The Portland daily press., 1893-06-15


street, namely. st. Dominic's lRoman
Unitarian corner of Park and
Pleasant streets. 1t may be
well to mention here the
names of the churches that have been
erected since the two above referred to
as marked evidence of church growth
and extension in the locality under con-
sideration. They are as follows:
State Street.
Plymouth, formerly Union.
West Congregational.
ST. Stephens.
st: Luke's.
Vaughan Street.
First Universalist
Pine Street.
Congress Place.
Church of Christ
being II in number.
I think from the statements | have
made no added evidence is needed to
prove the necessity and wisdom of the
effort made in 1916 to erect this church.
From the time of the first gathering in
December, 1916, to consider the expedi-
ency of establishing this church until it
was fully accomplished, covered period
of about five years,
For the circumstances that made this
necessary quote the words of another
stated in lS54fas follows: while the
necessity of building another house of
worship in the western part of the city
was apparent to all, yet for reasons
which were satisfactory to themselves,
but not considered necessary to be
stated here, the subject was postponed
from year to year until the spring of
1851
Early in 1851 the $4,000 had been Sc
cured that was required to make valid
the subscriptions and at once decided
and vigorous action was commenced to
erect the church. The number of sub
scribers were 66-now living 70. There
were six subscriptions of $500 each
modest wealthy two of $500 and remain
der 5000 and under. With few excep-
tons the subscribers and the amount
subscribed came from High Street par
ish. OF the $4,000 contributed they
pledged $4,000.
The first meeting of the subscribers
was held at High Street vestry February
81, 1851. and elected Judge Ether Shop
ley moderator and John w. Munger
clerk, also treasurer 1t was
voted to build the church
and accept the plan presented. The fol-
lowing persons were chosen as build
ing committee: William Oxnard. Sewall
G. Chase, w. S. Dana, Benjamin LARA
bee, Henry P. Deane. This committee
were also chosen trustees
At subsequent meeting, five more
were added to the building committee,
as follows: George Warren, Ezra Carter,
Jr., Samuel Tyler, Eben Steele, John c.
Brooks. OF the 10 composing the build
ing committee, but one is living.
The lot of land unOn which the housa
now stands had been purchased of Al
yah Libby at cost of $4,000, or 45 cents
per foot, its Dimensions being 90x149 LIZ
feet. The architect was William WASH
burn of Boston. whose plan of front and
side views have among my papers of
the early history Of the church. 1t is
dated February 10, 1851. The erection
of the building commenced in the spring
of 1851, and was completed by the fol-
lowing spring. The church was dedicat-
ed Wednesday afternoon, June 2, 1852,
with the following exercises:
Chant by the Choir
Invocation and Scriptures by Rev. Asa d.
Cummings. T4
Anthem.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Eaton of Free street church
Sermon by Rev. John W. Chickering of
Dedicatory Hymh Written BY Charles P. Illsley
Dedicatory Prayer, Rev. DR.. Carruthers of
Second Parish church.
beneaesaS lynn wr h by CHARLES F. tsey
Methodist Episcopal church.
The incorporation OF the parish was on
July %, 1852, The moderator was VIM.
| Oxnard; clerk. John w. Munger; parish
COMMITTEE, VIM. Oxnard, Alvah Conant,
| VIM. Chase.
The membership of the church was
organized in the vestry of High street
church, March II, 1852, and consisted of
So members; 48 were from High street
church, from Second Parish church, 4
from Third Parish church, was from
Green street church, Boston, and from
| Salem street church, Boston. Of this
number, AZ have deceased, 10 are living;
three have not been able to classify for
want of definite information. Of the
living only are now connected with this
church, as follows: Mr.. Warren Spar
row, Mrs. Ann w. Sparrow, Mrs. Rhoda
D. Pickering, Mrs. Sarah Oxnard, Mr..
John w. Munger, Mrs. Mary l.. Hamil-
ton, Mr.. Woodbury. SDana, and two Of
these are unable to attend upon the u.s.
ual services. &
The first weekly devotional meeting
was held in the High street vestry, Fri
day, April 2, 1852. Similar meetings
were continued there till June 7, 1852,
about two months) when the church
having been finished, it was voted that
in future they be held in the galleries.of
the church, and ON Friday evenings of
each week. The chapel had not then
been added to the church.
The earlier deacons of the church
were VIM. Oxnard, Hezekiah Packard,
John A. Balkham, Thomas R. Hayes.
The first action as to formation of the
Sunday school was at church meeting
hold on June 7, 1852 when it was voted
sit should be held in the church, the
particular arrangement to be made by the
superintendent l. havenot been able
to find any record of the
exact date of its first gathering, but
have no doubt (as it's chosen supefinten-
dent at that time) it was on the
following Sabbath June IL, '52l after
above meeting. The records o.
the school were destroyed il
the great fire of 1866. The sessions Of
the school were held in the choir CALLER
les and those portions of the other gal
leries adjoining. For the first one o.
two years the teachers and scholars
numbered from so to rs. Time will moi