USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Jericho > The history of Jericho, Vermont > Part 18
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THE OLD AND NEW SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, JERICHO VILLAGE.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
CHAPTER III.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, JERICHO CORNERS.
(The following account was read by Mrs. M. J. Wilbur at the annual meeting in 1905).
The Meeting House .- Early in the year 1824 a goodly num- ber of townsmen had become convinced that a meeting house was needed at "Jericho four corners," and accordingly they "warned a meeting to be held at John Butler's dwelling house in Jericho, on the 5th day of May, 1824, at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, to elect necessary officers, and transact any business thought best." The following business was transacted, to wit :
"1. Chose George Howe, Moderator.
"2. Chose Joseph Porter, Society Clerk.
"3. Voted to build a Meeting House.
"4. Chose-George Howe, Peter Shaw, and Gideon O. Dixon a committee to superintendent the building of said Meeting House, to be vested with discretionary power therein."
On Dec. 3, 1824, at 6 o'clock at the schoolhouse, another meeting was called "to examine the claims against said society, and see if the same shall be allowed."
It is interesting to see how these sturdy pioneers persevered and completed this, the first church building in this part of the town, in less than two years at a cost of $3,495.90, and that, when all work was done by hand and under great disadvantages and discouragements.
In 1834 Dr. George Howe, who had permitted the society to build the meeting house on his land, deeded to three trustees. Oliver Lowry, Luther Prouty and William A. Prentiss, the house and green or common on which it stood, in trust, to be used for religious purposes.
In April, 1847, money was raised by subscription to purchase a bell for the meeting house, and "for all the materials which may be necessary to put the same into good order for service ; also for repairing the belfry and roof of said meeting house, to be paid out of whatever moneys may be left after purchasing the Bell." Truman Galusha, George B. Oakes and Milton Ford were ap-
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
pointed a general committee for purchasing and putting into place said bell, and the record on Dec. 25, 1847, shows the committee's bill of expenditure and the bell in the belfry at a cost of $297.15, eight months' accomplishment.
The Baptist and Second Congregational Churches occupied the meeting house for public worship, each on alternate Sabbaths from 1826 to 1858 when the Baptist Church built a house of its own and abandoned the "Old Brick Meeting House." The Con- gregational Church continued its occupancy until 1865, when by reason of their inability to maintain proper support, they voted to suspend preaching, and the house was abandoned. For eleven years following the property was in litigation, it being claimed by the original heirs, the Brick Meeting House Society, and the school district, which in the meantime had bought it and paid $350 to the heirs for a schoolhouse.
The Supreme Court having decided it had not reverted to the original owners, but was still owned by the Brick Meeting House Society, the reorganized Second Congregational Church and So- ciety proceeded in 1876 to repair and refurnish the building. This was undertaken under harsh threats and many discouragements, but the building committee : L. M. Stevens, H. M. Field, Dr. E. P. Howe, Flavel C. Williams and L. F. Wilbur, moved forward with steady purpose, and Dec. 19, 1877, the old brick meeting house was completed and furnished at an expense of $3,266.77 and on this day was rededicated, President M. H. Buckham preaching the sermon from Acts 11:42, and the dedicatory prayer being of- fered by Rev. Edwin Wheelock of Cambridge.
In 1894 the inside of this house was again thoroughly re- paired at a cost of $413, and again in 1902 the walls and ceiling were freshly painted, and today we gratefully remember those who have gone before and made this beautiful edifice possible for us to occupy and enjoy.
This church home is closely connected with the cemetery in the rear, and the first body placed within it was that of Lorenda Mead, wife of Ezra Church, who died Jan. 24, 1826, a few months before the meeting house was completed. Here are the remains of most of the builders, not only of this house, but of the sturdy principles of this community, and those who have partaken of these benefits should ever hold them in grateful remembrance,
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
and hold sacred those grounds and belongings until they too shall sleep with them and enter into their reward.
The Church .- On Aug. 31, 1826, 24 members of the Con- gregational Church at Jericho Center took letters from that church, and were formed into what has since been known as The Second Congregational Church of Jericho, by Rev. Luther P. Blodgett and Rev. George Freeman. Articles of faith and a covenant were subscribed to and adopted, and are in a good state of preservation at this time. The new church was fortunate in having been provided with the brick meeting house for a place to hold services, it having been completed the same year of the organization. Members were added from time to time and some excommunicated during the following years, though the records are meagre and sometimes entirely omitted.
In 1839 a new covenant and creed were adopted and again in 1848, at which time, owing to previous laxity in church gov- ernment and other causes, as the record says, "The only proper course was for those who were willing to move forward as a church to recovenant and start anew." Accordingly the new creed and covenant were signed by twelve of the then members, and they were declared the Second Congregational Church of Jericho. During the next three years fourteen more signed the articles and were re-instated. A large number, however, were unwilling to continue their membership.
In March, 1858, thirteen united on confession and four oth- ers during 1862-1863. One hundred and thirty-seven names ap- pear in the records as having been connected with this church dur- ing the years 1826-1863, and in 1865 owing to feebleness and other reasons the church voted to discontinue services.
In the early seventies, several Congregational families having come to the village, it was thought best to reorganize the church, which was done July 10, 1874, by fourteen of the original mem- bers accepting a new creed and covenant, and fourteen from other churches with three on confession of faith uniting together, mak- ing a membership of 31. W. I. Byington was chosen first deacon and Luther M. Stevens second deacon. In August 1899 Deacon Stevens entered into rest and C. Van Vliet was elected to fill the vacancy. His removal opened the way for the choice of C. L. Field, and on his removal C. E. Percival and Ira C. Morse were
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
elected Jan. 29, 1905, and Mrs. C. E. Percival and Mrs. Ira C. Morse were elected deaconesses.
Supplementary Notes by the Editor.
LIST OF MINISTERS who have served the Second Congrega- tional Church.
Luther P. Blodgett, 1826-1827. He came from the First Church. For further particulars see history of that church.
No report, 1828-1837.
Elihu B. Baxter, 1838-1840, who first entered the Methodist ministry. He considered himself specially called to itinerant services.
No report, 1841-1848.
John C. Wilder, 1849-1850, 1852. He taught, preached 17 years, mostly in Vermont, and then became a farmer in Charlotte. He died in 1892 aged 89. The church had preaching a part of the time in the intervals between pastorates, and among the sup- plies were a Mr. Cutler, Priest Smith of Burlington in 1835, and President Pease of the college. For several winters during the forties protracted meetings were held by Rev. Mr. Kellogg of Montpelier, and the building was crowded with people.
Samuel Marsh, 1852-55. His last pastorate.
Vacant most of the time, 1856-61.
Ebenezer C. Birge, 1862-64, who was born in Underhill in 1810, and lived there during his pastorate here and till 1874. He died in Chicago, Ill., May 28, 1882. The church membership had increased to 45.
Vacant, 1865-74. In 1874, as before stated, the church was reorganized.
Prof. John E. Goodrich, 1875.
Prof. H. A. P. Torrey, 1876.
John D. Emerson, 1877-82.
Dana B. Bradford, 1882-88. During this pastorate the church was not yoked with Underhill. Mr. Bradford was born in Hills- boro, N. H., Oct. 29, 1817, and was ordained in the Christian denomination in 1838, but preached many years as a Congrega- tionalist. This was his last parish, and after the close of his work he continued his residence here till his death, Feb. 10, 1890.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Henry T. Barnard, 1888-91. From 1889 on this church has joined with Underhill in supporting a pastor. Mr. Barnard had been a Free Will Baptist, having been ordained in 1880. Since leaving his pastorates have been at West Rutland, Bradford, Vt., West Stafford and Tolland, Ct., and McIndoe Falls, Vt. His present address is Bradford.
Clarence Pike, 1891-95. Subsequently preached at Mans- field, Ct., 12 years, and Ashland, Mass., and is now pastor at Roy- alston, Mass.
Ralph H. White, 1895-99, who came from the Methodists. After leaving here he attended Yale Theological Seminary, was ordained at Cummington, Mass., and now preaches at Newport, N. H.
George M. Rees, 1900-01. He has been for several years in Minnesota.
O. F. Thayer, 1901-02. Here five months. Now at Sher- man, Cal.
M. J. B. Fuller, 1902. During his stay of six months he was ordained. Now at Hanover, Ct.
Wilbur Rand, 1903-06. Now at Westmore. May 7, 1905 Oliver Brown and family presented the church an individual communion service in memory of Mrs. Brown.
Charles B. Atwood, 1906-09. Since at Strafford and Cabot and now at Guilford. In 1909 a vestry was built adjoining the church at a cost of about $1,000.
Vacant, 1909-10, supplied a part of the time by Rev. E. J. Ranslow.
Park A. Bradford, 1911, over 6 months. He now resides at East Dorset.
William Cashmore Nov. 5, 1911. Born in Scotland, grad- uated at McGill University and Wesley Theological College, 1895, also graduated at Collins Veterinary Medical College. He was ordained in 1898 and has held Methodist pastorates at Gorham and Gardiner, Me., Port Henry, N.Y., and South Shaftsbury, Vt. In June, 1914, he joined the Chittenden County Congregational Association and thereby became a Congregationalist.
In 1912 a new carpet and window shades were placed in the church and other improvements were made. In Dec., 1913, the new Congregational creed was adopted as the creed of this church.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Aug. 23, 1914, the church received from the children of the late Deacon L. M. Stevens and wife a memorial fund of $5,000 to be known as the Stevens Memorial Fund. Funds received previous- ly are from Mary Emily Blackman $100, from Mary A. Williams $500, from Abby G. Spalding $500 and from Mrs. Charles Lyman $100. The church membership, Jan., 1915, was 74, of whom 28 were absent, and the value of the property was $5,000. Mrs. Wm: L. Roberts is Sunday School Superintendent.
Sketches of two former pastors are available.
Rev. Samuel Marsh.
Mr. Marsh was born at Danville July 3, 1796. His mother consecrated him to the ministry, but his father, though a good man, was unwilling to aid him. When 19 years of age he walked 160 miles to Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., in order to at- tend that school. A wealthy uncle offered him $75,000 if he would study surveying and become a rich man, but he de- clined. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1821, and in 1824 at An- dover Theological Seminary. After several pastorates he bought a house at Underhill Flats in 1851 or 1852, and is recorded as pastor at the Corners 1852-55. He died at the home of his daugh- ter April 1, 1874. In connection with his pastoral work he car- ried on a colportage system. He combated Universalism, and was an ardent advocate of temperance and of abolitionism. When he came to his death, he said he had heard of the dark valley but saw none, and was more happy than tongue could tell.
Rev. John D. Emerson.
Pastor here 1877-82, and at Underhill 1876-83. The reno- vated meeting house was rededicated Dec., 1877. Mr. Emerson was born in Candia, N. H., May 29, 1828, graduated at Dartmouth College and Andover Seminary, and preached at Haverhill, N. H., and Biddeford, Maine, before coming here. Then he went to Kennebunkport, Me., and afterward returned to Biddeford, spend- ing nearly all his remaining years there. He died April 12, 1897. A son, Rev. Stephen G., d. at Prescott, Ariz., Jan., 1916. Mr. Emerson was Superintendent of Schools in town, and in this work showed a genuine interest in the scholars, inspiring several to gain a higher education. The churches greatly appreciated his
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
superior ability and paid an unusually large salary. He was an original thinker and inspirational preacher.
A notable recent event occurred on Aug. 29, 1915, when a tablet was unveiled in memory of Dea. Luther M. Stevens, 1812- 89, and his wife Mary Anna Stevens, 1810-1893. This tablet of bronze was placed upon the wall of the church over against the old Stevens pew. At the ceremony the church was well filled and the service impressive. The discourse was given by Rev. H. T. Barnard, who officiated at the funeral of Dea. Stevens, twenty- six years ago that day, and also at the funeral of his wife nearly four years later. He said: "They were true typical descendants of the Puritans. Deacon Stevens, dignified, grave, manly in his bearing towards his fellow men, yet humble and devout before God, exemplified the characteristics of a good deacon laid down by St. Paul to Timothy. Mrs. Stevens, modest, retiring, gentle, loving, friendly to all and a friend to all, having a right to the beatitude, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for theirs is the King- dom of heaven.' With her eyes full of laughter and her heart as full of goodness as a June day is full of sunshine, like her hus- band, she beautifully rounded out the character of the deacon's wife."
CHAPTER IV.
CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT RIVERSIDE.
In the journal of the proceedings of the fifty-second annual convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of Vermont held Sept. 21 and 22, 1842, the following entry appears : "Milton and Jericho. The Rev. Samuel Breck Bostwick, mis- sionary. At Jericho, baptisms (adults 1, children 9) 10. Cate- chisms (boys 3, girls 8) 11. As there is not an organized parish at either place, and of course no record, and, as the communion has not been administered, the number of communicants can not be reported. I have officiated in Jericho and Milton alternately. I have met with as much encouragement as could reasonably be expected. Articles of association for organizing a parish in each
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
place have been prepared and signed; and I trust with the bless- ings of God the church will ere long be firmly established here in its purity and integrity."
Monday, July 10, 1843, the Bishop Right Rev. John Henry Hopkins, D. D., visited this church, preaching in the Congrega- tional house of worship, and confirmed 5 persons. There were reported 9 families comprising 18 adults and 14 children, and the number of communicants 9. Public services once in four weeks with exceptions. It was stated: "The congregation is still quite small and will probably continue so until a church edifice can be erected, of which, however, there is no immediate pros- pect." The lay delegate at the convention that year was Orville Shaw. The following year Mr. Bostwick had left and no report was received.
In 1845 Arthur Bostwick was serving as lay-reader. The services were morning prayer and reading of a sermon on Sun- days, after which the children were instructed in the catechism. Phineas Atwater was lay-delegate to the convention. Two years later the number of families had increased to 11 and the com- municants to 15. The people met in a private room every Sun- day for lay-reading, a melodeon had been purchased and over $50 raised. The enterprise was "strong in the zeal of a few devoted Christian people."
In 1851 efforts to raise funds to erect a church edifice were reported, in 1853 a lot was purchased, in 1854 the frame had been put up and the outside neatly finished, but the building was not reported as completed till 1857. On June 18, 1857, it was consecrated by the bishop. The total cost was $2,200, on which a debt of about $100 rested. It accommodated about 100 and seats were free. The erection of the edifice was due largely to the former labors of Rev. S. B. Bostwick and his family connections. Three years later it was free from debt.
The largest number of families reported in any year has been 20 in 1858, 1876 and 1877 ; the greatest number of communicants 24 in 1857.
Soon after the consecration of the edifice, Rev. W. C. Hop- kins, son of the bishop, officiated as rector semi-monthly for six months. He was followed by Rev. J. Isham Bliss, who held two services every other Sunday from Sept., 1858, for three or four
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
years, and in 1863 renewed his ministrations for awhile. In 1868 Rev. Josiah Swett, D. D. was officiating a part of the time, and on other Sundays lay-reading called the people together. In 1869 four hundred dollars was paid toward the rector's salary. From 1876 to 1901 Rev. Gemont Graves, who resided in Burling- ton, served as missionary to a circuit of churches, which at first included Cambridge, Essex Junction, Winooski and Shelburne as well as Jericho. The number of Sundays upon which services have been held has varied from one to three a month, but some- times in the summer when visitors were staying at the hotel they may have taken place every Sunday. The prosperity of the church was quite dependent upon summer visitors, and, when the hotel was burned in 1891, that source of aid departed. Since then ser- vices have not been frequent. No one is reported in charge of the church since 1901.
In 1860 a complete communion service was presented by ladies of St. James' Church, Fort Edward, N. Y .; in 1882 St. Paul's Church, Burlington, gave a lectern and two prayer desks, and later prayer books and other gifts came from the same source. In 1877 a small organ was procured and funds were raised for painting the church which was done again in 1889. Repairs have been made at various times, and in 1889 a memorial window for Mrs. Dr. Winslow of Staten Island, a liberal donor, was placed.
The following names of officers appear upon the diocesan records : Rufus Brown, William Thorpe, S. B. Bliss, C. R. Brown, Mrs. G. B. Bliss, Mrs. S. F. B. Wells, Ira Hawley, L. C. Stevens.
CHAPTER V.
METHODIST CHURCH IN VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE.
The church building of this organization being located within the town of Jericho, the history of the church properly belongs to this volume. The land on which the edifice stands was deeded by Luther Brown of Jericho, to Franklin Woodworth of Under- hill, Reuben Lee, Albert Gleason and Hiram Day of Jericho, Stewards of the Essex Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 15
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Feb. 14, 1856. The land comprised about one-fourth of an acre, and the consideration was $100.
The records of the first quarterly conference for Underhill Circuit held at Underhill July 10, 1858, Rev. J. C. Wells, Presiding Elder, having charge, report the following officers: Rev. Ben- jamin Cox, Circuit Preacher; Rev. J. S. Howland, Local Preacher ; A. S. Mears, Exhorter; Luther Brown, John Story, William H. Whitcomb, O. G. Gleason, John Lee, James Bent, J. H. Fairchild, E. Hatch, Leaders; S. M. Mead, Hiram Day, Reuben Lee, Nathaniel Haniford, Hiram Martin, Stewards. To this number J. C. Goodhue was added as Steward. A Negotiating Committee on parsonage property was appointed. At the next meeting the Stewards were directed to collect $29 due on parson- age furniture, and this was apportioned as follows: The Flats $12, Center $6, Bolton and Lee River $8, Jericho Center $3.
In 1859 the preacher's salary was apportioned in the follow- ing way : The Flats $225, Center $100, Jericho Corners $60, Lee River $39, Bolton $40. Total $464. Later in the year this was revised and increased so as to stand: The Flats $230; Jericho Corners $150, Underhill Center $75, North Underhill $60, Bolton $50, Lee River $35. Total $600.
A part of the time in these early years two preachers were employed, the names of William A. Hyde, B. F. Livingston, G. A. Silverstein and N. M. Learned appearing successively as second preachers, while J. S. Howland acted as local preacher for a num- ber of years. The roll of preachers in charge from 1858 to the present time is here given with the date of beginning work:
Benjamin Cox, 1858. Born, 1817 at Monkton.
A. H. Honsinger, 1859. Died at Troy, N. Y., 1899 aged 78. An enthusiastic and well beloved preacher.
Albert B. Truax, 1861. Died 1897, aged 62. Presiding elder six years. Of rare social qualities. Preached the last Sab- bath of his life.
Elisha B. Haff, 1863.
C. F. Garvin, 1865.
D. Austin, 1867.
John Lawrence, 1868. J. E. Kimball, 1869.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, JERICHO VILLAGE.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, RIVERSIDE, VT.
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT. 215
A. S. Cooper, 1869. Died 1884, aged 76. Had frequent re- vivals.
James H. Hale, 1870. Died 1880. Though an asthmatic, he was invariably able to preach on the Sabbath.
S. Chartier, 1871.
J. Halpenny, 1872.
D. P. Bragg, 1874.
Seymour C. Vail, 1877. Born 1844. Address, Corinth, N. Y.
Joseph W. Guernsey, 1880. Died 1894, aged 73.
C. E. Scott, 1883. To South America as missionary.
A. B. Riggs, 1885.
Lucien E. Taylor, 1888.
Charles M. Stebbins, 1891.
H. F. Reynolds, 1893.
Sidney S. Brigham, 1895. Born 1836. Address, Fairfax. Was a captain in Civil War.
D. C. Thatcher, 1898.
Caleb P. Taplin, 1900. Died at Montpelier 1908, aged 75. 44 years in ministry. Died in the harness.
O. L. Barnard, 1903.
A. H. Sturges, 1908.
In 1862 it was voted that Essex be united with the Underhill Circuit. Jericho Corners was included here from the beginning of the organization there till 1871 apparently, and then was joined with the Essex Circuit, which was then by itself, and this con- tinued till 1896. From that time onward it has been in the Un- derhill and Jericho charge.
At one time in 1869 it was voted to distribute the labor of the pastor as follows : at West Bolton once in two weeks in the morning, Jericho Corners once in two weeks in the afternoon and evening (or five o'clock), the Flats once in two weeks in the afternoon, the Center once in four weeks in the morning, North Underhill, Jericho Center and prayer meeting at the Flats the re- maining time.
In regard to the spiritual interests of the church there have been ups and downs, but often a hopeful, courageous attitude. In 1867 it was said that at one preaching station the numbers had more than doubled and the religious interest had increased. In
,
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
1885 the Sunday School at the Flats was increasing in number and there was an excellent interest in class meetings with 30 to 50 in attendance. The following year a revival interest had spread all through the charge. At Underhill Center prayer meet- ing attendance had risen from 6 or 8 to 30 or 40. During the three years, 1885-'87, when Rev. A. B. Riggs was the preacher in charge, over 50 were added to the church on probation. Two families were engaged in Bishop Taylor's South American mis- sion, and Rev. C. E. Scott had been released from his pastorate here to enter into that work. The report of the Presiding Elder said of this period: "Underhill has attained an altitude spirit- ually which repudiates its name. Three years of labor scarcely paralleled in our midst for earnestness have been expended here, and numbers have been converted. Many have entered the rest of faith and arduous labor, a debt of $300 on the parsonage has been provided for, and all the interests of the church are well in hand." In regard to this debt raising the Presiding Elder preached a rousing sermon on bringing all the tithes into the storehouse, and the full amount was pledged on the spot. Again in 1893 there was a revival period, the pastor being C. M. Stebbins. Mr. Steb- bins called to his aid two consecrated young women, and during the meetings about 160 professed saving faith in Christ. He was able to report 72 probationers and 106 full members. At an ear- lier time, 1862, the membership was much larger, 11 probationers and 190 full members, but Jericho Corners was then included in the charge and probably was in a flourishing state. In 1894 there were reported 175 to 180 families that favor the Methodist Church in this charge residing in Underhill, Bolton, Jericho, Westford and Cambridge. At that time the average attendance at preaching service, aside from special days like Children's Day when it was 200 and G. A. R. Day when it was 350, was 90 to 97 at the Flats, and at the Center 35 while on Children's Day it was 120. At another time the pastor, who was in poor health, was greatly worried over conditions and complained of the ab- sence of some of the stewards from his meetings.
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