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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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INTRODUOTORY
About thirty years ago Dr. Minard commenced to manufacture a beautiful crear
white Liniment, which proved to be the greatest Inflammation Allayer and Pain Destroy^
discovered by medical science. He used it in his profession wherever a liniment was
required, and very soon his numerous patients, learning of its wonderful curative powers,
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his invaluable Liniment soon became a household word in the whole circle of his practice,
and in a few years found its way into nearly every house in Nova Scotia on its own
merits. Four years ago the present proprietors purchased from Dr. Minard the sole right
to manufacture Minard's Liniment ; and by the free use of printer's ink, with a fair share
of energy and capital, Minard's Liniment has become a household word, and the Standar
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valuable Liniment at 273 Commercial Street, Boston, Mass., and are now ready to suppi|
their numerous customers.
TO OUR PATRONS.
The popularity of Minard's Liniment induces us to renew our efforts, and proclaimii
to the people of the world its usefulness.
As it is the duty of every man to do all the good he can, and the duty of every
physician to cure whatever of disease, relieve whoever of suffering, and prolong whatever
of life he may, so it is our duty to place the means for attaining these objects in the hands
of the people, in the manner best calculated to reach the greatest number and accomplish
the greatest good. A large and important part of medical practice is, and must ever
remain, in the hands of the people. The first stage of every disease is commonly treated
by parents, nurse, friend, or the patient himself, and it is all-important that they should be
informed upon the subject, and be provided with simple and effective means of cure.
Nine-tenths of all diseases may be cured pro,mptly, as the experience of thousands who
have long used Minard's Liniment shows, if they but have and apply it at once, while a
large proportion of aggravated and fatal cases may be traced to early neglect.
The great object of medicine is this : To always keep on hand a remedy for all, or
as much of the ills and pains of life ;is possible — something that is handy to take and that
can be depended upon. All persons that have ever become acquainted with Minard's
Liniment universally acknowledge its superiority overall other compounds — that it far
exceeds all other remedies ever yet compounded for what it is recommended. It is the
thing. A man cannot abuse himself and family more, either by neglecting or prejudice,
than by not becoming thoroughly acciuainted with Minard's Liniment. No person should
even think of keeping house without M-inard's Liniment in it, or ever would, if he wa?
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without provisions to eat, or fuel to cook them with.
HISTORY
Churches of Boston,
Giving a full account, in IDenominational Divisions, of all the Church
Organizations of thk City, from their Formation io the Present
Time, with Dates a:;d Complete Statistics ; compiled
with great cake from first sources.
D/r/S/OA' ONE:
BAPTIST AND PRESBYTERIAN.
EDITED BY
JAMES PIKE, A. B.
BOSTON :
ECCLESIA PUBLISHING COMPANY,
WARREN' .1. KOIUNSON & CO.,
INDEX.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
Baptist Bethel Church, - . ... 74
Bowdoin Square Church, .--24
Brighton Avenue Church, - - 46
Bunker Hill Church, 72
Central Square Church, East Boston, 66
Charles Street Church, 20
Clarendon Street Church, 29
Dearborn Street Church, 80
Dudley Street Church, 89
First Baptist Church, . 5
First Baptist Church, Charlestovvn District, - - - 41
First German Church, ............gi
First Free Baptist Church. gg
Fourth Street Church, South Boston, 82
Harvard Street Church, - 59
Jamaica Plain Church, .- -.62
Neponset Avenue Church, yi
Roslindale Church, ............ .88
Ruggles Street Church, --69
South Baptist Church, --.-.-...-..^4
Stoughton Street Church. 85
Trinity Church, East Boston, . 73
Union Temple Church, 47
Warren Avenue Church, 10
(COLORED.) 19889G1
Day-Star Church, gy
Ebenezer Church, gS
Independent Church, gy
Twelfth Church, oS
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian Church,
First Presbyterian Church, East Boston,
First Reformed Presbyterian Church, .
Fourth Presbyterian Church,
Second Reformed Presbyterian Church,
Springfield Street Presbyterian Church,
ADDENDUM.
The Bethel Church. — With regard to the Bethel cause in Boston, the
name of the Rev. C. W. Denison should be mentioned as the pioneer worker.
He began Bethel work in the city some two years before Mr. Stowe, but from
some cause, did not continue it.
The names of Irving O. Whiting, and Frank E. James — the latter as Secre-
tary— were added to the Bethel Board, since that portion of the work went to
press. Both of tliese names are from the First Baptist Church.
Those also of Miss M. V. Ball, for 30 years the President of the Ladies'
Bethel Society, and of Mrs. Newman, the present President of the same ; together
with that of Austin S. Hawley, the late Secretary of the Bethel Board, are most
justly entitled to be placed on record.
PREFACE.
In a practical age, in which actual results are made the test of success, it is
necessary, it should seem, to say but very little in introducing to a public, which
is, at least nominally. Christian, this book ; whose purpose is to present in perma-
nent form, the actual result and condition of church work in the denominations
represented. Every kind and branch of secular industry and effort has had, and
still has, its own special Historian, or even several of them, by whom are placed
on record full annals of its work. But, hitherto, no chronicler of the status of
Christian work in its regular, normal, "trunk " line of action has appeared. This
gap these books are intended to fill.
The division into denominational parts has been considered to be the best,
and will be adhered to as nearly as possible. Sometimes, as in this division, a
denomination has not enough churches in a city to form a division by itself, when
it is placed with another. No order of priority has been recognized, either in the
selection of a denomination for earlier or later place, or in that of the single his-
tories in the individual book. In this regard, readinesss for the press, or some
such minor circumstance, has been the only guide. In important respects, all
Christian churches are hel^d to be equal, and their records prepared with com-
l)lete impartiality. The relative fulness and perfectness of the various accounts
have been, as a matter of course, affected by the quality of the records, their
accessibility, their fragmentary or complete character, and other incidents due to
time and change. But, in every case, without exception, the very best possible
has been done, and often with no little difficulty.
The publishers and their editor here desire to tender their most hearty thanks
to those friendly pastors, deacons, elders, and other church officers and members,
whose kind and invaluable aitl, so generously given, has made the successful com-
pletion of the work iJossiblc. The remembrance of their lielpful courtesy is a
pleasant one. The list is a long one. None are named, lest one should, by inad-
vertence, be omitted. Each one is warmly thanked, personally ; and all, collect-
ively ; but none, enough.
The o\d proverb, "A//iiis iT'ti/i/ t^rti ad summa Mi'/i/ii/ur" has been the rule,
in the production of the book, \\hile perfection cannot, probably, be attained,
even in the publishing of a book, it can be striven for. This standard having
been always aimed at, it is (le\outly — and with some basis — hoped that a thor-
oughly good book has been jiroducetl, even though hypercriticism should detect
some weak points.
The work will he continued uninterruptedly throughout the several denomi-
nations.
Boston, May, 1883.
The First Baptist Church,
Clarendon Street, Corner of Commoxweai.th Avenue.
This church was constituted in Charlestown on the 28th of March, fold
style,) 1665. The first record on the church-book is as follows : —
"The 28th of the 3d month, 1665, in Charlestown, the church of Christ,
commonly (though falsely) called Anabaptist, were gatjiered together and entered
into fellowship and communion with each other, engaging to walk together in all
the appointments of their Lord and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, as far as He
should be pleased to make known His mind and will unto them by His word and
Spirit, — and then were baptized Thomas Gould, Thomas Osborne, Edward
Drinker, John George, — and joined with Richard Goodall, William Turner,
Robert Lambert, Mary Goodall, and Mary Newall, who had walked in that order
in Old England."
This proceeding was considered by the civil rulers and the clergy of the
Established Church as a high-handed and illegal act on the part of the Baptists ;
and they were denounced as heretics, and dishirbers of the peace. In accordance
with a law which had been enacted at an early date, forbidding any person to form
a church, or to meet together for divine service, without consent of the magistrate,
several of the leading brethren of the church were brought before the Court of
Assistants, the County Court at Cambridge, and the General Court ; and, on their
refusal to desist from what was called their schismatic practice, were fined, dis-
franchised, ordered to go into exile, and imprisoned. These persecutions, with
intervals of abatement, continued until 1680, when the church, having been ejected
from the meeting-house which it had built, was permitted to re-enter it.
Until 1679, the church met regularly once a week at private houses in
Woburn, Charlestown, in Back street, now Salem street, Boston, and Noddle's
Island, now East Boston.
On the 15th of February, 1679, the church met for the first time in its first
meeting-hou8e, which was located at the corner of what are now called Stillman
and Salem strsets. It was at the foot of an open lot, running from Salem street to
the mill-pond, and placed near the water, for convenience for baptismal services.
This house was replaced by a larger one, erected on the same spot, in 1771, under
tlie popular Dr. Stillman ; to which, twenty years later, a considerable addition was
made, making the whole building 57x77 feet. In these two humble buildings, on
6 CIIVRCHES OF BOSTOX.
this memorable site, the church worshipped for over 150 years. They were
frauglit with precious memories of conference, prayer, baptismal, and sacramental
occasions ; and of a succession of pastors anil members whose influence will be
felt forever. There Wayland, Winchell and StiUman preached — back to John
Russell and Thomas Gould.
The old building was afterwards removed to South Boston, and for a long
lime, was used by the South Boston Baptist Church.
The third meeting-house, erected by the church in Hano\er street, was dedi-
cated June 18, 1829.
The fourth meeting-house, erected by the church in Somerset street, was
dedicated January 11, 1S55. This projierty is now owned bv the Boston
University.
From 1S77 to 1S82 the church occupied the meeting-house m Shawmut
avenue. In the fall of 1S82, the magnificent temple on Commonwealth avenue
which had been built by the Brattle Street Society, having been bought and refitted,
was taken possession of by the church as its house of worship. This house — the
sixth occupied by the church — with the adjoining new chapel building, since
erected, is one of the most imposing ecclesiastical structures in the city.
The new chapel was opened on Friday evening, February 9, 18S3. It is at
the side of the main building, and is 104 feet long and 28 feet wide, with a small
addition of the size of 12 feet by 44, taken from the main edifice. It has a
seating capacity of about 400, and, with connecting rooms, of 100 more. The
pastor's room, Bible and Committee rooms, etc., are over the ante-rooms. In this
annex the architecture of the original edifice has been closely followed under the
direction of Mr. T. W. Silloway. The decorations are Romanesque, and the fres-
coing is a handsome piece of work, scarcely excelled in Boston. In the basement
is a refectory, extending under the entire chapel. The cost of the chapel and
land was §50,000
The first pastor of the church, who was also one of its founders, was Thomas
Gould.
After his decease, in 1675, Isaac Hull and John Russell became pastors of
the church, assisted in their labors for a brief jjeriod by John Miles, one of the
two thousand ministers ejected from their livings in England in 1662.
John Russell was a shoemaker, and no doubt worked at the trade after
assuming the pastoral office — a circumstance which was the occasion of much
ridicule by the learned divines of Boston.
After the death of Mr. Russell, in 1680, the church appointed Edward
Drinker and Ellis Callender to aid in carrying on their worship.
In 1684 John ICmblem, who had been brought over from Englantl, began
a ministry with the church which ended with his death, in 1699.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 7
Failing in an effort to obtain a minister from England, in 1708 the church
ordained as its pastor Ellis Callender, who, when the pastoral office was vacant,
had been for thirty years " principal speaker."
Resigning his charge in 1718, he was succeeded by his son Ehsha Callender,
whose prosperous ministry continued until his death, in 1 738. It is a pleasing
circumstance that the principal services on the occasion of fJis ordination were
performed by Increase Mather, Cotton Mather, and James Webb, three eminent
Congregationalist clergymen, who, a few years before, had used their influence to
drive the Baptists from the Colony. These services, moreover, were performed in
the very house whose doors had once "been nailed ud" by the authorities of the
Colony of Massachusetts.
On February 14, 1739, Jeremiah Condy, who had been brought over from
England, was ordained pastor of the church. It was during this pastorate that the
secession from this church took place, from which arose the Second Baptist Church,
afterwards well known as The Baldwin Place Baptist Church — now The Warren
Avenue Church. Whatever may have been thought of Mr. Condy by some of his
jjeople, he seems to have enjoyed the strong support of the church, which would
appear by his long pastorate, which lasted for 25 years. But, in addition to this
fact, there is on record a letter full of confidence and love, given to Mr. Condy at
his resignation. He died in Boston in 1768.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Condy, in 1765, the eminent and beloved Samuel
Stillman was installed in the pastoral office, the duties of which he performed with
remarkable ability and devotion until his death, March 12, 1807. But few
l^astors have been more highly regarded than this venerable man. Not only by
the church, but by the whole community, he was looked upon as a man of extra-
ordinary talent, great kindness of heart, and perfect purity of moral character. He
was probably the most popular pulpit orator of his day. His pastorate covered a
period of the greatest national interest ; the revolutionary war, the adoption of the
lederal constitution, the presidencies of Washington — of whom he was an enthusi-
astic friend — Adams, and Jefferson, all having occurred while he was pastor of this
church. In the early part of the century there was a great revival of religion at
both the first and second churches.
Dr. Stillman was succeeded, in 1807, by Joseph Clay (commonly called Judge
Clay), who, on account of continued ill health, obtained dismission from his pas-
toral charge in 1809. In early manhood he had studied law, and was for several
years Judge of the U. S. Court for the district of Georgia. He died January 11,
181T, aged 47 years. After this the church was without a pastor for five years.
In 1 814 James Manning Winchell began a prosperous ministry with the
church, which ended with his death, on February 22, 1820.
From 1 82 1 to 1826 the Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., (afterward president
CHURCHES OF IWSTOX.
of Brown University) filled the pastoral office, and was succeeded, in 1827, by the
Rev. Cyrus I'. Crosvenor, who resigned in 1830.
. It was during the ministry of Mr. Grosvenor, and chiefly through his exer-
tions, that the old meeting-house on Stillman street was abandoned, and a new one
built at the corner of Hanover and Union streets, in 1829, wherein the church
worshipped for 25 years. Here Dr. Neale preached for 16 years.
Dr. William Hague became pastor of the church in 1S30, remaining until
1837, when he resigned to take charge of the First Baptist Church in Providence,
R. I. Under him the congregation was greatly enlarged ; the brilliant union in
him of popular talent and an ingenuous spirit commanded universal affection and
confidence.
In 1837 Rollin H. Neale succeeded to the pastoral office, resignmg m 1877,
and dying in 1879. A man of power and a man of peace. Dr. Neale was greatly
honored and beloved ; and all our thoughts of him, now that he has passed into
the skies, are precious thoughts.
In October, 187 1, Rev. John T. Beckley was installed associate pastor,
resigning "June, 1876.
In the period which we have been reviewing, the church enjoyed many
precious revivals of religion. Of the pastors whose labors were specially honored
by revivals, we mention Mr. Condy, Dr. Stillman, Mr. Grosvenor, Dr. Hague, and
Dr. Neale.
For many years previous to 1877 there had been a growing conviction that
the church would gain larger prosperity by removal to another part of the city.
Such a project seemed to require a union with one of the other churches.
Accordingly, after prayerful deliberation, an overture for union was made by the
Shawmut Avenue Church. This overture, after much deliberation and many con-
ferences, was accepted. On the twenty-fourth day of May, 1877, the members of
the Shawmut Avenue Church were received individually into the First Church, the
former church ceasing to exist as a church, and the latter entering upon a new
epoch of its long and honorable career.
The history of the Shawmut Avenue Church may be briefly summarized as
follows : —
In view of the rapid growth of population in the southerly section of the
city, a few warm-hearted and earnest Christians, members of Baptist churches of
Boston and vicinity, began public religious services on the second Sunday of April,
1S55, in a hall on Canton street, a httle west of Shawmut avenue. R. W.
Cushman, D. D., accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit, and soon gathered a
good congregation. On the 6th of May, under the superintendence of Franklin
W. Smith, a sabbath-school was organized with nine teachers and forty-four
scholars.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
On the third day of March, 1S56, thirty-one persons (fifteen males and
sixteen females) constituted themselves into a church, and on the thirteenth day
of the same month were publicly recognized by an ecclesiastical council under the
name of the " Thirteenth Baptist t'hurch." Dr. Cushman accepted the pastoral
cliarge, in which he continued until July of the same year.
In September, 1857, Mr. Philip S. Evans began his labors as pastor, receiving
ordination in October, kt this time the church worshipped in Williams Hall. Mr.
Evans resigned November 1858.
In June, 1859, J. W. Parker, D. D., became pastor of the church, resigning
in December, 1864. In the first year of his pastorate, the edifice occupied from
1S77 to 1882 by the First Baptist Church was purchased, refitted, and dedicated.
.'\t this time the name of the church was changed to the " Shawmut Avenue
B.iptist Church."
In April, 1865, William Hague, D. D., accepted an invitation to the pastoral
office, and began his labors. During his pastorate the meeting-house was enlarged
anil beautified, and the debt upon it paid, and a mission-school established, which
has since developed into the " Ruggles Street Baptist Church."
Dr. Hague resigned in 1869, and was succeeded in 1870 by George C.
Lorimer, D. D., who resigned in 1873.
In 1874 Rev. Wayland Hoyt became pastor of the church, resigning in 1876.
In the period here reviewed, many revivals of religion were enjoyed, par-
ticularly during the pastorates of Mr. Evans, Dr. Hague, and Dr. Lorimer, while
all the pastors were abundantly blessed in their work.
In 1877, as already stated, the Shawmut Avenue Church was incorporated into
the First Church, and ceased to exist as a separate and independent body.
On the i2th of April, 1878, the Rev. Cephas B. Crane, D. D., began his
labors as pastor of the church, and is still fulfilling effectively and with divinely
fa\ored success, the duties of his office in this ancient church. The present
membership of the church is about 850.
Church Officers. — Pastor : Rev. Cephas B. Crane, D. D. ; Deacons :
Cyrus Carpenter, Elisha James, John Q. A. Litchfield, James W. Converse,
Lansing Millis ; Treasurer : Elisha James ; Clerk : \Villiam H. Foster.
Officers of thf. Sunday School. — Superintendent : k. S. Woodworth ;
Assistant Superintendents : J. K. Simpson, Jr., H. L. Millis ; Secretary : A. L-
Macomber.
CnrRCrTES OF BOSTOX.
The Warren Avenue Church,
Warren Avenue, Cor. West Canton Street.
In the year 1 742, some of the members of the First Baptist Church became
dissatisfied • with the preaching and doctrine of its pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah
Condy. They felt convinced that his doctrines were unevangelical, and not in
accordance with the views of Baptists. In consequence, they addressed a letter
— dated September 29, 1742, — to Mr. Condy and to the members, stating their
dissatisfaction, and requesting a conference on the matter. They received no
reply, and, therefore, in the month of October, they assembled in the hous'; of
Mr. James Bownd, at the corner of Sheafe and Snowhill streets, to conduct wor-
ship among themselves.
This continued for several months, until, finding no prospect of a change
at the First Church, the seceders from that church — in all seven persons — met
on July 27, 1743, and organized the Second Baptist Church, and on the same day
they drew up and adopted a Church Covenant, which was signed by thirty-three
persons. However, these brethren, not knowing but that they were the only
persons who still adhered to. the doctrines and principles upon which the F'irst
Baptist Church was founded, felt that they ought to retain that name, which, finally,
they did, and it was not until after the lapse of many years that they consented to be
called the Second Baptist Church, and nearly a hundred years afterwards, — in
the year 1839 — the name by which this church was so long and so widely known,
viz.: "The Baldwin Place Baptist Church," was adopted, in accordance with a
joint petition of the church and society to the legislature.
They selected one of their number — Ephraim Bownd — as their first pastor ;
he was forthwith ordained, and commenced pastoral duties, more especially the
baptising of such candidates as the church received.
In the Centennial Sermon of this church, preached by Dr. Stow, the following
paragraph occurs : —
" Having withdrawn from their brethren for reasons such as have been speci-
fied, it is natural tosup|)Ose that they would not fail to give s])ecial jjrominence, in
their articles of organization, to those cardinal doctrines for the sake of which they
THE' WARREN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 1
were making large sacrifices, and assuming peculiar responsibilities. The
Summary Declaration of Faith which they promptly put forth, and which is still the
platform of this church, shows how careful they were to be full and explicit in the
exhibition of those principles which they had gathered from the Word of God,
and for the defence of which they had taken their new position. Faithful disciples
of Jesus ! They laid their foundation deep and broad in the great doctrines of
the New Testament, and to this fact may be attributed, under God, the stability
of the superstructure. While oth^r churches around them, built partly upon
God's truth and partly upon tradition, have declined from Christian rectitude,
this church has stood firm on ' the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone,' and though the superincumbent mass
has been greatly increased, and though it has been exposed to all the convulsions
of a most exciting century, yet it has never been swayed a single hair's breadth
from the true perpendicular."
The meetings of the church were continued in the house of Mr. James
Bownd until June, 1745, when they were removed to Mr. Proctor's school-house,
which was not far from Baldwin Place. About this time the society commenced
building their first house of worship. It was erected on land given by Deacon
Bosworth. The house was forty-five by thirty-three feet, containing twenty-six
pews on the lower floor, and six in the east gallery, in front of the woman's gallery.
Tlie seats in the west gallery were free, and were occupied chiefly by sea-faring
men, as they were, from time to time, in port. The house was first opened for
Divine service on Lord's Day, March 15, 1746. The best pew in the house, esti-
mated worth eighty-five pounds, " old tenor," was owned by Mr. Proctor. The
second best was set apart " to be forever the ministerial pew." Near the pulpit
was a baptistry, which was used for more than forty years.
Mr. Bownd, the first pastor of this church, was regarded as a very evangelical
and interesting preacher. For several years, under his care, the church enjoyed
much peace and harmony, and members were added to it from towns twenty miles
around Boston.
He continued to minister to this church for about t^venty-two years. During
the first five years of his ministry, such was his success that the church had increased
to one' hundred and twenty, and for ten years no act of discipline was necessary.
Some time before his death he was aflflicted with paralysis, which greatly interfered
with his work. In 1 764 an invitation was sent to the Rev. Samuel Stillman, after-
wards Dr. Stillman, then of Bordentown, N. J., to come and assist him for one
year, which he accepted. At the close of this year's service, there being a vacancy
in the pastoral office of the First Church, Mr. Stillman was invited to fill it, and
consented ; but such was the attachment of many of the members of this church
and congregation to him, that they went with him, some with letters of dismission
12 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
and some without. This occasioned a state of very sore feeling between the two
churches, which it took years to heal.
Mr. Bownd died the next year, June i8, 1765.
It was five years before the church obtained another pastor, and these were
years of severe trial. Many had followed Mr. Stillman — the tide had turned in
favor of that church, and the faith of this was severely tested.
In 1 7 70, Mr. John Davis, a graduate of Pennsylvania University, son of the
Rev. David Davis, of Welch Tract, Delaware, was requested to take the oversight
of the church. He commenced his labors on probation, in the spring, and on
the 9th of September following, was ordained to the pastoral office. The pros-
pects of the church again assumed an encouraging aspect. Some who had gone
off returned, and the church began to look for days of prosperity ; but these
pleasing anticipations were quickly blasted. In less than two years from the time
of Mr. Davis's ordination his health began to decline, so that he found it necessary
to ask for a dismission, which was reluctantly granted, July 19, 1772. He died
December 13, 1773. During Mr. Davis's ministry. Watts' Psalms and Hymns
were first used by this church, those of Stemhold and Hopkins, Tate and Brady,
having been used previously.
The feelings of the church had become, by this time, so far modified towards
Mr. Stillman, that a vote was passed that he be allowed to preach in " our "
meeting-house.
In September, 1772, this church was admitted into the Warren Association,
which met, that year, with the church in Middleborough, and continued a member
of that body until the year 181 1, when it was dismissed with other churches to
constitute the Boston Association.
The next pastor was Mr. Isaac Skillman, afterwards Dr. Skillman, a native of
New Jersey, and a graduate of Nassau Hall College at Princeton. He com-
menced his labors, without a regular installation, in September, 1773, and con-
tinued pastor until October 7, 1787, a period of fourteen years, when, at his own
request, he was dismissed. Although this pastor was regarded as a man of more
than ordinary talent, yet the church did not prosper under his ministry. When he
settled, the number of members was forty, when he retired from his connection
with the church it was sixty-six.
The fourth pastor was the Rev. Thomas Gair, a native of Boston. He was
converted at the age of sixteen, under the ministry of Dr. Stillman. In 1777, he
received his degree of A. M. at Rhode Island College. He was soon after settled
as pastor of the church in Medfield, where he labored ten years. Having closed
his labors there, he was invited by this church to supply them on probation, after
which he accepted their unanimous invitation to become their pastor. He was
installed April 23, 1788, in the Rev. Dr. Elliott's meeting-house, on which
THE WARREN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH. 13
occasion the pastor of the First Church was one of the officiating ministers, and
from this event may be dated the commencement of a better feeling between the
two churches.
Such was the success of Mr. Gair's ministry that it was found necessary to
enlarge the meeting-house for the accommodation of the increasing congregation.
Twenty feet were added to the south side, making it fifty-three by forty-five feet.
These fair prospects were soon lieclouded, for in the spring of i 790, their
beloved pastor, in the midst of his usefulness, was suddenly attacked by a malig-
•nant fever, the progress of which no earthly skill could arrest. His death, which
was deeply lamented, took place April 27, 1790, only two years and four days
after his installation, and in the thirty-sixth year of his age. Immediately after the
funeral of Mr. Gair, on an intimation from Mr. Oliver Holden that Mr. Thomas
Baldwin, of Canaan, N. H., would be a suitable person to supply them, a letter
was addressed to him, but, by some means, it did not reach him, and had it not
been that a brother wrote him on his own responsibility, and sent his letter in a
different direction from the official one, he probably never would have been the
pastor of this church, as he was then on his way to visit another church which
was desirous of his services. He replied to his brother that " God willing, he
would be in Boston the first of July." He arrived, and commenced his labors on
the fourth of July, 1790. His first sermon was founded on Acts x. 29, the words
of Peter to Cornelius : " Therefore came I unto you, without gainsaying, as soon
as I was sent for; I ask, therefore, to what intent ye have sent for me." After
preaching a short time on probation, the church and society held a special meet-
ing and extended to him a unanimous call to become their pastor.
The letter from the committee, having the matter in charge, sent to Mr.
Baldwin, says " that the church have thought it their duty to engage you at six
dollars per week for the first six months, and then to increase it as they shall find
themselves able ; and also to find you all that part of the dwelling-house now
occupied by the widow Gair, (excepting the front chamber,) together with the
improvement of the garden, below the gate ; and also to allow you fifteen cords
or wood, dehvered at the house."
Agreeably to this engagement, at the end of six months, they raised the
salary to eight dollars, and not long after, to ten, then to twelve, to fifteen, to
eighteen, aud then to twenty ; this was paid weekly, with punctuality.
These advances were made by the society, without the slightest hint from the
pastor. They also furnished him with a good house, and with all the wood
necessary.
On Tuesday, November 1 1 , i 790, Mr. Baldwin was publicly installed, at the
Rev. Dr. Elliott's meeting-house, which was kindly offered for the occasion. From
this time we may date the beginning of prosperity which continued, with but little
14 CHURCHES OF ROSTOX.
interraption, for years. In a very short lime the congrfgation luul so increased
that the house became too small to accommodate the liearers, and it was tleemed
necessary again to enlarge it, which was done by dividing it, and adding eighteen
feet in the middle. This work was commenced September i8, 1797, and finished
November 30th following — Thanksgi\ ing day. The house was embellished by a
beautiful clock, the donation of Mr. John Hoffman ; by an elegant cut glass
chandelier, imported from England ; and the communion servic e was so enlarged,
by purchase and donations, as to be worth $55 1.44.
In 1803, this and the First Church were blessed with a most precious revival
of religion, which continued for more than two years, during which time two
hundred and twelve j^ersons were added, by baptism, to this church, and one
hundred and thirty-five to the First Church. The influence of this work upon
evangelical religion has, unquestionably, been very great. It jirobab!)' would not
be asserting too much to say that orthodoxy owes its ascendency, instrumcntally.
to this revival in these two Baptist churches.
In the spring of 1 8 1 o, the congregation had become so large that fears were
entertained of their safety, on account of the supposed weakness of some parts
of the old meeting-house, and steps were therefore taken towards the erection of
a new one. This work was unilertaken the same year. The old house was taken
down and removed. The corner stone of the new one was laid by the pastor,
Monday morning, May 28, 1810, at ten o'clock. The walls were laid in solid
clay, of the depth of from ten to twenty feet below the brick work ; the house «as
eighty-five feet by seventy-five, exclusive of the porch, which was thirty-eight by
eighteen. The tower was sixty-four feet high. It was originally inteniled to hjne
a handsome cupola. On the lower floor were one hundred and forty-two pews,
and forty-four in the galleries ; in the whole, one hundred and eighty-six. ']"he
whole expense, exclusive of the land, was. about twenty-four tliou.sand dollars.
The house was dedicated by solemn and somewhat imposing services on January
I, 181 1. It is supposed that more than tiirec thousand persons were jjresent at
the dedication.
The year 1816 may be considered an era in the history of Sabbath Schools
in Boston. In the month of June, 1816, the Female Sabbath School was com-
menced at Charles Street Church, and in the following month, July, one w;is
commenced at the Second, afterwards the Baldwin Place, Baptist Church. A large
number of ladies of the churih and congregation, with the approval of the vener-
able and beloved pastor and the brethren, organized themselves into a society,
agreeing each to pay one cent a week for the the support of this school.
At that period there were no Primary Schools in Boston. The Sabbath
Schools were established exclusively for the children of the poor. Clothing, suit-
able for their attendance on public worship, had to be provided for them. This
THE WARREN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH. 15
was taken charge of, during the week, by a lady appointed by the society as
keeper of the wardrobe. It was the duty of the teacher to instruct the scholars,
if necessary, from the alphabet ; also to teach them to read and spell, as well as
to require them to commit to memory and recite, portions of Scripture, Baldwin's
Catechism, Hymns, etc. The hours for opening the school in the summer were
8 A. M., and i P. M.
On July 27, 1S16, the scluol was commenced with thirty-seven children
attired in neat habiliments, provided and made up by the industry of the society.
It met on the floor of the meeting-house, there being at that time no vestry, it
having been taken down to make room for the erection of a new meeting-house.
This was just seventy-three years from the foundation of the church. The first
class of colored children ever brought under Sabbath School instruction in Boston,
was tauglit in this school.
The male school was commenced by a society of gentlemen in the following
spring, 181 7, in the gallery of the meeting-house. The girls' school remained
exclusively under female supervision for twelve or thirteen years. However,
previously to the expiration of that time, the plan of the Sabbath School instruc-
tion was so modified as to admit the children of the rich as well as the poor.
The ministry of Dr. Baldwin was continued until August 29, 1825, at which
time it was terminated by his death. He had gone to attend the commencement
exercises of Waterville College, Me., when he was taken ill and died. " He was,"
says Dr. Stow, in his Centennial Discourse, " a man of rare excellence, and the
memory of his virtues will be cherished with affectionate reverence as long as truth
and holiness shall ha\e a friend or an advocate.
" The attachment of this church and society to Dr. Baldwin was peculiarly
strong, and most deeply did they mourn his departure. The general feeling
among themselves, and the common sentiment of the community was, that it
would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a successor in whom they could unite,
and to whom they could cordially transfer the affections that had so long and
tenaciously clung to their aged favorite.
" Mr. James D. Knowles, then a tutor in the Columbia College, District of Col-
umbia, was present when Dr. Baldwin preached his last sermon in this house, the
Sabbath previous to his departure for Waterville. On the same day he preached
his first discourse to this people, little apprehending that it was his introduction to
the field of his future labors.
" In the course of the autumn, Mr. Knowles, by invitation, supplied the pulpit
for a few weeks, and the impression was so favorable that he was unanimously
requested to accept the pastoral office. This invitation was to him the occasion
of trial. But after a careful scrutiny of all the considerations, he felt that the
indications of Providence were too strongly marked to allow him to decline ; and
16 CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
on the twenty-eighth of December, 1S25, only four months after the vacancy was
createtl, he was solemnly ordained to the responsible office of pastor.
" On him fell the mantle of his departed jiredecessor ; and, taking up the work
of ihe pastor just where that man of God had left it, he went forward, with a ]iru-
dence, and a judiciousness, and an eflficiencv, that commanded general admira-
tion.
" Like his predecessor, he was called to perform much extra service in the vari-
ous departments of evangelical enterprise, and this, superadded to his preparations
for the pulpit, and numerous other parochial engagements, ultimately became a
burden which his ]ihysical constitution was ill able to endure. Finding himself
sinking under the pressure, he at length yielded to the advice of medical counsel-
lors, and, September 20, 1832, retired from the pastoral office, and acce]5ted an
appointment as ])rofessor in the Newton Theological Institution. He died on
May 9, 1838."
The seventh jjastor was the Rev. Baron Stow. At the time of Mr. Knowles's
resignation, Mr. Stow was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Portsmouth,
N. H. At the urgent solicitation of this church, together with the promise
that the church would aid in relieving the Portsmouth Church from a pecuniar}-
burden, about which Mr. Stow was \ery anxious, he accepted an invitation to
become its pastor, and was installed November 15, 1832, two months after the
resignation of the former pastor. Mr. Knowles preached on the occasion from
I Peter i. 24, 25.
The first eleven years of Mr. Stow's ministry in this church were years of
uncommon prosperity, such as falls to the lot of but few of Christ's ministers.
During that time this ardent and impulsive preacher had the pleasure of adding
to the church about nine hundred members. Several revivals of religion were
enjoyed during this period, the most remarkable of which were those of 1S3S and
184 1-2 ; during the former, one hundretl and thirty-one were added to the church,
and during the latter, two hundred and twenty-one, — the largest number ever
added in one year. The Rev. Jacob Knapp labored for some months, amidst
great excitement and much opposition, with this and other Baptist churches in the
city, during that Associational year.
In 1842 very extensive and imjjortant alterations were made in the mccilii ;
house. In order to increase the accommodation, it was resolved to raise the
roof of the house and elevate the walls, with many other improvements. When
comi)leted it was found that the alterations had involved a debt of $7,000, which
remained a burden on the church for many years.
From this time, as appears from the minutes of the Association, the < hurch
declined in numbers from year to year, until the pastor became so discouraged as
to predict that in five years Baldwin Place Church would cease to exist. The
THE WARREN AVEXVE BAPTIST CHURCH. 17
drafts upon the church for the constitution of other churches, the mania for sub-
urban residences, the tide of emigration to the South End, together with the
impaired health of the pastor, all tended to produce this diminution, and proba-
bly, to give to the pastor's mind this discouraging view. Dr. Stow resigned July
r , 1 848. His resignation; together with the removal of several of the members
with him to the Rowe Street Churcli, produced a feeling of great discouragement
in the minds of many of the members, yet still, upon the whole, hope was pre-
dominant, and there was, by the help of God, a determination to live.
The Rev. Levi Tucker, then pastor of the Washington Street Baptist Church,
Buffalo, at the invitation of the committee of supply, came and preached to the
church two Sabbaths. His preaching being very acceptable, the church and soci-
ety gave him a call to become their pastor, which he accepted, and entered upon
his labors December 31, 1848. In a very short time things began to wear a
cheerful aspect. The house was well filled with attentive hearers ; the baptismal
waters were frequently disturbed ; and the aggregate number of the church, from
year to year, increased. After about eighteen months' arduous toil, Mr. Tucker's
health began to decline. Relaxation was found necessary, but this did not restore
him ; disease had fastened upon him, in the midst of which he was called to suf-
fer most keenly from affliction in his family. His wife died, and after some
intermittent labor of a few months, he resigned his charge of the church on Sep-
tember I, 1852 ; and in the August following, after returning from a foreign tour,
his spirit took its flight to God who gave it, and his body was brought to Boston,
and placed in the church until solemn funeral services were performed, then con-
veyed to Woodla^vn Cemetery, and deposited by the side of his wife, in a lot
xiwned by the church.
This old Parent Church has borne its part well, among the early Boston
churches, in the supply of members furnished out of its ranks to the fonnation of
younger churches. The following list gives the most important of these dismis-
sions : —
There were sent from here in 1807, to Charles Street, 20 members ; in 1827, to
Federal Street, 24 members ; in 1 83 1 , to Hingham, 5 1 members ; in 1 839, to Harvard
Street, 16 members; in 1839, to Tremont street, 19 members; in 1840, to Bow-
doin Square, 79 members. Since then, others to the East Boston Church ; to the
two churches in Somerville ; and to the Bunker Hill Church, Charlestown, etc.
The successor of Dr. Tucker was the Rev. Thomas F. Caldicott, who came to
this church from the First Baptist Church in Charlestown, where he had been sig-
nally successful. His success at the Charlestown Church was continued in the
Baldwin Place Church, although no memorable religious interest was displayed.
He resigned in January, 1858, and went to Williamsburg, Long Island, from
whence he subsequently was called to Toronto, Canada, where he died.
K-^
18 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
Nearly the whole of the year 1858 was an interregnum in this church, the pul-
pit being filled by occasional supplies.
In December, 1858, the Rev. James Belcher, of Damariscotta, Maine, received
and accepted a call to the pastorate of this church. The first part of this pastor's
ministr)' was greatly blessed, a large number being added to the church. The lat-
ter part, however, of the time was not eciually propitious. Mr. Belcher resigned
in July, 1 86 1 , and left Boston for Philadelphia. He was succeeded by the Rev.
Stephen Remington, whose pastorate was both short and uneventful. It lasted
only about eighteen months, during which time there were but two baptisms.
The next pastor was the well-known Dr. Daniel C. Eddy, whose incumbency of
this pulpit for nearly seven years, though by no means unsuccessful othenvise, is
mainly noticeable as being that in which the church removed from its old time-hon-
ored location in Baldwin Place — a spot so crowded with sacred memories — to the
new edifice where it now worships in Warren avenue, comer of West Canton
street. The experience of the old church was the same as that of all its cotem-
poraries among the primitive Boston churches. The congregation gradually
deserted the old neighborhoods for newer and more modern and attractive resi-
dence districts, and the church was compelled either to sink out of existence, or
to follow the migrations of its people. As the population of the city increased,
the neighborhood of Baldwin Place became filled with a heterogeneous foreign
population, and the church was both separated from the great body of its own peo-
ple, and surrounded by a class entirely out of harmony with its purposes. So
complete was the desertion of the old congregation that it was said at the time
that there was not left a marriageable couple in the whole church. The building
was therefore sold for ^20,000 to the trustees of the " Home for Little Wanderers,"
a most deserving charity, whose object is to rescue poor and helpless chil-
dren from want and shame, and which is still (1883) continued in the old building of
this church. The new edifice was built in 1865. The site selected was in a loca-
tion at that time almost entirely unoccupied, and much of the Back Bay district
was not even filled in. The first meetings were held in the vestry of the par-
tially-completed church on April 29, 1866, and the building was completed and
dedicated on October 25, 1866. The membership at this time was about 400.
It cost 5105,000; the seating capacity is about 1,300.
For a short time between the leaving of Baldwin Place and the opening in War-
ren avenue, services were held in a chapel in A\'est Canton street. During Dr.
Eddy's ministrations about 300 were added to the church membership, but though
apparently prosperous, the inner life of the people was chilled by dissensions, which,
though not especially pronounced or demonstrative, were none the less real. This
was ultimately the cause of the resignation of Dr. Eddy, which took place on May
I, 1 87 1, when he accepted die charge of a church in Fall River.
Dr. Eddy's successor in the Warren Avenue Churcli was the Rev. George Fred-
erick Pentecost, better known, perhaps, as an evangelist than as a preacher. Mr.
Pentecost commenced preaching in this church on tlie first Sabbath in December,
1872, when President Robinson, of Brown University, preached the installation
sermon, and the Rev. Dr. Gordon, and other prominent city clergymen took part
in the interesting services. Mr. Pentecost's work here was most fruitful in results ;
not so much in the numerical additions to the actual members of the church, as
in the highly increased spiritual efficiency and religious culture of those already
forming its body. He was thoroughly in earnest in his work, and ever ready to
exhaust all his powers in his sacred calling. Mr. Pentecost however was evidently
pre-ordained for the work of an evangelist. Mr. Moody came to Boston in 1877,
and brought the most powerful persuasion to bear on the pastor to induce him to
leave the pastoral, and take up the evangelistic work. Mr. Moody said, at this
time, that " God's providence would undoubtedly soon drive Mr. Pentecost to
become an evangelist ; " and " that he (Mr. Pentecost) was the ablest evangelist
who had ever crossed his path." These expectations were shortly afterwards real-
ized. Early in 1878, after some five years of this pastorate, Mr. Pentecost
resigned his office and commenced to labor as a simple evangelist, to the great
regret of his people, by whom he was regarded with the deepest confidence and
affection. His first point of attack as an evangelist was Hartford, Conn., whence
he went to New Haven, Philadelphia, Fall River, Chicago, and many other places.
In this character he was, if possible, more successful even than in that of pastor,
and was said to be "the only substitute in this sphere for Mr. Moody." He finally
again assumed the pastor's office, and was called to the charge of a Congregational
church in Brooklyn, N. Y. In regard to his leaving the Baptist denomination, it
may be said that he had always been regarded as an advocate of open communion.
The present pastor is the Rev. O. P. Gifford, who worthily fills the pulpit
which has been rendered famous by the long array of faithful men whose eloquence,
piety, and faithful labor hallow this ancient church. He was installed in March,
1879. During his short pastorate, 300 members have accepted the baptismal
rite here, and the sum of $81,000 has been collected for the various needs of the
organization. Thus this old church appears to be renewing its strength, and enter-
ing on a new era of spiritual prosperity. The present membership is 625 ; the
Sunday School membership 750. The regular Sabbath services are not only well
attended, but so many persons are usually turned away from them for want of
room, that an enlargement of the building is anticipated.
Church Officers :— Pastor : Rev. O. P. Gifford; Clerk: Ernest B. Pratt;
Treasurer: Geo. E. Rirker; Deacons: Geo. L. Norris, Joseph Sawyer, Paul F.
Folsom, Wm. E. Smith, Luther P. Wiggin, Geo. E. Ricker, Harry Hinman, Con-
ray P. HaO^ Oliver M. Wentworth.
Cf/L'NCHES OF BOSTOX.
The Charles Street Baptist Church.
At the commencement of the present century there were but two Baptist
churches in the then Town of Boston — the First church, under the pastora] care
of the eminent and poHshed Dr. Samuel Stillman, and the Second, under that of
the equally eminent, but more disputative, Dr. Thomas Baldwin. These two
godly men, though widely differing in their mental constitution, were entirely at
one in their zeal in the service of God, and, recognizing that the growing needs
of the town demanded an additional church, they bestirred themselves to secure
such an organization, and to establish it in the western section, where at that time
it was most required, especially for the purpose of providing for the spiritual wants
of East Cambridge, Cambridgeport, Brookline, and Roxbury. They had no
unworthy motives to inspire them to this work. They simply wished to provide the
means of grace for a new part of the city and its contiguous towns.
In the spring of 1807 these efforts developed into actual result. .^ commit-
tee, organized for the purpose, sent a letter to the two churches, to enquire how
many of their members were willing to take letters of dismissal, in order to form
the proposed new church on Charles street. Nineteen signatures were obtained
from the Second Baptist Church, and five from the First church, thus making a
total membership for the new society of twenty-four. All these, it is safe to say,
were actuated by the same feelings which instigated the two venerable men who
were the source of the movement ; namely, a pure desire to extend the cause of
Christ. The names of those who may be considered as the first incorj^orators of
the Charles Street Church were : Thomas Kendall, Samuel Adams, and Heman
Lincoln.
On the seventh of .August, 1807. public worship commenced in the com-
pleted church, at the corner of Charles and Mount Vernon streets ; and this date
may be taken as that of the organization of this church, which has been, through-
out its long career, so important a factor in the religious history of Boston, and
around which cling so many sacred memories. The services on this occasion were
conducted by the Rev. Joseph Grafton, the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, and the Rev.
Lucius BoUes.
The church, when organized, was at first known as "The Third Baptist
Church," and continued to bear this title for a considerable time. Subsequently,
THE CHARLES STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 21
however, the question arose, whether this name were not strictly the property of
the colored Baptist church on Belknap — now Joy — street. In order, therefore, to
put aside any disj)ute, the name of this church was changed from " The Third Bap-
tist Church " to that of " The Charles Street Baptist Church," which name it has
since borne.
The first pastor was the Rev. Caleb Blood, of Shaftsbury, Vermont, who
remained only two years, resigning in 1809.
The next pastor was the venerable and illustrious Dr. Daniel Sharp, who,
though an Englishman by birth, became an integral part of the religious commun-
ity of Boston ; made a monumental name in the Baptist denomination of the
United States ; and became also, very widely known generally as a most graceful
and eloquent speaker.
At this time Dr. Sharp was in charge of a church in Newark, N. J., and,
while en route to Haverhill, Mass., preached a sermon — on September 2, 1809 —
in the Charles Street Church. From the strong impression then created, arose,
after a considerable time, an unanimous call from this church to him to accept the
pastorate. This call he finally accepted, and, on April 29, 181 2, he was installed
as pastor. The pastorate of this truly reverend man, then begun in the Charles
Street Church of Boston, was a long and eventful one. It lasted forty-one years,
terminating only with his death on June 23, 1853. During this long period
many things were done to promote Christianity in Boston, in all of which this par-
ent church bore well its part under its noble leader ; but the true results of this
pastorate eternity alone will show.
It is not possible here to do more than notice some of the many religious,
benevolent, and educational enterprises with which Dr. Sharp and the Charles
Street Church were intimately connected, and in not a few of which they took the
initiative. The Evangelical Tract Society was an emanation from Charles Street
Church, and was organized under the management of Dr. Sharp, even before his
installation. In this, as in many other noble works, the name of Heman Lincoln
also occupies a distinguished place. In a still more important department of
Christian labor — that of missionary effort — this church and its pastor were
equally active. Dr. Sharp's pen and voice were continually employed in this field,
inciting to work on behalf of the Christless millions in pagan lands, and, in the
grand work of foreign missions, his name stands out almost as brilliantly as that of
.\doniram Judson, the first American missionary. In conjunction with Dr. Sharp,
in mission work, were the Rev. Lucius Bolles, the Rev. Thomas Baldwin, and,
again, Mr. Heman Lincoln.
The Massachusetts Baptist Education Society was another pious enterprise
which sprung from the same source. It was organized, in September, 1814, to
provide suitable education for candidates for the gospel ministry. From this
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
society subsequently grew the The N.orthern Baptist Education Society, a larger
establishment of the same kind, and, still later. The Theological College at Water-
ville. All these finally developed into that well-known school of clergymen, The
Newton Theological Institution. The names of Deacons Batchelder, of Lynn,
and Farwell, of Cambridge, deserve mention in connection witii this matter.
On June i6, 1816, a Sunday School was commenced, for the purpose of giving,
not merely a religious, but also a general, education to poor children, as a prepa-
ration for the " grammar schools " of that time, which were analogous to the pub-
lic schools of the present day. This was the germ from which emanated the
formation of the primary schools of Boston. The Fatherless and Widows Society
was also created by the Charles Street Church, about the year 1820.
The first Baptistry in Boston or its vicinity, and one of the first Church Organs,
were erected in this church : the former in 1827, and the latter in 1829.
The faithful pastor continued to care affectionately for his charge — ever
active and prominent in every good word and work — until his death in 1853.
During his ministrations Cliarles Street Church was a center of religious attrac-
tion, and was invariably crowded with an attentive and devout congregation.
The pastors who followed were, first, the Rev. J. C. Stockbridge, D. D., who
had the care of the church from 1853 until 1861. He was succeeded by the
well-known Rev. Dr. ^Villiam Hague, who occupied the pulpit from 1S62 till
1864. The last installed pastor was the Rev. William V. Garner, who was set-
tled in 1866, and resigned in 1875. For the remainder of the time during which
public worship was continued in this church, the devotions were led by tempo-
rary supplies.
In common with most of the older churches of Boston, this church found
its membership becoming gradually depleted ; firstly, by the repeated dismissals
from its body to form other churches, and again by the removal of many more to
the newer parts of the city. So much reduced was the attendance, that at no
time during the concluding months, were there more than fifty persons present
at any time. The loss of members also had diminished its revenues, so that the
continuance of its ministrations was accomplished, during the last few years of
its active existence, only by incurring a heavy debt. Under these adverse cir-
cumstances, it was, after much discussion, finally decided to discontinue the pub-
lic services of the church, which ceased altogether in July, 1876. The church
building was sold to the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, (colored,)
which now (18S3) worships there.
This aged parent church still maintains its corporate existence, though without
a pastor or officers, and without a meeting-house. Its present members num-
ber about seventy-eight. The management of its secular affairs is in the hands
of seven trustees, from whose careful management of its resources may result the
THE CHARLES STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 23
re-establishment of its active life. That this may be accomplished is the earnest
desire of many in whose hearts the memory of the palmy days of this venerable
sanctuary is enshrined.
In order to show the important part taken by this old church in the forma-
tion of other churches, the following list is added : —
In 1817, twenty-one members were dismissed to form a church at Cam-
bridgeport. In 182 1, eleven members were dismissed to the organization of the
Roxbury Baptist Church, now known as the Dudley Street Church. In 1827 the
Federal Street Church was constituted — now known as the Clarendon Street
Church. Thirty members took letters of dismissal to assist in the formation of
this church, and with them went about fifty more of the congregation. Shortly
afterwards eight more received letters to the same church. The major portion of
the original constituent members of the Federal Street Church were drawn from
Charles Street. In 1839, twenty-eight went to form the Harvard Street Church,
and with them went also more than one hundred of the congregation. In 1 84 1-2,
thirty-'cight were sent to join other churches in the city, several of them to the
Bowdoin Square Church. These again, took with them many of the general con-
gregation. Thus it will be seen that this church has indeed been " a fruitful
vine," which has given its ripest fruit to forward the growth and extension of the
Kingdom of The Cross. Though its record is now probably, practically closed,
it has been a most honorable and useful one ; and its name occupies a sacred
niche in the history of the Christian community of New England, and especially
in that of the Baptist denomination.
CHIRCUBS OF nnsroN.
The Bowdoin Square Baptist Church.
In the month of July, 1S39, the property then standing on the site of the
present Bowdoin Square Baptist Church was offered for sale, and attracted the
attention of a number of Bajnist laymen, who were seeking a location for a new
church. The then existing city churches were crowded to their utmost capacity,
and it was thought that the time had come for the erection of another house of
worship, occupying some interinediate situation between the First and Charles
Street churches.
Tjiis site was particularly noticed, because it was placed at an exactly suitable
distance from the other churches ; because the position was most desirable ; and
because it was surrounded by a population for whom it had become a duty to pro-
vide the means of salvation.
The ground was accordingly bought by some wealthy Baptists, for $24,120,
and the corner-stone of the new church laid on April 9, 1840. The size of the
ground was at that time 122 feet on Chardon street, and 77 feet on Bowdoin
Square, but the lot was afterwards reduced when the Square was widened by the
city. The building was dedicated, and the church publicly recognized in No\em-
ber of the same year. It " was erected," as the silver plate placed under the
comer-stone sets forth, " by the voluntary subscriptions of members of the vari-
ous Baptist churches and congregations in Boston." And, as said at the time, it
was " for the use of a church yet to be formed, and a congregation yet to be
assembled." The building is a most substantial one, and has a most massive
appearance, being fronted with heavy undressed granite. It is 98 1-4 feet in
length, including the projection of the tower, by 73 1-2 feet in width. The tower
projects 10 feet from the main building; it is 28 feet square, and 110 feet high.
The entire cost of the house and furniture, including the organ, was a little over
$70,000.
As the building drew near completion, the creation of a membership became
the subject of consideration. In order to select members from the other churches
to form the basis of the new church — a somewhat difificult matter, in conse-
ijuence of the strong attachment of the congregations to their churches and min-
istere — a meeting was called from among the members of the old churches, and
was held in the vestry in Bowdoin Sfiuare, on the 1 7th of September, 1 840, under
THE BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH. 25
the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Sharp, and the Rev. Baron Stow. Articles of
Faith and a covenant were agreed upon, and one hundred and thirty-four members
of the other churches agreed to accept dismission from their own churches, and
join themselves together to form a constituency for the new church. Among
many names of those who were active in the foundation and support of this
church, perhaps none deserves more honorable mention than that of Deacon Asa
Wilbur, who, from its inception until his death in 1878 at the ripe age of 86, was
devoted to its interests. The contingents supplied by the various churches of the
city, and of other places, were as follows, viz. : —
The First Church, 21; Baldwin Place, 76; Charles Street, 12; Federal
Street 17; Boylston (afterwards Harvard Street), 2; West Baptist, 3; New
Hampton, N. H., i ; Free Street, Portland, 2. Total, 134.
BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHUKCH ]
.84T,
Prayer meetings were held in the vestry before the final completion of the
building, but. after the dedication, for about eight or nine months, services were
regularly held in the church proper, the pulpit being supplied by the city pastors.
In December, of the opening year (1840), an invitation was extended to
Dr. Welsh, of Albany,, to take the charge of the parish, which was shortly after-
ward declined.
In the spring of 1841, a call to the pastorate was extended to the Rev. Rob-
ert W. Cusliman, then of Philadelphia. This call was accepted by him on
26 CHTRCHES OF BOSTO.V.
June 5, 1841, and he was duly installed in July. On the first of August, the Bap-
tistry was used for the first time, when three persons received the solemn rite of
the mystic " burial with Christ." On the fifteenth of September the church was
received into the Boston Baptist Association, at which time it numbered 148 mem-
bers. Under the pastorate of the erudite and scholarly Mr. Cushman the church
progressed steadily in numbers, wealth, and efficiency ; which success was the
more gratifying to its promoters, because the establishing of such a church was,
at t".jat time, for the amount of pecuniary responsibility involved in it, without a
parallel in the denomination. Very shortly after the commencement of the pas-
torate, the house was well filled, and it became evident that the Word of Truth
was having its due effett on many hearts.
The pastorate of Mr. Cushman at Bowdoin Square Church is also important
and remarkable because it began about the time of the most extensive and perhaps
the greatest, religious revival which has been known in the United States, and
which continued from early in 1841 to 1843 ; and also because of the part taken
by the evangelist, the Rev. Jacob Knapp, in that revival in Boston and particu-
larly ill Bowdoin Square Church. Great diversity of opinion arose with regard to
this bold and uncompromising preacher of the Gospel throughout New England,
and while many were pleased with him, very many, both inside the church as well
as outside, were greatly offended. About the first of January, 1842, Mr. Knapp
came to Boston, and began to preach at the First Church, of which the Rev.
Rollin H. Neale was then pastor, after which he preached at Baldwin Place, then
under the ministrations of the Rev. Baron Stow. On January 9th, he went to
Bowdoin Square Church, and it was while here that he met his fiercest opposi-
tion. Mobs gathered about the church, as they did in the olden time about the
synagogue in Lystra, and would have stoned Mr. Knapp and dragged him through
the city. But this fearless preacher bore himself right bravely, and kept his way
in humble reliance upon God. The people were stirred by his earnest appeal, and
awed by his sublime courage. Still the excitement grew more intense every day,
and the crowds were finally dispersed only by the power of the municipal gov-
ernment.
Mr. Cushman resigned his charge in 1846, and was followed by several
uneventful pastorates. The Rev. Pharcellus Church was the next installed pastor ;
he was settled in 1848, and resigned in 1852 ; after him, in 1853, was the Rev.
William H. Wines, who left the pastorate in 1857 ; and to him succeeded the
Rev. Dr. J. N. Murdock, a somewhat jirominent clergyman, of Hartford, Conn. He
retired from the charge in 1862, and is, at the present time, the Secretary of the
American Baptist Missionary Union. The next pastor after Dr. Murdock, was
the Rev. Orrin T. Walker, who, at that time was in charge of a church at Trenton,
N.J. The labors of this pastor were very successful, and were largely blessed.
THE BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH. 2 7
His whole pastorate was, more or less, a continuous revival ; great religious inter-
est was experienced in the church, and the accessions to the membership were fre-
quent and numerous. Though not possessing all the brilliant traits which have
marked many of his contemporaries, his work was instrumental in building up and
strengthening this important church, whicli had become greatly weakened by the
inertness of his predecessors. He resigned in 1868 to accept a pastorate in Chi-
cago, whence he afterwards returned to Boston. He is now (1883) in charge of
the Harvard Street Baptist Church.
Tlie next two pastorates were very short, and wrought but little on the pros-
perity of the church. They were those of the Rc\-. G. F. Warren — who, some
time afterwards was the pastor of the Central Square Baptist Church, and the
founder of the Trinity Baptist Church in East Boston — and the Rev. D. M.
Reeves. The former lasted but eight months, and the latter one year. Mr.
Reeves subsequently joined the Presbyterian church.
On November 5, 1872, the Rev. Charles Y. Swan was called to, and
accepted the charge of, the church. He was a son of the well-known evangelist.
Elder Jabez Swan, of Connecticut. The labors of this pastor were very greatly
blessed. Another lengthened revi\-al was experienced, and many were converted
to God. Mr. Swan's pastorate lasted for about five years, terminating May i,
1876, when he removed to a church in Newark, N. J., where he died in 1880.
His successor was the Rev. F. B. Dickinson, who became pastor March 10,
1^78, and resigned February 8, 1880, in order to take a charge in Ansonia, Con-
necticut. He was also a successful leader of the church, continuing and extend-
ing the good work begun by his predecessor. Both these pastorates were notable
ones, and did much -to increase and make vigorous the spiritual life of this church.
The present pastor is the Rev. W. W. Downs, who came to the office in 1881.
Mr. Downs was called to Bowdoin Square from Orange, N. J., where he was
assistant to the Rev. Edward Judson. Mr. Downs, in the earlier part of his life,
was engaged in secular business in the city of New York, and was led into tiie
ministry through the instrumentality of the Young Men's Christian Association of
that city, with which "arm of the church " he had become prominently identified.
His work in this church has been thoroughly worthy of this important charge, and
he has faithfully carried on the zealous labors of those who went before him.
In concluding the history of this cliurcli, it is necessary to notice the great
change which has taken place in the general character of its membership. When
founded, more than forty years ago, it was the centre of a large and aristocratic
residence district, and drew into its fold a great number of families, whose homes
were within its shadow. The congregation in those days was of the old-fashioned
family sort ; the grave and sober elders, and the fresh budding youth, — father and
son, matron and maid, —filed into its portals Sabbath after Sabbath and listened
to the divine message in company. This is now very greatly clianged, just as is
the surrounding neighborhood. Most of tlie early churches of Boston which
originally were centrally located in the old city have removed bodily — both build-
ing and congregation — to other and more modern districts, and their old sites are
nc)w filled by warehouses, stores, and offices. In this case it has not been so.
The church remains, but a new kind of hearers now attend its services. The
places of the families are now taken almost entirely by young people just about
commencing the stern and real battle of life ; many — or, indeed, most — of
them, strangers to the city, who have come from other places to struggle for an
existence here. This change has been recognized and its requirements provided
for by its officers, and the services and meetings are made especially suitable
for this important class. "While there must of necessity be a large nomadic ele-
ment in such a congregation, the opportunities offered by it for disseminating the
sacred seed of the gospel are almost infinitely extended. All the seats are free,
and the church has for several years been supported entirely by voluntary contri-
butions. It has become, under these conditions, more prosperous than at any
previous period of its history.
The present active membership of the church numbers about 522. The
Sabbath School attendance is 550.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Re\-. ^\■. W. Downs ; Pastoral Committee :
Joseph Story, A. F. Graves, G. F. Paine, S. A. Wilbur ; Treasurer : A. F. Graves ;
Clerk : E. P. Coleman ; Superintendent Sunday School : Joseph Story.
m%
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
The Clarendon Street Church,
Clarendon, Cok. Montgo.mery Street.
About the year 1S20, the subject of establishing a new Baptist church in
Boston, more central than either of the others, began to engage the attention of
CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
a few earnest brethren. Partly with this view, and partly to provide gospel
instruction in a destitute vicinity, meetings for prayer and public worship were
instituted in the then south-eastern part of the city, and continued for several
30 - CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
years, with various degrees of encouragement. In August, 182 1, was formed
"The Baptist Society for Promoting Morality and Piety in Boston," which, in
October, 1828, assumed the name of the "Boston Baptist Evangelical Society."
By this society, meetings were maintained in a convenient hall over the " Ship
Market," in Purchase street, supplied by Mr. E. Lincoln and others, till the Rev.
R. W. Cushman was engaged, who for a number of months regularly occupier!
the station. In April, 1826, the spacious "Julien Hall," on Milk street, was pro-
cured, where the meetings were continued till they were removed into the meet-
ing-house then in course of erection.
Early in 1825, active measures, in which a cordial interest was manifested by
the pastors and members of the three existing churches, began to be taken with
reference to erecting a Central Baptist Meeting-house. On the 23d of February,
1825, a number of brethren, impressed with the importance of the object, met at
the house of Dr. Baldwin, for consultation and prayer ; and so great was the
interest felt by those present that the sum of eight thousand dollars was volunta-
rily pledged toward the accomplishment of the object.
On the 28th of the same month a general meeting was held at the vestry of
the Second Baptist Church, at which the pastors of the three then existing
churches and a large number of friends was present. Dr. Baldwin presided.
Having sought divine direction and maturely considered the subject, " it war,
voted unanimously, that, in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient to attempt
the erection of a new Baptist meeting-house in this city."
Committees were appointed to receive subscriptions, and report a location ;
and it was " voted that when a church should be formed to worship in the pro-
posed house, having the fellowship of the other Baptist churches in Boston, the
deed of the house should be given to the church, as a Calvinistic Baptist Church,
to be held by them while three male members remain adhering to these senti-
ments."
A site for the building was purchased on Federal street, near Milk street, at
two dollars per foot, amounting in all to 515,348. On the 25th of September,
1826, the comer-stone of the building was laid, with appropriate religious services.
In the early part of May, 1827, the Building Committee informed the exist-
ing churches of the forward state of the house, and requested a meeting of those
interested, to consult as to what course should be persued with reference to the
formation of a church. Immetliale steps were taken with this object in view, and
on the 17th of May, 1827, the first preliminary meeting was held. At this meet-
ing the pastors and one deacon from each of the churches met with the brethren.
After several subseijuent meetings for consultation and prayer, sixty-five brethren
and sisters harmoniousl)- associated, and were cordially dismissed from the Second
and Charles Street churches to compose the new church.
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
On Monday, July i6, 1827, a council was convened with reference to the
recognition of the church, consisting of the pastors and delegates of the three
Baptist churches of Boston, and the Charlestown, Cambridge, Roxbury, and New-
ton churches.
" The meeting-house," says the record in tire Baptist Missionary Magazine,
" is a neat and spacious edifice, built of brick, 74 feet wide and 86 feet long,
including the porch. It has a basement story, containing a large and convenient
\estry, two rooms for candidates to prepare for baptism, and three large rooms for
other purposes. In front of the pulpit is a baptistry. There are 117 pews on the
lower floor, and 34 in the gallery. A cupola is erected, and accommodates a bell
weighing 1,635 pounds." The house was dedicated on July 18, 1827.
The Sabbath School was regularly organized, after leaving " Julien Hall," at a
meeting called for the purpose, in the lecture-room, at which Ensign Lincoln pre-
sided, on October the 21st, 1827. The school regularly held two sessions on the
Sabbath, commencing at the " ringing of the first bell," one hour previous to the
church service, morning and afternoon.
Until about this time the brethren had not been able to fix their minds on
any minister as their spiritual guide ; and this fact had added much to the sacrifice
made by such as had given themselves to this cause. The Rev. Howard Malcom,
at that time general agent of the American Sunday School Union, having visited
this city on the business of that society a few weeks before the constitution of the
church, became known to the brethren, and he was invited, August 29, 1827, by
a unanimous call, to the care of the church and society. After returning to the city
to learn the path of duty by a few weeks' residence among the people, the invitation
was accepted, October i6th, and he entered upon his labors November 13, 1827.
Mr. Malcom 's labors were blessed in a remarkable degree in drawing a large,
intelligent congregation, composed in a great measure of those who had not been
heretofore accustomed to attend Baptist preaching. Pews were in great demand,
and almost every availabte seat in the house was occupied. Large and constant
additions were made to the church from month to month throughout his entire
pastorate. Mr. Malcom was an excellent pastor ; he was skilful in the discipline
of the church, and in the training of its members to work for the Master. He
was much interested in ministerial education, and often exhorted the young men
to consider the question whether they should not devote themselves to the work
of the ministry ; and in his public ministrations he was accustomed to pray that
they might be led to a right decision on the subject. The result was, that at one
time there were no less than twelve young men, connected with the church, in a
course of study with reference to the Gospel ministry.
Among the early additions to the church were a number of persons residing
in that part of the city called South Boston, where meetings had been maintained
3 2 CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
by the Evangelical Society, from the time when their efforts in relation to this
church terminated. " These persons were, on the 28th of August, 1828, empow-
ered, in conjunction with a committee of three brethren, to hold chuicli meeting .
for business on their side of the bridge," and to be known as the " South l>ran< ii
of the Federal Street Baptist Church." Their place of meeting proving too small,
the members of this church and congregation, assisted by a few other friends,
erected a meeting-house, seventy-two feet by fifty-seven, which was dedicated
July 22, 1830, in which were regularly maintained the stated Ordinances of ilio
Gospel. The divine blessing evidendy descended on this branch of the church,
not only in the peace and edification of the members, but in the conversion o"
souls, and growth of the congregation. On the ist of March. 1831, it wa ;
deemed expedient that these meinbers be formed into a church. The measure
was adopted with perfect unanimity, and fifty-five brethren and sisters were affci-
tionately dismissed to constitute the " South Baptist Church of the City of Bo.-
ton."
At a meeting of the church, held on the 29th of January, 1S28. " the j)ro-
priety of introducing an organ, for music, as an aid to this part of di\ine service,
was discussed, — after which, it having been proposed by several individuals to
purchase an organ on shares, and allow the society the use of it one year wit!>
out charge, it was resolved, that this church does, on their part, accept the pro-
posal, and authorizes the Proprietors' Committee, when the Proprietors shall ha\ e
concurred, to accept the said organ, with the expectation that it be made subser-
vient to the choir ; and reserving to themselves the privilege, if at the end of
six months they become dissatisfied with its use, to cancel this vote."
An organ, built by Thomas .\ppleton, was procured and placed in the hous -.
the first in any Baptist house in Boston, and probably in New England, and it « a .
retained until displaced by one of a larger size.
In the spring of 1831, the pastor's health became .so much impaired that a
voyage to Europe was deemed requisite. During his absence of eight months.
the fruits of his faithful and affectionate ministrations exhibited themselves in a
most interesting revival, which embraced a large portion of the most prominent
young persons in the congregation.
Soon after the pastor's return, with partially improved health, he, with his
church, was called upon to mourn the death of his two most efficient auxil-
iaries. Mr. Ensign Lincoln, whose active and constant exertions were identified
with the origin and support of the society, died December 2. 1832. The society
may justly be said to be indebted to his fostering care for its survival through the
precarious period of infancy. He was a resource in every emergency. He par-
ticipated affectionately and acceptably in the labors of the pulpit, and in the jjas-
toral care. He was the main, because the constant, supporter of the social
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
meeting. To him the pastor might ahvays resort for prompt and prudent counsel,
and willing personal service. He made religion his glory ; and perhaps no man
has ever died more universally acknowledged a consistent professor and a devoted
Christian.
Mrs. Lucy M. Malcom, wife of the pastor, died January 15, 1833. This was
a severe loss to both pastor and church. The energy and ability with which she
managed every concern in which she engaged, were remarkable ; and her precept
and example were worthy of all imitation. Her labors in the Sabbath School, and
her active interest in the Education of the Blind, and in the establishment of
Infant Schools and Maternal Associations, will be long remembered.*
Furtlier trials awaited the church. An affection of his vocal organs silenced
the public instruction of the pastor, and resulted, after a suspense of more than a
year, in his asking a dismission from his pastoral charge. This was sorrowfully,
though cordially, granted in September, 1835, under the conviction that, in an
appointment which was immediately tendered him to visit the missionary stations
in the East, God had provided for him an extensive field of usefulness, combined
with the most promising course for the complete restoration of his health.
In October, 1835, a unanimous call was extended to the Rev. George B. Ide,
of Albany, to become the pastor. This invitation was accepted, and he was
installed, December 30, 1835.
In the autumn of 1837, Mr. Ide received an invitation to become the pastor
of the First Church in Philadelphia, under circumstances which, in connection
with the ill health of his wife, induced him to accept it. He accordingly resigned
his charge over this church in December, but consented to continue his labors a
few months longer.
After invitations had been extended to two leading clergymen of the denom-
ination,— Drs. Wayland and Sears, — and successively declined, in consequence of
holding offices in public institutions which they could not feel it their duty to
resign, the Rev. Handel (J. Nott, with hesitation, accepted a call in March, 1839,
and entered immediately upon his labors, and was installed May 23. After faith-
fully laboring one year, and himself judging that the indications to continue were
not decisive, he, in the Christian spirit which characterized all his labors and
intercourse, tendered his resignation, which, upon due deliberation, was accepted.
For a series of years few accessions of families to the congregation had been
made ; while large drafts had been made on it by removals from the city, and by
* The Maternal Association formed in connection with this church was the first in
this country, and wa.s instituted by the efforts of Mrs. Malcom, who also first intro-
duced Infant Schools, and, in co-operation with Dr. J. D. Fisher, originated the Blind
Asylum movement, which resulted in the establishment of the great " Perkins Insti-
tution."
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
new churches formed m the city about this time. In March, 1839, thirty-one
members, many of them heads of families, were dismissed to unite with others in
forming the Boylston, now Harvard Street, Church ; and in the following Aj^ril
thirty-one were dismissed at the formation of the First Baptist Free, now the Union
Temple, Baptist Church, worshiping in the Tremont Temple. In the autumn of
1 839, the building of the church in Bowdoin Square was undertaken, to which
many of the most influential and wealthy remaining families contemplated giving
their support; and in September, 1840, nineteen were dismissed to that interest.
Under such deductions in power and numbers, and the attractions of new
interests around us, the temporal concerns of the church and society assumed a
discouraging aspect. These, together with the natural consequences of a frequent
change of pastor, tended to induce despondency, which, however, yielded to
united efforts for self-preservation.
In July, 1840, the church and society united in a most cordial and earnest
invitation to the Rev. William Hague, of Providence, R. I. (formerly i)astor of
the First Baptist Church in this city), to become their pastor. He acceded to
their wishes, and entered upon his labors in September following.
In consequence of the rapid extension of the city, the business part had
reached the region where the meeting-house was situated, and all the dwellings in
the vicinity were converted into warehouses ; so that, as one after another of the
congregation disappeared by removal and other ordinary causes, none were near
to supply their places. The difficulty, therefore, of sustaining the interest, under
a still existing debt upon the house, became greater and greater ; while at the
same time, and from the same cause, the estate was much enhanced in value.
Under these circumstances, it was deemed advisable to dispose of the house
and land, with a view of removing to a more eligible location. Accordingly, April
4, 1844, the Proprietors' Committee was authorized to make sale of the estate,
with the understanding that the avails, after the payment of debts, should be
employed in the erection of a place of worship elsewhere. It was soon disposed
of, and public worship was held in the house for the last time on the 23d of Feb-
ruary, 1845 ; after which it was soon demolished, and a granite block of stores,
(numbering 7, 9, 11 and 13,) was erected, and now occupies the lot.
A site at the corner of Rowe (now Chauncy) and Bedford streets was at
length secured, at §3.124 per foot, and a liberal subscription was made, with a
view of erecting a good, substantial, and appropriately designed edifice, as a place
of worship. The corner-stone was laid, accompanied by an Address by Dr.
Hague, and other appropriate religious services, on the morning of April 27, 1846.
The Church Book, containing a list of members, Articles of Faith, Church Cov-
enant, names of the Building Committee, Architect, etc., a copy of the Baptist
religious papers, the secular papers of the day. and various other articles, were
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH. 3 5
deposited under tlie corner-stone. The house being completed, was dedicated
April 7, 1847, and occupied on the next Sabbath. The style of architec-
ture was of the pointed arched Gothic. It is said that the stern old New
England- Puritans dreaded a Gothic arch as one of the veritable marks of
the Papal Beast. It is not a little odd, therefore, that the Baptists, the dissenters
of dissenters, should have been the first to commit the scandal of erecting in Pur-
itan Boston a pointed Gothic church. However, it does not appear that the
piety of the church deteriorated under the innovation.
By an act of the legislature, the name of the society was subsequently changed
to the "Rowe Street Baptist Society," and the church adopted the corresponding
name.
During the interval of twenty-two months, until the completion of the lecture
room in December, 1846, the society regularly worshiped for a time, once or
twice each Sabbath, in Amory Hall, and afterwards in the " Melodeon ; " and dur-
ing the whole period the commodious lecture room of St. Paul's (Episcopal)
Church was most kindly and liberally granted for the business and devotional
meetings of the church.
A few months after entering the new house, the pastor became convinced
that the state of his health required an entire suspension of ministeral labors ;
and he consequently sent an unconditional resignation of his charge, much to the
surprise and regret of his people. An unqualified vote was immediately passed
by both church and society, that the pastor be requested to retain his connection,
and to take such time as he might judge necessary to reestablish his health.
To this he assented ; and after an interval of six months, during which the pulpit
was most acceptably supplied, his people had the satisfaction of welcoming him
back to resume his labors. ^ Q.^fiQtJ'i
In the summer of 1848, however, Dr. Hague again ■terara^'s^lshM-Jhat the
state of his health would not justify his continuance as pastor of the church, and
accordingly he a second time resigned, leaving no hope that his services could be
retained. His resignation was accepted, and he closed his labors the last Sabbath
in July, 1848. The prospects of the church and society were darkened by this ■
event, and many were oppressed by a feeling of discouragement. Owing to a
variety of unforeseen circumstances, a debt of considerable amount had been
incurred in the erection of the new place of worship, and fears were entertained
by some that it could not be liquidated without a sale of the property. But
it was resolved to make a vigorous effort to sustain the enterprise. The
Rev. Baron Stow, who had been for more than fifteen years pastor of the
Baldwin Place Church in this city, had been compelled by the severity of his
labors, and the consequent failure of his health, to retire from his charge. In the
autumn of 1848, the attention of the church was directed to him, his health hav-
3 6 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
ing much improved, and accordingly he was invited by the cliurch and society to
become their pastor. With much sohcitude as to the result, he accepted the invita-
tion, antl commenced his work November i, 1848.
At a meeting of the church, April 29, 1851, it was resolved that, on the
occasion of the session of the Missionary Convention in this city a social reunion
of those who are or have been members of this cliurch, on some evening of tlie
convention week, would be desirable. In consequence, a circular inviting present
and past members to attend such a meeting, on Wednesday evening. May 14,
1 85 I , was sent out.
'I'lie friends, with the present and all the past pastors, assembled in large num-
bers at the church, at six o'clock p. m., when tea was served ; after which addresses
were made by each of the pastors, and the remainder of the time was spent in social
greetings, singing, etc. Dr. Malcom remarked in his address that "there were
three remarkable things about the meeting ; the first was, that all the pastors of a
church as old as this should be living, and still in the field at work ; second, that
they should all lie ready to accept an invitation to visit the church, of which they
liad once been pastors ; and, third, the most remarkable of all, was, that the
church should be willing to invite them." The meeting was one of rare interest,
and will never be forgotten by those present.
From this date (1853) prosperity attended the church for some years. In
185 8, the largest number were added by baptism and by letter that had been
received in any one year for six years, although the harvest was not so large as
many other churches reaped, as the result of the revival which swept over the laiid
in the years 1857 and 1858.
The Sabbath School, which has always been warmly cherislied by the churcji.
held a social gathering of the present and past members, in the church, on the
2 2d of October, i860. On Sunday, the day previous to the meeting, the pastor
preached a sermon preparatory to the meeting to occur on the following day. .\t
3 o'clock, on Monday, the friends gathered in large numbers, and remained
through the afternoon and evening, tea being provided in the lecture room at 7
o'clock. Addresses were made, extracts from letters received from a distance,
and some from persons near at hand, unable to be present, were read.
The additions to the church for the next nine years were quite small, and all
the while the numbers were diminishing and the church made weaker by removals
out of or into distant parts of the city, and by death ; to which must be added
the constant diminishing of the population, by the unlooked-for and rapid
encroachment of places of business ; all these were sources of great anxiety to
both pastor and people. The subject also of removing from Rowe street was con-
stantly before the minds of the people, convinced as they were that such a step was
near at hand ; and at one time a proposition from the Shawmut .\venue Church, to
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
unite the two churches, was under consideration, and a union nearly concluded,
as the best means, it was thought, of continuing its own prosperity and securing
that of the denomination in the city ; but this failed of accomplishment, to the
manifest advantage of both churches and the cause at large.
In the month of May, 1867, Dr. Stow, in a letter read to the congregation,
resigned his office as pastor. The resignation was accepted, but by the request of
the church he continued to supply the pulpit for some months. Thus a vacancy
had been made which all felt it would be difficult to fill. This, too, added much
to the already heavy burden resting upon the comparatively small number of the
brethren who remained.
The meetings were continued, and we were constantly looking and praying
that one might be sent who would make up the loss. The minds of some had
been directed to the Rev. Adoniram Judson Gordon, of Jamaica Plain, and in
tlie month of December the church gave him a hearty and unanimous call to
become its pastor, which, after serious deliberation, he declined.
Authority having been given by the Proprietors to their Standing Committee
to dispose of the house of worship, a sale was effected in the month of October,
1867, possession to be given in the month of July following; but by agreement,
afterwards made, it was delivered up on the first of June.
The last service was held there on the 31st day of May, 1868, the last Sab-
bath of the month. Many were present who had formerly worshiped with them
which served to add much to the interest of the occasion. Sermons were
preached by Drs. Hague and Stow, and the Lord's Supper was observed. With
these and other services, solemn and appropriate, the last day was spent in the old
house.
Very cordial invitations had been extended to the church, by four sister
churches, to occupy their houses for one half of each Sabbath, and their vestries
for meetings on week evenings. As the people would be better accommodated
there, the invitation of the Baldwin Place, now Warren Avenue Church, was
accepted, and the first service was held in their church on the first Sabbath after-
noon of June, and services continued there till the third Sabbath in April, 1869.
The Sabbath School was suspended, and such teachers and scholars as chose to
attend were cordially welcomed to the Warren Avenue Sabbath School.
The church held together well, maintaining a spirit of earnest prayer,— the
members generally feeling that a heavy responsibility rested upon them. After the
sale of the house, immediate steps were taken to secure a new location.
After a thorough search and careful consideration, it was decided with great
unanimity that the lot on the corner of Clarendon and Montgomery streets was
best adapted to accommodate the people ; accordingly that lot was secured, and
work commenced on the foundation early in the spring of 1868, under the direc-
38 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
tion of an able and self-sacrificing committee of the society. The work progressed
successfully, and on Saturday, October 31, 1868, the corner-stone was laid with
appropriate religious services, conducted by Re\-. Dr. Stow, and in which Drs.
Neale, Hague, and Eddy participated. By an act of the legislature of 1869, the
name of the society was changed to the " Clarendon Street Baptist Society," and
by a vote of the church, the corresponding name was adopted:
The winter of 186S and 1S69 was quite favorable to the work on the house,
and the lecture room was ready for occupaucy in April ; and the church met in it
for the first time, Sunday, April 25, 1869. Dr. Stow and Dr. Hague preached on
the occasion, and the Communion service was observed. The Sabbath School
was reorganized under the care of Mr. Eben Shute, and has since been going on
prosperously.
The church in the month of July renewed the call to Mr. Gordon, which, to
the satisfaction and rejoicing of all, he accepted, — his term of service commenc-
ing November i, 1869. Although performing pastoral service, he did not com-
mence preaching till after the dedication of the house. The house was dedicated
on Thursday evening, December 9th ; the sermon was preached by the pastor ;
many ministers were present, and there was a large and deeply interested congre-
gation.
The house, as completed, stands on a lot measuring one hundred by one
hundred and twenty-five feet. It is substantially built of brick, with light free-
stone trimmings in Gothic style ; it has a tower and spire rising to the height of
some two hundred feet ; with a bell and clock, the former being the munificent
gift of one of the members of the church. The interior is finished in black wal-
nut, with light and pleasing frescoing. There are two hundred pews, furnishing
seats for nearly twelve hundred people. The arrangements for religious meetings
and social gatherings in the basement are ample and complete. The organ,
and the baptistry, with an improved mode of ingress and egress, were preserved
for use in the present house. The whole cost of the land and house completely
furnished, was $173,000, of which there was realized from the sale of the old
house $86,736.25, and from subscriptions, which were liberal, $61,839.60; leav-
ing a temjjorary mortgage on the land of $25,000.
In the dedication services it was expected that Dr. Stow would participate,
and it was a great disappointment when it was known at the last moment that
what was supposed to be a slight cold would prevent liis presence. Contrary to
the expectation of his family and friends, his sickness increased, until it took the
form of an affection of the brain, from which he never rallied, and on Monday
morning, December 27, 1S69, the morning after his successor had been recog-
nized as pastor of the churcji, he went to his rest. The funeral services took
place in the church, Wednesday, December 29, in the presence of an overflowing
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH.
congregation, in which were a very large number of ministers and friends, testify-
ing to the strong hold he had taken upon the minds and affections of the people
of the city wliere he had faithfully labored in the gospel ministry for nearly forty
years. He left behind him an enviable reputation as a pastor, a pulpit orator,
a successful preacher of the gospel, a sympathizing friend and Christian gentle-
man. His remains were followed by -a large retinue of friends to his final resting-
place in Mount Auburn.
The sale of pews took place on Tuesday evening, December 28, and was
very successful ; all but a few, about four, of the highest priced pews being taken.
The congregations on the Sabbath have been large, and the additions of perma-
nent members of the congregation have been larger than could have been antic-
ipated.
The pastor, feeling deeply interested in congregational singing, introduced
the subject at an early day, and a greater or less interest was aroused in the mem-
bers of the church and congregation. The Psalmist, with music, was partially
introduced into the service of the Sabbath, and its use was continued till the " Ser-
vice of Song," which had been in course of preparation by the Rev. S. L. Cald-
well, D. D., and the pastor jointly, was ready, when that work was introduced
with great unanimity of feeling in the month of September, 1871, and up to this
time has increased in favor with the people.
On Sunday, October 21, 1877, the semi-centennial anniversary was observed
with suitable religious exercises, and on the next day, Monday, the Sunday School
held a reunion to celebrate the same occasion.
On the first Sunday of January, 1874, the church was damaged by fire so
seriously that a complete restoration, amounting almost to rebuilding, became nec-
essary. The work of reparation was completed, and services re-commenced, in
May, 1875. The major part of the damage caused by the fire — amounting to
about $30,000 — was covered by insurance. A small debt of $14,000 .still
remained which was wiped out soon afterwards. The church is now (1883) and
has for some time been entirely free from debt.
While the building was undergoing repairs the congregation was allowed the
use of the Union Congregational Church on Columbus avenue, near Newton
street.
During the revival meetings conducted by Messrs. Moody and Sankey, in the
winter and Spring of 1876-7, the church was thrown open every evening from 4
to 10 o'clock, p. M., for enquiry and "overflow" meetings, thus forming an annex
to the temporary revival building, which adjoined the church. The ultimate
result of this revival to this church was a great addition to the membership, which
has been steadly increasing from that date to the present time (1S83), and now
numbers 750.
4 0 CHUnCHES OF BOSTON.
The church is now enjoying a season of cahn prosperity, which, fostered by
the zeal and faithfulness of the pastor, and the harmony existing in the churcli
and society, promises to be of long continuance.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. A. J. Gordon, D. D. ; Deacons :
Hezekiah S. Chase, George S. Dexter, Salmon P. Hibbard, Eben Shute,
Charles W. Perkins, Charles S. Kendall ; Clerk : Charles W. Perkins ; Treasurer :
Calvin M. Wincli ; Pastor's Assistant, John A. McElwain ; Sunday School Super-
intendent : Eben Shute.
J^?-f^
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist Church,
The First Baptist Church of Boston, was constituted in Charlestown, on the
28th of March, 1665. The civil rulers and the clergy of the Established Church
considered this an act contrary to law, and the Baptists were denounced as heretics
and disturbers of the peace. Persecution did its utmost to overthrow this infant
church by fines, imprisonment, and even banishment from the colony ; but in
1673, John Leverett, who had always opposed the measures against the Baptists,
was elected governor, and they were free to worship God according to the dic-
tates of their own consciences. In January, 1678, the church resolved to erect a
house of worship in Boston, and removed there.
Nothing was done towards the organization of another Baptist church in
Charlestown until the beginning of the present century. On the evening of
August 24, 1 800, a vote was passed in the ancient religious society of the town,
42 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
" That the society take into serious consideration the obvious necessity of erect-
ing another house of public worship, and use their influence to effect the same."
A committee was appointed, who, at a succeeding meeting, reported that another
house ought to be erected, and that it would be most conducive to harmony and
beneficial to the cause of religion, to encourage the Baptist brethren in building
the house for their denomination.
September i6, 1800, the Baptist brethren in Charlestown — eleven in all —
assembled, and after solemn prayer, signed the following covenant: "We, the
subscribers, members of the Baptist communion in this town, being advised by
the friends of religion, and encouraged with promises of assistance to build a
liouse of worship, believing that the visible kingdom of the Redeemer will be
advanced thereby, do associate for the purpose of erecting a house of worship,
and constituting a church, to be distinguished by the name of the First Baptist
Church in Charlestown ; and fervently imploring the blessing of God on this our
arduous undertaking, we solemnly engage to do all in our power to effect the
same."
These brethren, with but a trifling aid from two gentlemen of the ancient
society, wlio loaned them six hundred dollars on interest, began on the first day of
October, iSoo, to build the house of God. The records of the church begin
March 31, 1801, with an account of a meeting at which a committee was
appointed to consult with Drs. Stillman and Baldwin, and report Articles of Faith
and Church Covenant. May 3, 1801, in the evening, the Articles of Faith and
Church Covenant were adopted and signed, after whicli John Carter and Daviil
Goodwin were elected deacons.
A council composed of delegates from the Baptist churches of Boston and
Newton, met in a private house May 12, 1801, and formally recognized the
church, then consisting of eleven brethren and nine sisters. The council and the
church proceeded to the new house, where, by ajipropriate and solemn services, it
was dedicated, and the newly-constituted church received the hand of fellowship.
The first Lord's supper was observed June 14, 1801, Dr. Stillman, of Boston,
breaking the bread.
The pulpit was temporarily su]iplied until September 20, 1802, when Mr.
Thomas Waterman, recently of England, was in\-ited to take the pastoral charge
of the church. He was installed October 7th of the same year. From the for-
mation of the cliurch to the settlement of its first pastor, much love and harmony
l)revailed, and some were received Ijy baptism. Mr. ^Vaterman's connection with
the church, however, lasted but eight months.
Rev. William Collier, pastor of the Gold Street Church, New York city, was
chosen as the second minister, and on the third of May, 1804, was publicly
settled. For five years great unanimity prevailed. But on October 31, 1S09,
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
several members withdrew to form a second Baptist church. Among these was a
brother of large means, who had previously assumed the debt upon the meeting-
house. The church was deeply affected at this separation ; and finding them-
selves unable to meet their financial obligations they relinquished the house to this
brother. They then purchased the present lot on Austin street, and began the
erection of a cheap house of worship, which was dedicated on September 23,
iSio, Mr. Collier preaching the sermon. During this pastorate of fifteen years
and four months, one hundred and twelve were added by baptism, and many
by letter.
Rev. Henry Jackson, of Providence, R. I., the next pastor, was ordained
November 27, 1822. The fourteen years of his labors were abundantly blessed
of God. The house of worship was twice enlarged. There were four special
seasons of deep religious interest. The benevolent spirit in the church was fos-
tered so that there was raised annually for benevolent purposes an average of
more than one thousand dollars. In this pastorate most of the persons who had
joined the second church returned, and from this time the second church loses its
visibility. The Charlestown Female Seminary was instituted mainly through the
influence and efforts of Mr. Jackson. Under his administration two hundred and
thirty-seven were added by baptism, and one hundred and nineteen by letter.
The church at the close of his ministry numbered two hundred and eighty-five
members.
Rev. William Phillips, of Providence, R. I., was installed as pastor, December
2, 1836. The five years of his pastorate were years of peace and blessing,
although not marked by any extraordinary revival. Each year quite a number
were added to the church. During the whole time eighty-three were baptised,
forty-four received by letter.
Rev. H. K. Green, of West Chester, Pa., was installed January 7, 1842. The
early labors of Mr. Green were very successful. More than one hundred persons
were baptised in about a year. The congregation became so large that on the
next year the old house was taken down and a new church edifice was erected
on the present site. On the 2 2d of April, 1844, Mr. Green resigned, having
added to the church by baptism one hundred and sixty-seven, and by letter, forty
persons. A large number, however, were dismissed to form the High Street Bap-
tist Church, thus leaving in this church a total of two hundred and thirty-three
members.
Rev. William C. Child was called from Newton Seminary in 1844, to become
the next pastor. These were years of growth in spiritual matters, and at the very
close of his pastorate a blessed revival of religion began, the fruits of which were
gathered by the succeeding pastor. During his ministry of five years, twenty-
three persons were added by baptism, and fifty-one by letter.
44 CHURCHES OF BOSTO.V.
Rev. T. F. Caldicott began to suppl)' the pulpit in March, 1850, and in the
following October assumed the pastoral office. He resigned September 9, 1853.
His pastorate was signally crowned with the favor of God, sixty-six persons unit-
ing with the church by baptism, and se\-enty-eight by letter and experience.
Rev. A. M. Hopper, the eighth pastor, was publicly installed March i, 1855,
and resigned March i, 1857. In the two years of his ministry there were thirty-
one i^ersons received by baptism, and seventeen by letter.
Rev. R. W. Cushman, of Boston, was engaged after the resignation of Mr.
Hopper, as a supply for three months from March 15, 1857. At the expiration
of this time the will of God seemed so clear, that the church unanimously called
him to become their pastor ; but on account of private considerations he did not
consent to a public installation.
Dr. Cushman was preeminently iitted to build up the church on their most
holy faith, and to root and ground believers in the fundamental truths of the
Bible. Although his ministry was short, it was marked for the clear and impressive
manner of exhibiting, in proper harmony, divine truth, which fixed deeply in the
minds of all Christians the reasons of the hope that was in them.
He resigned April 5, 1S60, but remained for several months afterwards as
acting pastor. During his administration, thirty-two persons were admitted to the
church by baptism, and thirty-seven by letter.
Rev. George W. Gardner was called June i, 1861, but did not enter upon
his duties until the September following. November 13th of the same year, the
present church edifice was dedicated, the pastor preaching from Psalm xx : 5, and
on the following evening the service of his installation took place. The ele\en
years of this pastorate were marked by continual accessions of new meml)ers,
the steady growth of the church in all departments of Christian work, and the
edifying of the whole body in love. Many who had been connected with tlie
High Street Church returned to the mother church, that church having become
extinct. During this pastorate one hundred and ninety-six were received to the
fellowship of the church by baptism, and one hundred and ninety-one by letter
and experience.
Rev. W. ^V. Boyd was the next pastor. He was ordained May i, 1873, but
did not assume all the duties of his office until the following October. Youthful and
genial in sjiirit and characterized by great enthusiasm in his ministrations he very
soon drew around him large numbers of young and old, many of whom were
added to the church. He resigned May 21, 1877. During his pa.storate large con
gregations generally attended the Sabbath services ; and the Sabbath School rose
in numbers and interest to a jwint which has never been e.xceeded in its history.
Rev. J. B. Brackett was calletl to the pastorate January 18, 1878, and entered
xipon his labors March 1 . He remained pastor two years, and resigned April 9,
THE CLARENDON STREET CHURCH. 4 5
1880. During this time a number were added to the church by baptism and let-
ter, and also not a few who had grown indifferent to the interests of the church
were excluded.
Rev. J. W. Riddle, the twelfth and present pastor, was called September 26,
1 88 1, and began his labors in October. Since his settlement nearly two years
have elapsed.
The present membership of the church is 561. Its house of worship is one
of the most commodious, and, internally, one of the most attractive in the district.
Its value is about §50,000, and it is free from debt. Connected \vith the church
there are fi\e young men, who, at different institutions of learning, are studying
for the gospel ministry ; also an active Woman's Missionary Society which has
been in existence for more than forty years, dividing its interest and its contribu-
tions between the Home and Foreign work.
The Sunday School connected with the church has 565 members. It was
organized in 18 13, and is probably the oldest Sunday School of any denomination
in Boston or vicinity, and among the oldest in New England or even in the
United States.
In 1 795 a Sunday School was organized in Providence, R. I., by a student of
Brown University, and Mr. Samuel Slater, a manufacturer, of Providence, for the
benefit of any of the factory operatives that wished to attend. This was among
the first Sunday Schools organized in this country. Nine years later, in 1804, Re\-.
\Vm. Collier, tlie student referred to, became pastor of this church, and soon after
organized a Saturday afternoon school for the religious instruction of the children of
the parish which was changed to a Sunday School not later than 18 13.
At present the church and school are both in a prosperous condition, and
under the leadership of their pastor are closely identified, not only with all the
great benevolent and missionary enterprises of the Baptist denomination, but with
every home work of benevolence and reform inaugurated for the moral and relig-
ious improvement of the community in which it is located.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Rev. J. W. Riddle ; Deacons : George W. Little,
S. Prentiss Hill, Chatles E. Daniels, John Linscott, F. W. Dadmun ; Clerk:
George R. Seymour ; Treasurer : George W. Little • Superintendent of Sunday
School : Frank Dow.
CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
The Brighton Avenue Baptist Church.
This church, the first and only BajHist Church of Allston, situated in Union
Square, was organized on December 2, 1S53. The members, who were a
very small number in those early days, met for worship at first in a hall known
as Union Hall, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. M. Graves — better known
in Bostonian Church History as " Father Graves " — who was the minister in sup-
ply from February i, 1854, until January i, 1856. He died at Charlestown, on
January 15, 1879, having attained to the age of seventy-six years. After him
came the Rev. J. M. Bonham, an Englishman, who was settled in July, 1S56, and
left in September, 1857.
The corner-stone of the new church — the present edifice — which is a
handsome frame building, with a high spire, made more conspicuous by its prom-
inent position, was laid, widi appropriate religious services, on the eleventh of
September, 1855. It was sufficiently advanced to enable the society to meet for
worship in the vestry in January, 1856, and the completed church was dedicated
on the tenth of February, 1857. It has a seating capacity of about 400.
The next pastor was the Rev. J. W. Parker, who was settled in Novcmlier, 1 85 7,
and closed his ministry in July, 1859 ; being followed very shortly by the Rev. S.
M. Stimson, who was installed on August 7, of the same year, and was dismissed
in June, 1861.
The two succeeding ministers were, the Rev. Ralph H. Bowles, whose jjas-
torate commenced in August, 1861, and terminated in January, 1867; and the
Rev. Wm. R. Thompson, who was settled in 1868, and dismissed in 1871.
The present pastor, the Rev. Francis E. Tower, assumed the pastorate in
January, 1872, and is (1883) still discharging its duties. At the commence-
ment of Mr. Tower's ministrations, there were but ninety-seven members in
the church, while there are now 320. The church, under his ministrations,
has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth, and is now in a prosperous condition.
The Sunday School is, also, in a flourishing state, and numbers about 250 mem-
bers. During the first year of his pastorate, the number added by baptism and
letter nearly doubled the original membership.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Francis E. Tower ; Clerk : H. AV.
Bird; Treasurer: Amos Wright. Prudential Committee and Acting Deacons:
J. T. Upham, C. H. Brown, C. D. Whitney, Nahum Thayer, Benjamin Rice,
Amos Wright, J. W. Bent, Hiram Bates.
THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Union Temple Baptist Church,
Tremokt Temple.
The history of the Tremont Street and Union Baptist Churches — the one
formed in 1839 and the other in 1843 — is replete with interest. The famous
pastors who have ministered in them, the prominent men who have figured
conspicuously as their faithful officers and members, the inspiration of the pious
idea which caused the creation of the famous edifice in which they have long
worshiped God, and finally the union of these two fructifying streams of religious
life and activity to make a Christian bulwark for all time, make a grand chapter in
the history of this denomination, deservedly held dear by every American Baptist.
The noble building so extensively known as "The Tremont Temple" had its
origin in the desire of Deacon Timothy Gilbert primarily, and of those who became
his coadjutors afterward, to open in the city of Boston a centrally located house
of worship with free seats, on some self-supporting plan, where all, whatever might
be their condition or circumstances in life, should have an opportunity to hear the
Gospel and enjoy the means of grace. Above all it was desired to provide a
place of worship for the poor and for strangers coming to the city for employment,
whose means would not allow them to secure seats in the other churches.
The first of these original societies was the Union Baptist Church, the nucleus
of which was started on November i, 1836, on Stillman street, as a Sabbath
School, with eleven members. The work was begun by the Rev. Wm. Howe, a
young graduate from the Newton Theological Seminary, who was called under
the auspices of the Boston Baptist Sabbath School Union. On January i, 1837,
Joshua Lincoln was chosen superintendent, and public services were begun. The
membership increased so rapidly that better accommodations were found neces-
sary, and in August, 183S, the school was moved to Tuckerman Hall, Friend
street, and in February, 1 841, to a larger hall on the same street. The superin-
tendents were, successively, Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Charles M. Bowers, and Mr. Daniel
Simpson, until May, 1845, when Deacon George W. Chipman took the position.
The membership was then 300, and the need of a church organization was felt.
Such an organization was accordingly effected, and on March i6, 1845, the church
was pubHcly recognized as the Union Baptist church. A site was at once pro-
cured, and the erection of a suitable place of worship was begun ; the comer-
stone was laid April 21, 1846, and the dedication took place November 12th, of
the same year. The number of members had, at that time, increased from 1 9 to
88, and of Sunday scholars from 11 to 570. From this also sprang six other Sun-
day Schools. The Rev. Mr. Howe remained until 1858, from which time until
1S63 the Rev. D. M. Crane was the pastor.
The other of these two parent societies, the Tremont Street Baptist Church,
originally held their meetings in a hall at No. 31 Tremont Street, where religious
services were continued some three months. The church was organized on April
18, 1839, with 82 members, who had been dismissed from the various Baptist
churches in the city and vicinity for that purpose. The number attending the ser-
vices made larger accommodations necessary, and in March, 1840, they remo\ed
to Congress Hall, on the corner of Milk and Congress streets, which had been
arranged to seat about 400 persons. The Rev. Nathaniel Colver was chosen pas-
tor, and remained with the church in that capacity until 1852.
Public worship was continued in Congress Hall about one year, and during
this time there was a great religious interest ; the attendance rapidly increased,
and this hall was found too small for them. In 1841 they removed ^o a room at
the corner of- Bromfield and Tremont streets, fitted up to seat from 600 to 700
persons ; the attendance soon increased so as to make this place inadequate.
The number of members added to the church by baptism and letter during the
year 1840 was 90 ; in 1841, 30 ; and in 1842, 126.
It was under these circumstances, amid the pressing and growing wants of
this church, that the noble, urselfish, divinely-born, idea which had been germinat-
ing in the minds of these pious men, took actual form and shape. The jjlan was
simple and unique. It was to obtain a building of sufficient capacity, fit it up for
stores and offices, the rent of which should provide for current expenses and
repairs, and at the same time, when the debt was removed, should furnish a mis-
sion fund to be used in providing for the destitute at home and abroad. This \\as
the germ from which has sprung the grand institution now known, wherever an
American Baptist is found, as the Tremont Temiile — in name and in fact " The
Stranger's Sabbath Home."
Early in 1843 t'^*^ Tremont Theatre, which then occupied the site of the
present Temple, was offered for sale. There were many reasons why it was thouglit
that the purchase of this estate was very desirable, offering as it did a building of
ample dimensions, in the very centre of the city. After an examination of the
adaptableness of the bnildin'^', the cost of remodelling, etc., the purchase was
made by Timothy Gilbert, S. (1. Shipley, Thouias Gould and Wm. S. DamrelLand
THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH. 49
a deed executed, dated June, 1S43, conveying the estate, containing about
13,000 feet of land, to them for ;^55,ooo. Afterward this deed, under which these
four named persons originally held the estate, was changed to the form of a trust
— this latter instrument being dated April i, 1844.
The purchasers, on their own personal responsibility, proceeded at once to
remodel the interior of the building and adapt it to its intended sacred uses. They
arranged the halls, stores and other rooms for the purposes designed, at an
expense — including all the furniture, with the exception of the organ — of $20,,-
284.53 ; which, added to the original purchase, made the total cost ^79,284.53.
The building was 78 feet front, go feet rear, and 135 feet deep j the main audi-
ence-room 90 feet by about 80 feet, capable of seating 2,000 persons.
On the 7th of December, 1843, the house was dedicated to the worship of
Almighty God, with public services in the large audience-room, and afterwards
occupied by the church as a permanent place of worship. K large congregation was
gathered, and the interest continued to prosper until the 3i.st of March, 1552, when,
in the dark hours of the early winter morning, the whole building was completely
destroyed by fire.
Just at this time — March, 1852 — the Rev. Nathaniel Colver resigned the
pastorate of Tremont Temple Church, and took his final leave on the very day of
the disaster. The memory of this eminent servant of God deserves a passing
notice in connection with this history ; and the more especially, since to him, in
conjunction with the Rev. William Howe and Deacons Gilbert and Geo. W. Chip-
man, belongs the credit of the establishment of the free church system in Boston.
To these names must also be added those of James \V. Converse and Clement
Drew. All these men, with others also, of a like kind, " honored the Lord " in
this matter, both with " their substance " and their services, and this roll of honor
is an integral part of Tremont Temple.
When the project was started, and the foundations of the Temple enterprise
were laid, the cause of Christ, in Boston, was going on from conquest to conquest.
Baldwin Place Church was crowded under the ministry of Rev. Baron Stow, D.
D. ; Rollin H. Neale, then a young man, whose ministry began in 1837, was
drawing immense audiences to that ancient sanctuary where crowds hung spell-
bound, listening to an oratory glowing with the love of Christ ; Charles
Street was at court end, thronged with the hundreds who admired the courtly
Daniel Sharp, whose praise is yet in all the churches ; while, the Hall in
Boylston street in which Robert Turnliull preached, and the house in Federal
street in which the eloquent Howard Malcom had ministered, waited with a splen-
did congregation to welcome a worthy successor, which they found in William
Hague. Then it was Nathaniel Coher came. He was fresh from the country.
He was impulsive, bold, eloquent, thoroughly honest and somewhat eccentric.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
He was a power because he was a man of Clod, and he swayed a mighty influ-
ence. He was born in Orwell, Vermont, May lo, 1794, the son of a clergyman.
When he came to Boston, parties were ranging for a desperate conflict. Pos-
sessed of a clear and logical mind, endowed with a lively immagination, with great
powers of argumentation, a ready debater, perfectly fearless in the enunciation of
truth, — he took at once a foremost position, and became a champion of the
oppressed, and a leading advocate of temperance and reform.
After the destruction of the Temple, the subject of rebuilding became a very
serious question to the Trustees, who alone, by the temis of the deed, had the
entire control of the estate ; the church having only a prospective interest, when
the property should be free from debt ; or, in case of sale, in any surplus that
might be left.
Upon fully considering the subject, and obtaining estimates of the expense,
the Trustees unanimously voted to rebuild. Plans were adopted on the 28th of
April, 1852, and, on the 2Sth of May the foundations of the edifice were com-
menced. The building \^a% so far completed that the vestry was occupied by the
church on May 20, 1853, and, on the Sabbath following, services were held in the
Meionaon, which is the name given to the smaller hall ; the tenn is derived from
two Greek words, melon, less, or smaller, and tiaon, temple — lesser temple. This
lesser temple is situated back from the street, and directly under the great hall.
On the 25th of December following (1853), the first meeting for public worship
was held in the main hall. The new building, including furniture, organ, gas and
steam fixtures, insurance, interest, etc., cost $126,814.26.
The year 1855 became the turning point in the history of the Temple.
Owing to the greatly increased burden caused by the unexpected cost of the build-
ing, it was found necessary to take steps to obtain relief, and the Trustees, having
become satisfied that they could not, with safety to themselves and those involved
with them, continue to hold the property in that condition, deemed it advisable to
call a meeting of the prominent men of the Baptist denomination in the city and
vicinity ; which meeting was held in the Meionaon, March i, 1S55. At this meet-
ing it was thought desirable to secure the estate to the denomination, and a com-
mittee was appointed for that purpose, fears having been expressed by many lest
other denominations should obtain it. An arrangement was made to place the
property, temporarily, in the hands of thirty-seven individuals, until subscriptions
could be obtained for its purchase, \yith a view of conveying it to a society, to be
called The Evangelical Baptist Benevolent and Missionary Society.
In accordance with this arrangement, it was conveyed by deed, dated June
28, 1S55, to Thomas Richardson, Frederick Gould, J. W. Converse, G. W. Chip-
man and J. W. Merrill, as Trustees, and the sum of ;$36,7ii.03 over and above
its outstanding liabilities was paid therefor.
THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
An act of incorporation was secured in 1 85 7 for an association under the
above tide, and the society was duly organized May 11, 1858, and the whole
estate was transferred to it by a suitable deed of conveyance dated November
30, 1858.
A lease was executed, dated June 9, 1859, "granting the Tremont Street
Baptist Church and Society the use of the great hall, with the organ and furniture
therein, during the day-time on Sundays, as a place of public worship ; and also
the basement rooms for Vestry and Sabbath School ; the church agreeing to main-
tain public worship on the Sabbath, with free seats, and to support a good, effi-
cient pastor, who shall be creditable to the Baptist denomination, and who shall
be so considered by the Baptist churches in the city of Boston and the adjoining
cities and towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown,
Chelsea ; and that the church shall hold and maintain the doctrines of the Evan-
gelical Baptist churches in said cities and towns. Either of the Baptist churches
in said cities and towns may at any time call a council, to be composed of two
members from such churches — not less than a majority of the whole number —
as may choose to send delegates, to inquire whether the church has broken any of
these covenants ; and if the council so chosen shall decide that the church has
failed to comply with any of the covenants, then this lease shall cease. In case of
a sale of the estate, this lease is null and void ; and the amount realized from the
sale, after paying the cost of the same to this corporation, with interest, charges,
and expenses, shall be paid over to said church, which amount shall be held in
trust by the deacons of said church for the purpose of building a new place of
worship, or to be appropriated to some other religious or charitable object by said
church."
On the sth day of December, 1863, by a mutual agreement between the
church and this society, an arrangement was made giving the Board of Directors
a concurrent vote in the election of pastor, and in the same year the Tremont
Street Church united with the Union Baptist Church, and thus formed the present
Union Temple Baptist Church.
In 1878, the church and society were in a most flourishing condition. After
many years of persistent labor and effort, the indebtedness had been reduced to
5 1 00,000 — the originally agreed-upon amount — and the Directors were prepar-
ing to devote the stipulated half of the income to charitable purposes, when, on
the night of August 14, 1879, the Temple was, for the second time, destroyed
by fire.
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held at once, and", after full discus-
sion, it was unanimously resolved to rebuild the Temple, with every improvement
which' it was possible to devise, and to re-devote it — enlarged, renovated, and
made grander and nobler than before — to its old sacred purposes.
5 2 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
Tliis was done, and done thorougly and successfully. The new Temple —
now twice baptized by fire — while a worthy successor of its two predecessors,
retaining their best and lioliest characteristics, has a development towards perfec-
tion all its own, as the third generation of such a divinely-human idea justly should.
It is a monument to man's higher, unselfish nature, a tribute in stone and iron
to the force of real religion, and a central nucleus of Christian power, around
which all who acknowledge the Saviour of men may gladly rally.
The new Temple was opened on Sunday, October 17, iSSo. The expense
of rebuilding and refitting, including cost of the organ, was about $169,000.
The Tremont Temjjle is now known and designated as the Headquarters of
New England Baptists ; a place for religious and benevolent work not surpassed
or even equalled. The grand charitable institutions, so well-known as the " Ba])-
tist Missionary Union ; " the " New England department of the Home Mission
Society ; " and the " New England department of the Baptist Publication Soci-
ety," are now in full and complete operation within these walls.
The " Baptist Social Union," composed of representatives from nearly all of
the Baptist churches in our city and vicinity, holds its monthly meetings in the
Temple. " The Watchman," with its new organization under the leadership of
our ablest writers, and recognized as the organ of New England Baptists, has its
editorial and official rooms here.
The Main Hall, or Temple proper, is 122 feet long, 72 feet wide, and 66 feet
high. It has, beside the main floor, a first and second gallery, with a total seat-
ing capacity of 2,500. . The Meionaon has seats for 800 and is used for every
variety of meetings. The entire building is as nearly fire proof as a building can
be, and has excellent arrangements for the rapid exit of audiences.
The pastors who have been honored by having the leadership of this church
committed to their care have been : Firstly, the Rev. Nathaniel Colver, before
mentioned, who was pastor for about four years while the infant church led a
nomadic life, wandering from one temporary abode to another, and for nine
years after it was brought to rest in its Temple Home. The Rev. I. S. Kallock
was next chosen pastor in July, 1855, and resigned in February, 1858. During
the following four months he engaged in collecting money towards the jwrchase
of the Temple for the denomination, and succeeded in raising about ;«i30,ooo. He
was retilected in July, 185S, and resigned in .\i)ril, 1S59. The Rev. N. Shepard
became pastor in August, 1S60, and resigned in October, 1861. For some con-
siderable time the pulpit was filled by temporary supplies.
The first pastor of the united churches was the Rev. Justin D. Fulton, D. 1 )., who
was installed Januarys, 1864. Dr. Fulton retained the pastorate for nearly ten years,
resigning in May, 1873. During this time the church received 633 members by bap-
tism and 291 by letter, and raised ^Ji 20,000 for church and other religious purjioses.
THE UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH. 5 3
The successor of Dr. Fulton was the Rev. George C. Lorimer, who was set-
tled October i, 1873, a^^l stayed until April, ,1879, about 5 years. During this
pastorate there were 604 additions by baptism, and 273 by letter, and $125,000
was raised.
The present pastor, the Rev. F. M. Ellis, D. D., of Denver, Colorado, was
called to the pastorate shortly after the second fire, and led the devotions of the
(Inuxh while meeting in the Music Hall, from June till October, 1880, during the
jirogrcss of the rebuilding. He has shown himself to be especially adapted to
this field of labor, and every Sabbath the spacious hall is well filled to hear him
preach the plain, powerful truths of the Gospel, and his labors have been \ery
successful in winning the attention of both old and young.
The present membership of tlie church is 1275, and of the Sunday School,
1 148.
There is also a Swedish Mission under the direction of the Temple Church,
the pastor of which is the Rev. A. Tjernlund.
Church Officers :— Pastor : The Rev. F. M. Ellis, D. D, ; Pastor's Assist-
ant: Charles A. Roundy ; Clerk: J. O. Staples; Treasurer: F. D. Tarlton ;
Collector : Clement Drew ; Honorary Superintendent of the Sunday School :
Geo. W. Chipman ; Superintendent : E. W. Corey. Deacons : G. W. Chipman,
Clement Drew, J. W. Cook, J. H. Bickford, Frederick A. Sanborn, B. F. Bradbury,
Samuel Perrins, R. O. Dunn, F. E. Jeffrey, A. A. Sheafe, Samuel Ricker, Charles
A. Roundy.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The South Baptist Church,
Cor. Broadway and F Street, South Boston.
The origin of this church is traced to a prayer meeting estabhshed by Dea-
con Jacob Flinn in 1825. Moving into South Boston and finding in this part of
the city no Baptist church, he resolved to hold a Christian prayer meeting. He
also opened his house lor tiie worsliip of Gotl, and meetings were sustained for
more than a year with few interruptions. Amid many discouragements, and in
spite of much coldness from members of other evangelical churches, Deacon
Flinn persevered in his enterprise, and for many years remained a firm supporter
of the new interest. An interruption of the good feeling which had for a time
THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 55
been manifested in sustaining "The Union Prayer Meeting," as it was called, was
providentially overruled to promote the cause. Deacon Flinn invited the Rev.
George Evans, then engaged in missionary work in the destitute sections of the
city, to preach an evening lecture in South Boston. This was in the spring of 1827,
and it resulted in the maintenance, for three months, of a weekly lecture in the
Congregationalist house of worship, which was kindly tendered for the use of the
Baptists. Mr. George Evans, Mr. Ensign Lincoln, and several neighboring pas-
tors sustained the ser\'ice. It being subsequently found desirable to procure
another place of meeting, a house previously occupied by the Methodists was pur-
chased by Deacon Samuel Hill, and rented to the Baptists for their use. It was
opened July 5, 1827, and continued to be their place of meeting till April, 1830.
Preaching was sustained in this house under the patronage of the " Boston Bap-
tist Evangelical Society," and with the assistance of the Rev. Messrs. Ropes,
'Ball, Wing, Collier, and Mr. Ensign Lincoln.
■ In the spring of 1828, the formation of a new Baptist church was discussed,
and a petition was at once presented to the Federal Street Baptist Church, to be
constituted a branch of the same. At a meeting of that church held, July 31,
1828, articles were adopted to regulate the connection and cooperation of the
church and its branch. On the 28th of August, 1828, that church held a meet-
ing in the chapel in South Boston, and nineteen members having approved and
accepted these articles, were duly formed into a branch, to be known as the South
Branch of the Federal Street Baptist Church, and recognized as such by appro-
priate public services.
Within a year or two after receiving the approbation of the Federal Street
Church, — on March 4, 1831, — the branch resolved to become an independent
body, and was constituted and recognized as such, with perfect unanimity, under
the title of the South Baptist Church of the City of Boston, with fifty-two mem-
bers, March 27th.
Soon after the formation of the branch church, efforts were made to obtain a
more commodious house of worship, which proved successful ; but, in doing this,
a debt was entailed upon the church of thirty-three years' duration. The house
thus built by the church was dedicated July 22, 1830. The frame of it was that
of the house previously occupied by the First Baptist Church, then about to erect
a larger one for their own use. During the pastorate of Mr. Abbott the church
sold this old frame meeting-house which still stands at the corner of C street and
Broadway, and purchased a lot, and erected the present substantial brick house of
worship on the corner of F street and Broadway.
The corner-stone of the new house was laid with appropriate ceremonies
July 31, 1867, and farewell services were held in the old house September 8, 1867.
The vestry of the new edifice was first occupied March i, 1868, and the church was
CHLRCHES OF BOSTON.
dedicated November 5, 1868. It has sittings for 900 persons, with the usual
smaller halls and vestries. The spire is 180 feet high. The cost of buikling-'and
land was about ^60,000. The dedicatory services were preceded by a social
re-union of past and present members.
The following is an account of the pastorates of the church : The Rev.
Thomas Driver accepted the invitaticjn of the branch to supply it, shortly after its
formation in 182S, and continued the sujiijly until the following spring, at which
he was elected minister, and ordained April 16, 1829. His pastorate continued
one year only.
The Rev. Rollin H. Neale was elected minister by the branch, October, 1S30,
shortly after the dedication of the first house. He was then a student in the
Newton Theological Institution, and took charge of the su]i]ily of the pulpit.
On account of his connection with the seminary, he was not publicly installed
until the completion of his course on September 15, 1833. At this time he
entered upon his labors witli the independent church, in hope of great and long-
continued usefulness. But other plans were soon formed by him, and after serv-
ing in his new capacity five months, he was dismissed Marcli 19, 1834, to the
sorrow and painful disappointment of the church. A long pastorate then seemed
to be needed to strengthen and consolidate the infant church, for the want of
which it suffered much in the early years of its history.
The Rev. Timothy R. Cressey succeeded Mr. Neale, May 25, 1834, and
closed his labors with the church, at his own request, June 22, 1835, after a short
pastorate of one year. Several years now elapsed, during which tlie church was
supplied by the Rev. Messrs. J. G. Nailor, H. Filly, S. Adiam, ami others, having
no setded pastor.
The Rev. Thomas Driver, upon invitation, resumed his former pastorate in
December, 1838, and continued the relation about four years, till his resignation in
April, 1843. During this period the cliurch prospered, and above two hundred
and fifty were added to it by letter and baptism.
The Rev. Duncan Dunbar commenced his ministry in November, 1843, ^"f'
at his own request closed it two years from this time. Much disaffection arose
during this period, though not introduced by him. After his departure the
church recorded their estimation of him as follows : " We regard our former pastor
as "one of the most prudent and godly men whose labors the church has enjoyed."
The Rev. George W. Bosworth accepted a call to the pastorate of the
church, March, 1846, and continued it until January, 1855. During the nine
years of his ser\'ice general harmony prevailed ; the Sabbatii School enjoyed great
prosperity, and the benevolent enterprises and contributions of the church were
largely increased. After a successful pastorate of unusual length, the church and
society, with great reluctance, accepted Mr. Bosworth's resignation.
THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 57
The Rev. Joseph A. Goodhue, was installed November 22, 1S55. The Rev.
Baron Stow preached the sermon at his installation. After a short pastorate of
one year and six months, Mr. Goodhue resigned, in the sorrow of his friends.
Although his ministry was short, it was not without liiiiilnl results.
The Rev. John Duncan succeeded to the pastorate, January i, 1S5S. Shortly
after his coming, God was pleased to bless the church with a rex'ival of religion,
in common with the greater number of the churches of our Lord. During this
pastorate, the church suffered from the removal of several of its families and lead-
ing members out of town. This somewhat weakened the spiritual power and the
willing enterprise of those remaining, .\fter serving the church five years and three
months, Mr. Duncan tendered his resignation, which was accepted April iS, 1S63.
His successor was the Rev. Granville S. Abbott, a graduate of Newton Theo-
logical Institute, who accepted the unanimous invitation of the church, in the
summer of 1863, and was ordained and settled as pastor on the evening of Sep-
tember 4th, following ; the church continued united and prosperous during this
pastorate ; it increased in numbers, and was fully freed from the debt on its
house, of so long standing. Mr. Abbott resigned his charge and preached the
closing sermon of his pastorate on October 31, 1869.
The church voted, on March 29, 1870, to call the Rev. James S. Dicker-
son, D. D., of Pittsburgh, Pa., to the pastorate, and their call was accepted, and
recognition services were held June 5, 1870. But, in consequence of impaired
health, Dr. Dickerson was obliged to resign his charge on January 31, 1875.
During the interim the church was favored, for a short time, with the labors of
the Rev. E. A. Whittier, an evangelist, and large additions were made to their num-
bers ; but, needing a permanent pastor, a call was extended to the Rev. Henry A.
Gordo, D. D., of Jersey City, who accepted it and commenced his labors on Sep-
tember 5, 1875, and concluded his pastoral relation on Sunday, June 29, 1878,
accepting a call to Gloversville, N. Y.
On Sunday, October 13, 1878, the church celebrated its semi-centennial,
the pulpit being occupied by Rev. John Duncan, D. D., a former pastor, and
addresses being also given by Rev. R. H. Neale, D. D., and others.
The church then extended a call to Rev. Jolin H. Barrows, of Marblehead,
to become their pastor. He accepted it, and preached on the first Sunday in
November, 1878, but continued only one year.
After a season of deliberation, and prayer that God would guide them in
their choice, the church voted to call the Rev. Thomas D. Anderson, D. D., of
New York City, to the pastorate, and he, after seeking the same divine guidance,
accepted the call and entered upon the pastorate April 4, 1880. He still (1S83)
continues to fill the office acceptably and successfully. The present membership
is 345. The Sunday School membership is 367.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The South Baptist Church has given many evidences of its zeal in spreading
the Redeemer's kingdom on earth, at home and abroad. It has sent its repre-
sentatives to foreign lands to preach the gospel ; it has never been slack in the
distribution of charities for the support of benevolent enterprises, such as the
building of meeting-houses for destitute churches, the successful prosecution of
domestic missions in the city, etc. In connection with this department of chris-
tian work in particular, it is due to the memory of the late Deacon George B.
Dexter, to publish the record, that in a church meeting held March i8, 1853, he
made the first mention "of the spiritual wants of that part of the city called City
Point." As a consequence of this, a Mission School was soon projected and held
in a chapel, built from subscriptions, for the most part raised in this church,
much of the credit of raising which was due to Deacon Samuel Hill, who remained
a firm supporter of the interest during his life. In spite of the distance of travel,
and the performance of similar labor at home, the church sustained a Sabbath
School, in this Mission, and occasional preaching in its chapel for years. After
five years of labor at the Point, it was voted unanimously in a church meeting,
March 26, 1858, to dismiss fifteen members of the South Baptist Church, at their
request, and to give them letters of recommendation for the purpose of uniting in
the formation of the Fourth Street Baptist Church. This church was accordingly
formed, and soon after gave token of its increased strength b)' entering into a
newly erected edifice. The history of this church is given in its proper place.
Notwithstanding that the past of this church has been one of great changes,
and many depressing and discouraging influences, towards which the shortness of
its pastorates in other days not a little contributed, still, scattered through much
adversity, it has had many tokens of prosperity, and God's goodness in many
ways demands praise. The church may claim, without arrogance, to have been
instrumental in saving hundreds of souls, to have been lavish of its benevolence,
and to have preserved the integrity of its faith until now.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Thomas D. Anderson, D. D. ;
Deacons : Allen McLeod, Charles H. Dow, Geo. O. Lanphear, Hadlcy P. Han-
son ; Clerk : Charles H. Dow ; Treasurer : Francis A. Chase ; Auditor : Hadley
P. Hanson ; Superintendent Sunday School : Charles T. Ellis.
-^^J^
THE HARVARD STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Harvard Street Baptist Church,
Harrison Avenue, Cor. Harvard Street.
This church had its origin in the consideration by a niuiiber of Baptists of
the importance of establishing a new Baptist church in what was then (1838) the
southern part of the city.
The first meeting which led to practical results in this direction was held on
Wednesday evening, September 6, 1838, at the house of Mr. John F. Edwards,
on Bedford street. Only seven persons were present. After full and free confer-
ence and earnest prayer, these brothers consecrated themselves and their means
to the work. They made generous pledges towards the enterprise, .and formed
themselves into a committee to solicit the aid of others. In October a room was
hired in the Boylston Market building, and a prayer meeting was established on
Wednesday and Sunday evenings. This was continued till the first Sabbath in
January, 1839, when preaching was commenced in the large hall of the same
building.
Notwithstanding the meetings and services on Boylston street, no definite
measures had yet been taken to organize a church. The already existing churches
had, however, been consulted, and had most cordially approved the movement.
In fact, scarcely a step appears to have been taken without asking advice of these
older bodies. The object was, not to establish a rival interest, but to add another
to the fraternity of churches. The records still exist of many meetings which the
. brethren of the new interest held with committees sent by the churches previously '
established. When the time arrived to organize a church, a council was invited
to give advice on the subject, before the organization was effected, and not to ratify
the action afterwards, as is usually the case. That council met in what was called
the vestry of Boylston Hall, on Thursday, March 21, 1839, and the public ser-
vices of recognition were held in the*hall itself on Wednesday, March 27th. The
church was then called " The Boylston Street Church." It continued to meet in
its first place of worship for about a year, and early in 1840 removed to the
Melodeon. There it remained until the present edifice, on the corner of Harvard
street and Harrison avenue, was completed ; a period of nearly three years.
CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
The corner-stone of this building was laid on Saturday morning, June i8,
1842, and the house was dedicated on Thursday evening, December 8th, of the
same year.
The size of the building is 93 by 68 feet ; it has a large lecture-room, two
school-rooms, and two committee-rooms on the lower floor. The main audience-
room measures 72 by 65 feet, and has 175 pews, capable — with the galleries —
of seating 1,200 persons. The building, completed and furnished, cost $30,000.
The land was valued at $10,000 additional, making in all $40,000. When the
house was first occupied, there remained upon it a debt of about $20,000, which
has been slowly extinguished.
In 1 840, this was the new part of the city. There were then scarcely any
buildings east of this, and but few to the south, along the avenue. The " South
Cove " was just being filled in, and the tide still flowed to the rear of the church.
The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Robert Turnbull, D. D., of Hart-
ford, who cxjmmenced his labors about five months after the organization. Dr.
Turnbull was pastor of the church through its early years of sacrifice and strug-
gle. To his wisdom and fidelity the efficiency of the church throughout has
been largely due. Especially was his influence exerted in directing the sympa-
thies of the church into the great channels of Christian benevolence. After a
pastorate of a little less than six years, he resigned, and returned to Hartford.
The Rev. Joseph Banvard, D. D., of Salem, was next called to fill the vacancy.
He accepted, and was publicly recognized as pastor on the 15th of March, 1846.
Dr. Banvard's ministry continued a little over five years and six months, when he
removed to West Cambridge.
There followed then a long vacancy, continuing for a whole )ear. .\t length,
the Rev. A. H. Burlingham, of Owego, N. Y., was invited, and, having removed
to Boston, was recognized as pastor, by public services, on October 31, 1852. Dr.
Burlingham remained here just four years, when he accepted an invitation to New
York.
In December, 1 S56, the Rev. D. C. Eddy, D. D., of Lowell, was chosen pastor.
His recognition took place December 28, 1856. Dr. luldy resigned in October,
1862, and removed to Philadelphia, having occupied the pastorate about six years.
Dr. Warren Randolph was invited from Philadelphia, and began to prea( h
on Sunday, April 26, 1863. The recognition ser\ice was held on the evening of
the same day. Dr. Randolph resigned in July, 1867.
His successor was the Rev. Samuel W. Foljamhe, wlici was st?ttlcd in this
church in December, 1867, and resigned in May 1870.
Following him were the Rev. T. J. B. House, who came to the office in
December, 1870, and retired in October, 1872 ; and the Re\ . I,. L. Wood, who
became pastor in February, 1873, and resigned in December, 1S74.
In October, 1876, the Rev. Orriii T. Walker, a well-known and popular
preacher of the city, was inducted into the pastorate, which he still retains.
The church was constituted with 121 members. Before any pastor had been
obtained twelve were added by baptism. Dr. Turnbull baptised 342; Dr. Ban-
vard, 78; Dr. Burlingham, 52; Dr. Eddy, 225; other persons during pastoral
vacancies, 14; Dr. Randolph, 29 ; there have also been large additions by bap-'
tism during each of the succeeding pastorates, but the exact numbers are not
given. The present membership is about 250.
In closing this sketch, it is but fitting to refer particularly to the labors of the
present pastor, the Rev. O. T. Walker, who came here when the church had been
for a long time closed, and public worship abandoned. The Sunday School also
was spiritually dead. God prospered his labors with the struggling church, how-
ever, and these gloomy times passed, and a regular call was tendered to, and
acccepted by, him.
The perseverance and fidelity of both church and pastor through this period
— embracing the first three years of Mr. Walker's ministry — is deserving of great
commendation. They have been from that time onward greatly jirospered. One
liundred and twenty-five members liave been added during this pastorate, and the
Sunday School has been resuscitated, numbering now about 200. Thus pastor
and church ha\e rcjoired to see the reward of their united labors.
This church has now stood as a beacon light in this neighborhood for nearly
half a century, and its past is here recorded. But the church in Boston that will
keep with the people must be a nomadic church, pitching its tabernacle only for
a temporary stay, and being ever ready to strike its tent, and move on with the
cara\'an of progress to new fields and fresh conquests, ^^'hether this church will
be compelled to follow this tendency in common with so many of its predeces-
sors cannot now (1883) be clearly seen.
Church Officers: — Pastor: The Re\<t O. T. Walker ; Committee: George
J. Clifford, William Hardwick, G. E. Denison, C. D. ^\•hite ; Treasurer : George
J. Clifford ; Clerk : E. J. Emory; Sunday School Superintendent : C. D. White.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Jamaica Plain Baptist Church,
Centre Street, Corner of Myrtle.
In the autumn of 1S40, several members of neighboring Baptist churches,
residing at Jamaica Plain, united in an effort to support among them the preaching
of the gospel. On the second Sunday in December, 1 840, the Village Hall was
opened for religious worship ; its use having been granted for the purpose. The
Rev. William H. Shailer preached on the occasion.
After some months of occasional supplies, the Rev. N. Hervey was invited
to preach for a time. His labors commenced in September, 1841. Early in the
following January a revival of religion commenced, wliich continued through sev-
eral succeeding months. In the following months of .April and May, twenty-eight
persons were accepted for baptism by the Baptist church in Roxbury. The ser-
vices of Rev. Mr. Hervey closed in July of the same year (1842).
In June, 1S42, the incipient steps toward the organization of a distinct
churcli were taken. After some delay, the wishes of the brethren and sisters were
approved by a council of churches and ministers. On Monday, the 29th of
August, 1842, public recognition services were held at the Unitarian meeting-
house, in which the Rev. Dr. Gray then ministered.
The church had been for about one year destitute of a pastor, when, in
July, 1843, 'lie Rev. John O. Choul(?fe. D. D., was invited to take the pastoral
charge. On the 4th of October, 1843, he was publicly installed; and, on the
same day, the house of worship, which for some months had been in process of
completion, was dedicated to the service of God. Dr. Choules remained pastor
about four years, and in July, 1847, having received an invitation to become pas-
tor of the Second Baptist Church, at Newport, R. I., at his own request, he was
dismissed.
The church, then, in May, 1848, invited the Rev. William Hague, D. D., of
Boston, to settle among them. This invitation was soon afterwards accepted ;
and, on the first Lord's day in September following, Dr. Hague commenced his
pastoral duties. He remained for about two years, during wliich time the con-
gregation still augmented. In March, 1850, Dr. Hague tendered his resignation,
THE JAMAICA PLAIN BAPTIST CHURCH. 6 3
having been invited to the pastoral charge of the Second Baptist Church in
Newark, N. J. During his ministry, fourteen members were added to the church
by baptism, and twelve by letter.
In August, 1850, the Rev. G. W. Samson, of Washington, D. C, received
and accepted an invitation to the pastorate of tlie church, and the public services
of his recognition were held on Wednesday, October 23d. Forty-one members
were added to the church during this pastorate. In October, 1852, he resigned.
In March, 1853, the church extended a call to the Rev. Heman Lincoln, of
Philadelphia. The invitation was accepted, and he entered upon his labors the
next June. During the ensuing two years, a burdensome debt, which had been
resting upon the society since the erection of the church-edifice, was paid.
With this encumbrance removed, the church's prospects for the future
appeared unusually promising. But, at 3 o'clock on the morning of Friday, Sep-
tember 26, 1856, an alarm of fire was sounded, and it was soon ascertained that
the Baptist church was in flames. In a short time, the building, and all its furni-
ture and books, including the library and records of the Sabbath School, were
entirely consumed.
The congregation were now left homeless ; but the fraternal kindness of
neighboring religious bodies was so promptly manifested, that the regular meetings
were continued without interruption^ and the Sunday School was discontinued only
for a single Sabbath. While the fire was yet burning, the Third Congregational
(Unitarian) Society extended an earnest invitation to their Baptist brethren to
occupy their house of worship ; and this was immediately followed by an equally
kind invitation from the Mather (now Central) Congregational Society.
It was deemed advisable to accept the offer of the Unitarian church for Sab-
bath afternoons ; to use their vestry for Sabbath School and Sabbath evening
prayer meetings ; and to unite with the Mather Church in the Friday evening
prayer meetings and Sabbath School concerts ; and these arrangements were most
pleasantly continued for more than twenty months, viz. : from September 28, 1856,
to June 20, 1858.
Preparatory measures were at once taken for erecting a new church-edifice.
The lot of land on which the burned building had stood was sold and a more
eligible one was purchased at the corner of Centre and Myrtle streets. After
considerable delay, the corner-stone of the present building was laid, with appro-
priate religious services, October 21, 1857.
The vestry was completed, and occupied by the Sabbath School on Sunday
morning, June 20, 1S58 ; and the regular services, morning and evening, followed.
On the 2 1 St of December, 1858, the Rev. Heman Lincoln tendered his
resignation, which was accepted at a special church - meeting held January
25, 1859-
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
Mr. Lincoln served this church as pastor five years and seven montiis ; and,
notwithstanding the want of a special house of worship for tvventy-one months of
this time, and with only preaching ser\-ice once upon the Sabbath, yet the church
had never enjoyed greater prosperity than under his pastorate. The increase of
membership during this time was forty-six by baptism and forty-two by letter, with
one by restoration ; making a total of eighty-nine.
On the 25th of August, 1859, the new church building was dedicated. It is
a handsome edifice, with the appearance of light freestone. The stone, however,
of which the walls are composed is embedded in a complete co\er, extremely
thick, of mastic, of great durability, and which increases in hardness with age.
The superficial extent of the house is about 100 feet by 52, and has a seating
capacity of 600. There are also two vestry rooms, suitable for meetings, and
capable of holding respectivel)' 300 and 100 persons. These rooms are arranged
to be thrown into one when necessary.
An interregnum then occurred until May i, i860; when the Rev. Charles
DeWitt Bridgman accepted and^entered upon the duties of the pastorate, having
received a call from the church and society in the preceeding March. Mr. Bridg-
man's pastorate was of short duration. He first tendered nis resignation Novem-
ber 19, 1S61 ; but, being then persuaded to withdraw it for a time, he again
tendered it October 30, 1862, when it was reluctantly accepted. During Mr.
Bridgman's services the membership was increased by the addition of thirteen by
baptism, and twenty-three by letter ; total, thirty-six.
On the second Sabbath in January, 1863, the pulpit was supplied by Adoni-
ram Judson Gordon, then a student in that celebrated nursery of clergj'men, the
Theological seminary at Newton. His services on this occasion were so accept-
able to the people that he was again invited to preach ; and, finally, he received a
call to become the pastor, at the regular church-meeting held February 17, 1863.
This invitation was accepted March 20, with the provision that Mr. Gordon should
not enter upon his duties until the close of his studies at Newton, in June. He
united with the church on May 26, 1863, and on the first Sabbath in July, 1S63,
commenced his labors as pastor.
The society had now a very heavy debt resting upon it, occasioned by the
building of the new church-edifice, amounting, at this time, to about §17,000.
This encumbrance had been a great drawback to the church. In 1864, it was
determined to commence an effort for the payment of the entire amoimt, and
subscriptions were solicited for that purpose. The responses to the appeal made
were so prompt and liberal, that, in October, it was announced that subscri])tions
had been received sufficient to cover very nearly the whole amount needed. The
greater part of the debt was at once discharged ; but the entire amount was not
fully paid until .April, 1868. During this time, extensive repairs hat] been made
THE JAMAICA PLAIN BAPTIST CHURCH.
on the exterior of the building ; so that the extra amount raised in four years,
aside from ordinary current expenses and benevolent contributions, was about
;?25,ooo. At the annual meeting in April, iS68, it was announced that the soci-
ety was entirely free from debt, which happy condition continues to the pres-
ent time (1883).
Under these favorable circumstances, it was now hoped to enjoy an enlarged
prosperity ; which anticipation was, to some extent, realized. But, in August,
1869, Mr. Gordon tendered his resignation, having received an urgent invitation
to become the pastor of the Clarendon Street Church, Boston. This church had
extended and persistently pressed a similar call in February, 1S67, when it was
declined. This time, however, an affirmative answer was given. Mr. Gordon's
resignation took effect on the first Sabbath in November, 1869.
Besides the payment of thousands of dollars of indebtedness during the
pastorate of Mr. Gordon, the church was also increased in numbers, and in spirit-
ual graces and efficiency. In the six years and seven months of his service, there
were received into the church by experience, one ; by letter, fifty ; and by bap-
tism, seventy-two ; being a total of one hundred and twenty-three members ; or
more than one-fourth of all admissions to membership, including the fifty-nine
original members, since the church was constituted.
The pulpit continued to be supplied by different clergymen until September
12, 1870, when an invitation was extended to the "Rev. James Paterson, from
Scotland, who had already preached here for six Sabbaths, to serve as preacher
and pastor for one year. Mr. Paterson accepted the invitation, and entered upon
his duties the last Sabbath in September, 1870.
On the completion of Mr. Paterson's engagement as limited temporary
supply, in September, 1871, he retired; the church having failed to extend to
him a call to assume the regular pastorate. His successor was the Rev. D. P.
Morgan, who came from the Newton Theological Seminary. He was settled on
September i, 1872, and resigned November i, 1875.
The present pastor, the Rev. D. H. Taylor, then accepted the call of the
church, and was settled in February, 1877. He still remains at the helm of
this Gospel Ship, and it is hoped may long continue there.
The membership now (18S3) stands at 235. The Sunday School member-
ship is 259.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Rev. D. H. Taylor ; Deacons : William Man-
ning, J. W. Leatherbee, B. F. Cutter, N. B. Chamberlin, Nathaniel Weld ; Treas-
urer : B. F. Cutter ; Clerk : Samuel P. Putnam ; Sunday School Superintendent :
N. B. Chamberlin.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Central Square Baptist Church,
East Boston.
The field now occupied by the Central Square Baptist Church of East Boston
furnished an asylum for the persecuted Baptists of the city on the main land, more
than two hundred years ago.
Mr. Thomas Gould, one of the founders of the First Baptist Church. remo\ed
to Noddle's Island, now East Boston, about 1670, and " at his house the church
assembled for a number of years." It is still almost within living memory when
there was but a single house on this island. In 1S32, the East Boston Company
commenced its operations, and the population rapidly increased. In 1843 the
inhabitants were estimated at 4,000; in 1855, at 17,000 ; and in 1870,3! 30,000.
In 1843, the Baptists residing here, then numbering about forty members,
asked advice from a committee of the churches in the city with regard to the
organization of a church in this field. That committee, under the date of Sep-
tember 2, 1843, returned the following answer : " That we recommend to the
brethren in East Boston to go forward in their undertaking to establish a Baptist
interest in that place ; it being understood, however, that this committee do not
hereby pledge the several churches to which they belong to any pecuniary aid in
the enterprise." This reply was considered sufficiently encouraging to warrant
the brethren " to go forward in their undertaking ; " which they did, and public
religious services were commenced in a hall in October, 1843, under the ministry
of the Rev. Hiram A. Graves, then editor of the Christian Reflector, who had
been engaged to supply the pulpit for one year. The church was formally organ-
ized September 24, 1844, and recognized by a council of churches on November
7th, of the same year. It consisted of thirty members. Mr. Graves completed
his term of service, but his feeble health, together with his duties as editor, for-
bade his continuing longer.
At a meeting of the church held October 25, 1844, the Rev. Joseph M.
Graves, the father of Hiram A., was called to become their first pastor. He
accepted the call and entered upon his labors January i, 1845. During his pas-
THE CENTRAL SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH. 67
torate 31 members were added to the church by baptism, and 39 by letter and
experience. Soon after he commenced his labors with this people, tlie hall in
which they worshiped, and which they had fitted up at considerable expense, was
destroyed by fire. Removals from place to place followed in rapid succesion.
These were not conducive to ^ie growth of the congregation, and yet there was
a healthy progress. For several months tlie church was kindly welcomed by the
Maverick Society to their house of worship — a favor again enjoyed several years
afterwards. Mr. Graves resigned the pastorate June 7, 1847.
The Rev. Miles Sanford was recognized as pastor December 26. 1 84 7. He
resigned in January, 1851. Under his pastorate 4 members were added to the
<luirch by baptism, and 26 by letter and experience.
The church suffered, alike under the ministry of Mr. Graves and Mr. Sanford,
for the lack of a suitable church home ; and its permanent growth and prosperity
were greatly hindered.
The next pastor was the Rev. James N. Sykes, who entered on his labors
July I, 185 1. His pastorate was of longer duration than that of either of his
[iredecessors. The great work achieved by the church and society under his
labors was the erection of their new house of worship. As originally erected, it
was a substantial brick building, 55 feet wide, the main edifice 78 feet long, and
its extreme length 108 feet. Its spire rose 150 feet from the pavement. The
house was publicly dedicated to the worship of God on April 4, 1855. More
tlian eleven years and a half had passed since the time when public services had
first been commenced by the society, and during more than ten years and a half
the church had prayed, labored, and struggled to reach this result. In the course
of Mr. Sykes' ministry 67 members were added to the church by baptism, and 92
l)y letter and experience. He resigned his pastorate on June 26, 1S58, having
sustained the pastoral relation to the church for nearly seven years.
On January i, 1859, the Rev. S. W. Foljambe entered upon his work as pas-
tor of the church. The congregation was small. But under the ministry of Mr.
I'oljambe, the church enjoyed a steady and healthful growth. Though his pas-
torate covered .the exciting period of the great civil war, the evidences of spiritual
jirosperity were many and encouraging. Under his ministry 1 1 5 members were
added to the church by baptism, and 1 1 6 by letter and experience, and the congre-
gation was largely increased in numbers and resources. Mr. Foljambe closed his
labors with the church May 5, 1867, after a pastorate of eight and one-third years.
On the first Sabbath in November, 1867, the Rev. D. B. Cheney, I). D., com-
menced his work with this church as a supply. He continued in this relation for
four months, when he moved to the field, and entered upon full pastoral work.
It had been his privilege to enter into the labors of those who had preceded him,
and to reap where they had sown. During the course of his ministry 385 mem-
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
bers were added to the church. Its membersliip, congregations, prayer meetings,
Sabbath School, and general resources were larger than ever.
On the 24th of September, 1S60, the church celebrated the 25 th anniversary
of its organization by a " Social Re-union."
In 1870 the church experienced a severe (disaster in the burning of its
edifice, which happened on July 2Sth. This distressing accident, however, served
to display the zeal and activity, and administrative ability of the pastor in a
stronger light. Under his active supervision the work of rebuilding was quickly
undertaken, and, within the following year, the church arose anew from its ashes,
greatly enlarged, and in every way improved. In order to obtain the necessary
additional space, two houses and lots in the rear of the church were purchased at
a cost of ^10,000. The rebuilding and improvement involved an expense of
$40,000, thus making an expenditure of §50,000. In addition to this there
remained an old debt of $5,000, being in all $55,000. The amount of insurance
was but $25,000, and a debt of $30,000 was laid upon the society, which was
shortly reduced to $7,000, secured by a mortgage. The interest on this was paid
by the income from the property in the rear of the building. Dr. Cheney resigned
the pastorate March i, 1874.
His successor was the Rev. G. F. Warren, who began his pastoral labors in
this church on October 3, 1875. During this ministry the permanent debt was
increased to $10,000. A want of accord on the part of some members of the
church produced a breach, which caused the resignation of Mr. Warren in Jan-
uary, 1 8 78. From this arose the foundation of the Trinity Baptist Church of East
Boston. The members of the Central Church who supported Mr. Warren — a
body numbering 218 — took their letters from tlie Central Church at this time
and organized the Trinity Church, under Mr. AVarren's pastoral cliarge, in March
187S. At the close of this pastorate the membership stood at 332, after the
secession of the number above mentioned.
After this event, the Rev. J. Spencer Kennard accepted the pastorate, and
continued until January i, 1S82, when he resigned. The number of members at
this time was 391.
In May, 1883, the Rev. J. K. Richardson was chosen pastor. The present
membership is 373.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. J. K. Richardson ; Deacons : B.
L. Crocker, O. O. Gould, J. M. Getchell ; Clerk: F. A. Johnson; Treasurer:
T.E. Currier; Collector: J. W. Swint ; Sunday School Superintendent: W. B
Forest.
THE RUGGLES STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Ruggles Street Baptist Church.
RuGGLEs Street.
This church is the outgrowth of a mission established by the Shawmut Avenue
Baptist Church, at Branch Chapel on Washington street, afterwards removing to
Ruggles street, where the church was organized in December, 1870, under the
leadership of its present pastor. Rev. R. G. Seymour, D. D. At the start there
were only thirty members, while the present membership is over 700, a major-
ity being converts received by baptism. The Sunday School, beginning with
less than 300, has steadily grown from year to year, and now numbers about
1,550 ; and is divided into a Bible School, an Intermediate Section, and a Pri-
mary Department. The original sanctuary was of plain exterior, and limited
accommodations. After being enlarged three times, to meet the needs of the con-
gregation, the edifice is now one of the most pleasant and commodious houses of
worship in Boston.
This interest was supported by the Shawmut Avenue Church until 1874, when it
became an independent body ; and has now five persons besides the pastor who,
as assistants and missionaries, give their entire attention to its labors.
One of its chief aims is to care for the whole man— not neglecting the body,
while doing everything for the soul. Hence, it does a great work among the
poor ; ministering to their temporal and spiritual necessities, and assisting many
to procure suitable employment. Another special feature is its educational work,
which is carried on in the new chapel building, adjoining the church, and includes
a well furnished reading-room, with classes, under skillful teachers, for the instruc-
tion of young men and women in various branches.
It makes every effort to cultivate the spirit of song, and affords excellent
facilities for young and old to become proficient in this glorious art. As a result,
the Sabbath service is beautified by well-rendered music from an accomplished
male quartette, and by unusually fine congregational singing.
A marked experience is the continued presence of the Spirit in the conver-
sion of souls. Many seasons of remarkable refreshing have been enjoyed : of late
70 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
there has been a steady inflow of converts ; baptisms occuring nearly every
month, and all the meetings being well attended. On Sunday morning the spacious
auditorium is often over crowded, and the attendance at the Sunday school
averages over i,ooo. As many as 1,300 have been present at a single session.
This is a free church in the fullest meaning of the term. Rich and poor sit
together, in perfect equality, and a right hand of cordial welcome is extended to
all who enter its doors. The support is entirely from \'oluntary contributions.
The success of this church is largely due to efficient committee work. In
addition to the committees usually connected with large societies, it has a com-
mittee on Neighborhood Meetings, who sustain a weekly gathering for prayer and
praise some distance from the church, in which there is a constant and growing
interest. The Committee on Young Christians and Inquirers look after the
welfare of those who have lately put on Christ, and labor to assist seeking souls
in inciuiry meetings, or wherever such can be found. The Strangers' Committee
endeavor to become acquainted with all new members of the congregation, to
visit them at their homes, and to secure their presence in the Sunday school.
The Committee on Social Gatherings look after meetings held for the purpose of
friendly intercourse, and take measures to make such gatherings enjoyable and
beneficial. The Committee on Absent Members, communicates with, and gen-
erally keeps track of, members living at a distance. The Temperance Committee
conducts a Gospel Temperance Meeting every Sunday afternoon. During the
Winter these gatherings are held in the chapel, and in warm weather, out of
doors. Members of this committee also go about in groups of five or si.x, and
hold prayer meetings at the homes of those under the bondage of alcohol. The
Ladies' Devodonal Committee sustain two weekly prayer meetings for ladies ;
and the Committee on Sick and Needy do a great work, while ministering to
the pressing wants of those afflicted with disease, and those in situations requiring
material assistance.
This church is a legally organized corporate body; having discarded the
old custom — which has obtained so long in New England — of having a society
separate from the church. It is empowered to transact all business relating to its
material affairs; and every member has part in the control of its property by
vote.
Church Officers :— Pastor, The Rev. R. G. Seymour, D. D. ; Clerk : Geo.
V. Burr ; Treasurer ; Wm. N. Hartshorn ; Superintendent of Sunday School : Chas.
B. Lane ; Deacons : Sam'l. Sargent, Jas. A. Crowe, O. A. Drisko, Joseph Bryan.
THE NEPONSET AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Neponset Avenue Baptist Church,
Chickatawbut Street, Neponset.
In the summer of 1836, religious services began to beheld every Sabbath
in Neponset Hall, conducted principally by students from Newton Theological
Institution. In June of the following year— 1837 — the members organized
themselves into a church, and were duly recognized by a Council, which met on
the seventh of that month, as a regularly constituted Baptist Church.
The Rev. Bradley Miner conmienced to supply the church immediately after
the recognition, and was duly installed as Pastor on August 9, 1837. The church
at this time numbered twenty members. •
The church worshiped in Neponset Hall until August, 183S, when the
present Meeting-house was opened. In 1843 the building was enlarged.
Mr. Miner closed his pastorate in April, 1846, having served the church for
over eight years. He died in 1854.
In July, 1846, the Rev. Humphrey Richards became the pastor, and con-
tinued until his death, which occurred in September, 1854.
The Rev. B. W. Barrows was the next pastor. He had but recently gradu-
ated from the Newton Theological Institution, and was ordained pastor of this
church on May 30th, 1S55. He resigned on January ist, 1873. After him, the
Rev. J. F. Morton led the devotions of the church for about two and a half years,
resigning in September, 1875.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Banvard, U. D., the present pastor,
who is now (1883) in the eighth year of his pastorate, having been called to the
leadership of the church in January, 1876.
About two years ago, a Branch was established by this church at Milton
Lower Mills, which subsequently became an Independent Baptist Church.
Church Officers :— Pastor : The Rev. Joseph Banvard, D. D. ; Clerk: F.
J. Lincoln; Deacons: David Fales, James T. Murphy; Treasurer: Pratt;
Sunday School Superintendent : John M. Barker.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Bunker Hill Baptist Church,
lAULEbTOW:
This church was organized on the 28th of February, 1850, in Mystic Hall,
Charlestown, under the name of the Bethesda Baptist Church, with a membership
of 71. The pastor was the Rev. John Blain, previously of the High Street Baptist
Church, Charlestown. The first communion was observed June 2d, 1850.
In November, 1S50, fourteen of the neighboring churches were invited to
act as a C ouncil to consider the propriety of recognising the Bethesda Baptist
Church, and admitting it into communion with the denomination. The Council
unanimously voted to receive the church into fellowship.
Mr. Blain resigned the pastorate on August 14th, 1853, antl was succeeded
by the Rev. E. H. Page, of New York, who was installed November 2d, 1S53.
Mr. Page resigned in September, 1S57. He was succeeded by the Rev. H. C.
Graves, who accepted a call in March, 1 85 8. This pastorate was extremely successful,
and during it the church was increased greatly. In the interim between these two
pastorates, special services were held, at the church's invitation, by the Elvangelist,
Mr. Earle, which were attended with marked success, as shown by the large
accession to the memliershiji.
Mr. Graves resigned in July, 1S63. The charge of this church was then
assumed by the Rev. J. B. Morse who was settled in September, 1S63, and resigned
in January, 1867 — this pastor also was greatly blessed in his work, and his name is
yet highly esteemed among the i)eople of this district — and next by the Rev.
Luther F. Beecher, D. D., installed March, 1S67, and resigned December, 1868.
The pastors who followed were the Rev. Addison Parker, settled in June, 1S69,
and resigned in September, 1S73 ; and the Rev. W. O. Holman, who was settled
February, 1874, and resigned in April, 18S1. Both these pastors were greatly
successful, and garnered many shea\es for the church.
The Rev. W. M. Weeks then assumed the pastoral charge — in April, 1882 —
for a term of six months, at the end of which time he was compelled to retire on
account of ill health.
THE BUNKER HILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
After this pastorate, the church remained for many months without a pastor
until the election of the present incumbent, the Rev. C. F. Nicholson, late of the
North Church, New Bedford, which occurred in May, 1883.
The original name of the Church — the Bethesda Bajatist Church — was
changed by vote to the present one, the Bunker Hill Baptist Church, in I'^ebruarv,
1854. The church membership is 295, and that of the Sunday school, 268.
Church Officers: — Pastor: Rev. C. F. Nicholson; Deacons: William A.
Byam, William Howard, H. J. Mason, L. Bruce; Clerk: W. Arthur Snow;
Treasurer : Andrew Tower ; Sunday School Superintendent, G. M. Starbird.
The Trinity Baptist Church,
East Boston.
This church is an offshoot from the Central Square Baptist Church, East
Boston, and is the youngest Baptist Church in the City, having been organized in
January, 1878. At this time the Rev. George F. Warren retired from the Central
Square Church, carrying with him 2 1 8 members of the congregation, and thus
formed the Trinity Church.
In the fall of 1881, the Rev. Nelson B. Jones, Jr., became the pastor, and
great success has attended the united efforts of pastor and people to promote true
religion in this community, which is a rapidly growing one. During 1S82 nearly
150 new members were received; about 100 of them being by baptism. The
present membership reaches 360. The fervor of youth is upon this body of
Christians, and the spirit of aggressiveness characterizes every member of it.
The Sunday school is a prosperous one, and has a membership of 475.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Nelson B. Jones, Jr. ; Deacons : H.
Mayo, J. Townsend, F. Rice, F. Fay, J. Bezanson, S. C. Hopkins ; Treasurer :
H. Mayo \ Clerk : S. H. Mayo ; Sunday School Superintendent, Jas. Townsend.
CHURCHES OF BOSTOjX.
The Baptist Bethel
H/NOVER, COR. BeN>
A little more than forty years ago the Baptists of Boston began their Bethel
enterprise. At that time only an experiment, it has now become an established
and successful fact ; an institution which is an integral part of the Baptist denom-
ination of the city of Boston, representing, and represented l)y. all its churches.
The efforts put forth in behalf of seamen, by this society, through its several
branches has received the manifest blessing of God.
The first distinctively Baptist movement of this kind was made in 1843, but
with no marked success. It was the beginning, however, of great things. In
1845 the cause of seamen was taken up in real earuest, a Baptist Bethel Society
being organized in June of that year by a committee of three — Thomas Rich-
ardson, William Crowell, and Frederick Gould, — chosen for that purpose by the
different churches in the city and vicinity. " It was formed," says the committee,
" after several preliminary meetings, and much inquiry, deliberation and prayer,
by a delegation from all, or nearly all, the churches, chosen for that purpose, and
with the cordial approbation of all the pastors." A small hall was opened at the
comer of Lewis and Commercial streets for religious services, which were con-
ducted by the Rev. Phineas Stowe, who had just been called to that work. In
1850 a regular church organization was established with sixteen members.
Thus commenced the " Bethel Seamen's Mission ; " which, weak and appar-
endy insignificant in its beginning, has developed into a truly " mighty work," as
it was so aptly called by its founder, Mr. Stowe.
Under the zealous ministrations of Mr. Stowe, interest in the Bethel cause was
continually stirred up and kept fresh, and public meetings of the society were held
from time to time, for the purpose of presenting its work and wants to the churches.
In April, 1846, a meeting was held at the Bowdoin Square Church, which
was addressed by Rev. Messrs. Blain, Colver, and Hague. The report of the
committee spoke in the strongest terms of the success attending the labors of Mr.
Stowe, and dverted to the growing interest in the Bethel cause among the
churches.
THE BAPTIST BET} 1 EL. 7 5
In July, 1846, the committee of the society, consisting of nineteen brethren,
from nine churches, issued a circular, in which they stated, that though the society
was begun as an experiment, the first year's trial had exceeded their highest
hopes. They were, therefore, encouraged to make an earnest appeal to the
churches for fiulher assistance.
The churches were the following : Union Street Church, Baldwin Place,
Charles Street, Federal Street, Bowdoin Square, Harvard Street, Tremont Street,
South Baptist, Friend Street.
BOSTON BAPTIST BETHEL CHURCH.
According to the constitution of the society, every Baptist church electing
two members annually, and contributing to its funds, becomes, in part, owner and
manager of the Bethel hurch property; and this property can never be dis-
posed of except by a vote of the society. As new churches have sprung up, in
the course of years, in Boston and vicinity, they have evinced a deep interest in
the Bethel cause, so that at present the society has a membership representing
thirty-eight churches.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The work of the society has gradually extended, embracing now several
departments, — the Church proper, which lias its own independent action, the
Sunday School, the Mariner's Exchange, a temperance organization, and a great
amount of general work, — involving an annual expense of some $5,000, more
than $2,000 of which come from the church.
The purchase, in 1864, of the present church edifice, on Hanover street, was
an important event in the history of the society. The Bethel work, under Mr.
Stowe's indefatigable and greatly successful labors, had far outgrown existing
accommodations, and rendered a removal from the small and inconvenient hall on
Lewis street, to a larger and more commodious building an absolute necessity.
The spot where this church now stands, the corner of Hanover and North
Bennett streets, is a historic, and was once an aristocratic, locality. The Rev. Dr.
Samuel Mather, son of Dr. Cotton Mather, and grandson of Dr. Increase IVfather,
was dismissed from the Second Congregational Church, worshipping in North
Square, in December, 1 741, and, in the following year, a wooden edifice was erected
by his friends on this spot, in which he preached for about forty years. After his
death the church was purchased by the Universalists, and the Rev. John Murray
was installed pastor in 1793. The present brick structure was erected in 1838.
This " Seamen's Apostle," the Rev. Phineas Stowe, was not, however, allowed
to continue his work long in the new location. He died in November, 1868, and
the strong impression which he had made on the whole religious community of
Boston as a true man of God was touchingly shown by the deeji and universal
mourning evinced by all classes at his funeral. His remains were taken, after most
solemn ser\-ices at the Bethel Church, to his native town, Milford, Conn., where
they were finally laid at rest.
A handsome marble tablet, with a highly eulogistic inscription, is placed
behind the pulpit in the Bethel Church, commemorating the devoted life of this '
apostolic man. The same inscription is also placed on a cenotaph in the Bethel
Church's lot at Woodlawn, and, also, a third time, over the actual grave at Milford.
After a year of temporary supplies, the Rev. Henry A. Cooke succeeded to
the pastorate in October, 1869, in which he has remained up to the present time,
being now (1883), the oldest clergyman in the denomination in active duties, and
also the longest settled in one charge.
The death of Mr. Stowe seemed, for the time, to spread a dark cloud over
the enterprise to which he really fell a martyr ; but the cause itself was greater
than any man ; it was the cause of God and humanity, and could not be retarded
by his removal. The deep foundations which he had laid, through long years, in
prayer and self-sacrifice, were to abide as a memorial of his great heart.
The Bethel Society has continued its career uninterruptedly to the present
time (1883), and never has it been more prosperous than at present under the
THE BAPTIST BETHEL. 7 7
unwearied and faithful labors of the Rev. Mr. Cooke and his estimable wife. In
every department, under the general supervison of the society, there are abundant
signs of encouragement, bidding it go forward in its work of benevolence, which
is now even a greater necessity than it was forty years ago.
The paramount claim wliich the Bethel Society has upon the active sympathies
of the denomination, arises from its immediate relation to seamen — a claim which
no Christian can fail to acknowledge. To seamen we owe the mighty debt
involved in the general commission of the Saviour ; in the special circumstances
of trial, exposure, and temptation which pertain to their hazardous and migi-atory
calling : and in the benefits to commerce, and almost every department of our
social life, which accrue to us from their privations and hardships. To this sea-
men's work, the Bethel Society is specially and chiefly consecrated.
Moreover, the Bethel Church stands almost alone in the north part of the
city as a representative of the Baptist denomination, and the Bethel Society is the
only local object in which all the Baptist churches are united, by their several
delegates.
The church has a membership of about 350, among whom are representa-
tives of all nations. Its members, also, though comprising many residents of the
city, are scattered over the whole world ; and the sun, as Mr. Stowe truly said,
never sets on this church. The seamen who, through the Bethel ministrations,
are converted and turned to God, and received into fellowship with the Bethel
Church, leaving the city again to " do their business in great waters," carry the
gospel banner, and the Bethel Church membership, throughout the globe — to Eng-
land, France, Spain, China, far-off India, and Australia, and the " Isles of the Sea."
Of a sober truth, this is a wide scope for godly influence, bounded only by the
illimitable sea, and the circumference of the " great globe itself"
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Bethel Society are elected
annually. Several have served on the Board for many years, and have rendered
constant aid to both the former and present pastor. The following are the names
of the members for 1S83 : —
First Baptist, Wm. Fosdick, VVm. Beals ; Warren Avenue, Geo. L. Norris, P.
F. Folsom ; Clarendon Street, Abijah Hall, Matthew Bolles ; Harvard Street, ^Vm.
A. Spooner, R. C. Wallis ; Bowdoin Square, S. A. Wilbur, A. T. Graves ; Union
Temple, A. M. Jamson, L. W. Hazen ; South, H. P. Hanson, Henry McCoy ;
Fourth Street, Wm. J. English, John Browbill ; Central Square, Jesse Smith, S. T.
Chase ; Trinity, H. Mayo, S. C. Hopkins ; Dudley Street, Edward F. Mecuen, G.
H. Newell ; Dearborn Street, Sam'l A. Howard, Alfred Naylor ; Ruggles Street,
Joseph Worthington, Geo. V. Burr; First (Charlestown), John Linscott, J. H.
Blanchard ; Bunker Hill, E. G. Byam, G. M. Starbird ; First (Cambridge), J. M.
S. Williams, R. O. Fuller; Old Cambridge, Wm. H. Brown, T. Watson Merrill;
7 8 CnUIfCHES UJ-' BOSTON.
North Avenue, D. D. Haskell, Jr., D. H. Hayward ; East Cambridge, J. W. Gard-
ner, Geo. H. Howard; First (Chelsea), John Avery, Sam'lReed; Cary Avenue,
Charles P. Godfrey, Vemon A. Field, Thos. Martin ; Jamaica Plain, S. P. Putnam,
Wm. C. Cameron ; Brookline, Osavius Verney, R. G. F. Candage ; Perkins
Street, Samuel Cutler, T. P. Daniels ; Watertown, Royal Gilkey, Chas. F. Jackson ;
Maiden, G. L. Richards, Chas. Merrill; Newton Centre, Thos. Nickerson, J. D.
A. Gross ; Newton, A. B. Marshall, Benj. Lentell ; ^Valtham, E. M. Richard-
son, Charles P. Bond ; Hyde Park, George Nicies, \\\ P. Stone ; Melrose, Thos.
T. Bailey, G. E. Carr ; Arlington, Harrison Swan, Geo. G. Allen ; Wallaston
Heights, J. Sparrow, J. P. Perry, H. Gannett; Washington Street (Lynn), G. K.
Pevear, A. F. Smith ; Bethel, A. F. Whittemore, R. Bowen, R. Holman, N. A.
Fitch ; Medford, J. P. Abbott, C. H. Clark, T. W. Hamlin ; Stoughton Street, W.
I. Tuckerman, R. B. Walker ; Charles River, W. A. Munroe, C. Homes.
Ladies' Bethel Society. — In the spring of 1847 a number of ladies who
had become interested in the labors of Mr. Stowe among seamen, met for consul-
tation as to the best method of aiding him in his work, and appointed a committee
for the purpose of calling a meeting of all ladies interested in the object, looking
toward the formation of a society ; and a week later, a meeting was held in the
committee-room of Bowdoin Square Church, which resulted in the organization
of the Boston Ladies' Bethel Society. The society was incorporated in 1855,
and by means of various "sales" and "festivals " added several thousand dollars
to the funds. In 1864 $13,000 were contributed by this society towards the pur-
chase of the Bethel Church. As in many other enterprises — especially in those
pertaining to the Kingdom of God, — the era of woman's work has proved to be
the era of true efficiency. The movement had begun before, but the spring and
scintillation were never put into the work, until the female heart was enlisted.
On April 5, 1S83, the 38th anniversary of the Bethel Society was celebrated ;
the actual organization having been some two years after its commencement. The
following report of the event appeared in The WatcJunan:
On Fast-Day evening, April 5th, the Bethel held its 38th anniversary at the
church on Hanover street, the Hon. J. M. S. Williams, so long President, in the
chair. The gathering in the evening was preceded by a meeting of the Ladies'
Bethel Circle, presided over by the newly-chosen President, Mrs. Robert Newman.
At the more public anniversary, after devotional exercises, the report of the treas-
urer, Mr. Nathan A. Fitch, who has been connected with the society for a
quarter of a century, was presented Deacon Fitch, who is also Superintendent of
the Sunday School, which relation he has held over twenty years, gave an inter-
esting review of its growth from forty-five officers and scholars to nearly 200
more than that figure. From the report of the missionary, Mr. John Welch, it
appears that 61,930 persons have attended the services at the Bethel during the
THE BAPTIST BETHEL.
past year, an increase of 173 over the previous year. Of this number, 21,080
were seamen ; which, also, is an increase over the former year. The society has
given away, during the year, 300 portions of the Word of God, and 100 Testa-
ments printed in foreign languages, principally in rhe Swedish language. The
reading-room is open daily. The report of temperance work by Mr. Rufus Hol-
man showed that the work had been carried vigorously forward during the year,
and that 904 persons had signed the pledge. The Chaplain, Rev. Henry A.
Cooke, gave some interesting statistics in regard to the establishing of the Bethel
and its attendant societies. The temperance organization connected with the
society is said to be the oldest open temperance order in the State. The Ladies'
Bethel Society was organized in 1846, and the Bethel Church in 1850, and during
its existence 600 persons have been received as members, either by the hand of
fellowship, or by letter. About 300 have been received during the present pas-
torate of thirteen and a half years. Mr. Stowe was pastor nearly twenty years.
During the past year, sixteen have been received by baptism and five by letter.
The following hymn — by the author of the national hymn " America," Dr.
S. F. Smith, — and written specially for this anniversary occasion, was sung :
God of the sea, thy mighty power,
Our shield and hope in danger's hour,
Soothes the wild winds o'er ocean's breast,
And bids the tossing billows rest.
God of the land, thy loving voice
Allays our doubt and wakes our joys;
All glories, Lord, in thee combine,
And calm and storm alike are thine.
O bless the wanderer o'er the wave.
And make him know thy power to save ;
And far and wide, o'er land and main,
Maintain the scepter of thy reign.
The absence of the chaplain's estimable wife from this anniversary was felt
by all, and the tender reference to her and her family were warmly responded to
by the congregation, which had in it representatives from a score of churches.
Mrs. Cooke, as the wife of both pastors of the Bethel Church, has been intimately
associated with the Bethel cause for more than thirty years. The work of the
Bethel is now receiving a fresh impulse from the efforts of members of the Bap-
tist Social Union, who are about to supply the pastor with an assistant in his work.
The church and reading-room are always open and accessible to strangers. A
prayer meeting is also held every week day at 3 p. m.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Henry A. Cooke ; Deacons : Alfred
Whittemore, Nathan A. Fitch, Romeo Bowen, Wm. E. Dennis, George Dority ;
Clerk : R. Holman ; Treasurer : .Alfred Whittemore ; Sunday School Superinten-
dent ; Nathan A. Fitch.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Dearborn Street Baptist Church,
Dearborn Street.
This church is the outgrowth of a desire to care for the rehgiously destitute
population in the vicinity of Roxbury Point. In the year 1S47, Gustavus F.
Delesdernier, and a few other members of the Dudley Street Baptist Church,
impressed with the need of evangelical Christian labor in that portion of the com-
munity, commenced a Sunday School and prayer meeting in Williams Hall, at the
junction of Albany and Hampden streets.
Until the year 1858, this mission, although aided and encouraged by the
Dudley Street Baptist Church, had never been officially recognized bj it as a body,
but in that year a mission committee was appointed by the church, and the super-
vision of this field was entrusted to their care. During the succeeding year Cyrus
A. Carlton, and other students at the Newton Theological Institution, were partly
engaged to visit the families in the neighborhood.
About the year 1859, Deacon Nath'l O. Hart was chosen Superintendent of
the Sunday School, and held that office till 1863. Upon his resignation Joseph G.
Shed was elected, and ser\-ed in that position until January, 1S83, when he
declined a re-election.
In April, 1867, a lot of land on Dearborn street was purchased, and the pro-
ject of building a chapel was undertaken. On November 8th following, the
completed building was dedicated to the service of God. A Sunday and week-
day service were thereafter maintained. In January, 1869, Edward W. Pride was
engaged to labor as a missionary in the field, and was ordained to the gospel
ministry in June. Two years later this force of Christian workers seemed ready
to crystallize into a church. At a meeting held January 31, 1871, fifty-one mem-
bers from the Dudley Street, Stoughton Street, Union Temple, Harvard Street and
Charles Street Churches signified their willingness to form such a body. Accord-
ingly they organized themselves into the " Dearborn Street Baptist Church," and
on March 23, were recognized by neighboring sister churches. Nath'l O. Hart
and Robt. W. Ames were chosen deacons, and Rev. Edward W. Pride was elected
jjastor. Of the constituent members, a majority were from the Dudley Street
Baptist Church, which had supplied the strength of the mission for many years.
THE DEARBORN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 81
The Dearborn Street Baptist Church was founded upon the principle of the
Gospel to give to him that hath need. It has since proceeded with this purpose,
independently, and in the face of every discouragement. It owes much to the
labors of its first pastor, the Rev. Edward W. Pride, and his wife, who was the
oldest daughter of Deacon Nath'l O. Hart. The noble character of Deacon
Hart, and his great personal power and devotion to this particular cause, have
rendered his memory imperishable in this church.
Mr. Pride's pastorate terminated by resignation, April 7, 1878. The follow-
ing month the church called the Rev. Charles A. Reese to the pastorate, which he
still retains. He was ordained and installed on June 20th, of the same year.
At the formation of the church, Mrs. Robt. W. Ames donated a communion
service, and in June, 1882, the trustees of the Charles Street Church presented
the communion service of that memorable old church to this new one. It con-
sists of fourteen handsome pieces and has an especially sacred character in
the eyes of its present possessors, from its association with those godly men who
so long used it in the service of that hallowed parent church.
Church Officers — Pastor : Rev. C. A. Reese ; Deacons : Joseph G.
Shed, Herbert H. W. Edmands, Peter S. Houston ; Clerk : H. H. W. Edmands ;
Sunday School Superintendent : Watson A. Dakin.
The First German Baptist Church,
Vernon Street. Corner ok Cabot.
The First German Baptist Church was organized in 1879, and recognized as
a Baptist church by a council of churches in October of that year. It then num-
bered sixteen members, and worshiped in a small room on Tremont street.
In December, 1880, the church dedicated its first meeting-house. It is a
frame building on Vernon street, near Cabot street, with a seating capacity of 300.
The membership now is 70. Its Sunday School has 80 scholars. The church
called to its pastorate at its organization, the Rev. F. A. Licht, a graduate of
Rochester Theological Seminary, who still remains at the head of this little band
of believers.
Church Officers : — Pastor : F. A. Licht ; Deacons : H. Grohe, G. Uzinger :
Clerk : F. Trasch ; Treasurer : H. Grohe ; Superintendent of Sunday School :
F. A. Licht.
CHUhCHBS OF BOSTOX.
The Fourth Street Baptist Church,
Fourth Street, Cdr. L Street, Soith Boston.
About the year 1 85 3 some of the members of the South Baptist Church and
others, noting the rapidly increasing population at City Point, attempted to gather
into a Sabbath school in some suitable place, the many children who idly roamed
the streets on the Lord's Day.
But as no convenient room or hall of sutflcient size could be found, it was
resolved to erect a small chapel, providing sufficient funds could be obtained, and
to this end a number of meetings were held by those favorable to the movement ;
and at one of these meetings a paper was presented for signatures of those who
would pledge themselves to pecuniary assistance to aid in carrying out this project.
The result of this movement was very gratifying, for, in tlie space of two or
three months, the sum of $2,200 had been subscribed, of which, SS30 were given
by members of the South Baptist Church.
Thus encouraged, the friends interested in the undertaking obtained from the
city authorities a lot of land, 100 by 125 feet, at the corner of Fourth and I-
Streets, where the church now stands. The lot was obtained on bond, pur-
chasable within ten years, for the sum of $1,000, to be held in Trust for religious
purposes only, and at a rent of $45 per annum until the completion of the ]nu--
chase, for the sum and within the time above stated.
Without further delay a neat and commodious chapel was erected, and on
August 6th, 1854, was dedicated with appropriate services.
On the Sabbath following the dedication of the chape!, the Sunday school
held its first session, at whicii there were ])resent thirty-three scholars and ten
teachers.
The school gradually increased, and great encouragement was felt by the
movers in the enterprise. Preaching was maintained every Sabbath evening for
about one year by the pastors of Boston and vicinity, who kindl)- proffered their
services, and some months after the formation of the Sabbath school, a weekly
prayer meeting was established.
THE FOURTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 83
About this time the Rev. Mr. Wightman, then a student at the Newton
Theological Institution, was invited to preach on Sabbath evenings, which he did
for about a year, after which, for the space of three months, no regular preaching
was enjoyed.
In November, 1&56, the Rev. Mr. Howard was invited to act as colporteur
in connection with the Sabbath school, and his labors, which extended over a
period of six months, were very successful, many children being gathered into the
school through his instrumentality. The expense of his support was partly borne
by the American Bible Society.
At the close of Mr. Howard's labors, which occurred in June, 1S57, preach-
ing was again partially discontinued, and the attendance at the Sabbath school
declined in consequence.
Shortly afterwards, the doors of the chapel were closed against the preaching
of the Gospel ; the South Baptist Church having voted to accept the report of the
committee recommending this course, unless the people in the neighborhood
were willing to bear their proportion of the expense necessary for the maintenance
of Divine worship.
The aspect of things continued thus gloomy until November, 1857, when, by
vote of the church, the Rev. Mr. Filts was engaged to preach for the remainder
of the year. At the end of this term, the Rev. Samuel Davies was called to con-
duct regular Divine services.
Having accepted the invitation, he began his work on the ist of January,
1858,
This effort was attended with unlooked-for success ; the preaching was
blessed to the conversion of some, and to the spiritual quickening of many, and
among the people the conviction was deepened that the time was ripe for the
formation of a church in their midst.
Twenty-five (25) members of various churches were dismissed to form this
one, and on Wednesday, the 21st of April, 1858, in accordance with vote of
council on the 14th of the same month, the friends gathered at the chapel, and
the union of the brethren was duly recognized as a regularly constituted Baptist
Church.
The pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Davies continued until January, 1S60, and in
October of that )'ear the Rev. A. H. Stowell, of Seekonk, R. I., received the call
of the church to become its pastor, which having accepted, he was settled as
pastor in December, i860, and continued with them until March, 1862.
During the month of June, 1S62, the Rev. H .A. Lecompt preached three
times for them so acceptably, that a call was immediately extended to him, and
on August I St, 1862, he began his labors in this field, the church membership at
that time being seventy-three.
84 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Sabbath school had now increased from the orighial thirty-three, to
upwards of 200 scholars.
Under the pastorate of Mr. Lecompt the congregations rapidly increased,
until the chapel was found to be too small to accommodate those 'who attended,
and the society engaged themselves in the raising of funds for the erection of a
larger house of worship, the building of which was commenced in the fall of
1864, and the year 1865 saw the fruition of their exertions in the form of a com-
modious and beautiful church, within whose walls — during now (1S83) nearly
20 years — many souls have been born into the Kingdom.
The dedication of the new church edifice took place on Thursday evening,
February 2d, 1S65.
The Rev. Mr. Lecompt ended his labors in this field, on December 31st,
1 868, after a very successful pastorate of over six years.
On the 19th of September, 1S69, the Rev. Evan Lewis was settled as pastor,
but remained only about two years, and on the ist of January, 1872, the Rev.
Andrew Pollard, D. D., became the pastor, and labored efficiently in the winning
of souls, after which, for some six months, the church remained without a pastor.
The Rev. L. L. Wood next received a call, and began on December 6th, 1874, a
pastorate that extended over a period of about five years.
The pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Wood closed in June, 1879, and after an
interval of almost a year, the present pastor. Rev. Charles H. Spalding, then at
Arlington, accepted the unanimous call of the church, and became its pastor on
the 2d of May, 1880.
The labors of the present pastor have been greatly blessed in this vineyard,
and it is hoped that he may long continue his labors here.
At the present time (18S3), the material prosperity of the church is a matter
for congratulation. The mortgage on the property has been reduced by $2,000,
leaving now an incumbrance of only $6,000, which, it is hoped, may soon be
entirely wiped out.
The Sabbath school, under the able management of Mr. John A. Burgess, is
in a most prosperous condition, the membership at ijresent being over 500. File
present membership of the church is about 260.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Rev. Charles H. Spalding ; Deacons : Timothy
Wheater, Sylvester Hinckley, D. D. Alexander, Henry Andrews, Jr. ; Clerk: H.
A. Burgess ; Treasurer : D. D. .\lexander ; Trustees : Rev. .\ndrew PoUartl. I). D..
Timothy Wheater, Henry Andrews, Jr., William J. English, Frank J. Tuttle.
THE STOrOHTOX STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Stoughton Street Baptist Church,
Stoughton Street, Dorchester.
The records concering the earliest movements of public Christian life in this
out-lying district of Boston are very meagre. From the reminiscences of some
of the older members, an account of the first steps has been obtained.
The first inception of an evangelical interest in this locality is traced to the
efforts of Mr. and Mrs. David Clapp, who were members of the church over
which the Rev. Dr. Codman was pastor. Prayer meetings, and occasionally
preaching services, were held at Mr. Clapp's house, Dr. Codman usually presid-
ing. After awhile, the labors of this pious family were supplemented by those of
Miss Sarah Baker, of Savin Hill. This lady also succeeded in organizing a prayer
meeting in the old school-house which stood near the site of the engine house on
Boston street. The result of these persistent labors was, finally, the establish-
ment of Sabbath services at Union Hall, now a dwelling house, on Dudley street.
This was a union movement made by Orthodox Congregationalists, Methodists,
and Baptists conjointly, and lasted for about a year.
Finally a meeting was held on May 3, 1845, to consider the subject of the
proposed organization of a Gospel Church, according to the denominational
views of the majority of those interested. A committee of three — Messrs.
Shailer, Coburn, and Davis — was appointed to confer with the brethren in the
vicinity ; and this committee shortly afterwards reported that the majority were
Baptists ; and that accordingly it seemed best to organize a Baptist church.
Several preliminary meetings were held during the summer of 1845, at which
Articles of Faith and a Church Covenant were adopted, and a call to the jjastor-
ate was given to, and accepted by, the Rev. D. T. Shailer.
On the 15th of September a council of the churches met to consider the
recognition of the church by the denomination. The council voted unanimously
to recognize the church under the name of the North Dorchester Baptist Church,
and services of recognition were held in Union Hall, on Sabbath evening, the 23d
of September, 1845, the Rev. Dr. Caldicott preaching the sermon. The number
of original members was sixteen.
On the day of the meeting above mentioned, ground was broken for the
erection of a new church building, but about two years passed before it was
8 6 CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
completed and dedicated. The usual dedicatory services finally took place in
March, 1847.
In June of this year the Rev. D. T. Shailer resigned the pastorate. Under
his ministrations nine members were added by letter and five by baptism. A
vacancy then ensued of some months, during which lour were added to the
church by letter.
In March, 1S48, the Rev. F. G. Brown became the pastor, and remained
until April, 1850, when he resigned. His pastorate, though short, was successful,
and the church parted from him with great regret. He went from this church to
that at West Townsend. During Mr. Brown's pastorate, and the interval whicli
followed, eleven ]iersons were joined to the church.
The Rev. James W. Lathrop received and accepted a call in January, 1S5 i .
Shortly afterwards the church elected its first DeaCons, who were Messrs. Caleb
Coburn, Jacob Davis, and George Ellis. Within two weeks afterwards Deat on
Coburn died, at the age of 62. This pastorate extended over a ])eriod of more
than five years, and was a prosperous and successful one. The adilitions during
this time and the ne.xt interval were by letter, seven ; by experience, two ; and by
baptism, thirteen.
The next pastor was the Rev. Henry F. Lane, who was installed on July S,
1857, and continued until the end of 1S59. Under his leadership thirty-three
members joined the body.
During this pastorate the financial condition of the church and society
became so urgent as to force itself on the attention of the officers and members.
The indebtedness had been increasing for several years, and an effort was greatly
needed for relief. Under the stimulating words and example of the pastor, the con-
gregation rallied for this purpose, and succeeded, by June, i860, in raising the
required amount, and thus freeing the church from the incubus of debt.
Four pastorates succeeded that of Mr. Lane, viz. : The Rev. P. H. Steenstra,
who became pastor in July, 1S60, and left in October, 1863; the Rev. D. M.
Crane, who was settled in April, 1864, and resigned in March, 1866; the Rev.
Charles H. Rowe, settled in August, 1866, and resigned in March, 1871 ; and the
Rev. M. Angelo Dougherty, who assumed the charge in July, 1872, and resigneil
in September, 1877.
In the spring of 1S69, '''"-" number of active members was se\cnt\-seven. In
.April, 1870, it was voted by the church, at a quarterly meeting, that, ■■whereas
the town of Dorchester has been annexed to the city of Boston, this church take
the name of 'The Stoughton Street Baptist Church.' "
In .April, 1873, the church was presented with a baptistry by some of its
members, and thereafter tlie baptismal services took place in the church building.
I'reviousl)', all the baptisms of this church had been performed in the open air at
THE STOUGHTO.Y STREET BAPTIST CIIVRCJI. 8 7
Savin Hill. In the early days of the Baptist churcli in Boston, it was usual to
baptize out of doors in some of the surrounding water, very few of the churches'
having baptistries. The practice was necessitated by the want of means of the
younger churches, but was open to many objections, and, gradually, as the
churches grew in wealth and number of members, dropped into desuetude.
On October 30, 1S78, the church building was entirely destroyed by fire. It
was supposed to be an act of incendiarism. It was, however, very quickly
rebuilt ; being again restored, and the services of re-dedication were held on July
16, 1879. The cost of the new building was ;?9,ooo. The seating capacity
1? 400.
In December of the same year — 1879, the present pastor, the Rev. Albert
T. Dunn, was installed, and continues in the oftice to the present time (1SS3).
The church has entirely recovered from its adverse experiences, and is enjoying a
season of calm prosperity. The present pastor's ministrations are effective and
successful. The present membership is 240.
The history of the Sunday School is contemporaneous with that of the
church. Deacon George Ellis was its superintendent, for a period of 20 years.
The present officers are as follows : — Superintendent : R. B. Walker ; Assistant
Superintendent : John L. Bird ; Secretary : E. P. Upham ; Assistant Secretary :
W. E. Mylod ; Treasurer : S. B. Handren ; Librarian : H. F. Bryant ; Assistant
Librarian: George B. Smith. Its membership, May i, 1883, is 475.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Albert T. Dunn ; Deacons : George
Ellis, Alfred Haskell, James Richardson, William A. Holland, William Roberts ;
Sunday School Superintendent : R. B. Walker ; Clerk : H. F. Holland ; Treas-
urer : H. P. Bailey ; Collector : H. H. Leonard.
^^
CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
The Roslindale Baptist Church.
In May, 1873, the Jamaica Plain Baptist Church, from which six of the mem-
bers of this church came, chose a committee to inquire as to the expechency of
commencing Baptist services in Roshndale, and by their recommendation services
were begun on June ist in the Florence school-house.
A church was regularly formed, with thirteen members, on March 13th, and
publicly recognized April 8, 1875, under the name of the Roslindale Baptist
Church. Rev. S. F. Smith preached, as a supply, for considerable time, and the
Rev. G. W. Thomas was chosen pastor June 7, 1879. Mr. Thomas resigned
April 14, 1881.
The Rev. W. F. .Armstrong was called ,\ugust 12, iS8r, and resigned March
9, 1882, having received a call to labor in Providence, R. I. Mr. W. A.
McKillop, a student in Newton Theological Institution, was then engaged for one
year, and commenced his labors on the first Sunday in October, 18S2. Thirty-
four members have been added by baptism, and twenty-four by letter and
experience. Seven have been dismissed by letter and three have died. The
church now worships in Association Hall, on South street, and a lot has been jiur-
chased on which to build a new churche-difice. The present membership is 6g.
The Sunday School numbers 167, with an average attendance of about 100.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. W. A. McKillop ; Clerk : John
Weld ; Treasurer : J. A. Charlton ; Executive Committee ; W. H. McKenzie,
B. F. Pike, J. W. Tappan.
-^^^^
DUDLEY STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Dudley Street Baptist Church,
137 Dudley Street, Roxbury.
The history of this suburban church is but a variation of that of many of its
older sister churches, placed nearer the heart of the city. A small Sabbath school,
prayer meetings held irregularly in the private houses of Christian men, gradually
developed into preaching services in an unpretentious and primitive hall ; from
which, by slow and tedious gradations, encompassed by no few or small dis-
couragements, the advance is finally made to a fully organized Christian church,
with regular and fully appointed services, held in a suitable ecclesiastical edifice.
The origin of the Dudley Street Church is traced back to the year 181 7.
At that time, even this, the most thickly settled portion of the town of Roxbury,
had but a small population, and but one religious society, worshiping in the old
meeting-house on the hill. Of this society, the Rev. Dr. Porter had then been
pastor for thirty-five years, having been setded in i 782. The neighbouring country
presented the same diversified appearance as now, with the same " remarkable
CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
alternation of hills and hollows." but with none of the boautifiil private residences
and broad avenues leading to them, wliich are now seen everywhere. Stony
Brook, whose course cannot now be so easily traced, and which was soon to
become a Jordan to many a happy disciple of Jesus, pursued its open way.
Boston had not then become a city, and contained not more than forty thousand
inliabitants. It was fully two miles and a half away ; and the one road to it was
o\er a bleak, uninhabited, and, as was then supposed, almost uninhabitable, neck
of land. .At that time, Boston had four Baptist churches all told ; the First
Church, of which ' the beloved Winchell ' was pastor, though he passed to an early
grave the year before this church was constituted ; the Second Church, of which
Dr. Baldwin was still pastor, at the mature age of si.xty-four ; the Third Church,
afterwards known as the " Charles-street," where the Rev. Mr. Sharp, (he had not
then attained unto the dignity of" Dr." Sharp,) was gaining a wide reputation as a
preacher of the gospel ; and a colored church, now called the " Independent."
This was the year 1S17. In the autumn of this year, Mr. Beza Tucker, a
member of the Old South Society in Boston, but not a member of the church,
being a resident of Roxbury, opened his house on Sabbath evenings for preach-
ing. This house is still standing, and is situated on Shawmut Avenue, a few rods
only from the church. It is well known as the Governor Sumner. house ; Increase
Sumner, who was governor of Massachusetts in 1 797-1 799, having spent the last
twenty years of his life in it. Among those whose services were secured to preach
in that place was Mr. Ensign Lincoln, a member of Mr. Sharp's church, a
printer by trade, who had been licensed as a preacher, but was never ordained
and settled as a pastor. He was in the habit, for many years, of riding out from
Boston to neighboring villages to preach on Sunday where his services were
' required.
These meetings were continued till the spring of 18 iS, when Mr. Tucker
secured the use of a large room in a building owned by Deacon Samuel Sumner,
and converted it into a hah for preaching and religious meetings. On account of
the manner in which the hall was fitted up, it was called familiarly, and, perhaps
contemptuously, " The White-wash." Here religious serviceswere held for several
months ; the Rev. James Sabine, pastor of the Essex Street Congregational Church,
officiated most frequently.
This religious movement was at first begun, and carried on by Congrega-
tionalists. In consequence, however, of the difficulty of obtaining Congre-
gationalist clergymen to preach in this section, owing to the rigid obser\ance of
parish lines, and the supposed impropriety at that time of crossing them ; the
enterprise was handed over to the Baptists, who were then few in number, and
feeble in resources ; a condition which was common to many religious communities
in those days.
THE DUDLEY STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 91
In the beginning of i8 19, Rev. Stephen Chapin, who had just been led to
accept Baptist sentiments, was engaged by Mr. Lincoln to preach in the hall for
three months. Mr. Lincoln himself supplied the desk during the remainder of
the year. In the sprini,' or early summer, a Sabbath school was gathered in the
brick building adjoining the hall ; and Jacob Frieze was elected its first superin-
tendent. The labors of the year were attended by the converting power of
(lod's Spirit; and quite a number were brought to acknowledge their sinfulness,
and need of divine forgiveness, and to trust in Him who gave his life a ransom
for many.
The subject of building a house of worship had been frequently agitated; but
no active measures were undertaken until near the close of 1819. Three thousand
dollars having been first subscribed, at a meeting held October 7, a committee
\\-as appointed to purchase a suitable lot of land, and superintend the erection of
the building. This committee consisted of John Heath, William Wyman, Jr.,
.■\ntipas Jackson, and Edward Humphris. John Heath, who was a Congregation-
alist, was appointed treasurer, and rendered valuable service to the society in this
office for several years. To this committee, Samuel Langley, Heman Lincoln of
Boston, and F>Iijah Coi'ey of Brookline, were afterward added. Again, it was
increased by the addition of Beza Tucker, John Haynes, Ward Jackson of Boston,
Levi Farwell of Cambridge, Timothy Corey of Brookline, and Josiah Coolidge of
^Vatertown. The work of raising funds was pushed forward, the brethren from
Brookline and other places rendering much help ; and, before the winter was
over, the sum of seven thousand dollars had been subscribed. Of this sum, Mr.
Tucker, who had cheerfully at the first thrown open his house for the preaching
of the gospel, and whose interest in the movement seemed only to increase with
his declining health, gave a thousand dollars. Never can the members of this
church forget their great indebtedness to Mr. Tucker, and men of kindred spirit,
who, though not in all respects of this faith, contributed so generously to lay here
the foundations of a Baptist church. Others wished well to the enterprise,
although much opposition came from the baser sort, as might well be expected,
in a place where morality was at a low ebb, and darkness had long reigned.
The lot of ground first purchased was that on which the Universalist house
of worship now stands. But the present lot being deemed in some respects more
desirable, the former lot was surrendered, and this one was purchased of Deacon
Munroe. On the loth of May, 1S20, the building was raised; and on that same
day the remains of Mr. Tucker, the early and generous-hearted friend of this
society, were carried to the grave. The house of worship was built according to
agreement, by Samuel Langley and Edward Humphris, and was publicly set apart
to the preaching of the gospel, and to the worship of God, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, on Wednesday, Nov. i, 1820.
CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
During the months of January and February, 1 82 1. several meetings were
held in the small chapel which joined the sanctuary, with relerence to the forma-
tion of a Baptist church. Having also sought counsel of Christian friends, at a
meeting held in the evening of the second day of March, the brethren and sisters
present voted to " associate as a church in this place, by the name of ' The Baptist
Church in Roxbury;'" and at an adjourned meeting, held March 9, 182 1, this
vote was carried into effect by the unanimous adoption of a solemn covenant and
declaration of faith. The name was changed to " The Dudley Street Baptist
Church, Roxbury," February 28, 1S50. Roxbury became a city in 1846, and
was annexed to Boston, January, 1868.
At the time of its organization, the Dudley Street Baptist Church was the
only evangelical church within the limits of the town ; and while this continued
to be the case many members of other sects worshiped in this church.
On Wednesday, the 14th of March, by invitation of the church, a council of
pastors and delegates from neighboring Baptist churches met at the house of Mr.
Antipas Jackson, whose wife was a member of the church, to consider the
expediency of recognizing this body of disciples as a Christian church, and giving
to it the fellowship of neighboring bodies of like faith. Councils for such an
object were not so common in those days as they have been since ; and that
council appears no ordinary one, both on account of the object which it met to
consider, and on account of the noble men who composed it. Having carefully
" examined the proceedings of the Christian friends in Roxbury, and their views
of the gospel," so the record reads, " and being satisfied with their correctness,"
it was " voted, that we publicly express fellowship to them as a church of Christ."
Mr. Lincoln supplied the pulpit until April. Though he afterward preached
occasionally, his intimate labors with the church then ceased. It may be here
said that to Mr. Ensign Lincoln, under God, the Dudley-street Baptist Church
owes its existence more than to any other human agency.
In May, the Rev. William Gammell, pastor of the church in Medfield, was
invited to come, and preach and baptize, and he came on the 13th, preaching
during the clay, and baptizing seven converts in Stony Brook. It is recorded that
" this was the first administration of baptism in Roxbury. .\bout two thousand
persons were j)resent, and all appeared solenm." Those early, out-of-door,
baptisms were attended by large numbers of people, of all classes in tlie com-
munity, who, for the most part, looked upon them with attentive and respectful
bearing. It was almost literally true, that the whole village turned out to witness
them. And the ordinance can never lose its attractive power as the beautiful and
appropriate symbol of Christian truth.
Shortly after\vards Mr. Gammell received a unanimous call to the jxistorate,
which he declined.
THE DUDLEY STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 93
The year passed away, and the church was still without a pastor. There was
no Newton Theological Institution at that early day, close at hand, to which it
could look. The pulpit was supplied from Sunday to Sunday by Rev. Elisha
Williams, Rev. Henry Jackson, Rev. Henry J. Ripley, afterwards Prof. Ripley, and
by many others.
In January, 1822, Rev. Joseph Elliot df Rockingham, Vt., was engaged as a
supply, and preached four Sabbaths. On the loth of February, the church gave
him a unanimous call to remove to Roxbury, and assume the pastoral care of this
people. This call, being seconded by the society, was accepted by Mr. Elliot on
March 24 ; and he became the first pastor of this church. Mr. Elliot won many
strong friends while here ; and quite a number were baptized, and united with the
church. But his stay was of short duration. He resigned, amid considerable
disaffection, June 24, 1824, having been pastor of the church but two years and
three months.
In December following Mr. Elliot's resignation, the church and society, having
enjoyed the labors of Mr. William Leverett for more than two months, unitedly
extended to him an invitation to accept the pastoral office, and labor permanently
with them. This he consented to do, by letter of Jan. i, 1825. Mr. Leverett
was then young, without pastoral experience, and not ordained ; but he was
favorably known in this vicinity ; and this union was destined to continue through
many years, and to result in great spiritual blessing to this people. He was
publicly ordained, and set apart to the work of the Christian ministry in Roxbury,
the twentieth day of January. His ministry was blessed with several seasons of
revival, and during it many were converted. In the year 1828, thirty-eight
persons were baptized; and in 1831, forty-one. Other years show a less, but
still a good number of, baptisms.
In 1835, to meet the wants of an increasing congregation, the house of
worship was enlarged, being cut into two parts, and lengthened by the insertion of
eighteen feet ; thus furnishing thirty-two additional pews. The small vestry was
disposed of, and a larger one erected the same year.
After a pastorate of much more than the ordinary length. Rev. Mr. Leverett
presented his resignation to the church and society, July 7, 1839. It was accepted
with many expressions of grateful and affectionate appreciation of his services.
He soon after removed from Roxbury, and became pastor of the Baptist church
in East Cambridge.
Re\-. Thomas Ford Caldicott was the next and third pastor of this church.
He was born in the village of Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, England, March
21, 1803, and his father was a lay-preacher of the Baptist church in that village.
In 1827, he was led to seek a field of labor on this continent, arriving at Quebec,
where he taught school, and preached as he had opportunity. Having been
94 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
previously ordained, he was called, in 1835, ^° Lockport, N. Y., where he became
pastor of the Baptist church. In October, 1839, he was invited by this church
and society to supply the pulpit for six months. This he consented to do, and on
June 7, 1840, accepted a formal call from them to become their pastor. His
entrance into this relation was publicly recognized, August 30, by appropriate
ser\'ices. >
Dr. Caldicott was pastor of the church about eight years ; and during that
time he won a large place in the affections of the people, and his memory is still
cherished by many among us as " a large-hearted man, a generous and sympa-
thizing friend, and a devoted minister." In April, 1848, he resigned his charge
as pastor to labor in the interests of ministerial education, having been appointetl
financial agent of the Northern Baptist Education Society. The resignation was
accepted by the church, which gave him a formal but cheerful testimonial of his
character and faithful services as a Christian minister.
After Dr. Caldicott's resignation, the church was not long destitute of pastoral
care. In June, 1848, the Rev. Thomas D. Anderson, D. D., recently pastor of
the First Baptist Church in Salem, Mass. (where he had been compelled to resign
by reasoh of failing health), was invited to supply the pulpit for a few months.
With improved health, he accepted, on August 20, 1848, the unanimous call of
the people to become their pastor, and, preferring to omit all public services of
recognition, immediately entered upon his pastoral labors.
It became evident, very soon, that a new and more spacious sanctuary was
demanded to meet the wants of the growing congregation. Early in 1852 it w;is
determined to dispose of the old house of worship, and to erect a new one in its
place. On Sunday, the nth of April, farewell ser\ices were held in the old
house, the Rev. Mr. Leverett preaching in the morning, the Rev. .Mr. Caldicott in
the afternoon, and the pastor in the evening.
The building was purchased by the Methodist society, and was immediately
removed to the corner of Warren and Cliff streets, where it stood for many years,
until destroyed by fire, early in the morning of Sunday, March 29, 1868.
The corner-stone of the present house was laid June 30, 1852, at seven
o'clock in the morning, with appropriate sen-ices. While without a Sabbath home,
the church accepted the generous offer of the First Religious Society (the
Rev. Dr. Putnam's), of their house for])ublic worship, and enjoyed the hospitality
of the Eliot Congregational Church (Rev. .\. C. Thomysson, D. D., pastor) for
the Sunday school and evening meetings. The lecture room of the new edifice
was opened for public worship on the seventh day of November, 1852, but the
house was not dedicated until Wednesday, July 27. 1853. It is of brick, in the
pointed ( lothic style. Its dimensions are : extreme length on the ground, a
hundred and seventeen feet (exclusive of porch) ; extreme breadth, seventy-five
THE DUD LEV STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
95
feel ; lieight of tower and spire, built entirely of brick, two hundred feet. The
exterior is covered with mastic, and blocked off in imitation of brown sandstone.
The interior is divided into nave and side-aisles, by cluster columns, from which
spring arches supporting the clere-story ; the whole finished to correspond with
the general style of the building. It has a hundred and thirt}-two pews on the
floor, and fifty-eight in the galleries, affording accommodations for about eleven
hundred persons. In the changes made in 1870, the front pew of each aisle was
removed ; making the number on the floor now a hundred and thirty-two.
Within the church stands an elegant organ, the contribution, almost entirely, of
the ladies.
After the edifice was completed according to the original design, a substan-
tial porch, of the same material and style as the building, was erected, at a cost
of several thousand dollars, in order to furnish an easy and protected entrance to
the house. A large lecture-room and committee-rooms are under the main audi
ence-room, but are entirely above ground. The house has been kept in good
repair, and is one of the most convenient and attractive sanctuaries in the city.
In August and September, 1870, it was newly carpeted and upholstered
throughout. A new pulpit and pulpit furniture, with a more spacious platform,
were introduced, giving a more convenient baptistry. A two-story projection was
erected in the rear, in the second story of which are pleasant ante-rooms, on a
level with the inilpit. The first story contains a kitchen, &c. Upon these changes
and repairs nine thousand dollars were expended.
Rev. Dr. Anderson, after a long and successful ministry, was led to feel that
it was his duty to accept the urgent call of the First Baptist Church in New York
City. He resigned the charge of this church, which was devotedly attached to
him, and to which he was no less devotedly attached, on the 28th of December,
1S61. The church, with deep and unfeigned sorrow at the sundering of ties that
were so tender and sacred, was constrained to accept his resignation, and submit
to what it could not avert. He was followed to New York by the earnest pra}ers
of this people, and the kind wishes of a large circle of friends.
The Rev. Henry Melville King then preached here for about two months, and
received a call in February, 1863. He undertook the duties of pastor on the first
Sunday in April, and this relation was publicly recognized on the evening of the
second Sunday, April 12.
This pastorate was a very long one, continuing for a period of more than iS
years. Mr. King resigned about the close of the year iSSi.
The pastorate of Mr. King was, also, no less successful than long. The
church's growth, under his faithful ministrations, during all^this time, was steady
and uniform, both in actual numbers and spiritual progress. His noble qualities,
and tireless, faithful labors, have left an enduring impress upon it.
96 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
In April, 18S2, the Rev. John M. English sustained the pastoral relation for
a short time only. He resigned in July of the same year, in order to accept a
Professor's chair in the Newton Theological-Institution.
On the last Sunday in February, 1883, the Rev. Albert K. Potter, D. D., of
Springfield, entered upon the seventh pastorate of this prominent church, under
auspicious circumstances, and with promise of successful labor in this new field of
service.
The present church membership is 592, and that of the Sunday School 476.
This church has assisted in the formation of other Baptist churches by con-
tributing of its members. The Jamaica Plain Church, the Tremont Baptist
Church, the Dearborn Street Church, and the Stoughton Street Church, and
others, have received accessions from this church.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. A. K. Potter, D. D. ; Deacons : W.
A. Bowdlear, E. A. Hovey, George K. Somerby, James T. Pond, E. Daniel
Downes, John Carr ; Clerk : E. Daniel Downes ; Treasurer, J. T. Pond ; Sunday
School Superintendent, Alfred A. Blair.
iP^^
THE INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Independent Baptist Church,
(COLORED.)
Smith's Court, Joy Street.
This church was organized August 8, 1805. The Rev. T. Paul was the first
pastor. He was installed December 4, 1806, and resigned in 1829. The Rev.
W. Christian followed in 1830, and left after one year. In 1832, the Rev. T.
Ritchie was engaged, but his service was short. In 1834-5, Mr. Gouch filled the
pulpit, but died soon afterwards. The next preacher was the Rev. J. Given, who
labored for one year. Mr. Archer followed, but soon resigned. In November,
1S38, the Rev. G. H. Black was ordained to the pastorate. Under him a seces-
sion occurred, from which arose the Twelfth Baptist Church, of which he was the
first preacher. During part of this time, the Rev. J. T. Raymond also acted as pas-
tor. In 1 844 he resigned and went to Philadelphia. After a season of supplies,
the church, in 1845, re-called Mr. Raymond, who resigned again very shortly.
The pastors who followed were : The Rev. W. B. Serrington, who was
appointed in 1847, and served two years; the Rev. W. Thompson, who was
called in 1851, and closed in 1853; the Rev. T. Henson, called in 1855, and
resigned in 1858 ; the Rev. J. Sella Martin, called in i860, and resigned in 1862 ;
the Rev. H. White, called in 1864, and resigned in 1867 ; the Rev. K. Ellis, who
was installed in 1868, and left, to found the Day Star Church, in 1876. After him
came the two short pastorates of the Rev. Messrs. Mathews and Davis. The
present pastor, the Rev. Peter Smith, was then called to the pastorate, which he
still holds.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Peter Smith ; Deacons : James
Scott, R. Johnson, John Logan, Wm. Mercer, J. S. Kemp, H. Taylor, C.J. Moor.
The Day-Star Baptist Church,
(COLORED.)
S4 West Springfield Street.
This church was organized in 1876, under the pastoral charge of the Rev.
A. Ellis, with a membership of twenty-three. The first meetings took place in
Nassau Hall, corner Common and Washington streets.
Mr. Ellis resigned early in 1882, and since then the church has been served
by temporary supplies. The membership is forty-eight. The church removed to
its present location in November, 1881.
Church Officers : — Pastor : ; Deacons : W. H. Smith, F. N. Gray ;
Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent : Twine.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Ebenezer Baptist Church,
(COLORED.)
8s West Concord Street.
This church was established in the fall of 1869, by the Rev. Peter Randolph,
in order to meet the spiritual needs of the colored people at the South End. The
number of original members was eight. The church first met in an old building
at loi 2 Washington street. The little church soon grew, and in 1870 removed to
the present location, at 85 West Concord street. Mr. Randolph left after eight
months' service, and the pastors who followed were : The Re\-. Messrs. Hanson,
J. H. Gaines, Webster, Hall, Scott, and the present incumbunt, William Birch,
who was settled in April, 1882. This church has throughout its career been an
object of the special care and guardianship of the Clarendon Street Church. The
membership is 200.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. W. Birch ; Deacons : George
Wilkins, D. Olmstead, Joseph Gordon, Henry Gibson, T. J. Ruffin, Frank White,
Waverly Hill.
The Twelfth Baptist Church,
(COLORED.)
45 Phillips Street.
This church was formed by secession from the Independent Baptist Church,
in 1 840, under the leadership of Mr. Black. After Mr. Black's death, the Rev. L.
A. Grimes was chosen pastor and continued for twenty-seven years. In tlie
course of this long pastorate, Mr. Grimes achieved a prominent position in the
Christian world among all denominations, and won the high confidence and
regard, not only of his own sect, but of the entire community. He died in
March, 1874.
The next pastor was the Rev. George Williams, who was installed in the sum-
mer of the same year. After him followed the Rev. Wm. Peiinis. The present
pastor, the Rev. L. G. Walden. was settled November 19. iSSo. The member-
ship is about 650.
Church Officers : — Pastor : The Rev. Lemuel G. Walden ; Deacons :
Wm. Allen, Rob't Smith, George Smith. Lundy Tabb, Jeffrey Bush ; Clerk : W. H.
B. Robinson ; Treasurer : Wm. Clark ; Financial Secretary : John Thornton.
THE FIRST FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Free Baptist Church.
Shaw.mut AVENl
This church is connected with the Free Baptist denomination, and at this
time (1883) is the only church of the kind in the city. The church and denom-
ination are strfcdy Baptists (or Immersionists), but differ from other Baptists in
their practice of open communion. Having recendy occupied its present house
of worship, in a favorable location, the church is making rapid gains in member-
ship and strength.
The church was organized September 20, 1844, in what was known as the
Mariboro' Chapel, and subsequently occupied Boylston Hall. The Rev. Eli
Noyes, D. D., was the first pastor. The ordinance of baptism was administered
for the first time October 13, 1844.
The church was received into the Boston Quarterly Meeting, (now tlie
Massachusetts Free Baptist Association,) at the October session, 1844. Dr.
Noyes resigned his pastorate February 21, 1849, and was succeeded in June of
the same year by the Rev. Ransom Dunn, D. D. During Dr. Dunn's pastorate
the church purchased a house of worship on North Bennett street, near Hanover
street, and was afterwards known as the North Bennett Street Free Baptist Church.
Dr. Dunn having resigned his pastorate in March, 1851, on account of impaired
health, the Rev. D. P. Cilley became pastor, in August of the same year.
Dr. Dunn again became pastor of the church in 1859, and was followed by
Rev. A. W. Avery in June, 1861. Mr. Avery closed his pastorate at the end of
the year 1864.
Rev. I. D. Steward was the next pastor, commencing his labors in November,
1855, and closing in April, 1867. He was followed by Rev. N. L. Rowell. who
resigned in February, 1869. Rev. .\. P. Tracy followed him. remaining with tlie
church until November, 1S71. At the beginning of 1873, Rev. C. B. Griflin
became pastor. In June, 1873, twenty-two members were dismissed from the
1 hurch' to be organized into a Free Baptist Church in Charlestown. The Char-
lestown church has ceased to exist, but a vigorous church in Soinerville has grown
out of it.
100 CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The house of worship on North Bennett street was sold in 1874. The Free-
man Place Chapel was occupied by the church for two or three years, and
afterwards meetings were held in the Somerset Street Baptist meeting-house, until
the church moved to its present location.
Rev. J. E. Dame became pastor of the church in 1S75, and resigned in 1876.
He was followed in 1877 by Rev. C. H. Smith, who left the pastorate in March,
1878. Rev. C. H. Malcolm, D. D., was pastor from January, 1879, to July of
the same year. Rev. C. S. Perkins, the present pastor, entered upon his work in
November, 1879.
The church occupied its present house of worship on Shawmut avenue, cor-
ner of Rutland street, in June, 1882.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Rev. Charles S. Perkins ; Clerk : C. A. Eaton ;
Treasurer : AV. P. Pease ; Executive Board : Chas. S. Perkins, W. P. Pease, Sam-
uel G. Kenney, A. M. Coombs, Jacob Jackson, C. A. Eaton, Henry W. Jackson.
THE SPRINGFIELD STREET PRESBVTERIAN CHURCH.
The Springfield St, Presbyterian Church,
West Springfield Street, Near Tremont Street.
The year 1875 found a large number of Presbyterians in various parts of the
city, who, for some reasons, had not come under the direct spiritual oversight of
any of the then existing churches, and it was felt by many of these that the time
had come for forming another Presbyterian congregation.
In the earher part of this year, the Rev. P. M. Macdonald, then attending
Hartford Theological Seminary, visited the city and preached in several of the
Presbyterian churches, and a strong desire was expressed on every hand to form a
new congregation under his pastorate. On his return to the Seminary, Mr. Mac-
donald placed the matter before Dr. Hodge, of Hartford, who strongly urged him
to accede to the request of the people. The Home Missionary Board, also rec-
ognizing the great need of the field, commissioned Mr. Macdonald to labor there
for three months, guaranteeing him the sum of one hundred dollars for his ser-
vices. Shortly after graduating, he addressed himself to the work assigned him.
About this time, a \-acancy occurred in the First Presbyterian Church, of
Reading, through the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Gardiner. An invitation was
extending to Mr. Macdonald to preach in that church, the result being that an
arrangement was entered into, by which he should supply Reading in the morning
and afternoon, and Boston in the evening.
Mr. Macdonald, on completing his theological course, was, on the second
Tuesday in October, 1875, received by letter as a licentiate from the Westchester
Presbytery of New York, to the Presbytery of Boston, convened in London-
derry, N. H.
It was resolved that he should be allowed to continue his work in the city, as
well as in Reading, and that a committee should be appointed to visit the field,
and report at the next meeting of the Presbyter)'. After this decision Mr. Mac-
donald addressed himself with renewed vigor to the w ork, and soon found himself
surrounded by an earnest band of Christian people. In spite of the great com-
mercial depression of that time (1875), which caused many famihes to leave the
city, the congregation steadily increased in numbers, until, at the end of the first
year, there were upwards of two hundred members.
102 CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
The services up to this time had been held in the United Presbyterian
Church, which had been rented for the purpose. It was thought desirable, how-
ever, to seek another place of worship, and at this point the Rev. L. B. Schwartz,
pastor of the German Reformed Church, Shawmut Street, kindly placed his
church at their disposal until such time as they should be able to make some
more permanent arrangement. The congregation gladly availed themselves of tliis
generous Christian offer, and assembled there until the spring of 1881, when they
remo\ed to the more spacious edifice on West Springfielil Street, where they now
worsliip.
This building has a seating capacity, on the first floor, for about eight hundred
jjeople, in the gallery for about two hundred more, and is connected by an ele-
gant parlor with a large and comfortable chapel.
The work in Boston had, from the first, been exposed to peculiar hindrances,
one of the greatest of which was the attitude of the other Presbyterian churches
toward it. The proposal to form another Presbyterian congregation in the cit\-
had all along been actively opposed by several leading members of the Presbytery
and their congregations. Nor was that opposition withdrawn even after the Pres-
bytery had formally sanctioned the step taken. The impression prevailed among
them that there was no necessity for another congregation. Another hindrance
to the progress of the congregation has been the want of a suitable church build-
ing. The wide extent of the field, and the lack of sufficient funds, made it
inexpedient to build a church. The work was as yet but an experiment, and it
was thought best neither to select a permanent location, nor incur any large jjecu-
niary outlay, until such time as tlie growth and material progress of the congre-
gation should jjlace the matter beyond all risk of failure.
But thouglvthe congregation is not yet sufficiently strong to erect a suitable
place of worship, it has always been able to meet its large current expenses. And,
while making steady progress in numbers, wealth, and position, it is ])eculiarly
gratifying that in the few years of its existence it has been greatly honored in
doing God's work.
Steady accessions have been made to the membership, forty-three names
having been added to the roll during the past year. The attendance at the regular
Sabbath services is large, at times taxing the capacity of the building to its utmost.
In connection with the Sabbath afternoon service there is a Sabbath School
which is well attended, and has a large and etficient staff of teachers.
In connection with both the afternoon and evening services is held a service
of praise, in which a very large portion of the congregation take part. There is
also a Church Aid Society in active operation which is doing a good work.
Mr. Macdonald, on being setded in Boston, — with a view to greater effi-
ciency in his work, — pursued a course of two years' study in the Boston University
THE SPRINGFIELD STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 103
School of Oratory, graduating in June, 1S77. Resolved to take advantage of the
o;viortunites here offered of further prosecuting his studies in the higher depart-
ments of science and philosophy, he also entered upon the post-graduate course
(if the Boston University, and graduated in the College of All Sciences, in June,
1879, receiving the degree of Master of Arts, and is now near the completion of
liis course for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In the summer of 1878 he
made a tour abroad, traveling extensively in Scotland, England, France, Sweden,
Germany, and Belgium. The following year he attended the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church at Saratoga, as a delegate from the Presbytery of
Boston. Even when the work seemed most discouraging, Mr. Macdonald never
wavered in his decison to remain with his people, though flattering inducements
were held out to him elsewhere.
That a new church edifice will be absolutely demanded in the near future by
the needs of this congregation cannot — in view of the very large attendance at
the regular services — be doubted ; and thus it will soon be necessary to put forth
a special effort to secure such a building for its growing requirements. And, though
a severe strain may thus be imposed on the power of this infant church, it may
confidently be believed that he who has planted this sacred nurseling with his own
right hand, and watered it with the dews of heaven, will inspire the Christian
community to devise yet more liberal things towards its highest success.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Re\-. P. M. Macdonald, M. A. ; Elders :
Angus Macdonald, M. D., Neil Macinnes, Adam C. Barney, Murdock Montgom-
ery, Clerk of Session ; Trustees : John McNevin, Malcolm Morrison, John Mac-
donald, Archibald Macintyre, Hugh Nicholson, D. B. Mackenzie ; Secretary and
Treasurer, Angus Macdonald, M. D. ; Chorister : Edward A. Howland.
^;^m^
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The First Presbyterian Church,
Cor. Berkelky Street and Columbus Avem e.
In the year 1852, a number of Presbyterians, principally from Scotland, being
desirous to have Presbyterian preaching in Boston, selected a committee of seven
persons to open a correspondence with the Rev. Dr. Bonar, of Edinburgh, Con-
vener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, which action
resulted in the appointment of the Rev. Adam Stuart Muir to this field of labor.
The committee having become responsible for his passage-money to this country
and back — about $400 — he came over, and preached for the first time on
December 11, 1S53, at the Melodeon, on Washington street. He continued to
preach there until June, 1854, and afterwards at the Freeman Place Chapel until
June, 1855. The services, during this time, were under the superintendence of
the Presbytery of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and tliree elders liad been ordained —
James Wallace, David Steele, and David Thompson. A call was extended to Mr.
Muir to become pastor of the church, but, many persons having lost confidence
in him, it was not unanimous. He therefore returned to Scotland. The elders
ordained by him also lost the confidence of the church, and the Presbytery ot
Halifax declared their ordination imauthorized, irregular, and void. The Presby
tery then sent out a young man named Ross, who supplied the pulpit for a year,
during which time the congregation ilwindled to a mere handful.
In June, 1856, the congregation voted to unite with the Presbytery of Mon-
treal, which gave them good and regular supplies. After some delay the church
was received into connection with the Canadian Church, and in July, 1857, the
Rev. William McLaren, of .\mherstburg, Canada, jiaving received an imaninious
call, was installed as pastor. He remained until December, 185S, ami met with
great success in his work here.
The church was consolidated during this pastorate ; prayer meetings, bible
classes, a young inen's literary society, and other cliurch enterprises, were estab-
lished.
In the fall of 1858, the .Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, at East
Boston, united with the Old School Presbyterian Church, and, with hearty approval,
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 105
this churcli voted to do the same, believing that more good could be accom-
plished in an American, than a Canadian connection. The church, therefore, with
but line dissenting voice, decided to unite with the Presbytery of Londonderry,
N. II., the \ote to take effect on December i, 1858. In conseciuence of this, the
Rev. iMr. JMcLaren returned to Canada, with very substantial tokens of the good
will of the people, and universal regrets at his departure.
In the spring of 1859, the society removed to the Meionaon, and, by a •
divided \ote, invited the Rev. David Magill, of Philadelphia, to the pastoral
office. He was installed -on Thursday, July 14, 1859. The church was fully
organized on the 25th of March, i860, by the installation of R. K. M. Baynum,
and Donald D. Morrison, as elders.
Meanwhile — in December, 1859, the Unitarian church building at the cor-
ner of Beach street and Harrison avenue had been purchased, and on the Sth of
January, 1 860, it was opened as an Old School Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Mr. Magill resigned the pastorate in August, 1S61 ; it having
become apparent that he could not raise the funds necessary to pay for the newly
acquired edifice.
During a portion of the year 1862 the pulpit was supplied acceptably by the
Rev. H. M. Painter, of Booneville, Missouri. Subsequently the office of supply
was filled by the Rev. R. A. DeLancey, D. D., — • during part of the time without
remuneration — until October 23, 1864, when an union was effected with the Oak
Place Congregational Church, and the Rev. Mr. Bixby was installed as pastor.
Some delay occurred in carrying the terms of the union into effect, in consequence
of opposition in the session, but it was finally accomplished ; although by that
time many of the Oak Place Church people had left. The Rev. Mr. Bixby
resigned in the fall of 1866.
After much difficulty in finding a suitable man to fill the pastoral office, the
church, in the summer of 1868, united in a call to the Rev. James B. Dunn, of
New York. He accepted the call, and entered on his labors on the first Sabbath
of September in that year. There was at that time a debt of §30,000 burdening
the society, the church membership was much reduced, and the congregation was
small in numbers ; though comprising earnest men and women, who had faithfully
labored and hopefully prayed for the firm establishment of this Christian enter-
prise.
The labors of the new pastor were very successful ; many united with the
church at each communion, and the expectations of the most hopeful were more
than realized. On one occasion more than one hundred persons were added to
the church.
In the spring of 1869, the members of the congregation subscribed a sum of
money more than equal to the indebtedness of the society, to be paid at the expir-
CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
ation of five years, with interest guaranteed, and by this means the treasury was
relieved of the heavy burden of interest vhicli hatl crippled the operations of the
church for ten years. As will be subsequently seen, however, this arrangement
was not carried out to its completion.
In January, 1870, some of the active members of the church purchased the
Congregational church edifice on Springfield street, and the Third Presbyterian
Church of Boston was organized there on the 3rd of February of that year ; thir-
teen members of this church being dismissed in order to unite with the new
enterprise. This action. proved to be very ill-advised, and most disastrous in its
results to all concerned in it. It was prejudicial to the parent church, because it
drew off several of the most influential and efficient members, before the church
was able to spare them ; to those who went out it was also disastrous, because the
liabilities which they assumed were much greater than they were able to bear.
Misunderstandings and dissentions arose with regard to the control of the affairs
of the new church, which made the relations between the two churches \-ery
unpleasant. To this movement may also be attributed the failure of the sub-
scription for the debt of the First Church, before mentioned ; since the four
largest subscribers to that fund were the same men who made tliemselves respon-
sible for the Springfield street property. As far as the number of members was
concerned, the places of those who left were soon more than filled ; the additions
during the two or three succeeding years being very large. But in the points of
efficiency and strength, and faithful, zealous effort, their places were not made
good. There was also but little permanent element in the character of the addi-
tions which then flowed into the society. Many of -them were immigrants from
the British Provinces, and the nature of their occupations in Boston made them,
to a great extent, transient onl}'.
On Friday evening, May 9, 1873, a meeting of the congregation was held in
order to consider the desirability of changing the location of the church, and
obtaining a new building. This was the first definite action taken in connection
with this movement, which, after more than three years of difficulty and an.xiety,
culminated in the dedication of th'e present handsome church edifice on Berkeley
street and Columbus avenue, where the First Presbyterian Church of Boston now
worships. At this meeting it was resolved, in consequence of the then edifice
having becoine too small to accommodate all the communicants, and the contem-
plated city improvements absolutely necessitating the removal of the church, to
build a new church, and a committee of five persons was appointed to take such
steps as were required.
The Beach street property was held by a body of nine trustees, some of
whom had left the communion of the parent church at the time of the Springfield
street movement. Division arose in the church councils from this cause, and con-
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 107
siderable objection was raised by others of the board of trustees. Notwitlistand-
ing all the difficulties and disputations to which the movement gave rise, however,
it was nevertheless persevered in, and the zeal of its supporters was finally rewarded
by its consummation. The old building was purchased by the city authorities in
January, 1875, the price agreed upon being §115,000; it was not vacated by the
congregation, however, until May of the same year, during which time the society
paid rent to the city for its use. On leaving the old Beach street building, the
congregation hired the Harvard Street Baptist Church, on Harvard street and
Harrison avenue, where they worshiped until the summer of 1876. The new
house was at that time in progress, the corner-stone having been laid on Thurs-
day, April 13, 1876, on which occasion the services were conducted by clergymen
from all the denominations. After the summer vacation in the Centennial year,
during which term the society was without a place of assembling, the congrega-
tion held their first meetings in the new church building, in September, 1876. At
this time only the lecture-room was ready for occupancy. The entire building
was finally completed and dedicated in January, 1877.
In consequence of the non-completion of the original subscription by the
church members in 1S70, previously spoken of, the sum received by the trustees
for the old Beach street (property was only $88,579.46, the greater part of the
original mortgage, together with expenses, having been deducted from the full
sum of Si 15.000 voted by the city. In consequence of this, and also of the
great decrease of income arising from the unsettled state of the congregation dur-
ing the building operations, it was found necessary to incur a new mortgage for
the sum of §20,000, which was placed on the building in October, 1876. A
smaller mortgage, for the sum of $2,500 was also placed on the unused land
adjoining the building on Berkeley street. This piece of land was sold in 1880,
for the sum of $4,500.
Dr. Dunn resigned the pastorate in September, 1879. After an interregnum,
the Rev. W. Brenton Greene, Jr., of Princeton, was installed as pastor on June
3, 1880.
The church has now entirely recovered from the depressed state into which
it fell during its translation from the old to the new edifice, with its attendant
troubles. The new paster was most successfiil, and though a very young man,
won the highest esteem and confidence of his people. The financial condition
of the society is much improved. All the expenses entailed by the removal have
been paid, and the mortgage reduced. The active and zealous persevering labor
of the church's faithful members have been greatly rewarded, and a new cause
for devout gratitude is herein found towards Him in whose honor and for whose
glory all their pious labor has been humbly expended. Mr. Greene retired from
the pastorate in April, 1883.
Church Officers : — • Pastor : ; Ruling Elders : Francis Bundy,
William J. Irving, James Currie, James Waters, Angus McWilliams, Stephen
Brown, A\'illiam ^V'. Grant, James B. Henderson, John Sutherland ; Deacons :
John C. States, James McKissick, John Obermeyer, David Jamieson, Thomas G.
Dickey ; Trustees : James Currie, James Waters, James McKissick, John Suther-
land, Albert C. Smith, James B. Henderson, \Villiam Jamieson, Angus Douglass,
Stephen Brown ; Treasurer and Superintendent of Sunday School : William J.
Irving.
THE FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Fourth Presbyterian Church,
Fourth St., between G and H Sts., So. Boston.
This church, situated on Fourth street, between G and H streets, So. Boston,
IS connected with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S.
It was organized in December, 1870, with thirty-one members, and worshiped
in Wait's Hall for several years. Rev. L. H. Angier was its first pastor, from June,
187 1, to December, 1S73. Under his ministry there was considerable interest
manifested, a goodly number joining the society and contributing liberally to its
support. During this period the lot of land containing 10,000 feet, on which the
present church stands, was purchased.
In April, 1874, Rev. William M. Baker became its pastor and continued so
until October, 1876. During this pastorate the present building was erected and
occupied in May, 1875.
It has a seating capacity of 300, with rooms on either side for prayer meet-
ings and other purposes, which can be thrown open, adding 150 more seats. The
expense of land and building, together with the financial difficulty of this period,
which reduced the regular income, and prevented others from making good their
promises toward the building fund, involved the society in a debt of $14,000,
which was almost wholly extinguished in 1882, by the efforts of the members
aided by a few outside friends.
Rev. William H. Sybrandt, a graduate of Hartford Seminary, was tiie pastor
from June, 1879, to March, 1882.
The society is now in a good condition, and doing an aggressive work. It is
the only Presbyterian church in this section of the city, which has a population
of 65,000 people, a large number of whom were brought up in this denomination
in other parts, and can be easier reached by a Presbyterian than any other church.
Present membership about 125. There is a Young People's Society of Christian
Endeavor, which holds prayer meetings every week and a sociable every month,
also doing missionary work among those of their own age throughout the district.
The Sunday School is in an active and growing condition, and has recently
opened a library of 500 \'olumes.
Church Officers : — Acting Pastor : Rev. Wm. G. Barnes; Elders: John
Christie, Robert Gilchrist, Samuel Cully, and John (lilchrist; Trustees: D. E.
Tait, A. Adamson, James Mclntyre, R. Gilchrist, Andrew Oman, W. C. C. Math-
ews, Thos. McKenzie, John Boyd, J. Gilchrist ; Treasurer : Samuel Cully ; Sec-
retary : T. B. Welch ; Sunday School Superintendent : John Gilchrist.
CHURCHES OF EOSTOX.
The First Presbyterian Church,
OF EAST BOSTON,
Meridian. Cor. of London Streets.
In the winter of 1S53, the Rev. A. Blaikie, pastor of the First Associate
Reformed Presliyteriaii Church in the city of Boston, leased the Webster Street
Church, East Boston, for one year, beginning with the ist of .April, with the view
of establishing in this part of the city regular preaching according to the Presby-
terian form. Public worship was commenced on the first Sabbath of April, and
continued regularly from that time forward. The Rev. George C. Arnold was the
first supply. He continued for several months, and was followed by the Rev. .\.
(1. Wallace, who continued as temporary supply until late in the fall of 1S53.
.\bout the time Mr. Wallace left, a jjctition was presented to the Presbyter)' of
New York for his release from his charge in Fall River, Mass. The application
was granted ; he was appointed as stated supply, and commenced preaching in
that character on the last Sabbath in January, 1854. During the year 1853 finan-
cial affairs had been managed by the Rev. Mr. Blaikie ; but at the beginning of
the year 1854, a connnittee was appointed to take charge of that department of
the work. h. roll of thirty-eight members was formed July 19th, only one of
whom remains, viz. : E. L. McPherson ; and at a meeting of the congregation
held August i, 1854, a code of by-laws was adopted, and in accordance there-
with a board of trustees was appointed, who were : James Taylor, James McComb,
Wynne Johnston, James McCloskey, Robert Langell ; with Lauchlan McPherson,
chairman, and Samuel Ritchie, treasurer and clerk.
On Wednesday evening, .August 16, 1854, the church was formally organized
by the election and ordination of three ruling elders : i;iijah Moffat, Hugh A';-
Kay and James Douglass. The history of the church dates properly from that
time. A call, signed by 109 persons, w.as given to the Rev. David .\. Wallace ; it
was accepted by him, and sustained by tiic Presbytery at a meeting at Fall River;
and on the 15th of November, 1S54. lie was duly installed as the first pastor of
the church.
The attention and the energies of the youthful enterprise were n-^w taxed to
secure a church building. .\t a meeting of the board of trustees, June 5, 1855, a
committee of three — W. Dunc.m, J . Currie, and Samuel Ritchie, — was appointed,
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, EAST BOSTON. I I I
with instructions "to inquire about a suitable lot of land, and ascertain the price,
terms, and probable cost of a church." On June 12th, that committee made a
partial report, and on August isth, a building committee was appointed, consist-
ing of John Armstrong, chairman, Lauchlan McPherson, Thomas Martin, John
Cun-ie, John S. Gordon, A. C. Stewart and Samuel B. Cunningham, whose instruc-
tions were, " To obtain a suitable lot, to make all necessary arrangements for
securing it for a Presb}'terian church ; to contract for, and have built thereon, a
meeting-house, with the least possible delay, and to draw on the treasury for the
necessary funds ; pro\-ided that no contracts be made unless there be a reasonable
prospect that the money required will be in the treasury at the time appointed."
The committee finally decided to secure the lot on which the church now stands,
and the purchase was made from General W. H. Sumner ; the lot contained 4,400
square feet, and the price was 75 cents a foot, making a sum of ^3,300. A com-
mittee of three was named to receive the deed of the land. About this time
^2,532 had been subscribed towards the building fund.
Tlie possession of property involved the necessity of an organization in legal
form, and it became necessary to call a meeting and organize a religious society,
according to the laws of the State. This was done, and, at a meeting held Octo-
ber 16, 1855, Benjamin Pond presiding, the Union Presbyterian Church of East
Boston was formed by the election of officers and the adoption of a code of
by-laws.
On Fast Day, .April 10. 1856, the congregation first met in the vestry of the
new church for worship, and on the evening of the same day it was formally
opened by a sermon by the pastor. The cost of the house, leaving the main
audience room unfinished, was S3, 900.
Some time in the year 1856 the session of the church was enlarged by the
addition of four new elders : John Currie, L. McPherson, A. C. Stewart, and
Samuel Ritchie. The officers and committee appointed that year were as follows :
Moderator, John Currie ; Clerk, E. M. McPherson ; Treasurer and Collector,
Samuel Ritchie ; Assessors, James Reid and Duncan R. Miller ; Standing Com-
mittee, A. C. Stewart, Lauchlan McPherson, Samuel Ritchie, John Armstrong,
Thomas Martin, William D. Douglass and John Currie.
Tne next marked stage in the history of '• the infant and struggling church "
is the removal of the pastor, Re\-. D. A. Wallace. He accepted a call to the
Presidency of Monmouth College, in Illinois, and gave himself to the work of
building up an institution of learning in that rapidly growing State. The congre-
gation accepted his resignation with deep regret, and placed on record an address,
in which testimony is borne to his faithfulness in pulpit and pastoral work, and to
his devotion and zeal in all things pertaining to the upbuilding of the church. His
resignation was accepted by the Piiesbytery September 10, 1856.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The Rev. H. H. Johnston was the next pastor. His installation took jjlace
January 29, 1857. The feeling of despondency which existed during the four
months' vacancy, passed away, the congregation rallied around the new pastor,
the members again increased, and the ecclesiastical \-ear closed amid brightening
prospects.
The next important phase in the life of tliis church is the change in ecclesi-
astical connections. In the month of May, 1858, the General Synod of the
Associate Reformed Church entered into a union with another body of Christians
called the Associate Church. The terms of the basis of union were thought by
this congregation to be too restricted ; and when, at the direction of the Presby-
tery, the matter came up for consideration, it was decided not to stand with the
united church. April 27, 1858, Rev. H. H. Johnston offered to his Presbytery
his resignation of pastoral charge, on the ground of his unwillingness to enter the
proposed union on the adopted basis, and in order that the congregation might be
free to decide as to their future connection. The resignation was laid on the
table for consideration. The whole subject of the pastor's resignation and the
postponed union was carefully considered by the session, and, with their views and
recommendations, was brought before a meeting of the congregation held .\ugust
24, 1858, at which it was decided to withdraw from the Associate Reformed Pres-
b)tery of Boston, and to appoint Daniel Gunn as commissioner to attend the next
meeting of the Presbytery of Boston, and inform them of the withdrawal, and of
the reasons thereof, and to unite with the General Asssembl)' of the Presbyterian
Church of North America — commonly cailed the Old School Presbyterian
Church ; it being relegated to the session of the church to decide to what Pres-
bytery of that body it would be most proper to connect.
In accordance with the above instructions, Mr. Gunn laid before the Presby-
tery, at a meeting held September 8, 1858, the action of the congregation, and
formally withdrew from that body. The pastor, at the same meeting, was dismissed,
and letters of ministerial standing were granted. .At a meeting of the Presbytery
of Londonderry, held at Windham, N. H., on the third Wednesday of October,
tlie congregation, through its delegates, asked to be received, was cordially wel-
comed, and taken under the care of that court. .At the time of the union of the
new and old school branches in 1869, the name of the Londonderry Presbytery
was changed to that of the Boston Presbytery, and the congregation stands still
in connection with that Presbytery of the General .Assembly of the i'resbyterian
Church of the U. S. A.
This change in ecclesiastical relation, thus brought about, was not without
opposition. Certain members still adhered to the .Associate Reformed Church,
and desired to enter with them the proposed union. The deed of the church
])roperty was drawn in the name of the .Associate Reformed Church, and under
ordinary circumstances could not be transferred to another body. When the con-
gregation withdrew, the Presbytery claimed that the dissentient members were the
churcli, and that to them the property belonged. The Rev. Alex. Blaikie was
instructed to declare the church vacant. At the time appointed for service,
the church was found locked, and the formal declaration of the vacancy of the
pulpit was made from the front steps by the Presbytery's delegate. This treat-
ment of the commissioner and the general course of the congregation were made
the grounds of a solemn protest drawn out at length and presented to the Boston
Presbytery by Elijah Moffat, Hugh McKay and Hugh L. S. McKay. The paper
was discussed, and the Rev. A. Blaikie was authorized to give such counsel in
relation to the property as he saw fit. Before, however, any effective step could
be taken in the civil courts, events transpired which rendered proceedings in that
tlirection unnecessary. Financial difficulties had gathered about the congrega-
tion. Unpaid interest on the mortgage held by General Sumner had accumulated,
and on October 19th, the chairman of the standing committee reports " that, hav-
ing made every exertion to raise funds personally, and by circulars sent throughout
the Associate Reformed Church at large, the committee had failed to comply with
the terms of the mortgage, and that consequently General Sumner had taken pos-
session of the property, and sold it at public auction. Mr. Samuel McWilliam was
the purchaser. By this sale all previous claimants were set aside, and, after nego-
tiation with Mr. McWilliam, the jjroperty came back again with complete title
into the hands of the congregation. The dissentients were advised by their Pres-
bytery to connect themselves with the First Church in Boston, and thus that series of
difficulties came to an end.
An enlargement of the session at this stage became desirable. Elders
McKay and Moffat were now in connection with the First United Presbyterian
Church. James Douglass had, in the autumn of 1857, returned to his former
home in Prince Edward's Island, where he died in the following March, leaving
behind him the fragrance of an honored name. Jolin Currie and Samuel
Ritchie had removed to Illinois ; and A. C. Stewart had also disappeared
from the record. In January, 1S59, Mr. Gunn sat with Mr. McPherson and
the pastor as the sole members of the session. On the 6th of July of
that year, Joseph Irving and John Armstrong were elected, and on the 3d
of August ordained, to the office of the eldership according to the forms of the
church.
Hitherto the name borne by the church had been the Second Associate
Reformed Church, East Boston ; but after much consideration and frequent delays,
it was voted by the congregation, July 17, i860, that the name be changed to
that of the First Presbyterian Church, East Boston, which designation it still
bears.
Up to this time services had been conducted in the vestry, the main audi-
ence room remaining unfinished. In this year, i860, the building was completeil,
and or May 6th was formally dedicated to the service of God.
Mr. Johnston's pastorate closed in i86r. .-^t a meeting held on June 5th of
that year, he requested that the church should join with him in asking the Pres-
bytery to dissolve the pastoral relation ; stating, that the only reason he would
give at Presbytery for such a request, was that he had received a call from a
church in Hastings, N. Y., and, at the same time, expressing his deep interest in
the church, and his warm attachment to the people. It was voted, with
many complimentary expessions of regret, that the request be granted. The
Presbytery accepted his resignation, declared the pulpit vacant, and on June
9th Mr. Johnston preached his farewell sermon, and left for his new field of
labor.
During the subsequent fourteen months, the church remained without a pas-
tor, during which the pulpit was supplied by different clergymen, and, for about
seven months statedly, by the Rev. R. A. Delancy. The years of Mr. Johnston's
ministry and the time of the vacancy which succeeded, may be set down as a
period of special trial. Even yet men recall the financial crash of 1857 with a
shudder. The years of business depression which preceded and followed that
crisis, bore heavily on all sections and classes. The principal industry of East
Boston — ship-building — was almost destroyed, the ship-yards were silent, and
many of the residents scattered. The church was depleted in numbers and
threatened with total collapse. But the few who remained struggled heroically
with the difficulties. It is really touching to recall the efforts made during those
years to meet the financial requirements. Members of the standing committee
took their turns in cleaning and caring for the church. Pew rents were jnit as
high as the case would bear, and special collections taken as often as any response
could be expected. Special collectors were appointed in special emergencies.
Notes were given and money borrowed to pay the pastor. Aid was sought in tlie
city and abroad, by circular and by personal application. Appeal was made to
the Home Misson Board ; to the Presbytery ; to the Synod ; and a delegate sent
to present the claims of the church in New York and Philadelphia. Committees
were appointed by Presbytery and Synod to co-operate and aid. The tjireat of
the sheriff's hammer was over the property. .\t one meeting some would think
it best to allow the property to be sold ; while the majority would think it was
wisest to meet the interest this once, in the hope that a more favorable disposition
of the building could be made, or that help might come. The failure of a spec-
ial committee would result in the call of the standing committee — the helpless-
ness of the standing committee would result in a congregational meeting. The
meeting would end in a special collection for the last time — and these ijrocesses
THE FIRST PRESBTTERIAN CHURCH, EAST BOSTON. I I 5
were repeated and these last efforts were made over and over again, until the
"darkest hour" was passed and the light began to dawn.
The names of the prominent workers of this period are : Messrs. John Cur-
rie, Samuel Ritchie, L. McPherson, John I. Anderson, Wm. D. Douglass, James
Reid, E. M. McPherson, Daniel Gunn, John Armstrong, Joseph Irving, Chas. L.
Fraser, James E. McPherson, John Wright, Joseph Breckenridge, James Frame
Reuben Crooke, and William K. Crosby. Of these, Messrs. Ritchie, Fraser,
J. E. McPherson, L. McPherson and Anderson, have gone to their rest;
and Messrs. Currie, Wm. D. Douglass, D. (kmn, Armstrong, Crosby, Irving,
and Wright, have removed to other fields of labor ; while the rest remain.
All honor to the noble few, recognized or unrecognized, who " held the fort " for
Christ in those trying times.
In the summer of 1862 a movement took place which relieved the financial
pressure and changed the complexion of the congregation. A number of persons
came from the Maverick Congregational Church and connected themselves with
the congregation, making an important acquisition in standing, character and
piety. "They came," as the records state, " in good faith, to be co-laborers on
equal footing, desiring to advance the cause of the Redeemer, by supporting a
true Presbyterian church with the faith of John Knox and tiie pious Alexanders."
A call was soon after given to Rev. T. N. Haskell, and by him accepted. The
installation took place on the 3d of December, 1862. On March 29, 1863, John
Howe and John L. Stewart were elected Ruling Elders, and James Reid, D. C.
Ryder, George Shemian and Jacob Auld, Deacons. Thus reinforced and sup-
ported on all sides, the congregation moved on in a kind of surface prosperity.
But the sky soon darkened. The church, born in ad\'ersity anil cradled in
weakness, was yet destined to other trials. Lack of harmony soon began to
appear, the cause of which it is hard to state, but the sad results of which were
by and by made manifest. Speaking generally, healthy church life must be a
growth. An active nucleus must attract its congenial elements to itself by a pro-
cess of natural selection. A large and sudden increase alwa3's renders critical the
course of accretion and incorporation. The progi'ess of societ)- is attained by the
operation of two opposing tendencies, the progressive and the consen'ative ; one
class of men, from constitutional temperament and training, being inclined to go
too fast, and the other too slow. We trace these tendencies in the history of
church and state — in connection with reform in political abuses, in the traditions
which have obscured the truth of God, and in the changing forms of worship.
The late accessions, from past associations and education, decidedly reinforced
the liberal side. The new acquisition became also, to a considerable degree, a
controling and moulding element, and how far precisely this was a welcome fact
may be questioned. Combining the force of these statements gives the ground
116 CHURCHES OF BOSTOX.
cause of the coming disturbance. Tlie occasion was not hard to find. The pos-
ture in prayer and praise, the kind of hymns in prayer meeting, the use of instru-
ment, the relation of Sabbath School to church ; these and other matters became
sources of discord. The friction increased, parties were formed, the breach
widened more and more, and the authority of Presbytery called to consider the
case, was powerless to heal tlie strife.
On the igth of April, 1864, application was made to the United Presyterian
Presbytery of Boston by Samuel McWilliam, aud thirty-two others, formerly iu
connection with this congregation, for church organization in connection with that
body, and for supply of preaching. Accordingly, a short time after, the Second
United Presbyterian Church of East Boston was formed by the admission" of
twenty-seven members, and the election and installation of Daniel (iunn and
James Reid as elders. The new congregation worshiped in Bennington Hall for
nearly nine years ; had encouraging congregations and a flourishing Sabliath
School. They had two pastors, Rev. Mr. Hall and Rev. G. M. Clark. But the
church met with difficulties and was formally dissolved by their Presbytery on
April 10, 1873. Many of the members joined this church, and were welcome
accessions. Others, on account of past stormy memories, feeling that they could
not worship with us profitably, have located themselves in other churches, while
a few remained without a regular church home.
Weakened by this defection, the church again rallied for the work, and for a
time the course of events was quietly forward. In 1866 the congregation sus-
tained the loss of three of its prominent workers. Elder Stewart, Clerk of Session,
removed to Philadelphia; Deacon Jacob Auld died at Savannah, Ga. ; L.
McPherson was also called away by death. He was identified with the church
from the beginning, was elected to office under the ministry of the first pastor.
Rev. D. A. Wallace, stood faithfully at his post through darkest days, helped to
bear its heaviest burdens, and died the Christian's death.
Again new cause of disturbance began to appear. This time the difficult)-
arose in connection with the pastoral relation. An unhappy diflerence arose
between the pastor and a large section of the congregation, which, working on
through the summer of 1866, finally culminated, in the autumn, in a letter from
the Session, asking Mr. Haskell to resign his charge. On Sunday, October 14,
1866, he preached his last sermon in this church, and indicated his readiness to
retire. The congregation agreed to the separation, the Presbytery dissolved the tie,
declared the pulpit vacant, and this exciting and stormy jjastorate came to an end.
After this the Session' was reinforced by electing to the office of the
Eldership, David C. Irving and E. M. McPherson. These brethren were installed
on October 2S, 1866, and rendered effective service to the church in that position
of trust and honor.
THE FIRST PRESDrTERIAN CHURCH, EAST BOSTON. 117
Of the exact raeml.)ership at any one time there is no record. During the
ministry of Mr. Wallace one hundred and twenty-three were received. At the
close of Mr. Johnston's, ninety-eight additional had been added, and at the time
of Mr. Haskell's resignation, one hundred more, or three hundred and twenty-
one in all. In October, iS66, after removing from the roll all who had died,
removed, or changed church connection, there remained about one Inmdred and
fift\' in the regular communion.
The ne.\t pastor was the Rev. M. .Ayres Depue. He was a graduate of
Princeton Seminary. This was his first pastoral charge. He commenced his
labors as stated supply, on .\\m\ 21, 1S67, and was ordained and installed pastor
on July I ith. The ministry of Mr. Dejiue Avas short and quiet, extending a little
over a year, during which time nine persons were added to the- church. He left
early in the autumn of 186S, antl has since passed from earth to heaven.
The services of Rev. E. P. Ackerman, of Hughsonville, N. Y., were next
securetl as stated supply, his regular work beginning December i, 1S6S. The
winter of 1869 will long be remembered as one of the best the churches of East
Boston have yet seen. Great success visited this community in connection with
the visit of Rev. Mr. Earle, the evangelist. Union meetings were held, the Divine
power was present to convince and convert, and great grace was upon all the
churches. Mr. .Ackerman's peculiar talent found field for active e.xercise amid the
revival scenes of that time, and he welcomed into the fellowship of the church
large numbers of those whose consistent lives proved the genuineness of their
conversion to God. Twenty-five persons were received into the church by pro-
fession, and eight by letter, during that pastorate.
On June 6, 1869, the Sesssion was enlarged by the installation of W. K.
Crosby, James Frame, and Joseph Breckenridge, as ruling elders. Mr. Crosby
shortly afterwards resigned the active duties of the office.
Mr. Ackerman was not regularly installed pastor. In the summer of 1S69,
finding that his strength was not sufficient for the field, he took leave of the con-
gregation, and returned to his home in Hughsonville, N. Y.
At a congregational meeting held on January 19, 1S70, it was decided to call
the Rev. James Richards, D. D. The call was accordingly given, and the instal-
ation took place February 9th. The preaching of the new minister was powerful,
and the congregation greatly revived. The one event which stands out most prom-
inently in the pastorate of Dr. Richards, is the burning of the church edifice.
On the 25th of July, 1870, a fire broke out on Border street, and, sweeping east-
ward, destro\ed much valuable projierty, among which was the Baptist house of
worship ; it caught the " White Church," and soon the precious sanctuary, with
its beauty and its wealth of sacred associations, the purchase of so much toil,
gifts, tears, and prayers, was a mass of smouldering ruins. But little of the furni-
118 CHURCHES OF /iO.STOX.
ture was saved, and the cliurch was lioaieless. After paying debts there remained
to the congregation the insurance of ^3,000 or ^4,000, and the lot valued at
$7,000 or S8,ooo. The question now to be decided was, whether to disband and
unite with other churches, or to maintain the distinct historic organization. The
offers of hospitality so kindly presented from the sister churches were tleclincd,
and it was determined to worship meanwhile in what is known as " Reed's" Hall,
and to proceed at once to .erect on the old site a substantial brick edifice, to cost
about $25,000. Liberal subscriptions were made by members, and some aid was
received from friends beyond the congregation. A building committee, consisting
of Joseph Breckenridge, E. M. McPherson, James Frame, D. C. Irving, C. 1'.
Jameson, E. D. Leighton, W. H. Wilson, John C. Frame, and Robert Crosbie, super-
intended the work, and carried it forward to satisfactory completion. The
property was mortgaged for $12,000, besides which there was contracted a float-
ing debt of about $5,000, in all about $17,000. During a part of the summer of
1S71 services were held in the vestry, and on Sunday, November 5th, of that
year, tlie new church, being completed, was dedicated with appropriate services.
On the day of dedication Dr. Richards intimated his intention of resigning
his charge, and took leave of the congregation. The people, to whom he had
endeared himself by many noble equalities, parted from him with much sorrow.
After a short ministry in Charleston, West Virginia, and while traveling in Great
Britain, he met his death by a railway acccident in the city of Edinburgh, in 1875.
A vacancy of six months thqn occurred, after which the Rev. Edward
Annand was called from Halifax, N. S., and commenced his regular ministry
May 12, 1872. The installation took i)lace October 22d of that year. The jieriod
of his ministry was one of encouraging prosperity. The congregations largely
increased, and many new members were added. .Among the many excellent
spiritual guides with which this society of Christians has been fovored, no one
deserves more honorable mention than he, or endeared himself more to the mem-
bers. He died in January, 187S.
In April of this year the twenty-fifth anniversary of the formation of the
church was celebrated by a]i]jropriate services. .Among other observances a
social reunion was held at the church on Thursday evening, April 4th.
The puljiit was supplied during the summer of this year by Rev. Francis -E.
Marsten who was installed as pastor, October, 1878, and continued in that office
till June, 1882.
The Sabbath School has always been an important part of the churcli's
work. The records of this dejiartment are exceedingly scanty, but some are avail-
able. Mr. John Currie was the first su])erintendent, and the school, during those
first years, numbered from thirty-five to fifty. He was succeeded by Mr. L.
McPherson, and he by Mr. Daniel Gunn. Mr. Gunn was superintendent from
1 85 9 to 1864. During this period the school reached the respectable number of
28 1 scholars, and 35 teachers. Elder Howe next held the position, and dis-
charged the duties with sound judgment and substantial thoroughness. After him
in the list is Elder McPherson, and following him Elder Breckenridge. The
school did not for a considerable length of time entirely recover from the deple-
tion made by the Bennington Hall divison. Then, when the new church was in
course of erection, and the congregation worshiped in " Reed's Hall," the effec-
tive forces were to some extent scattered, and the work of the school disturbed.
It was not until the congregation had entered the new sanctuary, that decided and
rapid progress was made in numbers and efficiency. At this point, under the
leadership of Mr. W. K. Crosby, the school reached its maximum of 500. That
prosjjerity was due partially to a combination of favoring circumstances, but cer-
tainly, not in a small degree to the zeal, tact, devotion and courteous and dignified
bearing of Mr. Crosby ; and when in October, of 1 8 74, he removed to Provi-
dence, the church felt that it had lost a valuable worker and the school an
honored leader. His steady support in the dark and stormy years long gone, his
generous gift of $500 when the church lay in ashes, and his devoted labors in the
Sabbath School and in other departments of work, deserve distinct record and
grateful remembrance and acknowledgement.
He was succeeded in office by Mr. E. M. McPherson, to whose generosity,
business tact, and untiring industry, the school owes a large measure of its
efficiency. He was succeeded in office by Reuben Crooke, and he by Joseph
Breckenridge ; at present Mr. McPherson is again superintendent. It would be
invidious to mention other names from the noble band of officers and teachers
who through the past have wrought,and still labor in this department. They have
done and are still doing a noble work.
The present pastor (May, 1883,) is the Rev. John L. Scott, formerly located
at Matteawan, N. Y. The membership numbers 265. The church incurred a
large debt when their new house was built, which has been a gi-eat burden to
them. Recently a grand effort was made to pay off the debt, and it proved suc-
cessful, as the whole sum needed ($16,000) is pledged to be paid within one year.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Rev. John L. Scott ; Ruling Elders and Dea-
cons : John Howe, David C. Irving, E. M. McPherson, James Frame, Joseph
Breckenridge, Reuben Crooke, Robert Ross, Archibald Hunter, William Parks ;
Treasurer : Franklin C. Irving ; Superintendent of Sunday School : E. M.
McPherson.
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
The First Reformed Presbyterian Church,
Ferdinand Street, Cokner Isabella.
The First Reformed Presbyterian congregation of Boston is in ecclesiastical
connection with the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Nortli
America ; and is under the care of the New York Presbytery.
A family of covenanters from the north of Ireland located in Boston, May,
1849. After remaining, without finding any church of their own denomination,
for nearly four years, they invited the Rev. Andrew Stevenson, of New York Cit\-,
to come and preach to them one Sabbath. The services were held in Cochituate
Hall, Tremont street, where Houghton's dry goods store now stands. He ga\e
so favorable an account to the Presbytery at its next meeting. May 20, 1853, that
it commissioned him to return some time during the summer and organize them
into a fellowship or prayer meeting.
At their first meeting there were present only five communicants. The
organization of this fellowship meeting took place in an upper room in 56 Salem
street. So encouraging were their condition and prospects, that at the meeting
of the Presbytery, in New York, October 11, 1853, they were recognized as a
mission station, and arrangements were made to supply them with regular
preaching.
On July II, 1S54, a commission of the Presbytery organized them into a
congregation, with twenty members, two ruling elders, and one deacon. The
elders were, William Warnock, Jr., anil William S. Warncx k ; and the deacon,
William Warnock, Sen.
They continued to receive supplies until November 21, 1S56, wlien the Re\-.
James Reed Lawson, of Southstream, New Brunswick, was settled over them as
pastor. This relation continued but ten months, being dissolved September 23.
1857, in conseiiuence of Mr. Lawson's resigning, in order to return to his former
charge.
They remained a vacancy, receiving supplies as Presbytery could furnish
them, until July 12, i860, when the Rev. William Graham, their jjresent jxistor.
was settled over them. At the time of his coming among them, the inimber of
THE FIRST REFORMED PRESBFTERIAN CHURCH. 121
communicants was thirty-one. There was a slow but steady increase until 1870,
when they numbered one hundred and sixty-two. On the 21st of November of
this year, thirty-one left to form the Second Reformed Presbyterian congregation
of the city.
After the separation, the increase continued till 1S75, when they numbered
two hundred and forty-eight. Owing to the business depression which then and
subsequently prevailed, many were compelled to leave the city, to seek employ-
ment elsewhere; so that in 1879 they were reduced to one hundred and
ninety-four.
Since then there has been some little increase, the present membership being
two hundred and thirty-one ; with six ruling elders and eight deacons. On April
30, 1872, they purchased a lot on the corner of Ferdinand and Isabella streets,
on which they subsequently erected their house of worship. The lot, building
and furnishing, cost a little over ^63,000. The corner-stone was laid October 15,
1873, and the first services were held in the lecture-room February 15th, 1874,
and the church was completed and dedicated September lotli, of the same year.
There is a debt of ^24,000 still remaining on the building, which they are endeav-
oring to liquidate. One-third of the above amount is already pledged.
From the above it will be seen that it was about twenty-one years from the
first preaching until they entered the lecture-room of their church, during the
whole of which time they held their services in halls.
Their distinguishing characteristic is their clinging tenaciously and affection-
ately to the principles and usages adopted and practiced by the Presbyterian
church of Scotland, at the time of the second Reformation. From their loyal
adherence to the principles contained in the National covenant of Scotland, and
the solemn league and covenant of Scotland, England, and Ireland, they have
long been designated by the term " Covenanters."
Church Officers: — Pastor: Rev. William Graham ; Elders : William War-
nock, John Caldenvood, James Mullan, Wm. H. Warnock, Samuel McDowell,
John Leitch ; Deacons : Johnston Leitch, Alexander McKay, Roderick McDon-
ald, Andrew Maclam, Alexander Fullerton, Wm. H. Monroe, George E. Elder,
Wm. H. McMaster.
->J^
CHURCHES OF BOSTON.
Second Reformed Presbyterian Church,
33 Chambers Street.
This church was organized November 21, 1 871, by commission of the New
York Presbytery, according to the forms of the Presbyterian church order. It
was a branch of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, whose house of wor-
ship is now located on the corner of Ferdinand and Isabella streets. There were
originally thirty members ; but though so few in numbers they maintained their
organization from the first without aid from the Home Mission Board. Soon after
their organization they extended a call to the Rev. Thos. M. Elder, of Dayton,
Pa., to become their pastor. This call was declined. Subsequently they extended
a call to the Rev. David McFall, of Oil City, Pa., which was accepted, and on
the nth of July, 1873, he was installed pastor of the congregation. The rela-
tionship then formed still (1883) continues.
During the first eight years of their existence the congregation worshiped in
hired halls in the city of Boston. The lack of a church building of their own
subjected them to many inconveniences, besides materially retarding their growth
as a society. In October, 1879, a church building was purchased for j;20,ooo.
Of this amount $15,000 has been paid; the remaining $5,000 still rests as an
incumbrance on the society. The church is situated on Chambers street, bet^veen
Green and Cambridge streets, and was formerly occupied by the congregation-
alists.
The present membership is one hundred and twelve. The growth of the
church has not been rapid, though continuous ; an average of a little more than
thirteen being added annually to the membership. In later years the increase has
been larger than formerly, and with the reduction of the indebtedness comes an
opportunity for enlarged aggressive work. There is also a SabbatH School in con-
nection with the church, attended by the youth of the congregation and by others
from the immediate vicinity. The average- annual contributions of the church to
all religious puqMses exceeds $4,000.
Church Officers : — Pastor : Rev. David McFall ; Elders : James McClos-
key, Thos. K. Semple, John Greer, Robert Oliver ; Deacons : Thos. McCloskey,
John Adam, E. W. Spragg.
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ears ago 1 had a very valuable horse apparently rained by .getting a nail In the foot. The le.g was swollen to a
n-rlble size, ami I found it impossible to subdue inflammation and lieal it. By accident I obtained a bottle of
linard's Liniment. It cured like magic. Alter a few applications the soreness was quite gone, and I iinmediately
lit the horse to work and he has not taken one lame step sin. 'e. I al.... heale.l up another h.irse's knee, which I
>uml impossible to heal with any other iireparation. an. I I al-o riire.t ;i very bad shoe lioil by the use of two bot-
fever slui'll have my houic or stable'wi'tl'.oilut, .is'ri'.m-'i.lel u'tlie lie'si Li^niment'ever ofleic'.l totlic'puhlii'-, a-* it
rtps ju.st what the proprietors claim for it, .tnd djeerfullv recommend it to till liverv men a-* the best Liniment in
je world. CHARLES W. D.IILE Y, Livery "and Boarding Stable, « Cambridge St., E. Cambridge.
' stables for all
iiMiNARD's Liniment,^
^ING o^
The Great Internal i External Remedy
FOB IX^Hr ANC BH&ST.
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