Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 34: City of Lynn, 1922 (part 3 of 3)

In the month of February, 1893, Monsignor Strain after a long and fruitful pastorate was called to his reward. He was highly respected and much loved by the whole community of our city, both Protestant and Catholic, which was strikingly manifested on the day of his funeral. Instead of the few lines to which we are confined in our" sketch of Catholicity in Lynn, many pages might be devoted to the life and virtues of this holy man who was God's principal instrument in effecting the glorious results which we witness in our city today. Monsignor Strain, being the first pastor of Lynn and its immediate vicinity, it is proper that a short obituary notice be given of him in this sketch.

This revered priest was bom in Ireland in 1827 ; came to this country at an early age; and after many years of earnest preparation for the exalted duties of the priesthood, both in this country and in France, was ordained at St. Sulpice, in Paris, in the spring of 1850. On his return from France he was, as has been already stated, appointed to the pastorate of Chelsea and Lynn, with the results already stated. At the age of sixty-five he was made permanent rector by Archbishop Williams; in 1887 he was raised to the digiiity of Missionary Apostolic to the Holy See, and four years later received the Royal purple of a Domestic Prelate to the Pope, with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. Notwithstanding advancing age, Monsignor Strain was still planning for the advancement of the church and the welfare of his people, when in the spring of 1892 he was brought to death's door by illness resulting from a severe cold contracted some time before, during his return voyage from a visit to the Holy Father. He rallied from that, however, for a few months until the early winter, when he was again seized with illness. He recovered sufficiently to say Mass, - his last - on Christmas morning.

Again he was stricken; and from that time forth, grew weaker and weaker until Tuesday, February 7, 1893, when, fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, with which he had consoled thousands of dying Christians, he passed to his reward. His funeral services on Friday morning, February 10, were most solemn and impressive. His Grace Archbishop Williams and a multitude of priests testified by their presence their respect for the memory of then- departed brother, while the whole city of Lynn mourned an esteemed friend; and his parishioners wept for a beloved and faithful Father.

About one month after the death of Monsignor Strain, Rev. Arthur J. Teeling, who was pastor of Newburyport for twenty-two years, was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Parish by Most Rev. Archbishop Williams, since which time the writer of this article, the present pastor of St. Mary's, is quite familiar with the history of Catholicity in Lynn.

In the month of April, 1893, Father Teeling took up his residence in Lynn. He hired a house on Western avenue ; he tore down the old parochial house and set about the building of the present parochial residence, which was' finished and occupied the beginning of February, 1894. July 10, 1893, the land and house, which stood between the parochial residence and the church grounds, was purchased from Sarah E. Tirrell of Weymouth. The building remained on the Tirrell estate until the year 1900.' Meanwhile, the church having no basement, the want of a place for morning Masses, hearing confessions, meetings of societies, was very much felt ; consequently the pastor set about the forming of a chapel out of the two schoolrooms, in the northeastern part of the school building, in September, 1894. This chapel was dedicated under the patronage of the Sacred Heart, and its marble altar consecrated by his Grace Most Rev. Archbishop Williams, on November 21st, 1894.

In the month of May, 1894, the pastor purchased a lot of land, - 17,000 square feet with the buildings thereon - on Boston street, opposite Cottage street, for the forming of a new parish. This estate was known as the Merril and Collins property. Shortly afterwards he purchased the whole of the adjoining property, known as the Colbum estate, comprising 60,750 square feet, making in all 77,750 square feet. In the middle of June that same year, the deeds of these pieces of land with buildings thereon were handed to the Most Rev. Archbishop. The first - 17,000 square feet with the building located upon it - was paid for by St. Mary's Parish and presented as a gift to the new parish about to be formed. In the latter part of the month of June, 1894, the Most Rev. John J. Williams appointed the Rev. Denis F. Sullivan, then assistant at Maiden, to take charge of the new parish. Father Sullivan came to reside in Lynn, in a house near the church grounds, in the beginning of July, and gave to the new parish the name of the Sacred Heart. He built a large and commodious house on a portion of the Colbum estate for a parochial residence and took up his abode therein the beginning of 1895. He hired a building on Wyman street, formerly a cigar factory, and used it for religious purposes, until he completed the basement of the parish church on the land mentioned above, in the year 1896, which being roofed over and made water-tight, was used as a church until the completion of the building. When Father Sullivan was appointed pastor he also acquired the whole of the town of Saugus as a mission. In 1898 Father Sullivan built a church at Pleasant Hills in the town of Saugus, and dedicated the church to the Blessed Sacrament the following year. Father Sullivan was ever desirous of providing for the children of his parish a Christian education and training. In the spring of 1902 he commenced the building of his parochial school, on Robinson street. This school opened its doors for the children in the month of September, 1902, with the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur as teachers, who took up their residence in the school building, where they reside at the present writing. Father Sullivan died after a lingering illness, in July, 1905. It may well be said of him : "In breve explevit tempus multa."

On account of the large number of children in St. Mary's School and because the Sisters could not take charge of the larger boys - the number of the pupils had increased from four hundred to nine hundred - the pastor deemed it advisable to secure four Brothers of the Christian Schools, from Manhattan College, New York, to instruct the larger boys. The Brothers made their entry into the parish, August, 1895, four in number, and took up their residence in a house, (which was the property of the parish), 47 Tremont street. After a few years residence in this house, the pastor built for them a veiy fine residence, of which they took possession in the year 1907. The Brothers performed their work as teachers for several years. In the year 1917 the Sisters agreed to teach the larger boys, and as a consequence the Brothers took their departure from Lynn at the close of the school year of 1917.

The Sisters' Convent on Tremont street being in a rather dilapidated condition, it was found necessary to build for them a large and convenient home; this building, situated in the rear of St. Mary's School, was commenced in May and completed in December. The Sisters took possession of their new home a few days before Christmas, 1895, and there they still reside.

In January, 1896, a large tract of land, the Newhall estate, was purchased by the pastor for cemetery purposes ; it was the property adjoining the St. Mary's Cemetery. He also purchased the Dawson estate which adjoined it, making in all, about seventeen acres. In taking charge of the parish. Father Teeling found that all the land for burial purposes in the old cemetery had been taken up, and as these two lots adjoined the old cemetery, it was deemed advisable to secure them. This land was surveyed and laid out in lots in the years 1906 and 1907, and commenced to be used for burial purposes in 1908.

On account of the increase of the number of parishioners in the southwestern part of St. Mary's Parish, the pastor purchased lots of land on the comer of Light and Hathaway streets. On June 27th, 1896, he commenced the building of a church and school, a combination building. It was solemnly dedicated, under the patronage of St. Patrick, and its beautiful marble altar, presented by Mr. P. B. Magrane, consecrated by Archbishop Williams, on December 10th, 1896. The school department of this building was opened in September, 1897.

Father Harrington, pastor of St. Joseph's, recognizing the necessity of a parochial school for the children of his parish, secured for this purpose a large piece of land with a building thereon on Green street, adjoining the land on which stands the parochial house. In the spring of 1898 he commenced the erection of his beautiful school, which with the fourteen rooms and the large hall is, without exception, architecturally and otherwise, the finest grammar school building in Lynn. While building the school he fitted up a large house which stood on the southern part of the lot for a Convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph, whom he had already engaged as teachers of this school. Father Harrington opened this school in September, 1899.

To return to St, Mary's Parish ; as the number of Sisters had considerably increased, an addition to the Convent was built in the summer of 1901, and thereby the Convent was furnished with ten more rooms. In July, 1901, the unsightly building, 2 South Common street, then standing on the Tirrell estate, which had been purchased in 1893, was removed ; and an opportunity was thus given to put the grounds of the church and parochial residence in their present satisfactory condition. Foreseeing the necessity of a primary school in the northwestern part of the parish, the pastor of Saint Mary's built upon land which he had individually purchased some years previous, a school of four rooms. The building was so constructed that by folding the doors which formed the division of the schoolrooms, one main auditorium was formed. In this auditorium, on Sundays and holydays, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for the benefit of the people who resided in that neighborhood. The building was dedicated August 10, 1902, under the title of St. Anthony of Padua, by the pastor, who presented the land and building as a personal gift to the people. On that day Mass was celebrated for the first time, and continued to be celebrated regularly until the building was presented as a gift to the Parish of the Sacred Heart, on condition that it be ever after used for school purposes. School had been opened in the building in September, 1902. With the building there was also given over to that parish a block of territory in that section, which was inhabited by about seven hundred Catholics.

In the year 1902, the pastor of St. Mary's had the parish church renovated by putting in new stained-glass windows, and a beautiful marble altar, and marble sanctuary rail; and on September 1st, 1902, this magnificent structure was solemnly consecrated to God by Rt. Rev. Bishop John Brady, auxiliary Bishop of the diocese (since deceased), his Grace Archbishop Williams celebrating Pontifical High Mass on the occasion.

The people of Nahant, who had been attended by the priests of St. Mary's for the previous thirty years, desired a separate parish, and St. Mary's pastor consulted with the Most Reverend Ai'chbishop, and the latter raised Nahant to that dignity. St. Thomas Aquinas Church, at Nahant, was built and dedicated during the administration of Monsignor Strain, as already stated. The Archbishop appointed Rev. Francis P. Hannawin, then assistant at St. Mary's, pastor of St. Thomas' Church, Nahant; and he soon after purchased a house beside the church and took up his residence in the parish. Father Hannawin was assistant to the pastor of St. Mary's from the time of his ordination first at Newburyport, and then at Lynn, until his appointment at Nahant. Father Hannawin served Nahant as a faithful and devoted pastor for several years until he was promoted to the_pastorate of Randolph, where he continues the faithful work in the vineyard of the Lord. He was succeeded at Nahant by Rev. William T. O'Connor, assistant at Wakefield, who during his seven years pastorate did good and laudable work. He removed the old parochial house, bought a large house with the land adjoining the church property, and laid out the grounds in a beautiful manner. Father O'Connor watched over his flock faithfully until he was promoted to the parish of West Quincy in the fall of 1918. The successor of Father O'Connor is the Rev. John F. Kelly, who still has charge of the parish.

Parish, secured a piece of land on Humphrey street in the town of Swampscott; and early in May commenced the building of a church for the people residing in that section of his parish. This handsome little church, facing on the main street, is an ornament to the town. It was dedicated under the title of St. John the Apostle, on the first Sunday of September, 1905, by the Right Reverend Bishop Brady.

During the years 1902, 1903 and 1904, the Polish people came in large numbers to Lynn; and they took up their residence principally in the western part of the parish. The pastor of St. Mary's accordingly felt that something should be done for these people; and after a consultation with the Most Reverend Archbishop, a Polish priest. Father Duda, was sent to them as pastor by the Archbishop. The Polish people under their new pastor assembled every Sunday in St. Mary's school chapel, and made the chapel their church for several months. In the summer of 1905, Father Duda commenced the building of a church on Summer street, near Cottage street. This building was completed in the early part of 1906, and was dedicated under the name of St. Stanislaus towards the end of April, 1906. Its name has since been changed to St. Michael. Shortly after the dedication, Father Duda resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. James Tatuski. Father Tatuski took up his residence in Lynn in October, 1906. Father Tatuski purchased the school-house, comer of Summer and Cottage streets, from the city, and opened it as a parochial school, September 7, 1919, with a community of Polish Sisters as teachers.

As all the rooms of the St. Mary's School building became necessary for the girls and the smaller boys, the pastor in July, 1904, started a building of four rooms in the summer of 1905. The Brothers and their classes of boys were transferred in September, 1905, to this building. On the departure of the Brothers from the parish, the high school girls occupied this building, and it is known as the Girls' High School.

In May, 1906, Father Hamngton set apart the town of Swampscott and a portion of the eastern section of his parish in Lynn and handed the territory over to Archbishop Williams for a parish. In the same month the Archbishop appointed Rev. Patrick Coleman, at that time assistant to Father Harrington, its first pastor. One week after his appomtment. Father Coleman took possession of the new parish. Father Coleman lived for a while in a house in the rear of the church, which he purchased. After a couple of years he purchased the large house facing on Humphrey street, next to the church, for a rectory, where he with his assistants reside at the present time. Father Coleman has labored hard for the welfare of his parish, which has considerably increased in population. He has increased the land tenure by purchasing lots in the rear of the church. His church is no longer a small church, for by adding to it he has doubled its sitting capacity.

In the month of June, 1906, the pastor of St. Mary's Parish put into execution his long cherished desire of making St. Patrick's of his parish - that is, the territory situated between the Saugus Branch railroad and the main road of the Boston & Maine railroad - a separate parish, by handing the same over to Archbishop Williams. In July of the same year, the Most Reverend Archbishop appointed Rev. Patrick Masterson, assistant and brother to Rev. M. J. Masterson, of Peabody, pastor of St. Patrick's Parish. He took possession of his parish on his appointment; purchased a small house adjoining the church land; fitted it up for a rectory; purchased the land and house adjoining his own rectory; secured the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Kentucky, as teachers for the children of the parochial school (who had been taught heretofore by the Sisters of Notre Dame from Saint Mary's Convent) ; and fitted up the house next to his own for a Convent. The Sisters now occupy the former rectory together with their convent as one house, making a far more roomy convent. The Parish Rectory is now located on Summer street, near the §augus Branch railroad. Father Masterson, on account of health, resigned his pastorate at St. Patrick's, December, 1909.

On August 30th, 1906, the venerable Ai'chbishop Williams died. He was lamented by the priests and people of the Archdiocese of Boston, over which he had presided for forty years. Pie was revered, venerated and beloved by all. His successor. Cardinal O'Connell, was consecrated Bishop of Portland, May 19, 1901; named Archbishop of Constantia and Coadjutor, with the right of succession, to the Archbishop of Boston, February 8, 1906 ; and on August 30, 1906, took in hand the government of the Archdiocese of Boston. He was created Cardinal by Pope Pius X on November 27, 1911. Cardinal O'Connell is a man of marked talent and v/onderful ability. He governs his diocese with love and kindness.

After the resignation of Father Masterson, who died at Brain-' tree, August, 1920, His Eminence Cardinal O'Connell appointed Rev. Philip Gormley, December 22, 1909, to the parish of St. Patrick. Father Gormley died January 8, 1911, after a brief illness. His Eminence the Cardinal appointed Rev. Florence Hallaran, then assistant at St. Peter's, Dorchester, to succeed Father Gormley, Januaiy 13. 1911. Father Hallaran purchased the house on Summer street, already referred to, during the month of February, 1912, and took up his residence there in the same month in the same year. Father Hallaran was promoted to the parish of Wakefield by His Eminence and took up his residence there in September, 1913, where he is still pastor. The Cardinal promoted Rev. Michael Welch, then pastor of Concord Junction, to the pastorate of St. Patrick's, in the month of September, 1913.

As we have seen. Father Sullivan, pastor of the Sacred Heart, died in July, 1905. Archbishop Williams appointed Rev. James Gilfether, then assistant at Newton, to the pastorate of the Sacred Heart, August, 1905. Father Gilfether immediately moved to Lynn and <"ontinued the work on the church, commenced by Father Sullivan. He raised the walls on the basement, and opened the magnificent church for public worship in the year 1908. He also improved the property by the purchase of more land upon which he proposed to build a convent for the Sisters, the teachers of his school. Father Gilfether died January 21, 1917.

On the death of Father Sullivan, Saugus ceased to be a mission of the Sacred Pleart and was given to Rev. Timothy J. Holland, pastor of Maplewood. Father Holland built the basement of a future church on the main road between Saugus Centre and Cliftondale, which is now the parish church. In the month of May, 1917, Saugus ceased to be a mission of Maplewood, and His Eminence Cardinal O'Connell made it an independent parish, with Rev. Michael J. Cofltey its pastor. Father Coffey at that time was assistant at the Church

In the early part of 1912, Father Harrington gave up a portion of his parish, known as Wyoma, and a portion of Glenmere, for a new parish. He purchased land for the church in this section and presented it to the new parish. In May, 1912, Cardinal O'Connell appointed Rev. John Gorham, then assistant at St. James, Haverhill, to be pastor of the new parish. Father Gorham on his appointment hired a house on Maple street opposite the land purchased for the church. He hired a hall on the corner of Western avenue and Maple street, where he conducted religious services for his people while he was building the basement of the future church, and gave the name of St. Pius to his parish. Father Gorham completed the basement and made it weather-tight and had regular services for his people therein for several years. Father Gorham was promoted to the parish of Wobum in March, 1917. Rev. William T. Deasey, assistant at Randolph, was appointed by His Eminence Cardinal O'Connell to the parish of St. Pius. Father Deasey took up his residence in the house formerly occupied by Father Gorham; purchased it, and made it the rectory for the parish. Father Deasey is laboring hard for the completion of the church. He will no doubt in a short time raise on the walls of the basement the future structure which will take its place among the beautiful Catholic churches of the city of Lynn.

Father Harrington, after laboring in the ministry for over forty years, died February 15, 1913. He was a true citizen and did much for the welfare of the city, and for the advancement of the church. His funeral services took place in the church built by him, February 18, 1913, his Eminence Cardinal O'Connell presiding at the Mass. A very large attendance of the clergy testified their love for the holy priest by their presence, and the church was filled to its utmost capacity by his loving and bereaved parishioners.

Cardinal O'Connell, shortly after the death of Father Harrington, appointed Rev. E. J. Dolan, pastor of St. Edward's Parish of (Montello) Brockton, to succeed Father Harrington as pastor of St. Joseph's. Father Dolan then engaged in the building of a large and convenient rectory on the corner of Green and Violet streets, facing on Green street.

In April, 1917, the pastor of St. Mary's laid the foundation for a large building on land purchased by him in 1914, for a Home for Working Girls. This large building, containing forty-five rooms for guests, was completed in the summer of 1918, and was dedicated by His Eminence, June 6, 1918, to God, under the title of St. Teresa House, that day being the fiftieth anniversary of Monsignor Teeling, pastor of St. Mary's, to the Holy Priesthood. It is a beautiful building, well equipped for its purpose, and is a boon to the working girls. Its location, under the title of St. Teresa House, is 32 City Hall Square. The House was opened in September, 1918, under the supervision of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky. Finding the House was not large enough for all who desired entrance, the pastor the following year fitted up the former residence of the Brothers on Tremont street, for lodgers, who take their meals at the main house. Both at the present writing are filled with happy lodgers.

ants of the various parishes (some of whom have gone to their reward and others to their respective parishes), and the ever-to-be praised cooperation of the people.

What great progress the Catholic Church has made in the city of Lynn may be learned from the perusal of the foregoing pages. Ever since the year 1893, what wonderful advance has been hers! In 1893 there were three parishes in the territory that comprises Lynn, Swampscott, and Nahant. Now there are eight parishes in that same territory. In the same territory in 1893 there were six priests. Now there are twenty-three. In the city of hynn, in 1893, there was one parochial school with twelve Sisters to take charge of its four hundred children. Now there are six parochial schools, with ninety Sisters to take charge of their three thousand two hundred fifty pupils. Indeed, a wonderful growth!

It is fair to say that the Catholic population of the city of Lynn today is forty thousand. Compared with the few Catholics when they first came together for Divine Worship, what a wonderful increase in a little more than half a century!

The "History of Methodism," by Mr. Daniels, speaks of the experiences of Rev. Jesse Lee in New England, and especially in Lynn. "Here he was more hospitably received and there he founded his first society in Massachusetts. The date was February 20, 1791, and the first membership was only eight" ; on the 27th of the same month he increased it to twenty-nine members. The first conference was held in Lynn, August 3, 1792 - the first in New England. There were eight persons besides Bishop Asbury. Lynn also established the first Methodist Sunday school in New England, as well as formed the first Missionary Society in American Methodism. Many churches of this denomination have sprung from this the "first church." The First Methodist Episcopal Church edifice, in which the congregation still worships, at City Hall Square, was built in 1879 ; it is a fine large brick building, which today with other church property is valued at $109,000. The present membership is 553 ; Sunday School attendance, 476. The pastor (1921) is Rev. LeRoy W. Stringfellow.

St. Paul's Methodist Society was formed in 1811. The present house of worship was erected in 1861 ; it is a frame structure on Union street. The former building was totally destroyed by fire in 1859. This church now has a membership of 744, and a Sunday school attendance of 1,270. The property owned is valued at $36,000. The pastors have

Boston Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Howard G. Hageman, has a membership of 720. This society was founded in 1853. The edifice on Boston street, Lynn, is valued at $30,000, with the land on which it stands. The Sunday school has an attendance of 848.

South Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1830. The present pastor is Rev. Ray Stevenson. The present membership is 273 ; Sunday school attendance, 316 ; value of church property, $20,000.

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church was formed near Tower Hill, in 1873, and the neat frame edifice was built soon thereafter.^ The present pastor is Rev. E. L. Farnsworth; total membership, 302; Sunday school attendance is 455 ; value of present church property, $23,000.

Broadway Church, Rev. E. E. Small, present pastor, has a membership of 135, and Sunday school attendance of 250; value of property, $13,500.

Lake Shore Park Methodist Episcopal Church, on Bay State Road, Rev. Harry Hill, pastor, has ninety-six members ; a Sunday school of 148 ; value of church property, $12,000.

Maple Street Methodist Episcopal Church, old Glenmere Village, was formed in 1850. They built a frame building on Maple street in 1872. The present pastor is Rev. G. Morgan; present membership is 287 ; Sunday school attendance, 510 ; value of church property, $26,000,

St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal church, Oakwood avenue. Rev. D. T. Morton, pastor, has a membership of 222; Sunday school attendance of 493 ; valuation of church property, $18,500.

Dorr Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. T. A. Tuttle, pastor, has twenty-three members ; Sunday school of 102 ; value of property, $3,500.

Bethel A. M. E. Church, organized late in 1856, has had its home on what was formerly Mailey street, now Shorey, from the beginning. The present edifice was erected in 1906. The membership is approximately one hundred, with a Sunday school numbering the same. The church interests are administered by a board of nine trustees, while the spiritual affairs are managed by a board of seven stewards. The Sunday school is under the superintendency of C. B. Gaines, who is assisted by a coiTS of teachers, most of whom are students in the Lynn School of Religion. The graded system prevails, and is composed of the junior, primary and adult departments. The present pastor. Rev. William H. Lacey, D.D., is now rounding out the fourth year of his service. A graduate of the Gammons Theological Seminary, Atlanta, he also spent three years in the Yale Graduate School of Religion. During his pastorate a number of improvements have been made in the church property, while a parsonage has also been added to the possessions of the society. The first settled pastor was Rev. Joseph P. Turner in 1857, with succeeding pastorates as follows: Ebenezer Williams, 1858 ; Edward Davis, 1860 ; William Chase, 1861 ; John Brown (afterwards elected bishop) , 1864; Daniel Mason, 1865; Joseph Smith, 1866; William M. Johnson, 1868; John T. Hayslett, 1862; William J. Laws, 1871; James H. Madison, 1873 ; Stephen Douglas, 1875 ; Perry L. Stanford, 1877 ; Horace Talbot, 1879; Thomas Davis, 1883; John T. Hayslett, 1885; Joshua H. Jones (now a bishop), 1887; McC. Brooks, 1889; A. B. Whaley, 1892 F. D. Jacobs, 1893 ; John T. Hayslett, 1895 ; C. Thomas, 1896 ; W. Warwick, 1897 ; L C. Sands, 1898 ; C. P. Cole, 1899 ; Beecher Carter, 1900 J. D. Nichols, 1902 ; J. Hagins, 1904 ; H. K. Spearman, 1906 ; W. H. Wil liams, 1909 ; H. M. Shirlds, 1911 ; I. S. Jacobs, 1913 ; J. H. Fordon, 1913 S. A. Lynch, 1914-17 ; and William H. Lacey, D.D., now serving.

The Saugus Methodist Episcopal churches are as follov/s : Cliftondale^ Church, Rev. J. G. Cairns, pastor ; membership, 449 ; Sunday school attendance, 675; value of church propei-ty, $96,000. Saugus Center Church, Rev. W. Chicoine, pastor, membership, 52 ; Sunday school attendance, 117 ; value of church property, $3,000. East Saugus Church, Rev. F. A. Leitch, pastor; membership, 191; Sunday school, 372; value of church property, $31,000.

These Methodist churches have all sprung from the parent church - The First Methodist Episcopal church, formed by Rev. Jesse Lee, one hundred and thirty years ago.

St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church in 1844 succeeded the corporation of Christ's Church, which was established in 1836, and had erected a house of worship on North Common street, but discontinued worship in 1841. Both successions of ministers are given to 1863 as follows: Revs. Milton Ward, 1836; George Waters, 1837; Frederick J. W. Pollard, 1839; William A. White (Lay Leader), 1841; George D. Wildes, 1844 ; Isaac W. Hallam, 1846 ; Edward H. True, 1860 ; George H. Paine, 1863. Mr. Ward was the first minister of Christ's Church and Mr. Wildes the first of St. Stephen's Church.

1819, when what was styled St. John's Church of Lynn was organized and at first much encouraged by Bishop Griswold. Ere long, the membership became too liberal for him, and he caused them to lay aside the Prayer Book and make no claim to membership of an Episcopal church, which they consented to do, and became Unitarian in their church faith. The first services for St. Stephen's Church were held September 20th, 1844, at Edward S. Davis' house. There $1,620 was raised with which to buy back the old St. John's Church, then an unattractive building, styled the "little black church," on account of its dingy, slate color. But to hasten with what must be a brief mention of a wonderfully interesting church history, let it be said that the present edifice of St. Stephen's is among the finest in this section of the commonwealth. It was, in fact, a gift from Hon. Enoch Redington Mudge. It was consecrated November 2, 1881, and cost $250,000. Its exterior and interior are beautiful to behold. A chime of bells was added in 1886. The parish house cost $100,000 ; the rectory and other buildings cost $75,000. The present membership of this church is 3,500 adults and children. There are 1,350" families and individuals. The number of communicants is not far from 1,500. The Sunday school attendance is now about 675. One pei-son should not be overlooked - the sexton, Charles K. MacLeod - who has sei-ved for twenty-five years, and now retired. The outstanding features of this church are its young people's clubs. The Order of Sir Galahad, for boys, has a membership of 350 ; the Fleur-de-Lis, for girls, has over 200 members ; and the Girls' Friendly Society has about 100. Then there are the Mothers' Parish Society, St. Stephen's Club, the St. Luke's Chapter of Visitors, and the Altar Guild.

The rectors have been in the order here named: Revs. George D. Wildes, resigned, 1845 ; Isaac W. Hallam, resigned in 1860, and succeeded by Rev. Edward H. True; George S. Payne followed him as rector. January, 1865, Rev. Gordon M. Bradley became rector, at $600 a year; he resigned on account of ill health and was succeeded by Rev. B. W. Atwell, and he by Rev. Edward L. Drown, who received $2,500 per year. The next and in many ways the most important rector St. Stephen's has ever had was Rev. Louis De Cormis, who served until 1885, when he was succeeded by Rev. Frank L. Morton. In 1890, came Rev. James H. Van Buren, who was later elected Bishop. Then came Rev. Augustus H. Amory, who was brought to his death by breaking through the ice on Flax Pond, while on a pastoral call. Next came Rev. E. J. Dennen, rector from 1905 to 1914, succeeded by the present rector. Rev. W. Appleton Lawrence, whose assistant is Herbert L. Johnson.

The Church of the Incarnation was formed in Lynn in 1886, chiefly from members who withdrew from St. Stephen's Church. They built a handsome stone chapel at the comer of Broad and Estes streets, where they still worship. Rev. W. I. Morse is the present rector.

The First Presbyterian Church has a building on Franklin, near Hanover street. The present pastor is Rev. Fred White Tingley. The writer could not obtain sufficient data upon which to formulate a history of this church.

The oldest burial place in Lynn is in the western part of the city. There rest the remains of the earliest fathers and mothers of Lynn. So far as known, the earliest burial there was the body of John Bancroft, in 1637. He was the ancestor of the distinguished historian, George Bancroft. It was here also that the first white male child bom in Lynn (Thomas Nev/hall) was buried.

The Friends' Burial Place seems to have been set apart for sacred purposes about 1723, as it is recorded that Richard Estes conveyed to the Society of Friends an eligible lot of land at the corner of Broad and Silsbee streets, the deed being dated December 9, 1722. In 1826 one hundred and nine bodies of Friends were removed from the cemeteries of Boston to these grounds in Lynn.

Pine Grove Cemetery was consecrated July 24, 1850. The first burial in these grounds was on Sunday, October 13, 1850. Down to 1885, there had been laid away to rest in this sacred enclosure the remains of 9,600 people, and of this number of interments, 465 were buried there during 1885.

St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) Cemetery, on Boston street, in the northeastern outskirts of Lynn, was consecrated October 16, 1879. (It should be added that the old burjdng-ground at Lynnfield was opened in 1720, and one at Saugus about 1732, both of these towns then being within Lynn).

The gi'ounds above named as Lynn cemeteries, have from time to time, been enlarged v/ith the growth of the city. They are now well kept and provided with all modem improvements and contain numerous beautiful and costly monuments.