NEW CHURCH AUDITORIUM INTERIOR, LOOKING EAST NEW CHURCH MEMORIAL BRONZE TABLET NEW CHURCH CHAPEL INTERIOR MISSION SCHOOL BUILDING 99 40 97 156 179 X Foreword "If the history of the Church in general is of all history most important, and events relating to it, apparently trivial, possess in the sight of God more interest than revolutions and overthrow of thrones and empires, then the history of an individual church even for a limited period is to itself worthy of record and review." So wrote the pastor and deacons of Dr. Thurston's time in an annual report; so thought the officers and members in church meeting assembled, June 13, 1904, when they instructed their chairman, Dr. Swift, to appoint a committee who should gather material for a church history. He nominated Mrs. William Carr, the only surviving original member of the Church, Mrs. Thurston, widow of Dr. Eli Thurston, and Mrs. Charles J. Holmes, wife of the senior deacon. After some nine months spent in examining records, gathering material, and devising a general plan for the work, the committee. reported progress, and asked for information as to the extent of its powers. The report was accepted, the committee continued, and given full power to proceed with the work on lines suggested. Early in June, 1905, a circular letter was issued by the committee, describing their work, giving the estimated cost of publishing the book, and asking for voluntary subscriptions to pay for the same. Before the first of July sufficient money and pledges were received to warrant the continuance of the work as proposed. Three deacons of the Church were called to assist in the further prosecution of the work: Deacon Henry H. Earl to the editor's chair; Deacon Newton R. Earl to aid in the publication of the book, and Deacon Charles J. Holmes to receive and have charge of the subscription fund. To the hearty coöperation and untiring zeal of these gentlemen, and their experience and efficiency in editing and embellishing the book, is due in a large measure whatever of success has been attained. The committee wish to acknowledge their indebtedness to all friends who have in any way assisted them, and to voice their appreciation of papers prepared by Deacon Charles A. Baker, Mrs. Alanson J. Abbe, Miss Anna H. Borden, and Mrs. James F. Jackson. The aim of the committee has been, not so much to give a literal presentation of every passing event, as to record the varied experiences through which the life and work of the Church has been broadened, deepened, and made more fruitful. Sixty-three years of active church life have passed in review before us,- some of unusual prosperity, when the air was filled with the song of "The Harvest Home" and the church opened wide its doors to receive the returning gleaners bringing their sheaves with them; others of sore trial and adversity, when with David we were led to say," All Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me "; some filled with earnest work crowned with large success; others seemingly less fruitful and with but little if any sign of outward growth. Through all the years, however, there is clearly discernable, a growing sense of the responsibility of the Church for the moral and spiritual uplift of the life of the community, and a strengthening of the tie which binds all in one common brotherhood. MRS. WILLIAM CARR. MRS. ELI THURSTON. MRS. CHARLES J. HOLMES. HISTORY AND ANNALS OF THE Central Congregational Church OF FALL RIVER, MASS. Introduction THE First Congregational Church in Fall River, the mother church, was organized by an ecclesiastical council regularly convened for the purpose, January 9, 1816. Five persons, viz., Richard Durfee, Welthe Durfee, Joseph Durfee, Elizabeth Durfee, and Benjamin Brayton, constituted its original membership. This little company, weak in numbers, but strong in faith and zeal, gradually increased until, in 1840, three hundred and sixty-four names were enrolled in its membership. During the year 1840, an unfortunate business disagreement between two of its prominent members was the occasion of a widespread disaffection in the church, resulting in a request from certain members, "That they be dismissed from the First Church and allowed to form a new church." The request was granted, and, in accordance therewith, letters missive were sent from the First Congregational Church to eleven neighboring churches, to meet in ecclesiastical council to consider and act upon the following resolution, viz., "That this church proceed to call an ecclesiastical council to consider the expediency of organizing, and if thought expedient, to organize Amery Glazier and other 1 |