The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-25

The Grace Methodist Episcopal
Chiirdl.is not one Of the oldest churches
in the city, but it has a great deal in
the thirty zone. years of its history that
it may dwell upon with pride and salts
faction. 1t has accomplished much for
good and played well its part in the
building up Of the religious life Of the
city. Thirty-one years ago a few mem
! beers were worshipping from Sabbath to-
Sabbath in Washburn hall; today the
church has a substantial, wel-equipped
home on Walnut street about which
over four hundred members resides and
the institution stands well at the
front with the churches Of its denom-
ination and of the city as we'll.
Devout, religious earnestness has
been the characteristic of the members
from the start, and ever to bring souls
to Christ has been the aim. AS is al
ways the result with earnest, eonse-
Grated effort, the results have been
greater than the most sanguine could.
have anticipated. and coming genera
lions will be blessed by the good inf
ence which is cast about as the result.
Grace NJ. r. Church, formerly the
Main Street M. E, Church, was organ
ICED in April, 1867, and for four years
worshipped in Washburn hall. Rey,eJ.
Oramel Peck was the first pastor, ana
worked here for three years, adding
many to the church and broadening it's
influence and power Rev. Andrew Nc
Keen was Mr.. Peck's successor, and
during his passionate of two years the
present edifiee on Walnut street was
buiit. In March. 1871, the present name
was adopted and on the dedication Of
the church in January. 1872, the name
was again changed to the Grace M. E.
Church, but was later in 1887, changed
to the present name owing to the
change from a free church to a pewed
system, which had been contemplated
for some time and was finally adopted
in 1890.
Rev. J. o. Knowles was the third pas
tor and he remained one year, during
the time 1893 persons knelt at the altar
for prayers. Rev. c. D. Hills, the sue
cessor of Mr. Knowles, was an earnest
worker, and during his three years stay
materially reduced the church debt.
Rev. George S. Chadbourne occupied
the pulpit from 1876 to 1879 and Rev.
]. w, Johnson followed him for the
same period. Mr.. johnson reduced the
church debt $500. Rev. D. H. Ella was
the next minister, who occupied the
pulpit from 1882 to 1885 and reduced the
church debt $4,000. His administration
was characterized by firmness and up
rightness. Rev. George Whitaker was
the next pastor After two years. work
heresignett to aceeptsthea presidency of
Wiley University, of Marshall, Texas.
Many were added to the church during
his pastorate. Rev. C. L. Mann was
next in line and after brief stay was
succeeded by Rev. William Pentecost,
who was in charge until the appoint
ment .of Rev. B, F. Hayes Rev. John
Galbraith came in 1888 and remained
r. ~.
the Epworth League was formed and
he took a warm interest in it. Rev w.
T. Worth was appointed pastor in 1884,
and did much in his three years pas
torate to arouse the spiritual power of
the church.
S4ReK. w. J. Thompson, the present
pastor. came to Worcester FIVE wears
ago. He has been untiring in his efforts
and has advanced the interests of the
church spiritually, socially and finan-
cially- He has been an earnest, sincere
Christian worker and warm interest
ed friend, and wise counsellor.
+ Rev. Mr. Thompson was born in
Maryland, Sep. p, 1864, the son Of a
Methodist minister. He is a graduate of
the University of Pennsylvania and the
Drew Theological Seminary. At an
early age he felt a call to the ministry.
and in 1887 he entered the Baltimore
conference on trial and spent two years
on The Hampstead circuit. from which
he went to Drew Theological Seminary,
spending three years there. He then re-
turned to the Baltimore conference,
Washington district, spending two
years with two charges Keqsington
and Trinity. Mr. Thompson is now
serving his fifth and last year here,
much to the regret of his people, by
whom he is much loved. In June of the
present year Mr.. Thompson married
Miss Mary S. Mclean of New York
city, and Mrs. Thompson has found a
warm place in the hearts of the people
Of the church.
The church spends yearly for all pur-
poses about $4,000. A goodly portion of
this is for beneyolence. Numerous or
CARNATIONS assist in the church work,
among them the Ladies' Social Circle,
the Woman's Foreign Mission
Society, the Woman's Home Mission
Society, the Epworth League and the
Cushman Band. There is a large Sun
day school over which c. w. Delano
presides as superintendent. w c.
Healey is his assistant Az Chinese Sun
day school is also conducted success
fully