The Portsmouth Herald from Portsmouth, New Hampshire • Page 2

2 tl. rUrald. Porhmouth. Evtnlnf, 30. 1959 Meeting House Era Came to End in Rye When Church Burned Down Town's Original Church Formed 233 Years Ago By JOHN L.

PARSONS (First of Two Parts) "By a pillar oj cloud thou didst lead them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light them the way in which they should go." ffehemiah 9:12. With the burning of the 122-year-old Bethany Christian Church in Rye on March 19, the meeting house era of the town has come to an end. Although tradition says a meeting house or house owners adjacent to ihe walls of worship was first built in Rye in 1681, more dependable sources of information indicate that the first meeting house was started in 1725 and completed in 1729. Reference to the latter is made by the Rev. Huntington Porter, the third ordained minister in Rye, in his New Century sermon delivered on Jan.

1, 1801. who had taken boards, timber or anything else for the building of the new meeting house were notl- In the typical New England meeting house, sermons were preached every Sunday and town meetings were held about once a month, frequently on Monday. Often the meeting house was voted before the church was "gathered" or the minister chosen. Thus, the meeting house served a dual purpose, as the typical phrasing of the vote would show: "for the town's use in public worship and in open town meeting." Records bear out Cotton Mather's statement that no one called a New England meeting house a church. On Sunday it was always "going to a meeting" or "going to preaching" never going to church.

The early history of the meeting house Is fold by the Rev. Porter In his Half-Century sermon, delivered in January, 1835. on the occasion of his serving this pastorate for 50 years. He said: "This town from Its first settlement received the name it now bears; which was given It, us is supposed, by reason of some of Its first inhabitants coming from a town of the same name In England. It began to be settled about the year 1835..

The first settler was by the name of Berry. Others who came soon after, were the names of Seavey, Hand, and Bracket. Those who soon followed, were of the names of Wallis, Locke, and Jenness; which names, except those of Bracket and of Wallis, are still retained among us; and most of them are numerous." The town, originally separated Hampton and New Castle, was about 90 years without a minister of the gospel. The people attended public worship In the neighboring towns. The townspeople were thinly scattered and did not prosper in any considerable degree until a house of public worship was erected, a church formed, and the ministry and ordinances of Ihe gospel "settled" among them.

The first meeting liouse was erected in 1725, and a church organized July 10, 1726. The first minister was Rev. Nathaniel Morrill, who was ordained Sept. 14 1726. He was a man of acknowl edged abilities, of good natural and acquired gifts.

He continued for about seven years when he was dismissed. Several candidates were heard over a period of about three years, and finally Hcv. Samuel Parsons was invited to the pastorate. He was ordained Nov. 3, 1736, and officiated until 1789- a period over 60 years.

The liev Porter was ordained Dec. 29, 1784 as "Colleague with this, his worthy and respected Prcdeces sor." During the ministry of the Rev Parsons. 206 persons were ad milted to the church, and 1,600 received the ordinance of bap- Acknowledgement The material for this article was gathered long ago by my grandfather, Thomas J. Parsons, and by my father, Langdon B. Parsons, author of Ihc "History of Rye, N.H." Additional information has come from several sources, but mainly from Miss Agnes II.

Brown, Earl Walker and Mrs. Lillle Watson Ham, clerk of the Bethany Congregational Christian Church, Mrs. Karl F. Gruncrt, church historian, a aided in the preparation of the manuscript. JOHN L.

PARSONS Editor's Note The saddest chapter In Ihc long history of the Rye Bethany Congregational Christian Church was written by the ruinous hand of fire last March 19 when the -stately old structure a burned to the- ground. Members a townspeople reacted with quick and steady resolve, however, by a i immediate plans for rebuilding. Among those In the forefront of these efforts is John L. Parsons, author of the accompanying two- part article on the Rye church, who Is serving as chairman of the General Building Committee. Parsons, a native of liye, is vice president of a New York firm of industrial consultants.

He returned two years ago to renew his residence in the family homestead Avhlch stands near the church site In Rye Center. sm. Over the 50-year period the ev. Porter served as minister, rom 1784 to 1835, 184 were ad- litted to Hie church, and 004 bap- zed. In 1835, tile church membership comprised 120 tipple.

The Rev. Porter continues: "We must acknowledge, that nowith anding the many trials and hard hips of our forefathers and the rst settlers of this town, and not the vicissitudes, at lictlons and mortality, that have jecn experienced by their de ccndanls from time to time, it this day reap many of Ihc ruits of their toils and trials "We are, indeed, favored will many blessings and privileges civil, religious and lilerary, fa: beyond what they enjoyed. Law: if gratitude to God should there 'ore be written on all our hearts and good fruits in proporlioi brought forth to the praise am glory of His name." if The first meeting house of 17 vas so badly In need of repairs 1755 that the town voted "to bull a meeting house 60 by 40 feet an not repair Ihc old one." In March, 1755, the town clocic ed (o tear down the old one an erect a new one in the sam place. The town finally voted tlia the house be 58 by 60 feet an a suitable provision be mar for raising the meeting housi which had a tower and side en trances. To help finance its construction a number of pews were lo be sold Dr.

Warren Parsons recalls, in a article appearing in the "Port mouth Times" on Aug. 15. 18M thai the church was placed direc ly in the center of an ancicr cemetery. It uas siiicl that under Ihc be II Third Meeting House in 1888, Without Vestibule noting house- Ihc new building were required maintain tile glass in (he win- iws. In 1756.

it was voled lo erect a coplc lo the meeting house and build pcvvs around the galleries the house, the owners lo keep glass In repair. The second meeting house was rnlshed with a bell in 1766, hen it was "toted a Ihe three en chosen (o buy Ihc bell hire rsons lo hpng II." Shortly thereafter, in Ihc same ar, an article appeared In the wn warrant "lo sec If they will ul a stop to ringing the bell at an nusual lime on the Lord's day." From this It Is inferred that the ell was regarded as a public toy some of the townspeople. A document, dated 1767, reads follows: "To Mr. James Goss. There is a Complaint against by Mr.

Daniel Philbriek for inging the Bel! the last Lord's ny. I believe you had beller ime and pay your fine, other 'ays you May be Exposed to ourt and (rouble. From yo friend ml Servant, Richard Jenness d. In 1775 it was "Voted to have ic bell rung at 12 o'clock for Inc months." The meeting hcMise location was a high point of land and no idlans could approach during without being discovered. A sllrrlng event which has a ace in the history of Rye is (he ally of the Hye Minulcmen on hill on the occasion of the of Rye Harbor." From church lower, the sentry over- wking Uic harlwr observed the pproach In 1814 of a British The church bell was ing to summon the Minutcmcn i arms.

According to Ihe record, the rst and second meeting houses ood on the crest of the old liye ainitig field, slightly lo (he west the present site of Ihe Congrc- atlonal Christian Church and ose lo Ihe present highway, icse buildings were owned by Town of Rye. By 1837 there were several de- ominatlons in the town and de- 5ion was reached a each ould slart its own The opulation of the town, had in reased from 860 in 1784 lo abou 500 In 193G. The old meeting ouse was abandoned as a place public worship about 1835. On March 25, 1840, lire secom fleeting liouse was sold at a'uc Ion by vole of the town lo Capt amucl Jenness and Maj. Josepl Locke' for $280, one-half rhich was given lo Ihc pew hold rs and the other half to Ihc town 'lie belfry was sold lo Jonathan Walker.

Copt. Jenness and others in ended using the main part of Ih building for a Universalist church 'ho plan did not succeed and th mlldlng was moved into Ma. -ocke's field, east of its old site vhere it remained for scvera ears. Then it was moved again 'ortsmouth on May 8, 1846, whcr was used as a stable until nirncd between 1850 and 1860. During the Miller excitement i .843, the old church was used a 1 place of worship by the Mi erlles, who believed the end he world was imminent.

It was supposed there would b. no need of any building aftc the end came and. therefore, th church was not expensively fu nishcd. Crude seats and a roug pulpit were provided, with an o' slove for heat and its funni stuck out of a window. The flooring was far from boin tight.

It is reportert that many the worshippers prepared the ascension robes, while other climbed the adjacent tall trees be prepared lo go upwards. The story is told that boys ofte stuffed the stove funnel with rag and paper, with the usual resul following inside the building whe fire was started in the stov Strange noises were heard fro: beneath the door and many trick were played on the worshiper much to their surprise and noyance. The weather cock and spind on the tower of the old meeting house were sold by the town in 143. On the ground beneath the flooring of the belfry lower, when it was taken down, was found a slate gravestone, with the following inscription: "Here lies Ihc body of Mr. John Foss son of Mr.

Joshua Foss Dec. Feb. ye I5lh 1734 In the 24th year of his age "With early grave.this Man was blessed And now we trust he's Gone to rest!" 2 'f it On March 28, 1837, the following petition was issued concerning the building of a new Congregational Rye Church As It Appeared About 1900 Alter New Vestibule Was Added Interior of Church (1892); Large Kerosene Chandelier Had 60-Lamps "Wlwreas it Is of great Impor- ance thai tlie worship and or- Inanccs of tlio Gospel which were or many years enjoyed by our I her and have been continued us would be preserved among and perpetuated to our pos- erity, and whereas It has become eccssary that a new house of should be erected, there- ore, We, Ihc subscribers, do here- engage and agree lo pay lo Ihe 'ardens of Ihc Congregational oeicty In this town on demand he sum affixed to our names evcrally lo be by them paid over building committee chosen us. when called for by said ommitlee for the purpose of reeling and completing a house or public worship, on land given Rev. H.

Porter and Thomas Berry for that purpose to be a house of worship for the Con- jregational Church and Society long as said Church and Society iliall exist. "And furthermore the conditions if this subscription are: "1. That our subscriptions shal' not become due until Ihe sum wo thousands dollars shall have been subscribed. 1 '2. That when said meeting louse shall have been completed the pews shall be sold nt publli auction excepting such as may be reserved by the subscribers an the money arising from such sale: shall be paid lo us in proportion to what we have subscribed.

"3. That the said House of wor ship, when compleled 'and dis posed of as above specified, shal be put into the hands of the Con gregational Socicly in trust anc to be by (hem kept in repair fo Ihe object above specified." To this document were affixci the names of 44 subscribers, wit' subscriptions totalling $2,303.50 The sale of pews netted anolhe $2,855.15. The total cost of In building apparently was abou including a debt of which was paid off by subcriptio in 1841. The new church, dedicated Dec. 27, 1837, was without vestry at the beginning.

The Ian deeded to the church and societ by the Rev. Porter and Thorn G. Berry, was for the erectio of "a house for the public woi ship of Almighty God." The deed wcnl on to state Ilia should Ihe ehurcli and society become extinct, then the sai granted premises shall revert the legal heirs and assigns of th Rev. Porler and Berry. ff fi At a meeting of the Congrega tional Society on Oct.

28. 1839, was voted to allow Tliomas Parsons and 23 associates th "privilege and righl" to finish hall in the basement of the mee Ing house. The society reserve the right, however, to purchas Ihc hall at any time by refundin the association the amount money expended. The new vestry apparently wa used for a singing school ar other purposes. On Jan.

18, 1840 (he group which built Ihe vcslr assembled "to regulate Ihe ma: ner of leasing said room and adopt some measures towarc having a school in Ihe same." At that meeting, it was vole "lo choose three persons by noi Ination lo lease said hall for Ih benefit of the association and si as a committee, and lhat they deavor to get up a private schoc said hall." Also a stove and! nnel were purchased for, the ew basement. In 1840, following an application the committee to have a nlversallst lecture in the base- icnl, the subject was referred the Congregational Society for onslderallon. At the annual meet- of the soeiety on March 30, 840, it was voled lo buy the base- icnt from the association-, and lo orrow money for the purchase the same. The Town of Rye voled in 1841 give Ihe Wardens of the Con- rcgatlonal Society $15 a year for he use of the school room (ves- ry) in the meeting house to hold own meetings. The society prior to 1828 was nown as the third Religious So- iety, but in thai year it was oted a the name be changed to le First Congregational Soeiety Hye.

In Ihe same year the Rev. B. Smith was voted $400 a ear and the use of the parsonage, 1832, the Rev. Smith's salary fas S120. Soon after the first meeting LOUSC was torn down, the town "to hang the Bell on the Congregational Meeting House al he expense of the Town, and the 'own to control the same." The old bell, weighing 889 xunds, had become cracked after many years of service.

II was nally exchanged for a new one veiging flOl pounds. The cost ol he exchange was $101.70. 'The new bell, however, broken Ihe first day (Feb. 10 842) it was in service, while Tonalhan Philbriek was ringing it April 1843 a new bell was lung in the belfry, and this con inucd to give good service, es wcially on the Fourth of July i i Congregational Sociely ordered It removed. This town bell, together with (200 appropriated by the town In 873, were used for the procure ment of a new bell, xvhich mng in Ihe Town Hal! on Aug 20, 1873, where it is presently lo In May, 1872, the sum of $1, 466 was subscribed, including $300 rorh Ihe Ladles' Fund, for paint ng, deeoraling, and repairing tin neeling house and parsonage.

Six years later, in 1878, Ih tulchins, Plaistcd and Bos on, installed a pipe organ I tie rear of the sanctuary. A par the gallery had to be remove permit a place for the pipes 'he original receipted bill, date 10, 1878, slates that the or cost $950 and Is warranter 'for all lime against any Imper ection in workmanship or erial." The names of Ihc organ com mittee affixed lo the bill ar Phomas J. Parsons, Joseph .1) Jenness, David Jenness, Warre 'arsons, John 0. Foss, John Romick, Thomas W. Rand an Imrles J.

Brown. Expenses incidental to the pu chase of 'the organ amounted I :14.52, and at the' same tim chairs for the church were pu chased lo the amounl of $22.7 The. expenses of Ihe organ an chairs were met by contribution from the Martha Washington ciely of donations, $226.81 note to Horace Sawyer, $250; an profit from a concert, $37.50. Th 'olaljbill for the organ and chaii amounted to $987.30. The third meeting house, tied catcd in 1837 and before chang were made In' 1891, was provi od with a gallery just above Ih Iwo front doors, at the rear sanctuary.

Prior to the insta iation of the pipe organ, a sma reed organ was- used for musl A small platform for the cho extended into the sanctuary fro under the middle section of tl gallery where the pipe organ w. located. Pews extended along tl side walls and perpendicular them, with Iwo aisles on elth side of Ihc middle section of pew Through the latter ran a par tiop, in the middle of the san tuary. The chancel was on a pla form and the pulpit close to front end of the sanctuary, wl pews extending from the fro wall into the sanctuary, on bo sides of the chancd. Extensive changes and repai were made in 1891.

The sev steps which extended the width the church were removed and aced by a vestibule. An addllion as built at the rear of the build. to permit space for the pipe jan which was moved from un- (he gallery lo Ihe chancel. These changes were detailed by illlam Chauney Walker In an tide on Rye news, dated Dec. 1891 and published in the orlsmoulh As a Rye rrespondenl to the launcy Walker signed li is ar ties The following quota- is taken from his article: 'The remodelling of the Con- egatlonal church, which has -en going on for the past six oalhs, Is nearly completed.

Two ditlons have been made, one at rear lo accomodale the organ id Ihe choir, and which also fur. shes a library for the Sunday hool, and a room for Ihe pastor; id one aline fronl, which gives fine and commodious vesti- ile something that was lack- In the old clan. "The interior, having had the pews taken out, the old vcs bule and gallery turned Into Ihe udltorlum, making a hall 60 by feel, with Ihe organ moved om the front to the rear, ceiling and walls elab- ately frescoed, stained glass Indows in place, of the ordinary les formerly used, a new car- Jet, sixly black walnut pews ith cushions, and the pulpit fur- ture newly upholstered, makes place for divine worship- which ny congregation might well be roud of. tola! expense will be about .000., of which sum Ihe ladies oi society contributed $600, which oes to purchase Ihc carpet, cush- ns- and cHsndeller, and also to ay for frescoing and otherwise proving the vestry. E.

Paul, of Porlsmoulh rew-the plans for the rear ad- lion, and A. D. Cutter anc ompaay, of Boston, those for he front; Joseph W. Berry, of ye, was the conlractor, and he llh Charles M. Rand and Clar nee H.

Matthews, did most of the arpenter work; Fremont Moul on, of North Hampton, did the rick work and plastering, and lartin Sleeper, of Hye, put in underpinning: Albert John on painted Ihe woodwork, and harles J. Schumacher and Sons Boston, did the frescoing; I. Whipple and Company, of Boson, furnished the stained glas vindows; George B. French, 'ortsmouth, furnished the car jet; Ihe pews were made In Vorthvllle, Michigan, by Ihe Globe 'urnllure Company, and the cush ons by Pease and Hackaday, Boston; the Wheeler Reflector lompany, of Boston, furnished the hantielior, which has sixteen amps and a sixty Inch reflector, ilso four bracket lamps in ad- dllion. "The organ, which was buiit or the church about a dozen ears ago, by Hutchings, Plalsted and Company, Boston, was taken and replaced in its present position by the 'Same firm, and hows lo much beller advantage nan it did In its former locality.

The committee In charge of the vork, Langdon B. Parsons, and John 0. Drake, have done their duty well. Nat." The church was rededicated Jon. 14, 1892, at which the Rev.

Aldrich preached the sermon. The Congregational i purchased a clock from the Howard Clock Co. which was installed the meeting house Feb. 14, 1893. At the same time a bell was bought by the Sociely and hung in the belfry.

Over the years the bell was rung on Sundays at 9 o'clock and again at 10:30 to summon wor- 200. The clock, which was con- ected" to the bell, had two Sli- oot dials. The cosl of the clock weights came to $350.68. The Assembly of God lans Observance )f Anniversary The'Rev. Edward B.

Hill of lion Bible Institute, East Providence, R.I., will be the main pcaker when the Assembly of 3od Church on. Cults'St. ob- 'erves its second anniversary. A girl's trio from the Bible chool and a male soloist will ecompany the Rev. Jlr- Hill.

Services tomorrow will begin tilppcrs'to church. Years ago il heard on Ihe Fourlh of July, nd it was customary to toll the jell at funerals. This 48-Inch Blymycr bell, from cost he Cincinnati Bell Foundry 1,325 pounds and carpenters on the. installation job were Hollls Mardcn and Joseph Berry, who received $160.75 for Ihetr services. The Oliver Sleeper legacy, amounting to between $2,.

500 and J3.00C, was used to defray the expense of the clock and bell. Four additional pews were In. stalled later, totaling 54, but two of these were removed in 1953 to make more room near the chancel. The seating capacity of the church was estimated at 300. The outside dimensions of the church were close to 50 by 83 or 90 feet.

The steeple was estimated to be about 85 or 90 feet high to Ihc lop of the weather vane spindle. The weather vane was 5 feet, 3 inches in length and weighed about 50 pounds. (The second parl of this article will carry on (he history of the Rye meeting house from 1900 lo 1959, Including Ihe parsonages and the ministers.) .1 7:30 p.m. Saturday night will be All FOR Slates Night with 18 states and our countries expected to be The Rev. Troy lompton, founder and former laslor of the church, will be Uic The loyalty campaign will be continued at Sunday school beginning at 9:45 a.m.

Sunday will be Bring a Visitor Sunday. The Rev, J. Elden Peters, pastpr, will speak at the 11 services. The young peoples' service Sunday will begin at 6:30 p.m. Gospel music will be directed by Kenneth Hamilton, Christ Ambassadors' youlh leader.

The Rev. Mr. Hill will conduct the 7:30 p.m. services. A sectional fellowship meel- Ing will be Iield Monday.

There will be services at 3 p.m. with a supper at 5 p.m. served by the Women's Missionary Council. The Rev. Mr.

Hill will conduct the final anniversary service at 7:30 p.m. Lebanon Retains Court Sessions CONCORD (AP) The House yesterday killed a bll' that would have ended Superior Court sessions in Lebanon. Under term of l-hc measure Lebanon would have been elim inatcd as one of the three Graf ton County communities where the court liolds regular sessions IT'S'THE CANTEEN PORTSMOUTH $2 PER Will Rent A 30 GALLON GAS WATER HEATER plui fuel GOODRICH GAS CO. Eppinj, Tel. 2271 John W.

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