Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 9: The Protestant Churches in Taunton, 1924

Congregational Churches - Belief in and reliance upon the presence and protection of God were the simple fundamentals of the faith of the first settlers in the Taunton territory, and they made their wilderness venture, Bible in hand and in heart. From our own complicated times, we may not readily visualize the plainness of the religious usages of these first years of all, when the only institutions here were the home and the house of prayer. The prevailing fashion of the pioneer age was to preach and to pray. Taunton's first settlers readily followed that fashion and, congregating at each other's homes, they worshipped God in the most devoted way that they knew. No settlement was made, no movement undertaken, without the association of a religious teacher.

Owing to the tenure of the oldest of church properties in Taunton since the year 1647 to the present day, the account of the First Congregational, the present Unitarian Church, is to be followed, with excerpts from historical sketches made by Miss Sarah Bradford Williams, descendant of Richard Williams, one of the founders of Taunton.

There was scarcely a town of the colonial period that had not the ministry of a man who had received his education in the foremost colleges of England, such having chosen Non-conformist customs as regarded the Church of England, and so by preference becoming ministers to Nonconformist colonists in New England. The first two clerics of the small Taunton congregation were of that type - Rev. William Hooke and Rev. William Street, one the pastor, the other the teacher, the latter to succeed Mr. Hooke in his pastorate. First of a long line of religious guides in this community, who, then, were these two men?

William Hooke, born at Southampton, England, in 1601, received his B.A. degree at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1620, and M.A. in 1623. Taking orders in the Church of England, he was rector at Axmouth in Devonshire. A near neighbor to the Poole family in England, and non-conforming, he removed to New England. Both Mr. Hooke and Mr. Street were given the right hand of fellowship here by Revs. John Cotton of Boston and Richard Mather of Dorchester, also assisted by Master Bishop, the first schoolmaster at Taunton, and William Parker, first keeper of records. Rev. Mr. Hooke had been here but a few months when he preached a sermon entitled "New England's Teares for Old England's Feares." It was one of few colonial sermons that were printed in England at the time; and it brought for him his call to the New Haven colony in 1644, as assistant to Rev. John Davenport. He was also author of the no less striking sermon entitled "New England's Sense of Old England's and Ireland's Sorrows." Mr. Hooke, who was referred to by Cotton Mather as a "learned, holy and humble man," was called to New Haven to fill the place of Rev. Samuel Eaton, a brother of Theophilus Eaton, founder and first governor of New Haven. Mr. Hooke remained there until 1656, when he went to England as domestic chaplain to the Protector, Oliver Cromwell. He wrote many sermons both here and in England, notably Fast Day sermons, religious pamphlets - some of these and many of his letters being in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Prince Collection, and the Worcester Library. A paper concerning this clergyman, read by Dr. Charles Ray Palmer before the Old Colony Historical Society, is his most complete biography. Mr. Hooke died at London, England, March 21, 1687, aged 77 years. While in Taunton, his house lot was near the present corner of Spring and Summer streets. He married Jane, a daughter of Richard and Frances (Cromwell) Whalley, a sister of General Edward Whalley, and they had two daughters.

Rev. Nicholas Street, Non-conformist, also, who at the same time with Mr. Hooke received the right hand of fellowship here, succeeded the latter, and it was during his ministry in 1647 that the first structure was built, a little to the east of the present Unitarian (First Congregational) church building, and within the same lot of ground. Mr. Street was baptized at Bridgewater, England, January 29, 1603, and received his B.A. degree at Oxford University, February 21, 1624. With Mr. Hooke he arrived in Taunton, and was owner of land on both sides of Street's Bridge, on Spring street, and his ministry in Taunton extended from 1638-9 to 1659. When Mr. Hooke went to England, Mr. Street was invited to New Haven, as colleague with Rev. John Davenport, until the latter's call to Boston in 1668. He then remained minister in charge at New Haven, up to April 22, 1674. "He was a pious, modest man, and no inferior preacher," says Dr. Bacon of New Haven, in an historical discourse.

These two men were of the same calibre with Rev. John Davenport himself; of Rev. Samuel Newman, of Rehoboth, author of a Biblical Concordance; of Rev. Francis Higginson of Salem, and of Rev. John Maverick of Dorchester.

Succeeding these ministers came Rev. George Shove, ordained in Taunton, November 17, 1665, and said to have come from Dorchester, the Taun ton church having been without a pastor for six years. He became one of the proprietors of the South Purchase, and one of the original proprietors of Assonet Neck in 1680, in association with Richard Williams, Walter Deane, James Walker, James Tisdale and William Harvey. His home lot had been the property of William Phillips, one of the first settlers on the east side of what is now High street, between Cohannet and Winthrop streets. He married Hopestill, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Newman of Rehoboth, and they had six children. By a second wife, Hannah Walley of Barnstable, he had four children. He married, third, the widow of Thomas

Rev. Samuel Danforth, graduate at Harvard in 1683, was son of parents both of whom were of eminent clerical families. He came here in 1688, and through the generosity of his parish was given large allotments of land. He made himself acquainted not only with the theology of his day, but also with law and medicine. Mr. Danforth was one of a commission to make a report upon the Indian tribes; and he prepared an Indian dictionary, that is now in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Mr. Danforth was also a writer of many sermons and essays, popular for their times. He died November 14, 1727, after a ministry of forty-four years.

Rey. Thomas Clap came here in 1729. He was a son of John Clap, and descendant of Thomas, one of the first settlers of Dorchester. A graduate of Harvard in 1725, he married Mary Leonard, a daughter of Judge George Leonard of Norton, in 1729, by whom he had three children. His ministry here lasted nine years; and he left here, so it is stated, "on account of some trouble in collecting his salary. His people said they would never settle another rich man." After the death of his first wife, in 1741, he married, May 9, 1745, Esther, daughter of Hon. John Chandler, of Worcester. Rev. Mr. Clap never again settled in the ministry, but became a judge of Plymouth county, a representative from Scituate, and an officer of the militia. He died May 31, 1774. These three men must have been familiar with the works of Rev. John Wise of Ipswich, who had been writing at this period for the vindication of the spirit of human liberty and progress; they must have been cognizant of the growing religious distinctions between the faculties of Harvard and Yale. In 1689-90 repairs were made on the first church building, and a bell was hung; but it was early in Mr. Clap's ministry that the second house of worship was built, in 1729.

Rey. Josiah Crocker became the minister here in 1742. He originated at Yarmouth, and was a Harvard graduate. He was dismissed from his pastorate November 1, 1765, but he resided here until his death, August 28, 1774. It was during the period of the "Great Awakening," so-called, that he became famed for his passionate pulpit oratory; and while Whitfield, the eminent Methodist evangelist, was peregrinating, Rev. Mr. Crocker gave him leave to preach from his pulpit. He lived on Barnum street, at the rear of Mount Pleasant Cemetery. He married (first) Rebecca, daughter of Ebenezer Allen; and (second) Hannah Cobb, daughter of Colonel Thomas Cobb. From this minister were descended many who became prominent in the affairs of the town.

Rev. Caleb Barnum came up from Danbury, Connecticut, to be the minister of the Taunton congregation, in 1768. He was graduated at Princeton University in 1757, and received his M.A. degree from Princeton and Harvard. He was installed here February 2, 1769. But with the warnings of the Revolution, he not only exhorted his people to every patriotic endeavor, but he himself enlisted in the service, February 10, 1776, when he entered the army as chaplain of the Twenty-Fourth regiment. He accompanied the regiment to New York, thence to Montreal. In the retreat from Canada, he was taken ill at Ticonderoga, and died on his way home, August 23, 1776, aged forty years. Rev. Mr. Barnum married Priscilla, daughter of 'Caleb Rice, of Sturbridge, Mass., June 18, 1761, and they had eight children.

Rev. Elias Jones came here in April, 1777, but his ministry was brief. "He fell into error," so the report goes, and as testified to by Francis Baylies, "and was constrained to ask for dismission after a very short residence." Then in 1780 came Rev. Ephraim Judson, from Woodbury, Connecticut, he having graduated at Yale in 1763. During the ten years of his ministry here, says the historian Emery, "he was stern and severe, positive and precise." Yet he was dismissed from his pastoral charge by an ecclesiastical council, December 28, 1790, who, however, commended him to the churches. He subsequently settled at Sheffield, Massachusetts, where he continued in the ministry until his death, February 23, 1813, at the age of 75 years. The third meeting house was built while he was here, in 1789, and the church became incorporated as the First Congregational Society, in 1791,

Rey. John Foster came here from Stafford, Connecticut, May 16, 1792. He was eccentric, imprudent, and used extravagant language, and accordingly he was dismissed in 1799. He afterwards preached and taught school in New York and Connecticut.

Rev. John Pipon, who had graduated at Harvard in 1792, came to Taunton in 1799, and was ordained here in 1800. He died in 1821, after a successful pastorate, and there is a tablet to his memory within the present stone church. Mr. Pipon's house was on the site of the present A. E. Swasey property on High street.

The first positively outspoken Unitarian leader was Rev. Luther Hamilton, who was pastor here from 1821 to 1832, during which period (in 1830) the present stone edifice was built. From 1821, therefore, and onwards, followed the new procedure and polity of the Unitarian church. This took place during the period of general controversy among the Congregational churches in this State, and only two years after Dr. Channing's historic utterance - his declaration of the Unitarian position. Born in Conway, Massachusetts, in 1798, and graduated at, Williams College in 1817, he was ordained in Taunton in 1821. He resigned in 1832, and died in 1853, at the age of 55 years.

Rev. Albert Bigelow, minister here in 1833-1843, is numbered among those honored ministers-at-large whose labors for the children of the poor are the foundation of all systematic charitable work in the country. Dr. Bigelow wrote a number of books of travel, the results of his own world tours; also volumes of sermons.

Rev. Charles H. Brigham, one of the eminent preachers in this pulpit, was born in Boston in 1820, graduated at Harvard in 1839, and was ordained in Taunton March 24, 1844. <A tablet on the wall of this church has an inscription to his memory. Other pastors in succession have been: Rey.. Fielder Israel, 1869-72; Rev. Eli Fay, 1873-76; Rev. Frederick Meakin, 1878- 82; Rev. Thomas Milsted, 1883-86; Rev. John P. Forbes, 1887-98; Rev. Alfred R. Hussey, 1898-1904; Rev. Joel H. Metcalf, 1904-10; Rev. F. Ray-. mond Sturtevant, 1911. In 1869 the chapel attached to the church was built. In 1877 Mrs. Sarah L. King left a legacy to build and keep in repair the massive stone wall which now surrounds the grounds; in 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel O. Dunbar left a house to the society for a parsonage. The work of the Sunday school, the Woman's Alliance, the Channing Club, the Laymen's League, the Sewing Society, the Young Peoples' Union and the Knights of King Arthur and the Queens of Avalon continue in the broad spirit of the Unitarian faith.

Congregationalism in Taunton had been at unity up to the year 1792, when the call of Rev. John Foster caused a division. Those who withdrew, met much in the same way as did the Pilgrims at Scrooby, England. On this occasion they held meetings at Deacon Tubbs' barn, - a central location, then, for most of the membership. The society paid Deacon Tubbs three pounds for a half acre of land, and within a year they had constructed a plain church building, forty feet in length, twenty-seven feet in width, with neither spire, belfry, nor porch. In 1825, the church built their present house in Westville, mostly with materials from the old structure. Rey. Mr. Judson, the ninth minister of the first parish, occupied the pulpit for a while, followed by temporary supplies by Revs. Preston, Wines, Farrington and Ogden. Rev. Samuel W. Colburn, who was ordained August 30, 1809, was received that year as the pastor; and, April 19, 1815, Rev. Alvan Cobb was ordained and installed.

During his pastorate, the first Sabbath school in Bristol county was organized in 1816, in connection with this church. Upon the death of Rev. Mr. Cobb, in 1861, came Rev. Thomas T. Richmond. The latter remained in this pastorate twenty-two years, resigning in March, 1882. His successor, Rev. George C. Capron, was ordained and installed June 26, 1883. A long line of devoted ministers have followed, notably, Rev. N. McGee Waters, Emery L. Bradford, President William DeWitt Hyde of Bowdoin College, Rev. W. Henry McBride, Rev. Charles Clark, Rev. A. L. Bean. The present minister is Rev. Henry E. Oxnard, who also officiates at the church at Rehoboth. A very ancient tree, an object of much historic interest, stands in front of the church, its branches having a spread of more than two hundred feet. It is estimated that its age is more than three hundred years.

The separate existence of the Broadway Congregational Church from the original, or First Church, is placed in 1821, owing to the introduction into the old church polity of certain doctrinal differences, when Rev. Luther Hamilton preached "an honest rejection of the orthodox faith, and the adoption of Unitarianism." 'Thenceforward, the Unitarian body continued to meet in their present church building, while the Trinitarians reorganized with four men and twenty-five women. That organization, of August 17, 1821, took place at the home of Mrs. Mary B. Bush, the following-named being the members of this religious group: Deacon Jezeniah Sumner, Philander W. Dean, Samuel Godfrey, Otis Pierce, Mary B. Bush, Lydia Carver, Olive Carver, Betsy Allen, Prudence Crossman, Rebecca Dean, Hannah Dean, Charlotte Godfrey, Susanna Hall, Mercy Holmes, Sarah P. Howland, Zipporah King, Charlotte Morton, Dorcas Potter, Sarah Shepard, Mary Smith, Priscilla F. Smith, Relief H. Smith, Beulah Stephens, Hannah Staples, Joanna Sumner, Mary Williams, Lucilda Williams, Susannah Williams.

Afterwards the places of meeting were at Town Hall, and the old court house. The first church building of the Trinitarians stood where the Jones block now is - a wooden church, with steeple and bell, the edifice being dedicated in the spring of 1823, two years after the organization. Here, the General Association of Congregationalists held their convention in June, 1831. The church bell, that is still in use in the stone building, was installed in the old tower, December 31, 1822, and was removed to its present place in 1852.

For the period of thirty years, this church continued to meet here for services, its membership and influence increasing to such an extent that new churches, such as the Winslow Congregational, the East Taunton Congregational and the Union Congregational, were formed from time to time. Eventually, the old church was sold, April 27, 1853, to W. T. Davenport and Gardner Jones for $4,000; it was then named Central Hall, and it was dedicated, May 23, 1853, by the Beethoven Society. Gardner Jones became the sole owner in October, 1864, from which time the building continued to be known as the Jones Atheneum. It was burned May 7, 1873. The first organ that was used within a church in Taunton was built by Hodges and Fisher of Taunton, and it was placed in this church in 1829, and was afterward sent to Freetown. Mrs. Charlotte Pinkham and John Reed were the organists.

The cornerstone of the present church building was laid August 19, 1851, with an address by the pastor, Rev. Erastus Maltby. The house was completed and dedicated September 20, 1852, with sermon by Rev. Mr. Maltby, others participating being Revs. S. H. Emery, W. J. Breed, R. Carver, T. T. Richmond, Alvan Cobb. The first cost of the building, with land, was $28,000, the architect beng Richard Upjohn. The one hundredth anniversary of the church was observed August 17, 1921. The pastors have been as follows: Rev. Chester Isham, February, 1824; interim of pulpit supply by ministers of the Norfolk association; Rev. Erastus Maltby, January 18, 1826; Stephen W. Newman, October 17, 1871; Rev. H. DeForest, April 14, 1880; Rev. Samuel V. Cole, October 29, 1889; Rev. Francis A. Faye, March 23, 1898; Rev. L. B. Goodrich, December 12, 1905; Rev. Frank B. McAllister, 1921. Since Rev. Mr. McAllister has been the pastor, the church has revived all its interests. The interior of the building also has been entirely redecorated.

. The history of the Winslow Congregational Church has been written in full and told with interest by Captain George Arthur King. Necessarily the following are but excerpts from his work. In 1836, some fifteen years after the organization of what is now known as the Broadway church, their church record says: "In consequence of the large number in church and congregation and the difficulty of supplying applicants with pews, they con- . sidered the duty and propriety of amicably and harmoniously forming another orthodox Congregational church"; and forty-two members of the Broadway Church and two from Westville formed a new organization. The building in which they began worshiping, formerly the meeting house of the Unitarian church, stood on Spring street, and was called the Spring Street Church, a two-story building, with a Bulfinch front, that was torn down two years later. Among the founders of the church were Deacon Roswell Ballard, Deacon William Reed, John Reed, Jr., Hodges Reed, Otis Allen, Philander Dean, Deacon James H. Dean, P. Evarts Dean, Zephaniah L. Hodges, Lara Perkins and Nathan Rand.

ber, 1837, and continued a little over three years; but after he left, the church was without a pastor for about three years. The second pastor was Rev. Lathrop Taylor, who was the preacher here for two years. But after Mr. Taylor left, the church nearly expired. Sunday school was suspended for nine months, and most of the members returned to the Broadway church. But in 1847, Dr. Emery returned, and the life of the church was really begun. While at Spring street, the Sunday school had six different superintendents, Benjamin Williams, editor of the temperance paper called the "Dew Drop," serving six years.

In 1853 the church first occupied its new meeting-house, Seth Burt architect, on the present Cohannet street, where the Y. M. C. A. building now stands. Then the name of the church was changed to Winslow, in honor of Governor Edward Winslow, one of the first white men whom we know that trod the soil of the present Taunton.

Dr. Emery remained about eight years, and was then succeeded by Rev. Mortimer Blake, a vigorous and original thinker. He continued as pastor twenty-nine years, or until his death, in 1884. The church was then without a pastor for two and one-half years, during part of which time Dr. A. H. Quint occupied the pulpit.

Dr. George H. Reed became pastor in June, 1887, and served nearly four and one-half years; he was a forceful speaker, of wonderful memory. The board of directors was enlarged to four members in 1888, in which year the agitation for a new church was begun. Dr. Reed was succeeded in February, 1892, by Rev. T. Clayton Welles of Chicago. Active steps were begun for a new building in 1892, and the building was dedicated in November, 1898. Dr. Emery had been made pastor emeritus in 1896. In 1899, the church undertook the support of a missionary pastor in India. Mr. Welles was succeeded in June, 1901, by Rev. C. H. Talmage, an energetic speaker.

In 1902, Deacon George Andros resigned as clerk of the church, after sixteen years of service, and Fred C. Burbank was chosen to continue his work. Deacon Andros had been treasurer of the society many years. In 1903, Cyrus H. Lothrop gave the church chimes in memory of his wife, a former member of the church; that year, the board of deacons was increased from four to six. Rev. Mr. Talmage, after five and one-half years, was succeeded by Rev. Archibald McCord, a vigorous preacher, who served until Dec. 31, 1910. The church was without a pastor until October 1, 1911, when Rev. A. G. Bliss was called. During his pastorate the church was incorporated, and the renting of pews was discontinued, and three deaconesses were elected. The Christian Endeavor Society was formed while Dr. Quint was supplying the pulpit; Epsilon Phi was organized in 1904; the Baraca Class was formed in 1906, and the Philathea class in 1908.

The East Taunton Trinitarian Congregational Society was temporarily organized, May 3, 1853; and an ecclesiastical council was convened Jtne 16, 1853, at the house of Samuel Robinson. March 1, 1854, the church was legally incorporated as the East Taunton Trinitarian Congregational Society, with Rev. N. Richardson as pastor. Rev. James R. Cushing was the next pastor, and the first meeting-house was dedicated November 19, 1856.

In November, 1858, the church was freed of debt. The pulpit afterwards was supplied by Rev. Willard M. Harding, and Rev. George G. Perkins. Rev. Frederick A. Reed, a native of Taunton, was the next pastor. The steeple was blown from the meeting-house in the great gale of 1869, but the bell that had been donated by Calvin Dean was not injured. A tower was built from the ground, at a cost of $1,000. Rev. H. P. Leonard came to the church in 1876, and June 16, 1878, he preached the sermon for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the church. In February, 1880, Rev. William H. Wolcott became the pastor. Rev. Ephraim W. Allen began his pastorate in the spring of 1885, and April 14, 1886, a chapel was dedicated. Rey. Mr. Allen closed his work here in 1890. Rev. Charles A. Perry then succeeded to the pastorate, and he was followed, in December of 1892, by Rev. George W. Ellison. Rev. Frank Park was the next pastor. The church was destroyed by fire, April 14, 1897.

Rev. Halah H. Loud succeeded Mr. Park as pastor, and services were held at Engine Hall. An Endeavor Society was then started. The new church was dedicated December 23, 1898, and in the summer of 1901 a house belonging to the church was remodelled into a parsonage. Rev. Henry E. Bray was pastor from 1905 to 1913, and Rev. Zenas Crowell came here in 1914. The deacons, 1923: Hiram B. Simmons and Richard Craven; Sunday school superintendents: Henry E. Bray, 1912, Edward Westcoat, 1914; Zenas Crowell, 1922; Edward Westcoat, 1923. Men's Club: President, Edward. Westcoat; secretary and treasurer, Israel Constantina. Y. P. S. C. E.: President, Miss Ethel Craven; vice-president, Stanley Simmons; secretary, Mrs. C. A. Peirce; treasurer, C. A. Peirce. Ladtés Aid Soc. President, Mrs. E. E. King; secretary, Miss Amy Padelford; treasurer, Mrs. Alonzo K. Crowell. Boy Scouts: Scoutmaster, Daniel Craven; assistant, Charles A.' Peirce:

The complete story of the Union Congregational Church in Whittenton has been told in an historical paper that was written by Miss Emma A. Smith and read by her on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of that church, April 2, 1918, and from that paper the following excerpts are taken for this article. First meetings were held in 1860 with different ministers in charge. In 1862 Rev. Andrew Bullock, a Baptist minister from Fall River, was engaged for one year, and then came Rev. James C. Boomer, also a Baptist, and from Fall River, who remained four years.

Rev. Isaac Dunham was engaged as minister in 1868, and under his direction a church was formed with 24 members, the event taking place April 2, that year. The church was called Union Congregational because of the fact that its membership consisted of a number who had formerly belonged to Methodist, Baptist and other churches, but who now lived far from their former places of worship. Rev. Mortimer Blake, pastor of the Winslow Congregational Church of Taunton, extended the hand of fellowship to the pastor and people of the new church.

The church building was erected in 1872, and services were first held there in August that year. Because of poor health, Rev. Mr. Dunham resigned in 1873, and Rev. Henry M. Dexter, the second pastor, was both ordained and installed April 3, that year. It was on that day that the church was dedicated. Rev. Mr. Dexter resigned his pastorate in 1878, in order to

Rev. John W. Ballantine was the third minister of the Union Congregational Church, entering upon his pastorate there, March 18, 1879. He received 26'into the membership. He resigned as pastor in September, 1881, and Rev. Edward N. Pomeroy was installed in October, 1882. The Y. P. S. C. E. was formed in 1887. Rev. Mr. Pomeroy resigned in 1888, and Rev. Howard A. L. King succeeded him, remaining until October, 1891. Rev. Edward H. Chandler was both ordained and installed November 9, 1892, and resigned in 1897. While he was pastor, the parsonage on Rockland street was purchased, and the Curtis Club and the Boys' Brigade were formed. Rey. Frank L. Luce was the pastor from June, 1897, to June, 1902.

Rey. George H. Johnson preached his first sermon here as pastor, March 8, 1903, but he resigned in June, 1909, to become professor of Sacred History at Western Reserve University. Rev. Frank L. Davis was the pastor from December 9, 1909, to September 15, 1913; and Rev. George A. Merrill, the present pastor, was called to the church January 11, 1914.

The deacons of the church have been: B. L. Burbank, William Holmes, Elijah Tolman, Joseph S. Tidd, Eli Smith, Frederick Richardson, Herbert S. Lane, John McKendrick, Nathaniel Cushman, Edward B. Powers, Joseph H. Tidd, Frank F. Knox, Arthur R. Knox, Samuel Gardner, William Paine. The Sunday school superintendents: Charles L. Lovering, Nathaniel Cushman, William F. Rose, Arthur R. Knox, William Paine, Thomas Hughes, Jr., James Donaldson.

Episcopal Churches - 'In grateful memory of the founders of St. Thomas parish, who built upon this site in the year 1740; erected by St. Thomas parish, A. D. 1916" - so reads the inscription upon the tablet upon the site of the church building that was demolished in a tornado in the year 1815, at Oakland, where in 1740 sixteen persons gathered to form the first Episcopal church within the borders of Taunton. Thus was realized the hope and confident expectations of Captain Thomas Coram, staunch Church of England man who conveyed fifty-nine acres of Berkley land to King's Chapel in Boston, in trust that, "if ever hereafter the inhabitants of the town of Taunton should be more civilized than they now are, and if they should incline to have a Church of England built amongst them, or in that town, then, upon the application of the inhabitants of said town, that is to say, forty rateable men of them, upon their application or petition to the said vestry, or their successors, for any suitable part of said land to build a Church of England, or a school house for the use and service of said church," the vestry were authorized to convey "the whole or a part, as they should see good, for their purpose."

Thus began a project that the Church of England in Taunton never lost sight of; and the St. Thomas Church of today preserves a quaint Book of Common Prayer donated by Captain Coram in 1742 "for the use of a church lately built at Taunton in New England." The church was on the "Glebe," about half-way between Tremont and Walker streets, a portion of which "Glebe" is now in the cemetery at Oakland. It contained about thirty-seven acres, all told, and was purchased principally by Thomas Cobb, one of the wardens of the new church, January 28, 1744, "in consideration of ye sum of 500 pounds in old tenor bills."

Thirty families here awaited the coming of a missionary as early as 1739, but the first notice of a preaching service is that of Rev. Ebenezer Miller, a missionary at Braintree, January 17, 1742, who "engaged to preach next Sunday" by request of "a committee from those of the Church of England in Taunton." But July 8, 1754, it was announced that Rev. John Graves, "Missionary to Providence, is to officiate in Taunton." But he was not to be a resident minister. It was in 1765, when the number of communicants was thirty-two, that Rev. John Lyon came here to reside. He left here some time before the Revolutionary War, and he died in Virginia.

The record of the early days, as found in an historical discourse by Rev. Nathaniel T. Bent, is invaluable; and the later work of Charles E.. Reed and Percy C. Lincoln have kept the successive chapters of the church's story intact.

Rev. John Lyon was rector from 1765 to 1770, and he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Wheeler, 1786-1799. The Revolution brought disaster to the Episcopal church in this country, and it was not until 1820 that signs of life reappeared. Rev. John West came here in 1828 and remained until 1831. A graduate of Harvard in 1813, he entered upon his work here with enthusiasm, interesting himself in building a church, which was erected near the corner of Cohannet and High streets, at a cost of about $7,500. The church was consecrated by Bishop Griswold in June, 1829. Rev. Henry Blackaller succeeded Rev. Mr. West, remaining until 1835. Rev. Samuel Hassard, fifth resident rector and a graduate of Yale in 1826, came here in 1835, and remained until 1838; and he was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Patterson, who remained one year, Rev. Edmund Neville succeeding him in 1839, and remaining until 1841.

Rev. Nathaniel T. Bent, graduate at Harvard in 1831, was chosen rector in 1842, and remained until 1846, and he was the means of extinguishing a heavy debt of the church. Rev. Theodore W. Snow, Harvard graduate in 1830, was rector from 1847 to 1855. A rectory was provided in this pastorate, and more than thirty thousand dollars was subscribed towards a new church building. Rev. Edward Anthron was rector one year, 1855-1856, and Rev. Edward Neville, a former rector, returned, 1856-1857.

Rev. Thomas H. Vail became the rector, remaining from 1858 to 1863. It was during the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Vail, afterwards Bishop of Kansas, that the present stone church building on High street was consecrated, March 3, 1859; the entire cost of the building was about $23,000. Rev. Robert C. Rogers was rector from 1863 to 1871. The chapel or parish house, costing $15,000, was dedicated on Christmas eve, 1871. It was burned in | 1920, but soon restored. April 1, 1872, Rev. Charles H. Learoyd, graduate of Harvard in 1858, became rector, and he remained until 1895, a longer period than any other rector. During his pastorate nearly $12,000 were spent for repairs upon the church building.

. Rey. Morton Stone was rector from 1896 to 1905; Rev. Malcolm Taylor from 1906 to 1921. The present rector is Rev. Henry Martyn Medary, who came here from Philadelphia, April 7, 1922. The William McKinstry manse, one of the best preserved of the older houses in this city, and built in 1759, for more than eighty years in possession of the family of George Wheaton, is the rectory. This structure was completely restored in 1922. The list of prominent wardens and benefactors of the parish is long, and includes the names of Hon. Edmund H. Bennett, Taunton's first mayor; Mrs. N, E. Baylies, William H. Bent, William Mason, Willard Lovering, Edmund Baylies, Charles A. Reed, Henry M. Lovering, John E. Sanford, Samuel M. Tinkham. Walter J. Clemson, choirmaster and leader of the music of this church for many years past, has performed a work of inestimable value both for the church and the community.

St. John's Episcopal parish, second of the Episcopal communion in Taunton, was organized at Whittenton, December 1, 1866. The first meeting in that year was presided over by James R. Husband, Esq., and these officers elected: Clerk, John Radley; wardens, Henry A. Weeden, John Radley; vestrymen: John Holland, William Parkin, William H. Pleadweil; treasurer, John Holland; others present being Charles Albro, Christopher Coulter, J. H. Bradeen, J. B. Dennett, Laughlin Rankin, Moses Nelson. Three years previous to this meeting, however, or in Lent, of 1863, services had been held in Hopewell Hall by Rev. Thomas H. Vail, D. D., rector of St. Thomas Church; and in Advent of that year, Henry M. Lovering began a Sunday school in Hopewell Hall.

In January, 1867, Rev. George D. Miles was elected the first rector of the parish, and Hopewell Hall was fitted up for services. 'There was now a Sunday school with ninety pupils and thirteen teachers, and the followingnamed vestrymen were added: William Holmes, Peleg Francis, L. F. Pratt, William W. Swan. A lot of land was bought in June of that year for $1,200. April 26, 1868, Right Rev. Manton Eastburn, D.D., bishop of the diocese, visited the parish for the first time, and confirmed eight persons. In 1869 the number of communicants was thirty-six, among the names being those of Hill, Coulter, Bradley, Hayward, Waitt, Swift, Boyd, Whitehead, Court, Sharples.

The cornerstone of the present church was laid November 9, 1868, by Right Rev. Thomas H. Vail, D.D., then Bishop of Kansas, the building committee consisting of Henry A. Weeden, Henry Hill, William Parkin, John Holland, William Swan. The cost of the church was $17,000, and its seating capacity was 400; and services were held there for the first time, December 5, 1869, the chancel windows having been the gift of William C. Lovering, and the baptismal font the gift of the Sunday school. The building was consecrated Thursday, June 9, 1873, by Right Rev. Thomas Clark, D.D., Bishop of Rhode Island.

Rey. George D. Miles preached his farewell sermon July 6, that year, and he was succeeded by Rev. Louis DeCormis, who resigned, May 3, 1885, to become rector of St. Stephen's Church in Lynn. His successor, Rev. Edward H. True, was rector of the parish until February 19, 1877, when Rev. Samuel S. Spear of St. James Church, Amesbury, became rector, resigning in June, 1881, to become rector of St. John's Church, Fall River. Rev. Francis Mansfield took charge here March 1, 1882. Hon. Samuel L. Crocker, who had given a bell to the church, bequeathed a legacy of $5,000 in 1883, for a rectory, which was completed in 1887. Rev. Mr. Mansfield was succeeded, December, 1890, by Rev. Samuel B. Moore, of St. Paul's Church, Franklin, New York. The Girls' Friendly Society was started during his rectorship, with twelve associates and thirty-three active members.

Meader became rector June 14, 1903, and the parish house was completed in December, 1907, at a cost of $4,000. April 18, 1909, Rev. Daniel H. Verder was appointed rector of this parish, and while he was here the indebtedness on the parish house was paid and the rectory improved, Mrs. Virginia A. Kitabjian, of New York City, contributing $1,200 therefor; a branch of the Woman's Auxiliary was formed by her sister, Miss Blanche Veeder, and a memorial window was given by the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ives, in their memory. Rev. Charles R. Bailey came here as rector December 1, 1911, and he remained until June 1, 1913, when the present rector, Rev. Walter R. Tourtellot was appointed January 1, 1914.

Since that time, many signs of progress have been evident in the work of the parish. Wilbur T. Grant presented the church with a roll of honor on Armistice Sunday, containing the names of forty-one soldiers and sailors, members of the parish. Rev. William Smith, of Fall River, conducted a successful mission at the church in November, 1920, and in December of that year the bishop confirmed forty-one persons, the largest number in the history of the parish. That year, electric lights were installed in the church and rectory, and a processional cross was given the church by Miss M. Emma Burt, in memory of her mother. Improvements amounting to $2,000. were made in the church in 1921, and to the amount of $1,800 in 1922. At Easter, 1922, a reredos, the work of Mr. Gilson, was presented by the Altar Society, vases and alms basins were given by the family in memory of Joseph Roderick, and a silver intinction chalice and paten by members of the family, in memory of Mrs. Alice D. Walkden. The total receipts in 1922 were more than $5,000; expenditures were a little less than that amount.

The wardens longest in service: Henry Nicholds, William H. Pleadwell, Charles J. Delamaine, James A. Cushman, Joseph Roderick, Walter Carter; Junior Wardens: Henry Hill, William Parkin, William Pizer, Jason H. Hayward (fifteen years, and forty years the superintendent of the Sunday school); Charles H. Minchew, William Bell, George O. Hill, Stephen W. Pollard; treasurers: George E. Chambers, John M. Walkden, and Frederick E. Fiske, many years clerk. The parish has a flourishing Laurel Club and a Men's Club, and the Miles Castle, Knights of King Arthur.

Baptist Churches - The story of Baptist beginnings in Taunton was written by Ralph E. Barker and read at the 100th anniversary of the society in Taunton. Excerpts from the paper follow:

The earliest Baptists appeared here about 1747, and twenty years later a meeting-house was built for the Baptists of Norton and North Taunton, ~ this being the beginning of the Free Will Baptist Church of North Taunton. For some time there was but one Baptist in Taunton, namely William Stall, then a second joined him, James Olney, and then others from North Taunton and Somerset. Soon meetings were held every Thursday evening at the house of Thomas C. Brown on Summer street, then at a schoolhouse on Cohannet street; afterwards Mason's Hall was leased. In 1819, the following-named persons formed an ecclesiastical council, and June 16, that year, the Baptist church was established: William Stall, James Olney, Elias Perry, Thomas C. Brown, Abiathar Phillips, Abiathar Hall, Mary Johnson, Phebe Godfrey, Rhoda Godfrey, Nancy Stall, Mary Stall, Content Smith, . Betsy Olney, Susan Leonard, Hannah Leonard, Margaret Leonard.

first meeting-house being erected in 1824, and it still stands on its original site, 154 High street, a frame house costing $1,000, and measuring forty by thirty-two feet. The next year, Caleb Benson was engaged to supply the pulpit. The membership at this time was twenty-eight. In 1826, Elder Silas Hall was called to the pastorate, with a membership of more than fifty. Rey. Mr. Hall served over three years, and then the church was pastorless.

Rey. Benjamin C. Grafton, the second pastor, was called June 7, 1831, and served three years. A new church building was constructed on the site of the present church which was then Market street, instead of Winthrop. The third pastor was Rev. William G. Trask, who died at the end of two years. The Sabbath school was reorganized in 1835, and it had 140 pupils. Three persons from the society and three from the church invested $2,000 in a parsonage and held it for the church. Rev. Henry Clark of Seekonk was installed as pastor December 2, 1836, and a year and a half followed without a pastor. Rev. John F. Burbank became the fifth pastor, and was ordained here February, 1841; and at this time the church numbered 137. Rey. George J. Carleton then spent a year with the church.

Rev. James F. Wilcox became the pastor in November, 1842, and Anson J. Barker was elected clerk during this pastorate. In 1845, by act of incorporation the name of the church was changed to "The Taunton Green Baptist Church." Rev. Andrew Pollard was the seventh pastor. He came from Hyannis in 1849, and his pastorate was the longest in the history of the church - twenty-two years.

The present church building was begun in the fall of 1862, and dedicated October 10, 1865, just thirty-three years after the dedication of the old house. The baptistry was first used September 2, 1866, when George E. Wilbur was baptized. Dr. Pollard's pastorate closed in 1871, and the church adopted the name Winthrop Street Baptist Church. Rev. S. F. Smith, author of "America", wrote the dedication hymn for the church building. Rev. Joseph Colver Wightman was the eighth pastor, and early in his ministry the parsonage was built. He was a linguist and could read six languages, as well as Latin. In June, 1882, he entered the service of the American and Foreign Bible Society. Rev. Joseph Kennard Wilson, afterwards editor of the "Watchman-Examiner," was the ninth pastor. When he came, December 1, 1882, the church had 315 members, and when he left there were over 500.

While Rev. Mr. Wilson was here, also, the debt of $8,500 upon the church was wiped out; and in 1889 the advisory board of the church was instituted. In April, 1892, the Baptist Young People's Union was adopted by this church. Rev. O. J. White came to the pastorate in 1894, and he remained fifteen years. The Whittenton Branch was started in 1895. Rev. Dr. White resigned January 15, 1910, and Rev. J. Vanor Garton became the eleventh pastor, May 12, 1910. He was succeeded, January 1, 1916, by Rev. Robert T. Craig. The present pastor, Rev. J. Earle Edwards, came here in November, 1922, and established a church office in the Wilbur building on Main street, directing, also, the printing of "The Forerunner," a weekly publication of Winthrop Street Baptist Church news. During the year 1922, a large brick addition was built at the rear of the church, which provides ample accommodations for Sunday school classes, and many other social organizations of church and Sunday school. The church has twentyone deacons and six clerks.

Methodist Episcopal Churches - Methodist Episcopal priorities in Taunton contain nothing of more interest to the people of that denomination than that of the presence and preaching here of George Whitfield, on at least one occasion of his seven visits to New England. It is stated that that minister of the Methodist doctrine at one time occupied the pulpit of Rev. Josiah Crocker, sixth of the Congregational ministers here, and that many were displeased that he was permitted so to do. Yet it is due to Congregationalism that Methodism was first preached here. It is also stated that Francis Asbury, later bishop, in the course of his peregrinations stopped at the house of Dyer Pratt, that once stood on the site of the John R. Williams house, at the extreme end of Weir Village.

Methodism was not popular:in southeastern Massachusetts, and it was not until the year 1830 that the first public meeting of that denomination was announced at the town house, at the time when the circuit preachers were Rev. Amos Binney and "Father" Dane; while others who preached hereabouts were David Culver, Warren Emerson, John D. Baldwin and C. D. Rogers. The first Methodist "love feast" was held in 1833, at the home of Solomon Woodward, on Union street; and Mr. Woodward, Edmund Anthony and John Haskell afterwards started meetings of the denomination at the home of a Mr. Mitchell, at Weir Village.

In 1834, seven years before the first session of the Providence District of the General Conference, Rev. Samuel Coggeshall was the settled pastor of the First M. E. Church, who became so successful in raising funds that the first edifice was begun that year, and finished in 1835, on land purchased of Seth Williams. Besides Mr. Haskell and Mr. Anthony, William Warren, William Read, Jr., and Abiathar White were among the early Methodists. Abiathar White was builder of the first church, and also of the M. EF. Church at Dighton. The church building was enlarged in 1848, when it stood close to Weir street. But it was removed to its present location in 1869; and on June 10 it was rededicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. C. S. Hare, of Boston. The church building was valued at $20,000. In the year 1850, a parsonage was built on First street, but it was sold in 1884, when the house of James Paull, standing next to the church, was purchased. The latter was sold in 1898, and a parsonage hired on Somerset avenue. The present parsonage was purchased in 1921, while Rev. R. L. Roberts, Ph.D., was pastor. The late George W. Barrows was secretary of the board of trustees thirty-eight years.

The daughter society of the First M. E. Church is the Central M. E. Church. First Church Methodism drew its adherents not only from Weir Village, but also from all other sections of the city for fully twenty years. Eventually, in 1852, twenty years after the founding of the denomination in this city, a small society was formed at Whittenton, and another group of Methodists from the central and western sections of the city withdrew, and, accompanied with the good-will of their Weir Village brethren, began to hold meetings at Bank Hall, at the corner of Cedar and Main streets. William Hutchinson was one of the leaders of the new congregation; and after several business meetings at his shop, No. 6 Main street, a building committee was appointed, with Mr. Hutchinson as chairman; and it was due mainly to his efforts that the lot on Cohannet street was purchased, and the church building erected there. The first pastor was Rev. W. H. Stetson, when the membership was but thirteen.

On a Sunday in the spring of 1853, Rev. Mr. Stetson organized a Sunday school with a membership of fifty, at Templars' Hall, and G. O. White was appointed the superintendent. That year, the Whittenton Society disbanded, and in the fall of 1853 the vestry of the church on Cohannet street was occupied, and the services largely attended. The church building was completed in May, 1854, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. J. T. Peck, D.D., afterwards bishop. In 1870, the church building was enlarged, and in 1884 a parsonage was built on Myrtle street, at a cost of . $4,300; the year following, improvements made on the church building were completed at a cost of $4,400, all of which was provided by subscriptions. The opening sermon was preached by Bishop R. S. Foster. In 1904, the parsonage was sold, and afterwards a house was hired. In 1912, a large lot was purchased on Winthrop street, as a possible site for a new church building.

"During Mr. Flocken's pastorate, 1918-1921, no events of note occurred," writes Miss Una Dary, "but with the advent of our present pastor, Rev. John M. Wheeler, in April, 1921, the church stirred into new life. Mr. Wheeler came with the avowed intention of making Methodism a force in Taunton, and his plan was to combine the membership of the three churches into one body, strong in numbers and in spirit. For nearly a year all his efforts were directed to this end. Unfortunately opposition developed. A number of meetings were held in which the combined official boards of the three churches discussed the matter very thoroughly, but the spirit of cooperation was lacking and no agreement as to a union was made.

"In a final effort towards this end, our resident bishop of New England, Bishop Edwin H. Hughes, came to Taunton and held two meetings where he presented every argument in favor of a union in the clearest and most forceful manner. He was not able, however, to influence the other two churches to agree to a union. The first necessity for Central Church was a new church building. Our edifice was old-fashioned, out of repair and unattractive to a degree. The plan for building a new church met with enthusiastic response from our people. Sunday, May 7, 1922, was set apart as a special day for beginning the drive for a new church. Dr. John Krantz of New York preached the sermon and began the solicitation for funds. On that day over $15,000 was pledged by our church people towards a new building. We acquired property at the junction of Winthrop and Cohannet streets, belonging to the Husband estate, as a site for the building, and a few weeks later, the rest of the estate being offered for sale, it seemed advisable to the building committee to purchase this property also, to be used as a parish or community house. Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Strang, supplemented by a gift from the Board of Home Missions, the amount necessary to purchase this property became available. Work on the Community House, as it is to be called, began at once, several rooms being fitted up by various organizations of the church as meeting places where their work may be carried on. Thus rooms have been set aside for the Ladies' Aid, the King's Daughters and the Philathea Societies. We also hope that the Community House may serve a far broader purpose. We are hoping that the young people of the community who perhaps lack a social meeting place, may find it a place to gather for a good time. We have fitted up a library, a game room, a room with a pool table and carom boards, and we are planning in the near future to add bowling alleys to our equipment."

Grace M. E. Church is one of the three large Methodist Episcopal societies. The brick structure at the corner of Somerset avenue and Weir street was owned by the Free-Will Baptists, when that denomination had a following here, and Rev. S. W. McKeown was the pastor. Later, the church building and parsonage were purchased by Captain W. H. Phillips, who generously gave the parish the opportunity to redeem the property, which they were unable to do. Thereupon, the Free Will Baptists, including their pastor, expressed their willingness to become Methodists. Accordingly, with the approval of Captain Phillips and the presiding elder, Rey. W. D. Morrison, D.D., a Methodist Episcopal church was organized, and named Grace Church, at the wish of the presiding elder; and the dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. L. B. Bates, December 3, 1874, Dr. Eben Tourjee, of Boston, conducting the music. The chapel adjoining the church was dedicated January 11, 1892, it being a memorial to Fannie Montgomery, a granddaughter of Captain Phillips. As a result of meetings held chiefly - by members of this church, Parker chapel also was built in 1895.

Certain persons appointed by the official board of the Central M. E. Church met April 22, 1885, to organize the Worcester Street Church, with the then presiding elder, Rev. C. W. Gallagher, present. That was the beginning of the present Tremont Street M. E. Church. Meetings had been

The Taunton Methodist Social Union, whose membership is composed of parishioners of all the local and neighboring Methodist Episcopal churches for three decades past, has in many ways promoted the social interest of the Methodist community, both as they have met for business and entertainment, and as they have provided at stated times some of the leading lecturers and entertainers for instruction or diversion in the denomination. In the latter part of the year 1891, Ezra Hamlen, Andre §. Rounds and Willis H. Waitt began plans for the formation of a social union, and on March 19, 1892, representatives from all Methodist Episcopal churches and all the league chapters met at Mr. Hamlen's home on Somerset avenue. A committee as follows was appointed to draw up a constitution: Ezra Hamlen, of Central Church; Marcus Dary, of First Church; J. E. Blake, of Grace Church; Rev. J. S. Bell, of Tremont Street Church. The constitution was adopted May 2, 1892, at a meeting at the First M. E. Church. The first officers were the following-named: President, Marcus A. Dary, of First Church; vice-president, Amasa S. Blake, of Grace Church; second vicepresident, Eli H. Eldridge, of Central Church; secretary, Elizabeth J. Whiting, of Grace Church; corresponding secretary, George W. Barrows, First Church; treasurer, Walter H. Dunbar, Central Church; directors: Luther B. West, Mrs. Cora L. Brownell, Ezra Hamlen, Walter L. Park, Mrs. J. F. Montgomery.

The presidents of the Union from the beginning have been: Ezra Hamlen, H. B. Buffinton, Dr. A. E. Mann, J. F. Cushing, L. L. Mitchell, Warren H. Sanford, Oscar G. Thomas, Marcus A. Dary, Rev. I. W. Le- Baron, W. E. Dunbar, J. F. Montgomery, C. H. Lincoln, Mrs. W. P. Buck, George W. Barrows, Mrs. E. M. Hamlen, Miss Alice A. Seekell, Rev. Robert L. Roberts, Ph.D., Rev. Samuel A. Livingstone, Mrs. Alice Gammons. The secrétaries: Elizabeth J. Whiting, Walter L. Park, Augusta M. West. 'The executive committee consists of all the officers, and five directors of the churches.

Universalist Church - Rev. William Murray, pioneer of Universalism in this country, preached in Taunton on several occasions during the early part of the last century, and in turn Taunton was visited by such early Universalists as Revs. Carrique, Pickering, Ballou, and Whittemore, who preached from time to time in the town hall. But in February, 1825, the following-named persons obtained an act for the incorporation of a religious society: Dr. Alfred Baylies, Miles Stoddard, William W. Crossman, Charles Foster, John Smith, Isaac Babbitt, Samuel Caswell, Jr., Leonard Crossman, William N. Spinney, James Thurber, John Baylies, Alexander Black, Caleb B. Porter, Walter H. Atwood, Daniel H. Traft, Abijah L. Eddy, Caleb Churchill, Joseph Hood, William Presbrey (3rd), Luther Chase, Nathan King, Jr., Martin Churchill. Their first minister was Rev. John B. Dods, 1831- 1835, who organized a church of thirty members in 1832. In 1839, there was a reorganization of the church, Rev. William Fishbough being the second minister, 1840-1844. He preached in the old meeting-house on Spring ~ street, afterwards known as the Spring street church, which building was sold to the "Spring Street Congregational Society," in later years the Winslow Congregational Church.

For a while the Universalist people held their meetings in halls; but in 1842, they completed a commodious church building at the corner of High and Spring streets, that they occupied for the space of nearly forty years. Rev. W. R. S. Mellen entered upon a brief pastorate in 1844, and pastors that succeeded him were: Rev. George W. Quinby, 1846-51; Revs. J. S. Brown, James E. Bruce, U. M. Fiske, Charles Mellen, Everett L. Conger, Russell P. Ambler. It was during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Ambler that the former church edifice was taken down, and the present building was erected in 1875. Rev. Alpheus B. Hervey was the next pastor, who came here in September, 1879, and left to accept the call to the presidency of St. Lawrence University, at Canton, N. Y. Rev. Washington W. Hooper began his pastoral work here November 1, 1899.

Miscellaneous - The Advent Christian Church of Taunton was organized December 23, 1878, by Elder Hiram Munger, with a membership of twenty, the first meetings then being held at the Cedar Street chapel, now Historical Hall. Rev. A. W. Sibley commenced a pastorate with the church January 29, 1880, and continued here for two years. The pastors in succession have been: Rev. W. O. Hale, October 30, 1890, remaining one year; Rev. Miles G. Nelson beginning October, 1892, and remaining more than two years; Rev. Arthur G. Lyons beginning July, 1898, and remaining about four years; Rev. Michael McFadgen, starting in January, 1904, and resigning in October, 1906; Dr. H. E. Thompson, now editor of the "World's Crisis," came to this church in May, 1907, and remained five-and one-half years, leaving here to assume the principalship of the Advent Theological School in Boston. Rev. F. E. Petty accepted a call as pastor January 4, 1914, and remained nearly two years, and since that time there has been no regular pastor. The church on Pine street was built and dedicated in December, 1899,

The Arlington Sunday School Union was the outgrowth of a series of prayer meetings held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis D. Eames, School and Winter streets. The school was organized November 14, 1875, at the freestone works of W. W. Harnden on School street, a new building at the time. The school then numbered 125 members, the following-named being the original officers: Superintendent, Edwin M. Hills; assistant superintendent, George H. Fairbanks; treasurer, William E. Fuller; librarian, Arthur Hicks; executive committee: J. B. Dennett, Thomas Sherman, Mrs. Isaac Brabant, Mrs. Zenas Timberlake, Mrs. Mary A. Newhall, Mrs. Delia Eames, Mrs. Benjamin Eddy. In its early years, the school met also at the Rogers grocery store on Wilbur street, and from that time to the present, the Arlington chapel has been its home. The final session of the school was held December 31, 1922, with seven members present. The money for the land and building was raised by subscription among the citizens at large. Organizations that were the outgrowth of the school were the Ladies' Sewing Society, the Monthly Temperance Band, the Busy Bees, and other juvenile societies.

On Decoration Day, the third Sunday in June, appropriate exercises were held at Mayflower hill for decorating graves of former members. In 1896, the school gave its original entertainment, "The Country School Examination," in which fifty-two members took part, and considerable sums were raised for worthy institutions in the city, the play being given nine times. An executive committee of five members now have the property in charge. The superintendents have been: Edwin M. Hills, Albert King, Arthur H. Wood, Allston Estes Williams, Niles Bassett, Mrs. William Lawrence. Executive committee: Albert King, Andrew Copeland, Mrs. William Lawrence, Margaret Ratter, Mrs. William Congdon; trustees: Charles M. Rhodes, Charles Sunderland, Wallace T. Wordell, Mrs. Anne Skiff, Mary E. Wilbur.

The County Street Union Society was first called the Pleasantville Sunday School when it occupied the Macomber Hall, corner of County and Hart streets, in 1885. The society removed in January, 1886, to a part of the old County Street school building, and held sessions there most of the year. They were obliged to discontinue about November, 1886, but the movement was kept alive for years by cottage meetings in the neighborhood. In 1889 the property of the Pleasantville Sunday School was turned over to the Pleasantville Union Society, who furnished and occupied Union Hall, at the corner of County and William streets. The next year, 1890, the name was changed to County Street Union Society. In 1895, it was incorporated, and moved into its new chapel on County street, where meetings are held every Friday evening, and Sunday school every Sunday afternoon at 3.30 o'clock. Meetings are led by the different pastors of the city. The presidents of the corporation have been: Hon. F. E. Austin, 1895-1900; W. D. Richardson, 1900-03; F. E. Austin, 1903-07; W. D. Richardson, 1907 - . The following have been the Sunday school superintendents: Elijah E. Richards, Walter A. Merrill, Perley E. Davis, Albert L. Johnson, Hon. F. E. Austin, J. E. Morse, W. D. Richardson.

The first public meeting of Christian Scientists in Taunton was held February 17, 1895, in rooms used by Miss Carrie Cutler as a studio in the Gazette building ; - this service being a Bible class. Beginning October 1, 1895, services were held with two readers, as in other Christian Science churches; the first hymnals were bought, and the regular form of worship was established. From March, 1897, to September, 1899, services were held at 61 Main street. On June 3, 1899, the charter dated May 29, 1899, was received, and the church was legally organized. From September, 1899, to January, 1901, services were held in Columbian Hall, now Legion Hall, when the removal was made to the present church building, 38 Winthrop street. A reading room was opened in January, 1900, at 61 Main street; and this is now located at the church. A Sunday school was opened in January, 1912. The church holds in grateful memory Mrs. Maria B. C. Newcomb, who gave all her time, energy and means for the establishment of the Christian Science movement and the founding of the church in Taunton.

The First Presbyterian Church was for some years a flourishing institution. It was organized by the Presbytery of Boston, October 29, 1885, with Rev. Donald MacDougall as the first pastor. The church on Washington street was dedicated October 26, 1888, Dr. John Hall, of New York, preaching the sermon. In recent years, Presbyterian interest dwindled, and the church passed into the hands of William H. Bartlett Post, No. 3, G. A. R.