The Portland daily press., 1876-10-30
PEBBLE CHAPEL.
The 25th Anniversary Of its Dedication.

The 18th anniversary of the dedication of the
Preble Chapel to the Ministry at Large was OBJ
served with very interesting exercises yester-
| day afternoon. 1t was expected that the pas
tor, Rev. Mr.. Phelan, would give historic adj
| dress on the occasion, but he was detained at
home by illness, and his duty devolved upon
| DR.. Hill of the First Parish church. Mr.. S. I.
PulleD, the Superintendent of the Sunday
School presided. After stating that Mr.. Phe-
| Ian would not be able to attend DIR. Hill was
| introduced, and delivered very interesting his
| torical sketch, from which we CLEAN the follow
ing facts:
The Chapel was dedicated just twenty-five
years ago, on Wednesday morning, October 20,
1851. The services were opened by an anthem ;
Rev. Dr. Bigelow invoked a blessing; Rev. S. b.
Crufs read the Scriptures. A hymn written 25
years before by Or. Nichols, was sung; the Rev
Horato Wood offered the prayer of dedication (;
an original hymn by Miss Potter was sung. The
sermon was preached by Rev. r. c. Waterston.
The Rev. D. NJ. Mitchell offered the conclud-
ing prayer. A hymn Of John Pierponts was
sung and the benedction was pronounced by
Rev. Mr.. Hadey. In the afternoon the asso-
citation of the Ministers at Large held their an
nual meeting, and in the evening public meet
ing was held in the FIRST Parish church.
The earliest attempt to establish a Ministry
at Large in this city was made 81 years ago last
spring. when D. M. Mitchell was employed.
About two years afterwards the Rev. DR. Mich
OILS of the First Parish, endeavored to procure
the means of employing Unitarian minister.
He was seconded by the ladies of his parish,
particularly by Miss Martha G. Hall, who left
about $4,000 in trust to tie First Parish,
the income to be used in this manner. In 1849
the Rev. w. Fl, Hadley was invited to become
the Minister at Large for the Unitarian par
shes. He accepted aud labored for seven or
eight years. For the first year he held his Sun
day School, his evening schools and his Sunday
services in the old Exchange building on Mid
die street. He was SO successful that Madame
Preble gave this piece of land in September,
1850 in consideration that the Chapel should be
erected within two years. The Chapel was flu
ished aud dedicated nearly year before the
expiration of the time. Mr. Hadley continu-
ed his labors five or six years after the dedica-
ton and was succeeded by Mr. Tuckerman,
who gave over eleven years of his life work.
Rev. Mr.. Phelan took charge of the Mission
January, 1869, and still continues his services
scceptably to all. The first Superintendent of
the School in this Chapel was Mr.. A. e. Stew
ems, who continued as such for seventeen years.
He was succeeded by Mr.. James II. Baker, and
he for time by Mr.. Brown. Mr.. S. 7. Pul!en
took charge of the school year ago, and has
continued since.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
sketch, remarks we're made by Mr.. j. Z. Wal
ton, an old teacher, Rev. Mr. Wood of Lowell.
who was present at the dedication, j. a. Bak-
ker, former Superintendent, G. E Jose. one
of the Trustees, aud Rev. G. w. Buck, pastor
of Park street church. A letter was read
from DR.. Nichols of Saco regretting his in
ability to be present and take part in the ser
vices. Mr.. Pullen spoke in high terms of Rev.
Mr.. and Mrs. Phelan, who labor necessarily for
the poor of the society. He also referred to the
services of Mr. Jordan and Miss Everett IN the
musical instruction of the school.
The church was beautifully decorated with
flowers, and on one side of the desk were the
figures 1851, while the other was 1876
In the evening there was very pleasant
Sunday School concert in the Chapel. There
were recitations, songs, and very interesting re.
marks by Mr.. j. H. Baker. The children APP
peared finely, and the Chapel was crowded
with the friends of the school,