The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-11
Fiftieth Anniversary of q
Church Society.
Olney Street Congregational
Church'S Career.
No Special Services 10 Be Held in
C0mmemOraliOn of Event

Next weet the Olney Street Congrega-
tiona, society tUpnarrgbi Wi. have
rounded out a hslf century OF existence.
1t was the intention Of the society at
first TO celebrate the important event in
on distinctive manner, but certain things
have inicrfered with the intended plans
and there will be no spscial services in
commemoratioa of the beginning of
new half century OF usefulness.
1t VIII no. be uninteresting though, to
recall briefly few matters concerning
tho orgapization OF the society and its
history. On Sunday evening, Dee. 8,
1s4l, tao subject of estsblishing a "min-
is,Ty-at-large," modelled after the orGani-
zation Of the same name in Boston, was
introduced at a meeting in the chapel OF
tho Frst Congregational by tha pastor,
Rec. f. B. Hall. This we'll known clergy
man than stated the matter OF establish
Ing such ministry had beenlunder con-
siderati IN for some time by the men,
bers OF the two Unitarian societies of this
city, and the tinc seemed TO have come
to begin work. Mr.. Henry II. Harring
,onn Of Roxbury, Mass, who was pres
ent, also spoke in endorsement of the
plan. a liberal sum was subscrib bed on
the spot by mem bers of the two societies,
| tho First and tine Westm mtnster, and corr
mittees were appointed TO solicit funds
aud submit a constitution. few days
I later constitution was adopted and Mr..
Henry r. harrington invited 10 accept
the position of minister. The ordination
OF MIR. Harrington took place Jan.
10, 1912, ia the First Church.
lhe first work of the new Unitarian
pastor was with the poor of the city,
most OF whom. at the time, lived in tho
section north of the court house Hay
market and the Cove, and services were
brld in the Canal Market hall on North
Main street. Sunday School was organ
lied, tho first superintendent of which
was Samuel II. Minkley, now, and for
80 years past, pastor of the Buitinch Place
Chapel, Boston.
Mr.. Harrington resigned bis charge in
April 1s44, and shortly afterward the Kew.
William q. Babcocx was chosen to succeed
him. On Dec. IL, 1915. ns a meeting held
In tho Free Chapsl .eaeht street,
which had been bui.l Inc use of the
society st cost Of ,tn .4Ing less than
$1,000. exclusive OF tn .ot whica was at
Brst rented, but was subsequently pur-
chased. church was organized and Mr..
Babcock SELECTED as IT'S first pastor. The
record gives the names OF but four per-
sons who were present: Mr.. Bsbcock, |
franklin Munroc, Henry q. Gorhan, who
was chosen clerk, and Sophia MetcaIf. |
At the recognition service, Sunday,
Feb. IS, 1877, in addition to tho per sons |
already named the following received the |
right hand of fellowship: Thomas |
Robinson, Thomas Branche, Matilda
MetcaIf and Nary Ann Gammell. The |
Lords supper was admin istered for the |
first time, Rev. T.. b. Hall officiating.
Mr.. Babcock was succeeded by the |
Rev. Il. NJ. Stone, who preached his first
sermon as pastor OF the church May 2,
1s47. For 80 years Mr.. stone continued
to act as pastor. 1t is no oxaggeration
to say that during ell this time the
'' 'MinHtry-at-La -Large' under whose direc-
tion Mr.. Stone la bored. took an active and
important part in the material, mental and
moral improvement OF that portion OF
the population occupying the northern
section OF the city: and indirectly its in
iluence for good WIS diTused through
out the entire population ana left its
stamp upon many OF the noblest bene-
factions OF the city.
On Septem ber 20. 1871 the church edi-
Ice nov occupied by the society on Olney
street was dedicated, the cost of the
structure and lot being about $40, 900.
In January 1873 the ministry of Rev.
Alfred Manchester began and continued
or q little more than 10 years. With the
Idvept OF Mr.. Manchestor,a new and dis
inct stage in the develpoment Of the So
iety began. Hitherto the society had
,een wholly dependent upon the minis.
ry-at-large. Now 1t began rcsolute
forts to- reach a self-supporting basis.
n 1884 thc ministry-at-lsrge agreed to
ease the building to tho society with
he understanding tn at thesociory would
ssume sole charge of raising the necess-
ary expense to carry on its work.
In March, 1878, q charter was secured
rom tho General Assent bly,, incorporat-
ne tho Olney street Congregational
ocicty for tho purpose OF promoting
'hristian faith and practice in accordance
Nth tho methods OF the Unitarian de-
omlpaiion, In 1880 the board OF trus-
ees of the Benefit stree, Mini,try-at-
.irge obtained from the General Assem-.
ly a revision OF it' charter whereby the
sme "Beneft street" was dropped from
he title and It's purpose was declared to
e that OF general missionary work in the I
interest of Chiisiisriiy.
The Rev. Wii.ism Il. .FurInnn of Albany,
!. V, began bis p,storate july 1, 1893,
'ith the assurance that the income of
ho rhusc, wna poU. az III .ic,t % url,olt. | 7