHODIST.
187
Catholic Church Established
on Cherry street, just south of his present residence. The old dwelling was torn down in 1897.
Bishop DeGoesbriand of Burlington, celebrated Mass in Island hall, now the Fall Mountain house on Depot street, in the autumn of 1853, shortly after the organization of the diocese of Burlington and his consecration. During the following year Father Druon began attending regularly from Burlington, celebrating Mass from the early part of that year in the old brick school-house that was located at the corner of School and Cherry streets, on the present location of Mrs. Aaron Arms' dwelling. The old brick building was pur- chased May 1, 1854, by Father Druon, although possession was retained for school purposes until December 1, 1854. He remodeled it for Catholic worship and called it St. Charles' church. In 1855 this parish was included under the pastorate of Rev. Charles O'Reilly, then the Brattleboro priest, now rector of St. Bridget's church of West Rutland. It was attended by him until 1869, when he was succeeded in the care of Brattleboro and the missions, Bellows Falls included, by Rev. Joseph Halpin.
Rev. E. Gendreau came to Bellows Falls as the first resident pastor in 1871, though for some time after his appointment he resided with Father Pigeon at White River Junction.
In 1872 Father Gendreau considered the time ripe for the erection of a more commodious church edifice, and purchased of William H. Johnson a portion of the present parochial lot, on which stood the small dwelling now owned by Barney Cannon, Jr., and occupied by Conductor Woodfall. Into this house Father Gendreau moved immediately. The purchase price was $5,000 and the first payment was made the follow- ing season. The rest of the parochial lot was secured in 1875, and Father Gendreau commenced the foundation of a new church. Up to this time the village of North Walpole had been a part of St. Charles' parish, but the New Hamp- shire diocese soon assumed it. It was attached to the parish of Claremont, and later St. Peter's parish was organized and
188
History of Rockingham
a church erected. Work on St. Peter's church at North Walpole was commenced in the early autumn of 1877, and the first service was held in the basement on Christmas day of that year. The upper story was not finished until the next year. Because of the changed outlook work upon the new church of St. Charles was abandoned for a time.
Early in 1882 Rev. Edward Reynolds came to assist Fr. Gendreau, and in July, 1883, he succeeded to the pastorate which he has filled since. Father Reynolds was born in County Cavan, Ireland, May 13, 1852. He began his education in the Irish national schools, took up the study of Latin at a day school in his native place, and completed his classical course at St. Bonaventure's College, Alleghany, N. . Y. He pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal, and was ordained there December 18, ISSI. His whole priestly career has been identified with Bellows Falls, and he has exercised a strong influence for good over those to whom he has ministered.
Within a year after taking charge of the parish, Father Reynolds contracted with Architect G. H. Guernsey of Montpelier for the erection of the present church building, the corner stone of which was laid in June, 1884. The dedication took place November 4, 1885, it having cost, with the grounds, about $28,000. The building at the corner of School and Cherry streets was sold August 4, 1886. The present rectory was commenced in 1893 and occupied in January, 1895. It cost $14,500. In 1894, Father Reynolds bought a large tract of land for cemetery purposes, located on the south side of "The Basin" about a mile south from the church, Vicar-General Lynch of Burlington blessing it in September, 1898. The parish had previously used a cemetery that was given to the Catholics by the town in March, 1858, located just east of the present "Oak Hill Cemetery."
At the present time, St. Charles' parish is much the largest one in town. It comprises about two hundred and fifty families and over one thousand members. Although the
189
Baptist Church at Bellows Falls
church has a seating capacity of seven hundred and fifty it is neccessary to duplicate the service each Sunday in order to accommodate the people.
The First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls dates from April II, 1854, although two meetings of citizens and pastors of neighboring churches, had been held previously. The first council met, pursuant to the call of a few members of other Baptist churches, on March 22, 1854, at which Rev. Ira Pearson was chosen moderator and Rev. H. Fletcher, clerk. This council adjourned until April 4, when it met at the dwelling of Benjamin W. Dean, then for a short time a resi- dent of Bellows Falls, coming here from Grafton, Vt. At this meeting it was voted to form a new church, subject to the approval of a council of neighboring Baptist churches. The meeting chose Joseph Cochran and Orlando F. Stone deacons, Benjamin W. Dean clerk, and Orlando F. Stone treasurer. It accepted as its declaration of faith the New Hampshire confession and church covenant revised by J. Newton Brown.
The names appended to the minutes of this meeting held at Mr. Dean's house are the names of those who became, with the sanction of the council, the constituent members of the new church : Joseph Cochran, Orlando F. Stone, Benjamin W. Dean, Mrs. C. Burke, Horace W. Stone, Hannah Stone, Angeline C. Dean, Achsah Christy, Alvin Hovey, A. W Stebbins, Cornelia L. Stebbins, Mary J. L. White, Persis Rice, Mary E. Rice, Mrs Ann Meesick, Alanson Wilcox, Mary A. Wilcox, Willis A. Burke, Jonathan Rice, A. Sher- win, Clarissa Sherwin, A. Cochran, Harriet Kemp, Phoebe Saker, L. G. Butterfield, Justus Baker, Mary Baker, C. Burke, Bradshaw Stone, Mrs. B. Stone.
In the adjourned meeting of the council, which was con- vened April 11, 1854, at which the church organization was completed, were pastors and lay representatives from Brattle- boro, Cavendish, Claremont, Grafton, Keene, Ludlow, Saxtons River and Townshend.
The public service of recognition was held the same
I90
History of Rockingham
evening in the Congregational church. Rev. R. M. Ely of Cavendish preached the sermon, Rev. J. C. Foster of Brattle- boro offered the recognition prayer, Rev. L. Hayden of Sax- tons River extended the right hand of fellowship and Rev. I. Pearson of Ludlow made the address to the church.
The little church thus launched upon its way met for its first covenant meeting on Saturday, May 6, 1854, at 2 P. M., and decided to meet thus bi-monthly, while they decided to hold a weekly prayer meeting on Thursday evenings. Preach- ing was sustained by different supplies for some months, the services being held in Wightman's hall located in the second story of the frame building between Rockingham and Canal streets, next south of the present village building. During a portion of this time Rev. A. Jones of Burlington acted as pastor. He had been at the time of the recognition service the agent of the state convention of the church. Rev. W. B. Jones of Connecticut also acted as supply a portion of the time. During the summer of 1856, S. F. Brown of Fair- fax, Vt., supplied the pulpit and did pastoral work. August 23, 1856, the church a second time extended him a call to become its pastor and he accepted.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.