History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, 1879.



The First Congregational Church.


The First Congregational Church of Holyoke was organized by Dr. Lathrop, of the First Congregational Church of West Springfield, Dec. 4, 1799, with the following members: Joseph Rogers, Amos Allen, Titus Morgan, Timothy Clough, Susan Morgan, Nathan Stephens, Jonathan Clough, John Miller, and Glover Street. The first regular preacher of whom any record exists was Rev. Mr. Taylor, in 1816, who was engaged to preach one Sunday in four. After his dismissal an arrangement was made with the Baptists, by which it was agreed that the money raised by the Congregationalists should be paid to Rev. Thomas Rand, pastor of the Baptist Church, and that he should exchange with Congregational ministers "to supply us with preaching our part of the time." Rev. Mr. Hays supplied the church in 1828, and remained until 1833. He was succeeded by Rev. Harvey Smith, who officiated until Jan. 4, 1841. The next pastor was Rev. Gideon Dana, from 1841 to 1844, he was followed by Rev. Simeon Miller, who supplied the pulpit from September, 1844, to 1846, when he was called as pastor, and was ordained May 7, 1846, and continued in the pastoral relation until Jan. 22, 1870. Theodore L. Day was ordained and installed Dec. 18, 1872, and remained until June 24, 1874. The present supply is Rev. S.W. Clarke.

The deacons of the church have been as follows: Joseph Rogers, Amos Allen, John T. Dunham, Nathan Morse, Hiram Jones, Hervey Chapin, David C. Rogers, Lorenzo Nash, Lyman F. Thorp, and Samuel T. Lyman.







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