Memorial Congregational Church
(This church is the one we bought our present building from)

This link goes to a Rich Text Document (WordPad) on the history of Memorial church .

The Beginning of Memorial Church

The Memorial Church, now known as St. George Cathedral, had its beginnings in the spring of 1864 at the corner of Main and Sargeant Streets in Springfield in a building then known as "The Old Sargeant House" which was reared in 1774 and used as a public house during the Revolutionary War. This building was sold to Horatio Sargeant from whom its name was taken. During 1864, religious meetings were held Sunday evenings and although no organizations were formed during that time, these meetings were the first small beginnings of Memorial Church.

On April 8, 1865, a committee of seven met for the purpose of forming a new religious organization at the North End of Springfield, with the Congregational form and polity, to be called "The Memorial Church." This committee pledged themselves to each other in equal responsibility for what property they may agree to purchase and for whatever initial steps they may take for the erection of a house of worship.

On June 10, 1865, legal notice was given by the committee that they intended to form a new society. On July 18, 1865, the society was formed and elected its first officers. A building committee also was appointed with part of its duties being to raise funds by subscription. Around September 1, 1865, an acre of land was purchased (the knoll on which the church now stands) from Dr. W.G. Breck for $6,500.

On September 26, 1865, a letter signed by fifty-five petitioners, written from the Sargeant House to the North Church, stating that the petitioners wished to form a new church to be called "The Memorial Church," and asking that a letter of dismissal be granted them to that end and purpose. The request for dismissal was granted and the fifty-five petitioners were notified to come together at the Sargeant House, Sunday evening, October 15, 1865. A very large majority attended to consider the matter of organization. The following resolution was taken:

"Believing that the interest of religion require the formation of a church in Ward 1, we, a company of believers who profess faith in Christ, and acknowledge Him to be the Saviour of mankind, to effect His purpose in connection with the society which has been formed to build a house of Worship in said Ward to hereby organize ourselves into a church of Christ. (The name, Memorial Church, was given in "memory of the deceased ministers of New England.") Love and good-will to men shall be our bond of union."

At this time the North End of Springfield, Ward 1, was growing more rapidly than any other section of the city. North Church was over-crowded and in the spring of 1865 every pew was rented. There were members of other churches in the ward who showed interest in the formation of a new church. It was the opinion of the committee that a church, non-sectarian in character, would be a successful enterprise. A meeting took place on October 15, 1865, during which a committee of three — George M. Atwater, J.G. Holland, and H.J. Chapin — were chosen to convene the council of churches to confirm and complete the new organization. On October 22, 1865, this committee sent a letter missive to the First and Second Baptist Churches, Pynchon Street M.E. Church, North, South, Olivet and First Congregational Churches, the First Church of Longmeadow, First and Third Congregational Churches of Chicopee, and the First Church of West Springfield. The letter read as follows:

"In behalf of a number of persons who desire to be organized into a Christian church, letters of dismissal have been granted to that end and by the church or churches with which they have been connected, we invite you to send your Pastor and two other delegates to sit in council with us on Friday the 27th at the North Church lecture room at 4 o'clock p.m. to assist us by your prayers and council and, should such a step be agreeable to the will of God, to assess in the appropriate service of such an occasion. Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied."

Most of the churches accepted the invitation, although the Reverend W.R. Clark, pastor of the Pynchon Street Methodist Church, who declined, stated in his letter that he believed there was no need for an independent church.
The Reverend A.R. Potter, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, also declined on the grounds that it would be a violation of Baptist policy and practice to be represented in the formation of a church whose distinctive principles would not be in accord with the peculiar views of his church. However, he wished the new organization God's speed.

The council convened in the lecture room of the North Church on October 27, 1865. Reverend S.G. Buckingham, pastor of South Church was chosen moderator and the Reverend John N. Harding of Longmeadow was chosen scribe. According to the records of North and South Congregational Churches, 55 of their members had received letters of recommendation to the contemplated Memorial Church. This membership was increased by 4 more members, Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Niles of the Pynchon Street Methodist Church, Mrs. A.R. Hazen of South Church, and Mrs. Mary J. Johnson of the Second Congregational Church of Holyoke, bringing the total to 59 charter members of the Memorial Church on October 29, the date of the public organization of the church.

At the October 29 meeting, the constitution was read together with the new profession of faith. There was some discussion as to just what the members of Memorial Church were going to believe. The Reverend L.H. Cone of Chicopee wanted to know if the organization was to be an independent or a Congregational Church. Reverend W.K. Hall of Olivet Church was of the opinion that there was not a Congregational church in New England that would accept the creed proposed by the Memorial Church. Dr. Holland, active charter member, said in substance that the Memorial society had been composed of a band of fifty Congregationalists and that he did not suppose that they had changed their old creed in religious views to a new form. The creed was more broad in order to include all the Christian strength of the locality.

After further discussion, a synopsis of the new creed was adopted as follows: "In his confession of faith, we have intended to recognize the doctrines of the inspiration of the scriptures, natural depravity and the necessity of regeneration, the doctrine of God's eternal purpose, the universality of redemption, the divinity of Christ and the fact of sacrificial atonement, faith in Christ as the condition of pardon and life, and the everlasting punishment of the finally impenitent."

Following the adoption of the new creed, the council then proceeded to the organization. A committee of three: Reverend Henry M. Parsons of the First Church, Mr. O.W. Wilcox, a layman from the South Church, and Mr. J.T. Rockwood from Olivet Church, were appointed to confer with the committee of arrangements. A suitable program was arranged and the council adjourned to meet Sunday afternoon, October 29, at 2:30 in North Church lecture room, when the new enterprise was publicly organized. Addresses were given by Reverend Harding, Reverend L. Clark Seelye, and following the hand of fellowship by the pastor of the First Church, the Memorial Church was launched.

Three meetings were held at the old music hall, corner of Main and Pynchon Streets, following which the new organization worshipped in a hall on the third floor of the Hooker School. The first service was conducted by the Reverend Zachary D. Eddy of Northampton on November 5, 1865. An afternoon service followed at which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was celebrated. Among the church's first preachers, there were some laymen.

The first annual meeting was held in the Auburn Street School on Monday evening, October 29, 1866, and was called to order by George M. Atwater. C.L. Colvell was chosen moderator and J.D. Stratton was chosen secretary. At this time, only enrolled members were invited to attend. This meeting was of utmost importance as a form of standing rules presented by Mr. Atwater was adopted on motion of Mr. Holland. One of the interesting articles in the rules was that the church should employ a teacher to instruct the members of the school in sacred music. At this first annual meeting of the church, officers were chosen on the recommendation of a nominating committee; these were duly nominated and elected: three deacons, a clerk, a treasurer, a standing committee of three, and a business committee.

For some time the church had been considering the matter of choosing a regular pastor. At a meeting held at the Auburn Street School on November 26, 1866, the Reverend Mark Trafton of Providence, Rhode Island was asked by the standing committee to become its pastor for one year. Reverend Trafton, who had preached here on previous occasions, was familiar with the conditions of the church. The salary was fixed at $2,500 per annum. By letter of November 30, 1866, he accepted the call and began his work April 1, 1867. At that time, Reverend Trafton was about fifty years of age, a good natural wit, and an excellent preacher. At this time, the church had grown to a membership of 124.

The laying of the cornerstone of the new church on July 18, 1867 was an event of real interest. The Reverend James Drummond, pastor of North Church from 1858 to 1865, had pictured a new church and with the cooperation of Mr. C.M. Atwater and Dr. Holland, he made the project possible and discovered the ideal site on the knoll at Plainfield and North Main Streets where the church building now stands. Following the purchase of the site from Dr. W.G. Breck, $42,000 had been subscribed before the organization was a year old, and to succeed in raising the balance of the funds, a fair was arranged for the Christmas season, engaging two halls: the music hall and City Hall. The well-known architect, Upjohn of New York City, was engaged to draw up a plan of the church building and the handsome Gothic gray stone church building was the result. It is said that the design is somewhat like one of England's old churches. The granite for the building was the gift of Mr. William Flint of Monson.

An item in the Springfield Daily Union of Friday, July 19, 1867 read as follows:
"Previous to the laying of the cornerstone of the Memorial Church yesterday, a small collection gathered in the grove in the rear of the church where the 18th Psalm was read by the Reverend Dr. Peet of Holyoke and a prayer was offered by the Reverend H.M. Parsons of the First Church of this city, after which Reverend Mark Trafton read the inscription on a silver plate and a Washington medal that were to be placed in a copper box and deposited under the cornerstone. The box was then sealed up and the congregation then proceeded to the church where the cornerstone was lowered to its place. Reverend Mark Trafton using the trowel and pronouncing the words of benediction...
After the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone the congregation passed to the city hall and listened to an historical address by the Reverend S.C. Buckingham of the South Church. Another address was given by the eminent D. William Adams of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church of New York City. Other addresses were made and letters read. Among the speakers was ex-lieutenant governor Joel Hayden." The construction of the church required two years. It was completed in March and dedicated on June 3, 1869.

At a meeting held January 27, 1868, Reverend Trafton was asked to continue for another year. He could not accept, stating he desired to return to the Methodist Church. The membership was now 174. A call was then issued to the Reverend E.P. Parker of Hartford, Connecticut to succeed as pastor of the church. He was prevented from accepting by the Hartford Council which refused to dismiss him. Thus, the church was without an official pastor until March 14, 1869 when the Reverend W.T. Eustis, Jr. of New Haven preached his first sermon as pastor-elect. On June 3, 1869, Dr. Eustis was installed, the ceremony being in charge of Dr. Leonard Bacon of the Yale Theological School. The installing prayer was given by Theodore D. Woolsey, President of Yale, and a congratulatory address was given by Professor D. Clark Seely of Amherst College. Reverend Eustis was made a member of the church on January 24, 1869. The membership now stood at 185.

During the many years of Reverend Eustis' pastorate, the church prospered and succeeded beyond expectation and by May 1878, the membership had increased to 425.

Also during this time, the John Street Chapel was built and a considerable debt of about $21,000 was paid off. Reverend Eustis died at his home on John Street on March 30, 1888. The inscription on the tablet closed with the words "Servant of God, well done."

On May 29, 1888, a call was sent to Reverend J.L.R. Trask. Dr. Trask accepted in a letter from Lawrence, Massachusetts dated June 1, 1888 and was installed on December 13, 1888. During Dr. Trask's ministry, the matter of building a parish house was discussed. A subscription of $37,000 was made, which was followed by a donation of $5,000 from George M. Atwater, who had previously made a gift of $18,000 toward the church building. Another $5,000 was subscribed by Mr. J.H. Southworth and in January 1891, Mrs. Catherine H. Lombard, who was at the point of death, sent her check for $5,000. During 1891, Miss Harriet B. Hitchcock donated the land for the building. The land and building cost about $37,000 and the Parish House, which stands at the southeast corner of Church and North Main Streets, was dedicated free and clear of debt on Wednesday, April 17, 1895. The new building was called "Memorial Church Parish House." On April 21, the Sunday School moved into the Parish House.

The Sunday School had been organized in Hooler Hall on December 3, 1865. On December 10, 1865, Scattergood Sunday School, which was organized by Miss Amy Bodfish on July 10, 1862, and whose leaders were Miss Bodfish, G.W. Atwood, and H.W. Hallett, joined the new school. The Scattergood School had a membership of 60, bringing the total of the new school to 130. A.M. Hallett was the first superintendent. In less than a year, the membership grew to 430. Dr. Holland became superintendent in January of 1867 and was an earnest and hard worker for about four years. Mr. J.D. Stratton succeeded for another year during which the Young Men's Class was organized on April 17, 1885. A Young Ladies' Class was soon founded along the lines of the Men's Class and met with success.

The success of the church during the following years may be largely credited to the work of its many organizations such as the King's Helpers, Lend-A-Hand Society, the Missionary Society, the Harry Wadsworth Club, the Philadelphia Club, and the Women's Guild, a union of the former Missionary Society and the Lend-A-Hand Society. On February 9, 1913, an organ, a gift of Caroline E. Spencer, was dedicated and was played by Professor William Hammond. In May 1941, the Memorial Republic for boys and men of the city was organized and on January 14, 1926, there was established the Memorial Church School with a superintendent, assistant superintendent, superintendent of instruction, treasurer, and secretary.

On October 31, 1915, the church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. In 1926, the church joined the Hampden Association of Congregational Churches. The pageant written on May 17, 1936 by Mrs. Walter Church showed five epochs of Springfield history, from the home of William Pynchon in 1642 to a house on Plainfield Street which was affected by the flood.

On September 13, 1936, Reverend Edward Payson Berry resigned the pastorate due to failing health. His resignation was reluctantly accepted officially on September 15, 1936 and the members of the church paid him high tribute for the 25 years of faithful services he rendered to the church. From September 15, 1936 to April 1, 1937, the church was without a regular pastor. Dr. Henry L. Bailey of Longmeadow, Massachusetts occupied the desk in the interim. Then, Reverend Allison Ray Heaps of Ann Arbor, Michigan became the sixth pastor of the church. Because of changing conditions in the north end of the city, there had been a considerable falling off of church attendance, financial support, and leadership. However, Reverend Heaps accomplished much and through his efforts and the generosity of Samuel L. Woodbury, lights were placed in the tower. During this pastorate, several organizations were formed:
Memorial Fellowship, Women's Guild, Ariston Club, Athletic Club, Men's Club

The following officers and committees functioned during the year 1940:
Church Clerk, Auditor. Finance Committee, Music Committee, Sunday School Superintendent, Publicity Committee, Deacons for 3 years, Hospitality Committee, Deaconesses for 3 years, Boy Scout Committee, Trustees for 3 years, House Committee, Religious Education Committee, Girl Scout Committee, Chief Usher

On June 3, 1940, a committee arranged for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Memorial Church. On July 31, 1940, a meeting was called to discuss the sale of the church property and on September 5, 1940, it was voted to accept the offer of the Greek Church. The matter was then postponed to another meeting on September 12, 1940 and again to September 24, when it was finally decided to sell all of the church property to the Hellenic Religious Building Fund Corporation for St. George's Greek Orthodox Church for $50, 000.

On October 17, 1940, invitations to merge with the following churches were read: South Church, First Church, Faith Church, Hope Church, and East Congregational Church. However, plans for the 75th anniversary had been completed and on Friday evening at 8 o'clock, October 25, 1940, the celebration began with a reception in the parish house, followed by an hour of reminiscing and musical and social hour. On Sunday, October 27, 1940, there was a service of worship with special anniversary features followed at 6P.M. with a pageant, "Memorial Church Tells Its Story," depicted by a series of episodes.

On December 11, 1940, a communication from Reverend Mr. Heaps, marked "Important" stated "that the decision to merge with Hope Church was a wise one." The plan of the merger provided that the funds of Memorial Church be held by a board of trustees of Memorial Church and that the pastor of Memorial Church become one of the ministers of Hope Church with period of services unlimited, that the officers and members of Memorial Church be given representation upon the boards and committees of Hope Church. It was further understood that transportation could be furnished regularly on Sunday morning to all who desired it. Although the merger was set for January 1, 1941, the Hope Church cordially invited attendance at the meetings held on Sunday, December 15 and at the Men's Club the following Friday.

The Reverend Allison Heaps wrote the following letter to his parishioners on December 26, 1940:
"This is the final word that will come to you from your pastor while we are constituted a separated Memorial Church. It carries three important announcements:
Our last service of worship as a distinct church family will be held in the Parish House at 11A.M. next Sunday, December 29. This is to be an intimate gathering marked by an earnest and hopeful expectation. Following a brief message from the pastor, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be fittingly observed. Again, Hope Church and its pastors, Dr. Miller and Dr. Whipple, are planning a reception for the members of Memorial Church and Mr. and Mrs. Heaps on New Year's Eve, December 31, from 9 to 11. This will be followed by a Watch Night Service. We are anticipating this event for the coming of the New Year at midnight when the merger of the Memorial Church becomes effective. Also, the first Sunday in the New Year, January 5, should be a memorable occasion. At that time, we meet for worship in Hope Church for the first time as members of a greatly enlarged church fellowship. What a pleasure we are to find in making new friends. What a satisfaction in sharing the responsibilities of a great work and in knowing that we can carry on more effectively through a great church in making our contribution to the religious life of our city, and it is to me personally, a source of gratitude and pride that in this union of hearts and hands for larger service, I am privileged to remain as hitherto..."

On December 31, 1940, as had been planned, the members of the two churches met at the midnight service. There, the merger was sealed by a handclasp of the minister, Dr. John Homer Miller, of Hope Church and Mr. Heaps. Thus, the Memorial Church continues its function in a larger field.