Norfolk County, Massachusetts - Viii Church History, 1918

Church History Of The Various Societies

For many years after the first settlements were made in Massachusetts, meeting houses were built and public worship was maintained (except in rare cases) by taxes, or rates, levied upon the inhabitants. In the incorporation of new towns, one of the requirements was that the citizens of the proposed town erect a meeting house and "settle a learned, orthodox minister" within a given time. Grants of land were sometimes made to the minister instead of levying rates for his support. Early town records are filled with references to such land grants, the building or repair of meeting houses, or the "ministers' rates." Controversies occasionally arose that led to the organization of new parishes, and ultimately to the incorporation of new towns. Instances of this kind are mentioned in the chapters relating to the several towns of Norfolk County. Under the provisions of the revised constitution of Massachusetts, which went into effect in 1820, a complete separation of church and state took place. Since that time the religious societies have been maintained by voluntary contributions or bequests, no taxes for their support being countenanced by law.

To write an accurate and comprehensive history of the church organizations of any county in the United States - one that would prove satisfactory to all parties - is probably the hardest task that could be assigned to the historian. Volumes have been written upon the subject of church history in New England, covering a period of almost three centuries. It will therefore be readily understood that, in a county history such as this, the topic must be treated somewhat superficially. To undertake the examination of town records ; an exhaustive account of the actions of the town meetings from time to time; to give a detailed statement of each of the numerous controversies, or extended biographical mention of pastors is impracticable, hence in these chapters devoted to church history only an outline of church development has been attempted. Letters of inquiry sent to pastors and others in the beginning of the preparation of this history failed to bring replies in many instances, but from such sources as were available the leading facts concerning the churches of the county have been collected. For the convenience of the reader, the denominations have been arranged in alphabetical order.

The Baptists

The oldest Baptist Church in Norfolk County, of which any record can be found, was organized in Medfield in 1752. Some of the members of the regular parish church became dissatisfied with the settlement of Mr. Townsend as pastor and united with the Baptist Church in Boston. For several years after the organization of the society in 1752, services were held in private dwellings. In 1771 a small house of worship was erected and Rev. Thomas Gair installed as pastor. In 1787 the church decided it was not able to support a pastor and Mr. Gair went to a church in Boston. In 181 1 the society was reorganized and incorporated, with Rev. William Gammell as pastor, and in 1823 the church building was enlarged and improved. It was thoroughly remodeled in 1874, at a cost of $12,500, one-half of which was given by George Cummings, one of the deacons. A new parsonage was built in 1879.

In 1 76 1 a town meeting in Bellingham voted to build a Baptist Church "on the knoll in the crotch of the roads at the town centre." This is the second oldest church of this denomination in the county. The North Bellingham Baptist Church was established in 1847, and for many years the two Baptist churches were the only ones in the town.

On October 27, 1806, the first services conducted by a Baptist minister in Brookline were held at the house of Thomas Griggs. The preacher was Rev. Joseph Grafton, often called "Father Grafton." No church was organized until June, 1827, and the following years a chapel was erected at the corner of Washington and School streets. On March 25, 1830, Rev. Joseph M. Driver was ordained as pastor. A new church was soon afterward built and the old chapel converted into a parsonage. Such was the beginning of the "First Baptist Church of Brookline."

The Baptist Church of Canton was organized on April 27, 181 2, by Elder Joel Briggs of Randolph, who preached the first Baptist sermon in the town earlier in the year, and on April 14th baptized four persons. Twenty-one members signed the membership roll, but on June 22, 1814, the church was reorganized with a membership of thirty-five. Rev. Henry Kendall was the first pastor of the church after the reorganization. The first church building was completed in 1820, and was dedicated on January 14, 1821. A new building was dedicated on June 13, 1837, and was completely remodeled in 1869. The pastor of this church in June, 1917, was Rev. N. B. Rogers.

In 1812 Rev. William Gammell, then pastor of the Medfield Baptist Church, visited the few Baptist families of Sharon and held services at the homes of Leavitt Hewins and Joshua Whittemore. A number of people attended these meetings and some of them united with the church. They were baptized in Billings' Pond and early in the year 181 3 a Baptist Church was organized with twenty-six members. In August. 1831, Rev. Caleb Green was installed as pastor and two years later the first church edifice was completed. It was greatly enlarged in i860.

A Baptist society was organized in Foxboro in the latter part of the year 182 1. In March, 1822, Rev. Warren Bird was called to the pulpit as pastor and remained with the church for over six years. The first house of worship was built in 1822, at a cost of $1,200. In May, 1838, it was removed to the lot upon which the town house was afterward built. Virgil S. Pond purchased this building in 1850, when the new church was built on School street. It cost $4,200. Some years later it was remodeled almost to the extent of a new house and was dedicated a second time on January 22, 1879.

In 1808 a division occurred in the Third Parish of Dedham, growing out of the location of the new meeting house, and about sixty of the members withdrew and united with the Baptist Church of Medfield. It was due to this association of strength that the Medfield Church was resuscitated and incorporated three years later. After the new meeting house in the Third Dedham Parish was finished, the old one was advertised to be sold at auction. It was purchased by Aaron Baker, who later sold it to the seceders and it was removed to its present location. Rev. William Gammell preached alternately there and at Medfield, and on November 1, 1824, the "First Baptist Church in Dedham" was organized with Rev. Samuel Adlam as pastor. It is now known as the Westwood Baptist Church.

On November 15, 1832, the First Baptist Church of Medway was organized in the West Parish, with Rev. William Bowen as pastor. It has never been a strong church, but maintains its organization and holds services in a house that was built about 1840.

In 1837 a number of Baptists living in Dover, Needham and Natick organized themselves into a society and the next year a chapel was built at Charles River Village. Twenty years later, other churches having been formed in Needham and Natick, it was decided to move the Dover Church to a new location, which was done. Services were continued for some years after the removal of the chapel, but the number of members kept decreasing and the society was finally disbanded.

About 1841 a Baptist evangelist, Rev. John Blain, visited Braintree and held meetings. Within a year a society was organized under the name of the "First Baptist Church of Braintree" and a house of worship was erected. This society had hardly been organized when some of the sect known as "Millerites" gained a foothold and began predicting the destruction of the earth in 1843. Their meetings were held frequently - sometimes every day for a week or more at a time - and quite a number of converts were made. The excitement over the prophecy of the Millerites weakened the Baptist Church, and after a few years the church building was sold to the Methodists, some of the members joining that society.

The Second Baptist Church, now the only one in the town, was organized about 1869 by persons who withdrew from the First Baptist Church. They bought the old school house on the corner of Washington and West streets and remodeled it for a house of worship. Subsequently the building was removed to Elm street, almost opposite the First Congregational Church. After seven or eight years the society failed for want of support and Braintree was without a Baptist Church for nearly ten years. The society was then reorganized and now holds regular services with Rev. P. L. Cosman as pastor.

On September 13, 1843, a Baptist society of twenty-one members organized in East Dedham, sixteen of them coming from the church in West Dedham. A small chapel was erected and in I848 Rev. William C. Patterson became the first regular pastor. The congregation grew in numbers and a new church building was erected on the corner of Myrtle and Milton streets. It was dedicated

The first Baptist Church in Wrentham was organized at Sheldonville about 1843 ar,d a house of worship was erected. Later the site was acquired by the Universalists, who put up a new building. The Baptist society then removed to its present location on West street, almost opposite the end of Hancock street, where it now owns property valued at $3,200.

In 185 1 a few Baptists living in the village of Weymouth Landing and the immediate vicinity began holding weekly prayer meetings and the women organized a sewing circle. With the funds raised by the circle Union Hall was rented and services held there at such times as the Baptist ministers of the neighboring towns could attend. On March 13, 1852, a Sunday school was commenced. Preaching continued at intervals during the next two years, and on February 7, 1854, the first steps toward the organization of a church society were taken. The organization was completed on June 21, 1855, with Rev. Andrew Dunn as pastor. Mr. Dunn had commenced his ministerial labors in April and it was through his efforts that a small chapel was built on Washington street. It was dedicated on July 12, 1855, and served the congregation for about ten years. Then a larger house of worship was erected at the corner of Washington and Broad streets, nearly opposite the chapel.

The first regular service of the first Baptist Church of Needham was held on September 24, 1854, in the school house that then stood on the corner of Webster street and Great Plain avenue. A Sunday school was then organized, with George Howland as superintendent, and a number of people signified their willingness to assist in the organization of a Baptist Church. Subscriptions to a building fund were then solicited and in a short time nearly two thousand dollars had been pledged. The church was built on the corner of Highland and Great Plain avenues and was opened for worship in June, 1855, though the church was not formally organized until May 26, 1856. For about fifteen years the society had to struggle for existence, but in 1871 a number of new members came in, the church building was enlarged at a cost of $4,154 and was dedicated on June 5, 1872, free from debt.

Some of the members of the Baptist Church in West Dedham lived in South Dedham (now Norwood), and in the summer of 1858 they began to consider the question of organizing a new church. The first services were held in Union Hall on August 8, 1858, and were conducted by Rev. Joseph B. Breed of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. On November 3, 1858, the society was formed according to the usages of the Baptist Church and Mr. Breed was installed as pastor. He remained until the spring of i860, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. Osborn. The church edifice was built under the pastorate of Mr. Breed and was dedicated on December 1, 1859.

Rev. J. W. Holman, who was also a physician, organized the Franklin Baptist Church in 1868, and was its first pastor. The society was disbanded in 1876. In September, 1881, Rev. A. W. Jefferson was sent to Franklin as a missionary and as a result of his work the church was reorganized in June, 1882, with a membership of thirty-five. Services were held for a time in the town hall. Then a neat little chapel was built on East street. In 1874 the society purchased the building that had been erected by the Universalists, removed it to School

St. John'S Catholic Church, Quincy

The first Baptist Church of Wollaston was organized on August 13. 1871. A lot was soon afterward purchased and a neat house of worship was erected on the corner of Prospect and Warren streets. Rev. Joseph Walther was the pastor of this church at the beginning of 1917.

The Lower Mills Baptist Church in Milton is the outgrowth of a series of meetings held there for about two years by the "Lower Mills Baptist Mission." The church was regularly organized on October 13, 1882, with twenty-five members. Rev. Nathan Hunt was called to the pulpit as pastor and meetings were held in a hall for about three years, when a church building was erected.

The Catholics

Catholicism was introduced into Norfolk County on September 18, 1842, when St. Mary's Church of Quincy was organized. Previous to that time masses had been said by visiting priests for the benefit of the Catholics employed in the granite quarries and living in the town. The present church building, erected some years ago, is located on the corner of Cross and Crescent streets and the parish is under the charge of Rev. Thomas R. McCoy.

In 1846 visiting priests said the first masses in Dedham in private dwellings. Services were next held in the Temperance Hall (the old court-house) until 1857, when St. Mary's Church on Washington street, between Spruce and Marion, was dedicated. Rev. P. O'Beirne was the first resident priest. In 1878 a church called St. Raphael's was built in East Dedham, but a little later it was merged into St. Mary's. On October 17, 1880, the corner-stone of the present church was laid. It is a magnificent stone structure, 150 feet in length by 66 feet in width. The parish is now under the charge of Rev. John Fleming.

In 185 1 Rev. M. X. Carroll obtained permission of the Franklin authorities to use the town hall for religious services according to the Catholic ritual. He was succeeded by Father McCabe, of Woonsocket, in 1862. Other priests officiated from time to time until February, 1877, when Father Griffin was installed as the first resident priest. The old Congregational Church had been purchased in 1871, and after Father Griffin took charge a parsonage was erected.

St. Mary's Church of the Assumption in Brookline dates its beginning from July 30, 1852, when the first mass in the town was celebrated in Lyceum Hall. Two years later a church was erected at Andem Place and Rev. Michael O'Beirne was the first resident priest. In October, 1873, ground was purchased on Harvard street for a new church. The corner-stone was laid on October 1, 1882, and the building was completed about two years later. It cost about eighty thousand dollars.

In 1852, while Father O'Beirne was in charge of St. Mary's parish at Dedham, he visited the South Parish (now Norwood) and said masses at the homes of the Catholics living in that vicinity. A small number of families assembled and a mission was organized. Meetings were held in Union Hall and Village Hall until April 22, 1863, when the building erected by the Universalists some years before was purchased and the parish of St. Catherine was formally instituted. The house was remodeled to conform to Catholic rites and was dedicated on August 3, 1863.

In I854 Father Strain, of Chelsea, and Rev. Terrence Fitzsimmons, of South Boston, visited Canton and conducted services in what was called the "Stone Factory Chapel." A few months later work was commenced on a Catholic Church a short distance north of the railroad station in South Canton. It was opened for regular services in the summer of 1855. Under different priests the parish prospered and in 1868 the present St. John's Church was dedicated. Its original cost was about sixteen thousand dollars, but considerably more than that sum has been expended in its improvement. The parish is now under the charge of Rev. John J. Farrell, with Rev. D. J. McGuire and Rev. E. T. McKenna as assistants.

The parish of St. Francis Xavier, in Weymouth, was organized in 1854, with Father Roach as resident priest. Masses had been said by Fathers Roddan and Lynch in private homes in East Weymouth as early as 185 1. In 1859 tne first church building was erected near the town hall, on Middle street. It was burned in 1869 and a new church was erected on Pleasant street the next year.

At Weymouth Landing the first masses were said in Tirrell's Hall. In 1873 the parish of the Sacred Heart was organized there, the tavern property was purchased and services conducted in the hall of the building until 1876, when a church was commenced. It is a fine edifice of brick and stone, and at the time it was finished was regarded as the costliest church building in the eastern part of the county.

In 1879 the parish of the Immaculate Conception was organized in East Weymouth. The church building there was dedicated on November 23d of that year. St. Jerome's parish in Old Spain was organized in 1881.

In 1853 a number of Catholic families connected with the parish of St. Mary's in Quincy took the preliminary steps for the formation of a new parish. The result was the establishment of St. John's Church early in the succeeding year. The present church building, located on the corner of Gay and School streets, was dedicated on June 14, 1874. Rev. M. J. Owens is the present priest in charge.

The first Catholic Church in Foxboro was erected in 1859, though for several years prior to that date services had been conducted there by Rev. M. X. Carroll and others. The building was burned on March 1, 1862, and was not rebuilt until 1873. This building was also destroyed by fire on September 12, 1877, and the present church edifice was erected the next year. This parish also has chapels at East Foxboro and South Foxboro.

St. Clair's Church at Medway Village was instituted in 1864, with Rev. P. J. Ouinlan as resident priest. A house of worship and a parsonage were soon afterward erected.

For some years prior to 1875, the Catholics of Hingham, Cohasset and Scituate were under the direction of Rev. Hugh P. Smyth. In 1875 St. Anthony's Church at Cohasset was built and the first services held in the new church on the 15th of July. The parish in June, 1917, was under the charge of Rev. Daniel J. Carney.

Another Catholic church edifice that was erected in 1875 is the one at Lower Falls in Wellesley. The first services were held in this building on April 18, 1875, though it was not formally dedicated until May 8, 1881. Archbishop Williams conducted the dedicatory ceremonies. The first resident priest was Rev. Michael Dolan, who remained in charge of the parish for several years.

Hioh School And Catholic Church. Xekdham

In 1877 a Catholic society was organized in Braintree as a mission of St. Mary's Church in Quincy. Meetings were at first held in a hall, but about 1882 a church was built on Central avenue and the parish was organized under the name of St. Francis. At the beginning of the year 191 7, Rev. Hugh F. Blunt was the pastor.

A Catholic Church was established in Stoughton a few years after the close of the Civil war, and a chapel was built by this parish on Pond street in Sharon. There is also a Catholic Church in Wrentham, which in 1916 owned property valued at $750, according to the town report.

As Quincy is entitled to being the seat of the oldest Catholic Church in Norfolk County, so it is entitled to being the seat of the youngest. In addition to the parishes of St. Mary's and St. John's already mentioned, the Sacred Heart Church was organized some years ago and now has a neat church building on Hancock street, near Hunt, with Rev. Thomas J. Coghlan as pastor. On April 5, 1917, Rev. Mark E. Madden threw the first shovelful of earth in breaking ground for a new Catholic Church at Hough's Neck.

Congregational Church

A Congregational Church may be either Trinitarian or Unitarian. In this chapter only those Congregational churches that hold to the Trinitarian doctrine are treated, the others being given under the head of Unitarian churches. The first churches established in Norfolk County were of the Congregational faith, some of them afterward adopting the Unitarian doctrine.

The oldest church organization in the county is probably the one known as the First Church of Weymouth, though no record of its establishment is known to be in existence. Rev. William Morrell, a minister of the Church of England, came over with the Gorges Company in 1623, and quite likely conducted religious services in the infant colony during his short stay of about eighteen months. In the summer of 1635 Rev. Joseph Hull came with a company from Weymouth, England, and it is believed that the church was regularly organized soon after his arrival. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Jenner in 1636. During the next few years there was some contention over who was pastor, but in 1640 the members united on Rev. Samuel Newman. A meeting house was built on "Burying Hill," nearly opposite the present soldiers' monument, and in December, 1652, it had fallen into such a condition that the selectmen were directed "to do what may be necessary to make it more comfortable and prevent any further decay." The house was again repaired in 1667, when the first bell was hung, and in 1682 it was torn down. A new meeting house was erected that year upon land purchased of John Holbrook. It was 40 by 45 feet in dimensions and cost £280. This house was burned on April 23, 1751. It was rebuilt, but was replaced by the present edifice in 1832. This church, known as the "Old North Church." is the mother of all the Protestant churches in Weymouth.

Wrentham was set off from Dedham and incorporated as a town in 1673. King Philip's war followed soon after and no permanent settlements were made until after the close of hostilities. In March, 1681, the inhabitants of the town took the first steps toward the building of a meeting house, and it was not finished for several years. The first minister in Wrentham was Rev. Samuel Man, who began his labors there before the settlement was abandoned on account of King Philip's war. When the pioneers returned to the plantation after the war and began the work of rebuilding their homes, Mr. Man rejoined them and it was under his pastorate that the meeting house above mentioned was erected.

In October, 1785, more than a century after the church was established, the town voted with the church members in the call and settlement of Rev. David Avery as minister. It was not long until some of the members grew dissatisfied with the pastor and a controversy was commenced which lasted for several years. On February 4, 1793, the town "resolved by a vote of seventy-four to one not to employ Mr. Avery as a gospel minister any longer," and Lemuel Kollock, Oliver Pond and Dr. Jenks Norton were appointed a committee to inform Mr. Avery of the vote. Mr. Avery ignored the town's action and the controversy went on until July, 1798, when the church voted unanimously to call Rev. Elisha Fisk to the pulpit. Since then the church has been fairly prosperous and in 1916 owned property valued at $12,500.

On December 2, 1713, Caleb Gardner, Jr., offered to donate a site for a meeting house in Brookline, and on the same date the town meeting voted to build a meeting house "of the same Demensions with the Meting House in the South west part of Roxbury." Thomas Gardner, Samuel Aspinwall, Thomas Stedman, John Sever and Erosamond Drew were chosen as a committee to superintend the erection of the building. The "Demensions" were 35 by 44 feet. In May, 1804, it was voted to build a new church and the corner-stone was laid in April, 1805. It was 64 by 68 feet, with a porch 19 by 38 feet in front. The new house was dedicated on June 11, 1806. This house served the congregation until the present structure was erected in 1848. The first pastor was Rev. Nehemiah Walter.

The first Congregational Church in Medway was organized on October 7, 1714, in that part of the town afterward set off as Millis, under the name of the "First Church of Christ." The first services were held in the dwelling of Peter Adams. On November 20, 1715, the first meeting house, located on "Bare Hill," was dedicated, with Rev. David Deming as pastor. Shortly after the close of the Civil war in 1865, a Sunday school was established at Rockville by this church, and in 1876 a chapel was erected at that place.

Needham was incorporated in November, 171 1, and the first Congregational Church was organized on March 20, 1720. Rev. Josiah Townsend was the first pastor. For over a century this congregation worshiped according to the cardinal doctrines of the evangelical churches of New England. Then there came a spiritual apathy which resulted in the church passing out of the hands of Congregationalism.

On April 28, 1856, a meeting was held by those who believed in the Congregational faith, and steps were taken to reorganize the church. Rev. Ebenezer Burgess preached the first sermon for the new organization in Village Hall on the first Sunday in July. The pulpit was supplied by different ministers until February 8, 1857, when Rev. Lucius R. Eastman was installed as pastor. Meetings were held in Village Hall until December 28, 1859, when the first house of worship was dedicated, the sermon on that occasion being preached by Rev. E. N. Kirk, of Mount Vernon Church, Boston. Rev. J. E. M. Wright came to this church as pastor in July, 1875, and continued with it for nearly five years.

Toward the close of his pastorate a revival resulted in the addition of several new members and the church building was enlarged and remodeled.

By an act of the Legislature in the spring of 1723, the South Precinct of Weymouth was established. The South Parish was organized on June 21, 1723, and on the 15th of July Rev. James Bayley was settled as minister. A meeting house had already been built and Mr. Bayley had been holding service for several months. The church, known as the Second Congregational Church of South Weymouth - sometimes called the "Old South Church" - was fully organized on September 18, 1723. Mr. Bayley remained with this church as pastor until his death on August 22, 1766.

A call was then extended to Rev. Ephraim Briggs, but opposition developed and he declined to accept. On October 26, 1768, Rev. Simeon Williams was ordained as the second regular pastor. Rev. W'illiam Tyler, who had been junior pastor under Mr. Williams, was ordained on February 24, 1819, Mr. Williams having died in December previous, and remained with the church for nearly thirteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles I. Warren, who remained only a little over a year. Then for four years the church was without any regular pastor. During that time a division arose, some of the members withdrawing and forming the Edwards Society. The breach was healed in 1837, but in 1842 another strong party withdrew and formed the Union Church, notice of which will be given hereafter. Despite this secession, the Old South Church survived and is still in existence.

When Bellingham was incorporated on November 27, 1719, one provision of the act was that the people should "settle a learned orthodox Minister within the Space of three years now coming." In January, 1723, the town voted to grant fifty acres of land to the first minister settling therein, and not long afterward Rev. Thomas Smith entered upon his duties. He remained but a short time and in the winter of 1726-27 Rev. Jonathan Mills was ordained. A meeting house was built, but this church was superseded in 1761 by the Baptist Church at Bellingham Center.

Randolph's Congregational Church was organized in the fall of 1728, the present towns of Randolph and Holbrook having been set off as the South Precinct of Braintree by an act of the General Court, approved on December 28. 1727. Services were held by various ministers until the spring of 1731, when Rev. Elisha Eaton was ordained as pastor. The first meeting house had been erected prior to the establishment of the precinct, but it was rudely built, without paint, means of heating in cold weather, steeple or bell. After the precinct was organized an acre of land was purchased of Joseph Crosby for forty shillings. On this acre, on the border of the public square, the present church was dedicated in 1825.

On October 8, 1730, the South Parish of Dedham (now Norwood) was incorporated by act of the General Court. It was known as the Second Precinct. On the 9th of November fifty pounds were raised and appropriated "to secure a preacher for six months - three months to be at the house of John Ellis and three months at the house of Nathaniel Guild, if it can be obtained." At the same time it was voted to build a meeting house, but a dispute arose over its location and several years passed before that dispute was finally settled. A committee of the General Court was sent in 1734 to investigate the situation.

Upon the recommendation of this committee, some of the citizens in the new precinct were attached to the old parish, and on January 4, 1735, the South Parish voted "to build a meeting house on the land formerly Ebenezer Dean's, which is the place a committee of the Great and General Court has ordered a meeting house to be erected."

Such was the beginning of the Norwood Congregational Church. The present house of worship, on the corner of Walpole and Winter streets, was erected in 1828, part of the timbers in the old meeting house being used in the construction of the new one.

Franklin was set off as the Second Precinct of Wrentham by an act of the General Court approved by Governor Belcher on December 23, 1737. At the first precinct meeting, held on January 16, 1738, it was voted to build a meeting house 31 by 40 feet in dimensions. About twenty members of the Wrentham Congregational Church withdrew by letter, and on February 16, 1738, Rev. Joseph Baxter of the Medfield Church organized the Franklin Congregational Church. On November 8, 1738, Rev. Elias Haven was installed as pastor. A new meeting house was built in 1789. The last services in this building were held on September 28, 1840, when the funeral of Dr. Nathaniel Emmons, who had been pastor for almost sixty-seven years were conducted there. The next day the men began tearing down the structure to make way for the present edifice.

Mention has been made of the First Church of Christ in the Town of Medway. The Second Church of Christ was organized in that town on October 4, 1750, with Rev. David Thurston as pastor. All efforts to obtain a history of this Congregational society resulted in failure.

In 1763 the first Congregational meeting house was erected in the Town of Foxboro. At that time the territory now comprising the town formed a part of Stoughton. When the Town of Foxboro was incorprated by the act of June 10, 1778, the church was reorganized and Rev. Thomas Kendall was ordained as pastor. In 1822 a new house of worship was built near the site of the old one, and this served the congregation until the erection of the present edifice in 1854.

Wellesley was set off as the West Precinct of Needham in 1778, and in 1797 eighteen families were added to the precinct by the annexation of a portion of Natick. The inhabitants then felt strong enough to maintain a church organization, and on September 6, 1798, a Congregational society of ten members was formed. Rev. Thomas Noyes was ordained as pastor on July 10, 1799, and a neat chapel was soon afterward erected. This building was remodeled and dedicated on January 1, 1835. In 1868 the present house of worship was built and the old one was sold to Charles B. Dana, who removed it and afterward presented it to Wellesley College, where it is known as "Dana Hall."

The Union Congregational Church of Weymouth and Braintree was organized on March 13, 1810, by members of the first churches of the two towns. The Hollis Street Church in Boston, which stood where the Hollis Street Theater now stands, was then about to be taken down. It was purchased by the Union Church and removed to East Braintree, where it was rebuilt and dedicated on December 31, 181 1. Rev. Daniel A. Clark was the same day ordained as pastor. The present church building was dedicated on December 13, 1898.

On the last day of August, 1818, the First Parish of Dedham elected Rev. Alvan Lamson as "a public Protestant teacher of piety, religion and morality," by a vote of eighty-one to forty-four. In this action the church, by a vote of seventeen to fifteen, refused to concur, claiming that in the election of a pastor the first steps should be taken by the church organization. Notwithstanding this refusal, Mr. Lamson was ordained on October 29, 1818, by a council that had been called to hear the differences of opinion.

The dissenters caused another council to be called for November 18, 1818, but that council gave no advice. The question was then carried to the courts, where the action of the parish in electing Mr. Lamson, and that of the council in ordaining him, were upheld. The members who opposed his ordination then withdrew from the church and organized an orthodox Congregational Church. A meeting house was erected on the opposite side of High Street from the old parish meeting house. It was dedicated on December 30, 18 19, and on March 14, 1821, Rev. Ebenezer Burgess was installed as pastor. Five years later a new vestry was built by Mr. Burgess at his own expense.

On December 15, 1818, forty members of the Congregational Church in Randolph, including the two deacons, were dismissed to form the "Second Church" in East Randolph (now Holbrook). A meeting house was immediately built and the first regular pastor, Rev. David Brigham, was installed on December 29, 18 19. In 1856 dissensions arose in the church, the membership became divided, and on December 30, 1856, the Winthrop Church, named in honor of Gov. John Winthrop, was formed. This society first held its meetings in E. N. Holbrook's hall until the new church building was completed. It was dedicated on January 24, 1858. The new church prospered, while the old Second Church languished, being without a regular pastor for several years, and in 1864 ceased holding meetings altogether. On January 29, 1874, the two were united under the name of the Winthrop Congregational Church of Holbrook. On the morning of December 25, 1877, the church building and town hall were destroyed by fire. The present church edifice was then erected and dedicated on February 22, 1880.

The present Congregational Church in Stoughton is the outgrowth of a division in the old Third Precinct church in 1822. The original Congregational Church of Stoughton is now the First Unitarian Church of Canton. In September, 181 7, Rev. Ebenezer Gay, a strict Calvinist, was called to the pulpit of the Third Precinct church. Some of the members were dissatisfied from the start with his pastorate and quite a number united with the Universalist Church. The majority remained, however, and in 1822, forced Mr. Gay's resignation. This same majority, with the exception of a few, then decided to adopt the Unitarian form of worship, and the remnant met on July 1, 1822, and "appointed a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer." It was also voted to call a council to advise with regard to the formation of a new church.

The new Congregational Church first met at the house of Daniel Hayward, next in William Holbrook's hall until June 1, 1825, when the meeting house was dedicated. Rev. Calvin Park became pastor in October, 1825. The present house of worship was dedicated on June 28, 1852. It is 58 by 75 feet in dimensions and cost about twelve thousand dollars.

On October 8, 1824, the corner-stone of the Congregational Church in Cohasset was laid, and the society was organized on the 24th of November following.

The Orthodox Congregational Church of Walpole was organized at the house of Mrs. Catharine Allen on November 13, 1826, with twenty-nine members. Meetings were held for about a year in the second story of a building on the corner of Main and East streets. During that time the pulpit was supplied by such ministers as could be obtained from Boston and the churches of adjacent towns. The church building was dedicated in September, 1827, Rev. John Codman, of Dorchester, preaching the sermon. It cost about three thousand dollars, and was thoroughly remodeled in 1867, at an expense of seventeen thousand dollars. The first pastor of this church was Rev. Asahel Bigelow.

The Second or Orthodox Congregational Church of Medfield dates its beginning from February 6, 1827, when several members withdrew from the First or Unitarian Church for the purpose of forming a new society. For about four years meetings were held in a small hall over the store on the corner of Main and North streets. Rev. Arthur Granger was installed as the first regular pastor in 1 83 1. The following year a church building was erected. It was enlarged and repaired in 1873 and in 1876 it was totally destroyed by fire. The present house of worship was built in 1877, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars.

The Evangelical Congregational Church of Canton was organized on July 3, 1828, at the home of Mrs. Katherine Hartwell with ten members. During the first eighteen months of its existence the society had neither settled pastor nor house of worship. In 1830 a church edifice was dedicated and Rev. William Harlow was installed as pastor. The present house of worship was dedicated on August 22, i860, though it has since undergone extensive repairs and alterations.

What is known as the South Congregational Church in Braintree was the third established in that town. The society erected a church building in South Braintree and on August 4, 1830, Rev. Lyman Matthews was ordained as the first pastor. He remained with the church until the fall of '1844. In the latter '70s the meeting house was burned to the ground, but another was immediately rebuilt upon the same site and it is still used by the congregation. In June, 191 7, Rev. Tyler E. Gale was pastor of this church.

The Third Congregational Church in Medway was organized on December 7, 1836, with Rev. Luther Bailey as the first pastor. He served the society for several years, and when he withdrew the church was disbanded. Some of the members of this organization united with others in the formation of the Evangelical Congregational Church on September 7, 1838. A house of worship was erected in Medway Village and Rev. David Sanford was ordained as pastor. This church met with better success than its predecessor and is still in existence.

In Dover a number of the members of the old First Church grew dissatisfied with the doctrine preached by Rev. Ralph Sanger in 1838, and on the 28th of December of that year they organized the Second Congregational Church. Steps had previously been taken toward the building of a meeting house, which was formally dedicated on June 27, 1839. Rev. George Champion was the first pastor of this church. In 1878 the Dover and South Natick churches were consolidated by the Home Missionary Society, and the union lasted until May, 1880, when it was dissolved. The following month the Dover and Charles River societies

Rev. Samuel Dexter

In the sketch of the Second Congregational Church of Weymouth reference is made to a division in that society in 1842. Those who withdrew formed the Union Church of South Weymouth on June 20, 1842, and the church was fully established on the first of the following November. At first meetings were held in Rogers' Hall, but before the close of the year a church building was completed. The first regular pastor of this church was Rev. George Denham, who was called to the pulpit on July 3, 1843. In l&7° a new church edifice was commenced and was completed the succeeding year, at a cost of $40,000. A parsonage costing $4,000 was also "built about the same time.

The Congregational Church of East Weymouth was formed on March 4, 1843, by ten members who had withdrawn from the Methodist Episcopal Church and organized a new society of that denomination. It became a Congregational Church on February 25, i860. As a Congregational Church the society prospered and some twenty years after the change was made was the strongest church of that faith in the Town of Weymouth. When first established in 1843, a house of worship was erected, which was enlarged in the early '80s to accommodate the increase in attendance.

Early in the year 1844 a number of Brookline people who had been attending the First Church, or others outside the town, united and formed the Harvard Congregational Church. A house of worship was built on the corner of Washington and School streets and was dedicated on August 26, 1844, the sermon being preached by Rev. Edward N. Kirk, of Boston. On the same day the church was formally organized with twenty-seven members. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Jr., was ordained pastor on October 22, 1844. The ordination sermon was preached by Mr. Storrs' father, who was then pastor of the Congregational Church in Braintree. In May, 1873, tne present beautiful edifice was dedicated. Its cost was about sixty thousand dollars, two-thirds of which were given by Martin L. Hall.

In 1847 a church was built at Grantville (now Wellesley Hills) and on February 24, 1847, a Congregational Church was organized with thirty members. Rev. Harvey Newcomb was the first pastor of this society. The church building was remodeled in 1877.

W^hat is known as the Pilgrim Congregational Church of North Weymouth was formed on May 14, 1851, and a house of worship was erected the same year. In May, 1852, Rev. Calvin Terry was called to the pulpit as the first regular pastor, services previous to that time having been held by such ministers as could be procured. In 1881 a parsonage was built and a little later the church edifice was remodeled.

The South Franklin Congregational Church is the outgrowth of meetings held in the schoolhouse in that part of the town during the summer of 1855. A Sunday school was first formed and on August 20, 1855, a council of churches met at the house of Willard C. Whiting. As a result of this council a Congregational Church was organized on the 13th of the following month with eighteen members. In the spring of 1856 the sum of $1,500 was subscribed to a fund for the building of a meeting house. The corner-stone was laid on September 5, 1856, and the building was dedicated on July 25, 1857. For several

In 1862 the Congregationalists living in that part of Cohasset called Beechwood began holding meetings in a hall. The meetings were conducted by Rev. Cyrus Stone and about a year later a church was organized. On October 18, 1866, the corner-stone of a church edifice was laid and the building was dedicated on January 15, 1867. This house stands near the line between Cohasset and Scituate and some of the members of the church live in the latter town. In June, 1917, the pastor of this church was Rev. L. M. Bosworth.

The Congregational Church of East Walpole dates its beginning from a meeting held at the house of Mrs. Selany Smith on April 28, 1877. After irregular services for more than three years, an ecclesiastical council met in Bird's Hall and the church was formally recognized. On April 20, 1881, it was admitted to full fellowship in the Suffolk South Conference of orthodox churches. In June, 1882, the first steps were taken toward the erection of a meeting house. William Rhodes and his wife donated a site in the following October and a house was erected at a cost of about twenty-two hundred dollars. It was dedicated on May 18. 1883, but has since been enlarged and remodeled.

The Oakdale Congregational Church was established in 1882, with Rev. C. B. Smith as pastor, and in the same year a small but comfortable house of worship was erected at the junction of East and Washington streets. This church is no longer in existence.

There are several Congregational churches in the county whose history has not been ascertained by the writer. The church at Wollaston was organized in 1876 and now has a neat edifice at the corner of Winthrop and Lincoln avenues. In Quincy there are the Atlantic Memorial, Bethany, Finnish, Swedish, Park and Downs Union and Washington Street Congregational churches, all owning church buildings and supplied with regular pastors. There is also a Congregational Church at Islington.