CHAPTER XI

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH*

The corporate name of this society is "The First Congregational Unitarian Church of Northborough." It was incorporated under that name in 1911. When it was organized, May 21, 1746, and thereafter until 1832, it was known as "The Church of Christ in Northborough" (with a change of town name that is the designation given to all the old New England churches of the Congregational order). After the organization of the Baptist Church (1827), and the Evangelical Congregational Church (1832), this society came to be known as the Unitarian Church, a name which it still bears.

The only action the town took, with reference to the separation, was on April 2 (the day before the Evangelical Congregational Society, and ten days before the Evangelical Church was organized), when it appointed a committee "to take measures to form the town into parishes." The committee reported (verbally) November 12, "that they had caused the town to be formed into parishes." Since which time the old church was most generally spoken of as "The First Parish."

The activities of the parish did not lessen after the separation; on the contrary they increased. And within a year they found it necessary to ask the town to grant them permission to build a vestry under the town hall, that they might have more room. Permission was granted, and the town hall was moved across the street, raised, and a vestry built under it, all at the expense of the parish. The parish used, and paid rent on this vestry until 1848, when its own building was remodeled.†

ALTERATIONS

Some alterations in the church building were made in 1837 at which time the old pulpit was replaced by a new one. The old pulpit was a huge affair, built against the rear wall of the church. Very radical changes were made in 1848-the galleries were taken out, the floor of the church was raised, and a vestry built underneath. The floor at that time was on a level with the outside stone steps, and the front doors opened directly into the

*For the history of this church prior to 1832, see chapter "The Northborough Meetinghouse. †See chapter "The Old Town Hall."

vestibule. Before this change was made there were two rows of windows in the church, one above and one below the galleries; but when the galleries were removed the two rows of short windows gave place to the present row of long windows. In 1872 changes were made in the vestry, at the solicitation of the Ladies' Society. One end of the vestry was converted into a ladies' parlor and a kitchen. It was in this same year that the roof of the church was slated, and the auditorium frescoed. All of these structural changes were done at considerable expense, which was met mostly by personal subscriptions. The parsonage was built in 1875 and its first occupant was Rev. Henry F. Bond, who became the minister in 1877.

CHRISTENING FONT

The church was presented with a heavy, cut glass christening font in 1834. The gift was accompanied by the following letter, which explains itself. The letter was addressed to Dr. Allen, the minister:

"SIR:

"WORCESTER, Dec. 18, 1834.

"You will oblige me by asking the society under your care to accept the font which will be delivered with this. It is a plain piece of cut glass, made under my direction for that purpose, and I hope will not be considered unworthy of a place upon the alter in the church. It is not designed to enrich the society but is a testimonial of my respect for it, and of my best wishes for its prosperity as a Christian community.

"I am, Dear Sir, with Great Respects, your faithful friend,

"J. DAVIS."

"J. Davis" was "Honest John" Davis who, at the time, was Governor of Massachusetts. He was born in Northborough, and was reared in the church.

It goes without the saying, that the gift was gladly accepted, and is today, together with the autograph letter which accompanied it, counted among the treasures of the church.

THE "TOWN" CLOCK

There seems to be an almost universal misunderstanding as to the ownership of the clock in the church tower. People speak of it as the "Town" Clock, and think of it as being owned by the town. And so it is the "town clock," in the sense that it does service for everybody in the town, but in no other sense. It is the property of the church.

On December 30, 1844, the church received a communication from Jonas Ball, Esq., offering to donate a clock to be put into the tower of the church, on certain conditions. One of the conditions was, that the church should pay for installing the same. The conditions were readily accepted; and after passing a vote of thanks to Mr. Ball for his generous gift, the parish appointed a committee to superintend placing "the clock on the meeting-house." The clock was put into place the following year (1845), since which time it has kept time for the whole town. To be sure in these latter days, it sometimes gets balky and refuses "to go." But that is true of all clocks. In that respect, clocks show their kinship with human nature. All they need at such times is a little coaxing.

THE ORGAN AND THE CHOIR

Measures were taken as early as 1844 to procure an organ, but the organ was not forthcoming until 1851. It was made by George Stevens of Cambridge, at that time, and for many years thereafter, one of the prominent organ builders of the country. It was paid for largely by personal subscriptions.

In this connection it will be interesting to read an observation on the choir made by Dr. Allen' in his twenty-fifth anniversary sermon (1841). He said: "On the day of my ordination (October 30, 1816), the singers' seats were filled, the ladies being tastefully adorned with white turbans and blue ribbons. "Italy," which was sung to the 278th hymn in Belknap, has ever since been one of my favorite tunes, and I never hear it, without a vivid recollection of the occasion when, as an ordained minister, I first listened to its sweet notes.

"Mr. Cephas Newhall, now of Sterling, then an inhabitant of this town, was the leader of our choir here referred to, of whom it is no more than justice to say, that, in the selection of appropriate tunes, in adapting the tones to the sentiments expressed, and in exercising a sort of magic influence over the whole choir, so as literally to be their leader, drawing them along after him insensibly and without effort, he was surpassed by few."

He adds: "At the time I came to this place, Watts's Psalms and Hymns were in use. Belknap was substituted for Watts on Thanksgiving Day, about one month after my ordination. Belknap was retained till January, 1835, when Greenwood's beautiful selection of Hymns was substituted for it, and gives, I believe, universal satisfaction."

All of the hymn books mentioned above were very popular in their day, and were used quite extensively for many years. In 1868, Greenwood's was replaced by the Unitarian Hymn