^ '^. <> ' O H O .S' oy^^^^r •A^ •y ->' '^0^ ^•1°^ % ' -•'## '^^^A". *^^ c-^* ^y: h^ °o v*^' ^ ■»b 0^ s • •4 /I V' The First Church Springfield, Massachusetts^ r^j^At tJUu/^L 1637— 1915 Milestones Through Twenty-Seven Decades ^First Church, glorious landmark Standing for the right, Through the ages guiding Pilgrims to the light. ''^ Springfield, Mass. 1915 /J- FOREWORD The Opportunity Seekers present this slight contribution to the history of the First Church, hoping it may recall to the older generation pleasant memories of faces and events and put the younger people in touch with bygone days. Committee on Publication Dorothy S. Adams Bertha D. Ladd Frances H. Kingsley Mabel R. Watson Chairman Ida F. Farrar THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS CONTENTS Page Church Buildhigs ....... 7 Ministers ........ lo People of Note in the Early Church ... 13 Deacons of Yesterday and Today .... 15 Parish Committee, 1800-1915 .... 16 Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor . . 18 Missionaries ........ 19 The Sunday School ...... 20 Music and Musicians ...... 22 Some Church Antiquities ..... 27 Milestones . . . . . . . -31 1645 YE FIRST MEETING HOUSE 40 X 25 feet THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 1636 SPRINGFIELD SETTLED 1637 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ORGANIZED (Fourteenth church organized in Massachusetts Bay Colony) 1915 Membership 1300 CHURCH BUILDINGS The First Meeting House was built by Thomas Cooper and stood on the southeast corner of Court Square facing Meeting House Lane (Elm Street). It had a shingled roof — a rare thing in those days — and two turrets, one designed for a bell, the other for a "watch howse" to guard against the approach of unfriendly Indians. Aden and women occupied sepa- rate sections of the church. "New England's Sabbath day Is heavenlike, still and pure, When Israel walks the way Up to the temple door. The time we tell When there to come By beat of drum Or sounding shell." The Second Meeting House was built in 1677 just west of the first one at a cost of ^400, John Pynchon being chairman of the building committee. It had a turret but no bell for ten years. It was protected from attack by the Indians, by a five-foot rail fence, excepting at the rear where a hedge was planted. There is no reproduction of the building. 1752 THE THIRD MEETING HOUSE 60 X 46 feet ■ 1 n^l^'^ ^ -'^fl^H^^^I ^B R^^i^H 1 ■ •*^»i.^ ^H ^^K^ Pl 11 3 f^ss^- -■-'-' "iiwiiiiimiii HHIillilHI 1819 THE FOURTH CHURCH BUILDING 90 X 72 feet THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS The Third Church Building was begun in 1749 and was completed three years later. It stood directly east of the present edifice with its front on Elm Street and its main entrance at the side, facing Main Street. The rooster crowned its spire and clock faces told the time from its tower. Within were the customary high pulpit, ponderous sounding board and square seats. The deacons, wearing a peculiar headdress, sat facing the congregation. Men and women were now allowed to sit together but were seated according to wealth and position in the town. The Fourth Church Building was erected by Isaac Damon of Northampton, a famous church and bridge builder. Its cost, beyond the sum realized by the old building, was not to exceed $15,000, raised by disposing of 300 shares at $50 each. About 1826, foot stoves were dispensed with and a furnace installed. In 1862 cushions were put in. Jenny Lind said of its acoustic properties it was the finest auditorium she had used in America. CHAPELS A very small wooden chapel, used for prayer meetings and social gatherings, was built on the north side of the church probably in the sixties. Jenny Lind used it as a retiring room when she sang in the church in 1 851. The present parish house was erected in 1874 ^^ a cost of $35,000. THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MINISTERS Rev. George Moxon, 1637 — 1652, term 15 years. The first pastor came to the colony from Dorchester at the age of thirty-five, attracted here by his friend- ship for William Pynchon. He was a theologian of no mean ability, but on account of unpleasant experi- ences in the town, especially in connection with the witchcraft delusion, he returned to England in 1652 with his friend William Pynchon. Rev. Pelatiah Glover, 1660 — 1692, term 32 years. A great catastrophe occurred during this pastorate in 1675, when the town was burned by the Indians. Mr. Glover, who was a great student, had his "brave library" entirely destroyed. He stayed by his post, however, and John Pynchon bears witness that he was a "faithful minister." Rev. Daniel Brewer, 1694 — 1733, term 40 years. Church records of this period are very meager. It was a time of quiet and growth. During this term the West Springfield and Longmeadow churches, the first off-shoots from the mother church, were organized. Rev. Robert Breck, 1736 — 1784, term 49 years. Called to be pastor at the age of 22, he was charged by neighboring ministers with being unorthodox and on the very day of his ordination was arrested by a magistrate. He met his opponents so frankly and fearlessly, however, and behaved during his entire ministry in so tactful a manner, that he disarmed criticism and won his people. The "half-way covenant" was adopted during this period and the third church built. The first record of the church now extant is that kept by Mr. Breck, with great care, in his own hand writing. A treasurer's book was also opened at the same time. 10 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS Rev. Bezaleel Howard, D.D., 1785— 1809, term 23 years. Mr. Howard came to the town on horseback from Boston for a six week's trial as preacher when but a young man, and remained here until his death. Obliged to give up preaching on account of his health, his studies led him toward the liberal faith and with twenty-five others he withdrew from the Congregational Church and founded the Church of the Unity. He was called a fool for prophesying a bridge across the Connecticut River, but his prophecy came true in 1805. Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D., 1809— 1854, term 45 years. During a period when the church was rent by a split in orthodoxy, and the country stirred on the question of slavery, Dr. Osgood stood fearlessly and without compromise for what he thought to be right, and was a power in the community. During his term of service the Sunday School was organized (1818) the present church building was erected (1819) and Springfield became a city (1852). Over 1,000 souls were added to the church during his ministry. The high pulpit was removed and the pews were lowered. Rev. Henry M. Parsons, 1854— 1870, term 16 years. During the troublous times of the Civil War, he held the people to the faith of the fathers and won new members by his fidelity and genial spirit. Always fond of Bible study, he brought about an afternoon instead of a noon session of the Sunday School. Rev. Edward A. Reed, D.D., 1871— 1878, term 7 years. A young man of winning personality and fine enthu- siasm for his work, he came to the First Church directly from the theological seminary. During his ministry the chapel was built and the Moody and Sankey revival occurred. From here he accepted a call to the Madison Avenue Dutch Reformed Church II THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS of New York City. From there he was called to the Second Congregational Church of Holyoke where he has served as pastor more than 25 years. Rev. Edward Payson Terhune, D.D., 1879 — 1884, term 5 years. A mature man of large experience, wide travel, and broad sympathy. His wife, "Marion Harland," had a strong influence on the lives of the young men of the church. During his pastorate occurred the Sayford revival. Rev. Michael Burnham, D.D., 1885 — 1894, term 9 years. A man of generous nature who, with his wife, endeared himself especially to the young people of the church among whom he organized the Y. P. S. C. E. (1885). He threw himself unsparingly into all kinds of reform work. During a part of his pastorate, Horace Sanderson served as pastor's assistant. Rev. Frank Lincoln Goodspeed, D.D., 1894 — 1908, term 14 years. A man of fine presence and delivery who drew large audiences. He left Springfield for the First Presby- terian Church in Oakland, Cal. During his pastorate Milton A. Dixon and Rev. Howard C. Mudie served as pastor's assistants. Rev. Neil McPherson, D.D., 1910— . Born at Bowmanville, Ontario, of Scotch parentage. He had two pastorates before coming to Springfield, one at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, Ontario, and one at the Tabernacle Presbyterian church, Indianapolis. Under his wise and tactful leadership the church is steadily growing in power and numbers. From the time of organization until the settlement of Mr. Reed, 234 years, the church had but seven pastors; three died in service, and the average length of the pastorate of each was 32 years. THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS PEOPLE OF NOTE IN THE EARLY CHURCH William Pynchon, founder of Springfield, formerly a warden of the church in Springfield, England, came here from Roxbury, Mass. He was a man of sterling worth, respected alike by Indians and white men. He was a deep thinker as well as a man of affairs^ and brought condemnation on himself by his liberal views, as expressed in his book, "The Meritorious Price of our Redemption." It was publicly burned in the market place in Boston and only three copies exist today. This trouble led Mr. Pynchon to return to England in 1652. John Pynchon, son of William Pynchon, a far seeing man of business, built up the town and commanded so much respect that he was called "the worshipful" Major Pynchon. His shorthand notes of Mr. Moxon's sermons and his account books are preserved in the City Library. Elizur Holyoke married Mary Pynchon, daughter of William Pynchon. He was town clerk for many years and much respected. Mt. Holyoke perpetu- ates his name. Samuel Chapin was a deacon, a magistrate, and a man of affairs. He furnished the subject for St. Gaudens' statue of the Puritan on Merrick Park. The Chapins of the Connecticut Valley trace their ancestry to him. Miles Morgan was a sturdy citizen, active in town affairs, and served as tithingman in the church. He sat in the gallery with a long stick to "use such raps and blows as is in his discretion meet" for small boys who show a "Rude and Idel Behaver in the meeting house 13 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS such as Smiling and Larfing." His statue on Court Square, the work of J. S. Hartley, erected by Henry T. Morgan, a New York banker, stands for the type of the early settler. His home site is marked by a tablet on Cypress Street (Ferry Lane). Samuel Wright served as deacon with Samuel Chapin and sometimes took the minister's place. He removed in later life to Northampton. The brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, famous for their invention of the aeroplane, are his descendants. Henry Smith, son-in-law of William Pynchon, was a man of fine caliber, capable of conducting affairs of church and state. He returned to England with Mr. Pynchon. Mary Pynchon Holyoke, daughter of William Pynchon, was the first bride in the town. Her epitaph on the stone in Peabody cemetery pays this tribute to her: "Shee y lyes here, was while shee stood, A very glory of womanhood." Thomas Cooper, carpenter, farmer, selectman, lieutenant, lost his life in attempting to warn the inhabitants of the approach of the Indians to burn the town in 1675. 14 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS OFFSPRING OF THE MOTHER CHURCH West Springfield church ....... 1696 Longmeadow church ....... 1703 Wllbraham church ........ 1741 Chicopee church ........ 1750 Unitarian church ........ 1819 Olivet church , 1833 South church ......... 1842 North church 1846 "We're now Posterity To all good folks of yore!'' DEACONS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY Samuel Chapin Daniel Reynolds Samuel Wright Lewis Warriner Jonathan Burt Levi P. Rowland Benjamin Parsons John R. Hixon John Hitchcock Elbridge Brigham James Warriner Henry Morris Nathaniel Munn Addison P. Ware Henry Burt Roderick Burt Nathaniel Brewer Samuel R. Newell Jonathan Church Austin L. Leonard Josiah Dwight Joseph L. Shipley Daniel Harris Thomas S. Stewart Moses Bliss John Giles William Pynchon, Esq. James L. Johnson Chauncey Brewer Stephen Chapin John Hooker Charles E. Brown George Bliss Pardon H. Derby Col. Solomon Warriner Frank A. Lincoln Boardman Hubbard Charles B. Holton Daniel Bontecou Daniel P. Cole George Merriam Charles A. Gleason Elijah W^ Dickinson Robert F. Ehni Benjamin Eldredge William P. Draper Chauncey Chapin John R. Lyman IS THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MEMBERS OF PARISH COMMITTEE {From 1800-1915) Daniel Lombard Festus Bliss Jacob Bliss William Sheldon Thomas Stebbins Israel Chapin Solomon Warriner Paul Bliss Samuel Kingsbury Peletiah Bliss Oliver B. Morris Daniel Bontecou George Hooker Charles Stearns Richard D. Morris Fred A. Packard Elijah Blake Thomas Bond Chauncey Chapin Bidkav Jones Thomas M. Hunt Samuel Reynolds Jonathan Hunt Eldad Goodnjan Edward A. Morris Josiah Hooker Elijah W. Bliss Henry L. Bunker Henry Morris Henry Sergeant Philip Wilcox Reuben A. Chapman L. W. Belden James Brewer Richard Bliss Henry Adams William Hatfield Charles Stearns Ithamar Goodman Charles A. Bartlett David A. Adams John Avery George B. Morris Caleb Rice John B. Kirkham Samuel S. Day Benjamin Eldredge Edmund Palmer Chauncey Chapin John C. Stebbins W^aitstill Hastings Henry Bliss Daniel Reynolds Marvin Chapin C. O. Chapin John Mills Richard Chapin Philip Chapin C. L. Covell Otis Childs Stephen C. Bemis William Birnie Elisha Morgan Luther Bliss, Jr. B. B. Woodford Roderick Burt William K. Baker W. J. Holland i6 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MEMBERS OF PARISH COMMITTEE^Continued Warren H. Wilkinson Caleb Alden Emerson Wight S. W. Avery Francis A. Brewer John R. Hixon Nelson C. Newell H. B. Lane James L. Johnson E. C. Rogers William H. Haile W. L. Barnard C. E. Brown B. F. Steele A. N. Mayo C. L. Goodhue 1915 A. B. Wallace (since 1880) H. A. Ley A. A. Packard (since 1882) C. A. Gleason W. O. Day H. G. Webster H. C. Haile Ralph W. Ellis, Clerk (Has served at intervals as clerk or treasurer since 1887) W. R. Thacker, Treasurer A. N. Drake, Collector (Mr. Drake completed 25 years of very efficient service as sexton, May ist, 1914) On the roll of the First Church membership and parish have been many men and women prominent in the life of the city. Among them are the following who have served as mayors: Caleb Rice William B. Calhoun Stephen C. Bemis Charles A. Winchester Emerson Wight WiUiam H. Haile Edwin D. Metcalf Charles L. Long Ralph W. Ellis 17 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR Organized in April, 1885, by Rev. Michael Burnham, D. D, Presidents of the Society since Its organization are: William P. Draper, Lewis W. Allen, William L. Richards, William N. Raymond, George M. Hoadley, Richard J, Huntington, Robert C. Sherwood, James L. Dixon, Fannie Stebblns, C. Leonard Holton, George Thacker, Milton A. Dixon, Henry R. Brown, Frederick H. Law, J. Frank Low, Austin J. Pratt, Sheldon F. Allen, Charles L. Beckwith, John Williams, Harold D. Ripley, F. W. Rosenberg, Charles H. Smith, C. Leonard Holton, Sydney F. Law, Herbert W. Hicks, 1885-86 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 I 899-00 1900-02 1902-03 1903-05 1905-06 1906-08 1908-09 1909-10 1910-11 1911-13 1913- 18 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MISSIONARIES WHO ONCE ATTENDED FIRST CHURCH Foreign FIELD Martha Ely (married Daniel Temple) Malta Samuel Osgood Wright Liberia Rev. Story Hebard^ Syria Rev. Samuel Bonney China Rev. Wm. W. Rowland India Rev. S. H. Calhoun Syria Rev. Edwin E. Bliss Turkey Emma L. Bliss (married Henry J. Van Lennep) Smyrna Margaret Bell (married Rev. Henry Haskell) Bulgaria Mary E. Reynolds Bulgaria Rev. and Mrs. R. N. Hume India Louisa E. Dietz (married Frank Thompson) f Sandwich Islands \ Valparaiso, Chile Rev. Henry Bruce India Rev. and Mrs. E. M. Pease (Mrs. Pease formerly Miss H. A. Sturtevant) Micronesia S. Alice Tupper Turkey Home Frederick Packard Mrs. Laura Bliss Montgomery Horace Sanderson Ethel L. Leonard E. M. Atwood The church keeps the missionary spirit alive through its representative, Rev. Clarence Douglas Ussher, M.D., who is doing a noble work as medical missionary in Van, Turkey. 19 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS THE BIBLE SCHOOL The Sunday School was organized In 1818 from a nucleus which met in a private house. Two rewards of merit bearing this date are In the archives of the church. Until the completion of the new church In 1 8 19, the sessions were held In schoolhouses. After that date the school was held In the audience room of the church. Up to 1826 no school was held In the winter as there was no means of heating the church. After the furnace was installed In 1826, sessions were held every Sunday but the time varied at different periods; some- times it was at noon and sometimes (as late as in the early eighties) in the afternoon. The following are the names of some of the best known superintendents: Lewis Warrlner William P. Draper Addison P. Ware ^^^^^:"f VT\ wir T u 11 A Daniel P. Cole Wilham J. Holland ^.^^^^ ^ j^.^^^ Elbridge Brigham Chflp^^^ ^ patter Samuel R. Newell William R. Armstrong James L. Johnson Rev. Louis F. Giroux William H. Halle Francis A. Day Benjamin L. Bragg William L. Richards Adelbert J. Brooks PRIMARY DEPARTMENT Before the chapel was built the sessions were held in the tower room of the church. Super in tenden ts Mrs. Henry Avery, Before 1851 — 1861 Mrs. John R. Hixon, 1862— 1887 Mrs. Horace Sanderson, 1888 — 1892 Mrs. Daniel P. Cole, 1892— 1895 20 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS SUPERINTENDENTS— Continued Mrs. George PIrnie, 1895 — 1897 Mrs. J. B. Sprulll, 1897— 1899 Mrs. W. B. Grant, 1899 Mrs. John R. Lyman, 1899 — 1900 Mrs. George Tuthlll, 1900 — 1901 Lucy Stock, 1901 — 1908 Carrie H. Osgood, 1908 — KINDERGARTEN DEPARTMENT Organized 1897 (Held at noon until 191 1 when it was changed to a morning session.) Super in tenden ts Anna L. Johnson, 1897 — 1899 Carrie E. Rhodes, 1899 Grace A. Johnson, 1900 — 1902 LilHan F. Collins, 1903 — 1905 Helen R. Lombard, 1905 — 1909 Mrs. Ruth Kingsley Frey, 1909 Lucy B. Cole, 1910 — 1914 Anna L. Johnson, 1914 — JUNIOR DEPARTMENT Organized 1910 Super in tenden ts Carrie H. Osgood, 1910 — 191 1 Mrs. Horace Sanderson, 191 1 Mrs. John R. Lyman, 191 1 — THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MUSIC AND MUSICIANS Little is known of the music in the church before 1800. In 1 801, Solomon Warriner, a native of Wilbra- ham, became choir director and held the position for more than forty years. He was so good a leader that when he left the city temporarily, members of the church raised $1,200 to bring him back. He could sing bass or tenor with equal ease. The "Springfield Col- lection of Sacred Music" was compiled by him in 1813, and in that book it is said for the first time in this country, the air was given to the treble instead of to the tenor voice. There were from seventy-five to one hundred voices in the choir in those days and they occupied three rows of seats in the gallery at the rear of the church. The leader stood in the center of the second row and beat time with his hand. Back of the singers sat the players, among whom were the following: Double bass — John B. KIrkham Violoncello — Cyrus Newell (served 30 years) Flute — Henry Brewer (father of H. and J. Brewer) Flute — George A. Crossett Clarinet — William S. Elwell, the artist Violin — Albert H. Kirkham In singing hymns the audience rose and faced the singers in the gallery. THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR IN EARLY DAYS Organists Abraham G. Tannatt Frederick Bly John H. Goldthwaite E. S. Hoadley Thomas Chubbuck A. C. Field Richard S. Escott Edward Dickinson William C. McClellan Louis Coenen James L. Warriner Mrs. Jennie Crawford Edward H. Phelps Lillia Scott (1862-65) Charles L. Chapin Edward A. Morris Julia W. Roberts Miranda Chapin William R. Hitt Singers Col. Solomon Warriner. Gen. Jacob Bliss (father of the president of the B. & A. rail- road). Col. Thomas Dwight. Mary Dwight (later Mrs. John Howard). John IngersoU (father of Major Edward Ingersoll). Elizabeth Ingersoll (later Mrs. Dwight Ripley). Mary Ingersoll (later Mrs. Worthington Hooker). Ocran Dickinson (grandfather of Miss Julia B. Dickinson). William Hatfield (court crier). Col. Lewis Gorham. Samuel Reynolds (president of Chicopee Bank). George T. Bond (father of George R. Bond). Mary Warriner (daughter of Colonel Warriner, later Mrs. Henry Morris). William Foster. Maria Foster. 23 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS SINGERS~Con tin ued Emily Bliss (later Mrs. William Bryant). Mary L. Chapin (later Mrs. T. L. Chapman). Harriet Chapin (later Mrs. William Birnle). Charles A. Winchester (ex-mayor). Major Edward Ingersoll. Louisa Dickinson. Emmeline Dickinson (later Mrs. Thomas Bishop). Mrs. R. S. Escott. Jarvis G. Shaw. Mrs. Emily Baker (later Mrs. Charles Newell). Hannah Goodman. K. Arthur Dearden. Charles O. Chapin. Emma Hayden. Nelson Newell. W. G. White. Samuel Newell. Emily Quinby. Charles Newell. William H. Hawkes. Horace S. Newell. William T. Wilson. John C. Spooner. Charles Mulchahey. Ginevra McClean. Mrs. Emily C. Beach. Elizabeth Root Frank A. Whiting. Amos Whiting. Edward A. Morris. Louise Dickinson Lucy B. Shumway Oliver H. Perry. Ella M. Bissell. L. F. Cam Frank G. Fisher. Jennie S. Newell. MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR OF LATER DAYS Organists Edward H. Phelps, 1881— 1888 Richard W. Crowe, 1889 John J. Bishop, 1890 — 1896 John Hermann Loud, 1896 — 1900 Harry H. Kellogg, 1900— 24 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS Singers James C. IngersoU (served i6 years) Mrs. James C. IngersoU (served i6 years) George R. Bond (served 9 years) Fannie Chamberlain (served 8 years) John Leshure Julia B. Dickinson Fred C. Goodwin Emille Gehring William Spellman Mr. G. Curtis Munson Mrs. G. Curtis Munson Harry L. Reed Ila B. Roberts H. J. Buckley Frank E. Wheeler Mrs. F. E. Fankhauser Charles H. Miner Mrs. Edward Burnham Mrs. M. G. Guckenberger C. L. Hoyt Charles H. Drude Lovira J. Tait Hazel Huntley Willis Chamberlain Marjorie Clifford Mrs. F. Leon Sample Millicent Snow Walter Marsh W. L. Spittal Anna M. Wollmann Viora Allan Edward E. Hosmer Richard C. Campbell Kathleen G. Swift Meta S. Mallary (The Dickinson family sang in the choir for lOO years with the excep- tion of a few months. The IngersoU, Newell and Warriner families were represented for three generations.) ORGANS The first organ was built in 1849 at a cost of ^3,000 by E. and G. G. Hook of Boston. It had 2 manuals, 2 combination pedals and 34 stops. It was placed at the rear of the gallery. At the dedicatory concert the oratorio "David" was given by a chorus choir. The second organ was built in 1 881 by Steere and Turner of Springfield, and cost $8,000. It had 3 key- 25 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS boards and pedals, 40 stops, 23 11 pipes, 4 pedal com- binations and tracker action. It was placed at the front of the church. It was secured largely through the efforts of E. H. Phelps, the organist, and J. C. Ingersoll, the tenor soloist. It was dedicated by a concert December 5, 1881, given by Dr. J. M. Loretz, an organist of New York City, and George Henschel, baritone soloist. The third organ (the present one) was rebuilt from the old one in 1914 by the Ernest M. Skinner Co. of Boston, and cost $12,000. It has 4 keyboards and pedals, detached console, 53 stops, 21 adjustable com- binations, and other mechanical accessories. The action is electro-pneumatic. The rich black walnut case is the same which graced the old organ and the best of the pipes were kept. It was dedicated by a concert given by Gaston Dethier of New York City, with Miss Anna M. Wollmann as soprano soloist. SOME FIRST CHURCH ANTIQUITIES The First Church Rooster was brought from England over 150 years ago together with two others, one on the Old South Church in Boston and the other on the First Church in Newburyport. Tra- dition says that he had already glistened on a spire in England and was a gift of a sea captain to the colony. He measures four feet from tail to beak and weighs 49 pounds. A few papers and records are stored with him for safe keeping. Poised on a glass cap, working smoothly over a metal pivot, he always tells the truth concerning the direction of the wind. 27 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS The cock used as a weather vane on church buildings is a symbol of vigilance — the bird is the harbinger of the approach of day. In connection with the story of Peter, he may be a sign of the need of repentance. "How dear to our hearts is the old First Church rooster, When near or when far he's presented to view: For years he has stood there with never a murmur And never a whisper of tales that he knew: How much he has seen from the top of the steeple. So true to his post as the seer of the church: The bright shining rooster, the patient old rooster, The dear faithful rooster that ne'er leaves his perch." The First Communion Service was of pewter, and was used from 1742 to 1789 when it was presented to the First Church in Ludlow. It is now^ in the His- torical room in Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow. The Second Communion Service was of silver; two tankards and two cups were the gift of Josiah' Dwight, Esq., two cups were given by Edward Pynchon, Esq., and four by Hon. John Worthington. The rest of the set was probably purchased by the church, in whose possession it is still retained. The Third Communion Service (the individual one now in use) was presented by Mrs. Joseph L. Shipley, widow of a beloved deacon of the church, in 1896. The Communion Table which is of mahogany, was brought from Boston about 18 18. 29 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS The "Osgood Chairs" behind the communion table are thought to have been purchased about 1818. The Tower Clock was installed in 1826, by G. H. Holbrook of Medway, Mass. The works still remain in the tower, and the gilded pointers and pendulum adorn the walls of the sexton's room. The Church Clock hangs on the gallery facing the pulpit and bears the inscription: "A bequest to the First Church by Edward Pynchon, Esq., 1850." The Clock in the Sunday School Room was given by Dr. David Smith and Eunice Brewer Smith in memory of their son George T. Smith, in 1874. The Church Bell was purchased of G. H. Holbrook of Medway, Mass., shortly after 18 19. The Old Pulpit Bible, now in the possession of the Connecticut Valley Historical Society, was the gift of John Worthington, in 1776. The beautiful Collection Plates in use were pur- chased upwards of thirty years ago by the church at Paine's in Boston, at a cost of ^80 (^10 each). They took the place of bags on the end of rods. Of the four Pianos in the Chapel, the two in the parlors were memorial gifts. One was presented by Mr. and Mrs. James L. Johnson to the kindergarten department in memory of Helen Chamberlin Johnson and Essie May Ewer; the other was the gift of Mrs. M. A. Clyde in memory of her daughter, Carrie Minnie Clyde. 30 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS MILESTONES {Church and Town History) 1636 Springfield settled. 1637 First Congregational Church organized. 1637 First minister called. 1 64 1 Springfield incorporated as a town. 1645 First meeting house built. 1650 William Pynchon's book burned. 1652 William Pynchon returned to England. 1675 Town burned by the Indians. 1677 Second meetinghouse built. 1679 First schoolhouse built on Ferry Lane (Cypress Street). 1696 West Springfield Church organized (first offshoot of the main church). 1735 Famous Breck controversy. 1752 Third church building completed. 1775 Washington's first visit to Springfield. 1782 First newspaper in Springfield published — Massachu- setts Gazette. 1783 Stage line established between Hartford and Spring- field. 1787 Shays' rebellion. 1805 First bridge built over the Connecticut. 1818 Sunday School organized. 1819 Fourth (present) church building erected. 1819 Court Square opened. 1822 Standing committee instituted. 1824 Springfield Republican founded. 1826 Four missionaries ordained in the church. 1841 Peabody Cemetery opened: use of burying ground back of church given up. 31 THE FIRST CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 1848 John Quincy Adams's body lay in state in the church. 185 1 Grand concert in the church by Jenny Lind. 1852 Springfield became a city. 1880 Twelfth annual meeting of the Woman's Board of the A. B. C. F. M. in First Church. 1885 Y. P. S. C. E. organized. 1886 Celebration of 250th anniversary of the settlement of Springfield. 1887 Meeting of A. B. C. F. M. in First Church. 1898 Thirtieth annual meeting of Woman's Board of the A. B. C. F. M. in First Church. 1910 Dr. McPherson installed. 191 1 Celebration of 275th anniversary of founding of Springfield. 1913 Forty-fifth annual meeting of the Woman's Board of the A. B. C. F. M. in First Church. "Let the children guard what the sires have won.' ' ^ ' 32 1«1 ,*•<>> r.^^, ,0'' \ '^^ -c V-^" s ^^^^v7f;^>, ^ ^o .<^ o^ - ^ . ^ -V" .-.^^^^ ^"-^^^ -^h^^A^ '^. .^-^ OOBBSBROS. ^\ LIBRARY BINDING ,^ ^ <^^ ST. AUGUSTINE , , , ^ "^^ 32084 ^^1 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS