here from Pownal, Vt., to take charge of the grist mill. About, the same time a young man named Joseph Hayden came to work for Captain Giles Tinker, as a machinist. He had a license to exhort, and being anxious to see the work of God advanced, started a, prayer meeting at the house of Mr. Alden. The result was a revival and the conversion of sixty-four persons and the formation of a church of these converts. A local preacher of Petersburg, N. Y., who had labored in the revival, formed a class and organized the church in proper form. It was received into the Petersburg circuit and the circuit preacher delivered a sermon here every two weeks. Among the original members were Ebenezer Alden and wife, Joseph Hayden, Giles Tinker and wife, Hart Ives and wife, Thomas McClellan and wife.
The society met at Mr. Tinker’s shop, also at the schoolhouse, and various private dwellings, until the summer of 1824. They then purchased a lot on Centre street, on the site of J. A. Bond & Bro.’s stable, for $30. The deed bears date of June 21, 1824. They also purchased for a small sum an unfinished frame building which had been erected for a glass house by Daniel Sherinan, but,
never used. This building was removed to the site selected for it and temporarily fitted up. The original trustees were Ebenezer Alden, Edward Holden, Harris Arnold, Giles Tinker and Orson wells.
The M. E. church continued to worship in this building until 1843, when they sold it to the Universalists for $450. It afterward, passed into the hands of the Roman Catholics. The society then purchased the lot where the present church stands and built an edifice which was completed in 1841, and dedicated by Rev. John B. Stratton, the presiding elder of the conference. The new church was built at a cost of $4000. In 1847 North Adams became a station, and in that year the church had 237 members. The pastors of the church have been numerous, for the reason that the rules of the church require a change every two years. They are as follows:
Rev. Wright Hazen, appointed
in 1833, continued 2 years. |
Rev. Peter Harrower, 2 years. |
Rev. T. W. Pearson, 2 years. |
Rev. F. G. Hibbard, 2, years. |
Rev. Thomas Dodgson, 2 years. |
Rev. Joseph Eames. |
Rev. W. P. Gray, 2 years. |
Rev. Reuben Wescott. |
Rev. Peter R. Stover, 2 years. |
Rev. Orrin Pier, 2 years. |
Rev. Samuel Meredith, 2 years. |
Rev. Ezra Sprague, 1 year. |
Rev. B. 0. Meeker, 2 years. |
Rev. Luman A. Sanford, 2 years. |
Rev. E. H. Foster, 2 years,
died, February 14, 1861. |
Rev. Timothy Benedict, 2 years. |
Rev. Chester F. Burdick, filled
out his time. |
Rev. Richard, Meredith, 1 year. |
Rev. T. A. Griffin, 3 years. |
Rev. A. J. Jutkins, 2 years. |
Rev. H. C. Farrar, 3 years. |
Rev. T. Wade, 1 year. |
Rev. J. W. Eaton, 3 years. |
Rev. S. M. Merrill, 3 years. |
Rev. S. McLaughlin, 1 year. |
Rev. Wm. H. Meeker, 2 years. |
Rev. S. McKean, 3 years. |
Rev. J. W. Thompson, the present pastor, has been here 1 year. |
In 1872 their meeting-house was torn down to make room for their present edifice, which cost about $65,000, and is valued, including the grounds at $75,000. The society now has a member ship of 650, and the Sunday School 400.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The first formation of the Congregational society in town has already been described in this work in connection with the old church over which Rev. Samuel Todd presided, situated at the cross roads between the two villages. From the time of the dismissal of Mr. Todd until the 19th of April, 1827, there was no regular organized church here of this denomination. On that date and year, however, the present church was organized, Rev. J. W. Yeomans being the first pastor. In the following year their first church was built, but September 6, 1865, their present edifice was erected. The society now has a membership of 438, with no settled pastor.
Below is a list of the pastors who have been settled over the society:
Rev. John W. Yeomans, D. D., settled November 12, 1828, dismissed February 16, 1832.
Rev. C. B. Tracy, settled July 10, 1832, dismissed February 16, 1834.
Rev. Alva Day, settled May 26, 1835, dismissed May 24, 1836.
Rev. Ezekel Russell, D. D., settled June 22, 1836, dismissed April 24, 1839.
Rev. Robert Crawford, D. D., settled August 24, 1840, dismissed September 28, 1855.
Rev. Albert Paine, settled December 3, 1856, dismissed April 21, 1862.
Rev. William H. McGifford, settled May 13, 1863, dismissed March 1, 1865.
Rev. Washington Gladden, settled February 28, 1867, dismissed 1871.
Rev. Lewelleyan Pratt, 1871 to 1876.
Rev. T. T. Munger, settled December 11, 1877, dismissed November 4, 1885.
Edited and adapted from the original by Laurel O’Donnell
© Laurel O’Donnell 1999-2006, all rights reserved,
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