Massachusetts

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See Branches of Plymouth Brethren to explain abbreviation types (although in short: OB (& TW-P) are Halls & Chapels within the "open brethren" (although GH's (generally) maintain a separate network from the Chapels). EB/TW/TW-N are "Careful" Brethren (similar to OB Halls), and BC are (generally) independent community churches with early or indirect PB influence, and will (usually) not consider themselves "Brethren").  AA/CA refers to assemblies of African or Caribbean origin, or predominant demographic, although all ethnicities are overly welcome in any assemblies.

The above primer link expands on the abbreviations, and also contains introduction to this (and other) sheets within the overall History. There have been scores of branches with their own distinctive networks and strengths within the history of the PB, and many branches continue to flourish today, and while no assembly or gathering is identical to the others, each is thought to maintain a fervent desire for simplicity in gathering around the Lord Jesus, though practices and secondary doctrines may vary culturally and/or preferentially as autonomous (yet inter-dependent) local churches.

Assemblies are sorted geographically, and will, D.V., eventually have further history within. Red links on Brethrenpedia are presently undeveloped, and blue links contain data. Appreciate patience with our progress, and if you'd like to help, please contact any of the editing team, preferably via social media.

Eastern MA

Boston/Cambridge/Newton, MA/N.H./CT metro

Essex County

In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated two open assemblies in Essex Co., unknown locations, meeting in rented halls with a combined capacity of 300.

Beverly

Danvers

Lawrence

  • Lawrence Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1897-1912+
    • WiS 1912-12: Lowell, Mass.: "Mr. Mm Matthews spent a Lord's day with the Assembly here, and another in Lawrence. These are two Assemblies not often visited by the Lord's servants."

Lynn

  • Lynn Meeting Room, MA (EB) +1878-1908+; (TW) +1909-1917+
    • @ Miss Neal's, 337 Western Ave. +1880+
    • c/o Louis Roberts @ cor. Franklin St. & Western Ave. +1880+

Merrimac

Methuen

  • Methuen Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1904-1941+
    • Lawrence Gospel Hall or Broadway Gospel Hall +1904+; Methuen Gospel Hall or Center Street Gospel Hall +1922-1941+
    • @ Broadway, Lawrence +1904+; Center St., Methuen +1922-1941+
    • c/o Samuel Spence, 90 Summer St., Lawrence +1922+; Thomas Wilkinson, 84 or 90 Brown St., Methuen +1927+; Ernest Halbach, 6 Quincy St. +1936-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that (in 1927), there were 47 in fellowship (17 men, 30 women) including 7 S.S. teachers, presiding over 35 children (for a total of 82). The Hall had a value of $5,000, and $360 was spent (in 1926) towards the Lord's work.
  • Methuen Italian Gospel Hall, MA (Italian OB) 1937-1942+
    • @ 53 Merrimack St. +1941+
    • c/o Carlo Cavallero @ 56 Merrimack St. 1935-1941+
      • Cavallero and his family were saved in Italy, but associated with a denom. church in Methuen, and invited Rocco Cappiello initially, then C. Patrizio & L. Rosania pitched a gospel tent in the summer of 1935, a hall was opened in Oct. 1935. Then in Aug. 1936, F. Carboni & G. Johnston pitched a tent. Leonard Netti moved to the area from Orange, NJ and the assembly was started Jan. 21, 1937, and built their own hall which opened on Mar. 10, 1942.

In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated two open assemblies in Essex Co., unknown locations, meeting in rented halls with a combined capacity of 300. Also one two PB-III (TW-Lowe EB), one in a home, and another in rented hall with a capacity of 50, and a total attendance of 34.

Newbury

  • Byfield Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1904-1941+
    • Depot Square Gospel Hall +1904+; Central St. +1926-1927+
    • c/o Ira Alvin Gould +1922-1927+ (b. 1853 West Newbury, MA - d. 1947 Haverhill, Essex, MA), son of Tristran S. Gould (1810-1881 W. Newbury, MA, a local shoemaker) & Annie Perkins Gould (b. 1810 Hampton, N.H.), married 1838 @ W. Newbury. Alvin's grandparents were Joseph Gould (b. 1765 Newburyport, MA - d. 1825) & Susanna Rogers Gould (b. 1766 Newbury, MA). Wife: Faustina Rogers Gould (b. 1858 Newbury, MA - d. 1944 Newburyport, MA). Faustina was in fellowship with the Methodist church in Byfield, toward the end of her life. Alvin was misprinted as Oliver Gould in the 1922 & 1927 AAB's.
      • Clara Etta "Carrie" Gould Mooney (1873-1960 Newbury, MA). Husband: Fred Wilburt Mooney (b. 1874 Dalton, Coos, N.H. - d. 1956 Byfield, MA), son of Otis C. Mooney & Addie Dexter Mooney.
        • Carroll Edgerton Mooney (b. 1894 Newbury, MA - d. 1965 New Orleans, LA). 1st wife: Rose Marthey Mooney (b. 1900 LA); 2nd wife: Ethel May Gerstner Mooney (b. 1917 New Orleans, LA - d. 1991 LA), daughter of William Predon Gerstner & Mary Keneker Gerstner.
        • Marion Mooney Rogers (b. 1895 Newbury, MA - d. 1953 Byfield, MA). Husband: Fred Rogers (b. 1890 Newbury, MA - d. 1962 Haverhill, MA), son of Simon Orrin Rogers & Hannah Lavinia Hardy Rogers.
        • Ruth Madeline Mooney (1898-1904 Newbury, MA)
        • Lamont Prescott Mooney (1900-1970 Newbury, MA); Wife: Nellie Maud Rogers Mooney (1903-1966 Newbury, MA), daughter of Simon Alvin Rogers & Mary Abbie Rogers.
      • Martha Emily Gould Lowe (b. 1884 Newbury, MA - d. 1936 Danvers, MA). Husband: James A. Lowe (b. (ca.) 1871 Scot. - d. 1948 Newbury, MA), son of Alexander Lowe & Mary Beattie Lowe. James was instrumental in the early success of the Ould Newbury Golf Club, as a professional golfer and greenskeeper, also assisted with the founding of the golf course at the Amesbury Country Club.
        • Mary Beattie Lowe Lancey (b. 1904 W. Newbury, MA - d. 1960 Danvers, MA). Husband: Joel Louis Lancey, Jr. (b. 1903 Newburyport, MA - d. 1981 Rocky Hill, CT), son of Joel Louis Lancey & Charlotte Bailey Lancey.
        • James A. Lowe (b. 1908 Woburn, MA - d. 1989 Arnesbury, MA). Wife: Virginia Frances Rogers Lowe (b. 1910 Newbury, MA - d. 2010 Newburyport, MA), daughter of Fred & Virginia Rogers.
        • Ruth Snowden Lowe Lord (b. 1915 Newbury, MA - d. 1970 Danvers, MA). Husband: Asa Judson Lord (b. 1901 Plaistow, Rockingham, N.H. - d. 1954 Newbury/Byfield, MA), son of Asa Lord & Sarah Judson Lord.
    • c/o Frederick L. Pearson +1936-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 18 in fellowship (4 men, 14 women) including 3 S.S. teachers, presiding over 16 children (for a total of 34 in 1926). The Hall was a rented facility, and $200 was spent towards the Lord's work.

North Andover Depot

Peabody

Salem

Saugus

  • Cliftondale Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1922-1941+
    • Lincoln Avenue Gospel Hall +1922-1927+
    • 2nd St. home & Felton St. clubhouse +1926+; 325 Lincoln Ave. +1922-1927+; Essex St. (nr. Felton) +1936-1941+
    • c/o E. Gibbs, Tun, 23 Grove St. +1922+; David Walsh +1926-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 23 in fellowship (7 men, 16 women) including 5 S.S. teachers, presiding over 30 children (for a total of 53). The Hall was at a rented facility, and $439.70 was spent towards the Lord's work (including $279.70 toward a building fund).

Middlesex County

    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated two Grant assemblies in Middlesex Co., with 9 meeting in a rented halls with a total capacity of 40. There was also one open assembly with a rented hall with a capacity of 150.

Cambridge

  • Cambridge Gospel Hall, MA (AA/CA OB) +1922-1941+
    • Shawmut Avenue Gospel Hall +1922-1927+; Cambridge Gospel Hall +1936-1941+;
    • @ 608 Shawmut Ave., Boston +1922+; 714-A Shawmut Ave., Boston +1926-1927+; 888 Main St., Cambridge +1936-1941+
    • c/o Joseph A. Cox @ 332 Concord Ave., Cambridge +1922-1927+; James Swan, 8 Field St. +1936-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 11 in fellowship (4 men, 7 women) including 2 S.S. teachers, presiding over 30 children (for a total of 41). The Hall was a rented facility (with $330 in expenses), and $50 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.
  • Cambridge Gospel Room, MA (KLC-EB) 1900-2022+
    • @ 69 Norfolk St.
    • see CGR's website
    • possibly an Caribbean-American (CA) meeting in 1946.
    • c/o Reginald Markland McLean Ince +1946+ (b. 1881 St. David's Village, Barbados - d. 1966 Cambridge, MA); Born as Arnold Breedy. Emigrated in 1905. In 1917, he was employed as a chipper for Blake & Knowles Steam Pump Co.. 1930-1940, he was self-employed as a house & window cleaner.
      • son of John Thomas Ince (b. 1844) & Mary Elizabeth Breedy Ince (b. 1843), married 1875 @ Christ Church, Barbados.
      • wife (1912 @ Cambridge): Gertrude Valeria Hutson Ince (b. 1886 St. David's Village, Barbados - d. 1967 Cambridge, MA); Children:
        • Hazel Marguerite Ince Hinkson (b. 1913 Boston, MA - d. 1969 Cambridge, MA). Husband: Desmond Fitz Thomas Hinkson (b. 1911 Christ Church, Barbados - d. 1989 Bridgetown, Barbados).
        • Claudia Clementine Ince Woodley (b. 1914 Boston, MA - d. 1991 Cambridge, MA). 1940 nurse;
        • Frank Vernon Ince (1914-1997 Boston, MA). Army 1950-1952. Wife: Audrey Beatrice Layne Ince (1932-2009 Cambridge, MA), daughter of Aubrey Beauvelle Layne (b. 1895 Barbados, emig. 1918, d. 1967 Cambridge, MA) & Christol Louise King Layne (b. 1902 Barbados - d. 1983 Cambridge, MA).
      • Reginald's brother's family lived next door in 1917, employed as a night watchman for W.H. McElwain Co. (shoe company) @ 354 Congress St., Boston. Theophilus Josiah Ince (b. 1885 Barbados - d. 1966 Cambridge, MA) and his wife Edith B. Ince.
      • There was also Joseph Nathaniel Ince (b. 1881 Barbados) on 116 Broadway, Cambridge employed as a laborer for the Lever Brothers, which by 1929 was the 3rd largest soap manufacturer in the country.
      • Witnesses of Reginald Ince's naturalization in 1940 were Conrad J. Dottin @ Cambridge, and George A. Phillips @ Cambridge, both commended workers and presumably in fellowship with the assembly.
    • c/o Herman David Brathwaite +1946+ (b. 1887 Barbados - d. 1960)
      • wife (1913 @ Cambridge): Louise J. Brathwaite (b. 1880 Barbados); Children:
        • Martha E. Brathwaite (b. 1914 Boston, MA - d. 1985 Brooklyn, N.Y.)
        • Itha Irsila Brathwaite (b. 1916 Cambridge, MA). Husband (1938 @ NYC): Alban Arthur Callender (b. 1905 BWI - d. 1983 Wingdale, Dutchess, N.Y.), son of Ernest Callender & Justina Preston Callender (b. 1882 BWI - d. 1944 NYC). Justina was a daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth Preston.
        • Meta Adelle Brathwaite Callender (b. 1917 Cambridge, MA - d. 2002)

Chelmsford

  • North Chelmsford Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1904-1941+
    • @ "Private House, A Village" +1904+; Woods Corner +1922-1941+
    • c/o William Warley/Worley +1922-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 41 in fellowship (15 men, 26 women) including 3 S.S. teachers, presiding over 20 children (for a total of 61). The Hall had a value of $3,000 with no debt (and with $336.98 in expenses), and $325.00 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.

Framingham

  • Framingham Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1922-1941+
    • Framingham Gospel Hall +1922+; +1936+; Believer's Meeting Room +1927+; Natick home assembly +1941+;
    • @ 81 Franklin St. +1926-1927+; 100 Beech St. +1936+; home of B. Wallace, 87 Speen St., Natick +1941+
    • c/o Hamilton Bros., 120 Tremont St., Boston +1922+;
    • c/o Olin Fisk Herrick +1926-1941+ (b. 1881 Wilbraham, Hampden, MA - d. 1958 Shrewsbury, Worcester, MA), son of William Braman Herrick (b. 1855 CT) & Lucy A. Fisk Herrick (b. 1852 Southampton, MA - d. 1923 Auburndale, MA).
      • William B. Herrick was a son of William Henry Herrick (b. 1822 Cattaraugus Co., N.Y. - d. 1886 Marlborough, MA) & Tryphena Stratton Herrick (b. 1828 Elmore, Lamoille, VT - d. 1909 Boston, MA). The senior William was a Methodist pastor, serving Blandford, Hampden, MA in 1860.
      • Lucy was a daughter of Franklin Fisk (b. 1814 Framingham, MA - d. 1896 Auburndale, MA), who retired as a Methodist Episcopal pastor, including in Stoughton (1840-1841). She was active in the Auburndale UMC, and a treasurer of a teachers' agency in Boston. She was a great-grand-daughter of Moses Fisk (b. 1746 Natick - d. 1810 Framingham, MA), who "responded to the Lexington Alarm from Natick" in 1775 which was the first battle of the Revolutionary War.
      • In 1900, Olin and his parents and siblings resided at the Walker Home for Missionary Children in Auburndale, Newton, MA.
      • In 1918, Olin's brother William was killed in "airplane service" in France in WWI.
      • Wife: Grace Frances Cooley Herrick (b. 1879 Brookline, MA), daughter of William Henry Cooley & Charlotte Cornelia Stoddard Cooley, and great-great-granddaughter of Liet. Adonijah Strong (b. 1743 Coventry - d. 1813 Salisbury) who served in 1776 in the artillery, militia, and commissary, as a member of the Cincinatti in the Revolutionary War.
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 45 in fellowship (13 men, 32 women) including 1 under 13 years old. The Hall was a rented facility (with $1,113.70 in expenses), and $764.60 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.

Groton

Lowell

  • Lowell Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1897-1941+
    • Lowell, MA visit by John Martin +1897+; Central Street Gospel Hall +1904+; Brough Street Gospel Hall +1922+; Moore Street Gospel Hall +1926-1941+
    • @ 1015 Central St., near Davis Square +1904+; 139 Brough St. +1922+; Moore & Lawrence Sts. +1926-1941+
    • c/o John Martin +1897+; Kirby S. Taylor +1922+; George McKee +1926-1927+; William Alexander +1927+; Richard Murphy +1936+; John T. Fettes +1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 40 in fellowship (15 men, 25 women) including 5 S.S. teachers, presiding over 35 children (for a total of 75). The Hall had a value of $6,000 with no debt, $600 was spent in 1926 on assembly expenses, and $500.00 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.
    • WiS 1912-12: Lowell, Mass.: "Mr. Mm Matthews spent a Lord's day with the Assembly here, and another in Lawrence. These are two Assemblies not often visited by the Lord's servants."

Malden

Somerville

  • Union Chapel, MA (OB) +1904-1941+
    • @ corner of Broadway & Cedar Sts., Somerville +1904+; 42 Alfred St. (Broadway & Alfred Sts.), Medford +1922-1941+
    • c/o Willard P. Doudale? @ 45 Conwell Ave. +1926-1927+; William B. Fleming +1922-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 80 in fellowship (40 men, 40 women) including 9 S.S. teachers, presiding over 60 children (for a total of 140). The Hall was worth $18,750 (including $2,250 for the land), with a $7,100 debt at the end of 1926, with $1135.33 in assembly expenses including the new building and sidewalk), and $1863.59 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.

Wakefield

Norfolk County

    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated a Grant assembly in Norfolk Co., with 12 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 80.

Brookline

  • Brookline Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1922-1941+
    • Brookline Village Gospel Hall +1922+; Brookline Gospel Chapel +1927-1936+; Brookline Gospel Hall +1941+
    • @ 64 Walnut St. +1922+, +1927+; 366 Washington St. +1926-1941+
    • c/o John "Jock" Wilson @ 80 University Rd. +1922-1930 (b. 1876 Lugar or Auchinleck, Ayr, Scot., emig. 1911, d. 1930 Foxborough, MA). Carpenter. Son of James Wilson (b. (ca.) 1842 Tarbolton, Ayr, Scot. - d. 1916 Cathcart, Glasgow, Scot.) & Margaret Kelly Wilson (b. 1843 Liverpool, Eng. - d. 1931 Kilmarnock, Ayr, Scot.). Wife (1900 @ Glasgow, Scot.): Margaret White Kay Wilson (b. 1877 Glasgow, Scot.). Children:
      • James R. Wilson (b. 1901 Glasgow, Scot. - d. 1983 Carlsbad, San Diego, CA). Wife: Arline A. Thompson Wilson (b. 1904 Somerville, MA - d. 1991 Oceanside, S.D., CA).
      • Agnes "Nan" Wilson Olson (b. 1906 Glasgow, Scot. - d. 1991 Belmont, MA). Later @ Park Street Church, a conservative congregational meeting in Boston that historically supports IVCF & Gordon Conwell TS. Husband (1938): Gordon W. Olson (b. 1896 MA).
      • Robert Kay "Bob" Wilson (b. 1910 Glasgow, Scot. - d. 1976 West Yarmouth, Barnstaple, MA)
      • Geraldine Margaret "Jerry" Wilson (b. 1912 Brookline, MA - d. 2001 Eliot, York, ME)
    • c/o James M. Whinney +1926-1927+, +1941+;
    • c/o Robert J. Richardson, 7 Dunboy St., Brighton +1936+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 52 in fellowship (23 men, 29 women) including 5 S.S. teachers, presiding over 50 children (for a total of 102). The Hall had a value of $22,000 with a debt of $16,500 (with $1,940 in expenses), and $375 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.

Westwood

  • Islington Assembly, MA (OB) +1936-1941+
    • @ home of Jackson Lynas @ 173 Washington St. +1936+; home of M.R. Lynas @ 283 Washington St. +1941+

Plymouth County

Brockton

  • Brockton Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1926-1936+
    • @ 45 Martland Ave. +1926-1927+; Community Hall, Fern St. (off Pleasant St.) +1936+;
    • c/o John E. Glenn @ 781 Maine St. +1926-1927+; George F. Piers, 29 Perkins Ave., Campello, Brockton +1936+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 22 in fellowship (10 men, 12 women) including 2 S.S. teachers, presiding over 14 children (for a total of 36). The Hall had a value of $2,500 with a debt of $2,100 (with $482.71 in expenses), and $50.00 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.

Suffolk County

Boston

  • Newspapers.com 1925-12-19 article from the Brantford Expositor referencing a find of some PB of 140 sheets of previously undiscovered Shakespearian MSS, as well as a Breeches Bible and other collectibles by a Rogers family that relocated from England to Boston, affiliated with the PB, as well as mention of a Mr. Thomas & Mr. Sumner, also PB. They buried the MSS in 1818 to protect it from a famous forger.
  • Boston Assembly Room, MA (Raven-Taylor EB) 1889-1959+
    • @ 164 Ashmont St., Dorchester
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated a PB-IV assembly in Suffolk Co., with 100 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 200.
  • Boston Meeting Room, MA (EB) +1873-1884; (TW-Lowe-Raven EB) 1884-1889; (TW-Lowe EB) 1889-1908 (TW-EB) +1909-1985+
    • c/o F.G. Brown @ 3 Tremont Row +1873-1874+; F.A. Haworth @ 8 Summer St. +1880-1882+; F.W. Wade @ Chestnut Ave. +1882+; C. Crain @ 13 Tremont Row +1884+
  • Boylston Street Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1936-1937+
    • @ 739 Boylston St., Room 309
    • c/o William Huss +1936-1937 (b. 1878 Newark Heights, Essex, N.J. - d. 1937 Arlington Heights, Middlesex, MA), son of Henry Charles Huss & Ann Tompkins Huss; Itinerant evangelist. 1925-1937 lived @ Arlington Heights. Wife: Florence Jean Preston Cran-Huss (b. 1881 Suffolk Co., MA - d. 1962 Arlington, MA), daughter of Henry M. Preston (b. 1842 Chester, N.H. - d. 1920 Middleton, Essex, MA) & Hannah Peaslee Whitten-Preston (b. 1842 Sandwich, Carroll, N.H. - d. 1883 Milton, Norfolk, MA). Henry Preston was a Civil War veteran; Children:
      • Virginia Cran Farrar (b. 1916 Seattle, WA - d. 2007 Scarborough, Cumberland, ME). Her father was Florence Huss' 1st husband John Newell Cran (b. 1882 Hyde Park, Suffolk, MA - d. 1917 Seattle, WA). Husband: George Otis Farrar (b. 1906 Boston, MA - d. 1986 Portland, Cumberland, ME), son of George Henry Farrar (b. 1840 Marlborough, Cheshire, N.H. - d. 1915 Boston, MA) & Carrie Frances Nichols Farrar (b. 1871 Dorchester, Suffolk, MA - d. 1950 Brighton, MA). George, Sr. was a hotel proprietor in 1910 in Boston, and a son of Minot Farrar & Mabel Barnes Farrar.
  • Cliff Street Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1890-1941+
    • Willard Hall; Boston Gospel Hall & Cliff Street Gospel Hall +1911-1941+;
    • @ 25 Common St., Charlestown +1897+; 515 Tremont St. +1904+; 24 Cliff Street, Roxbury +1911-1941+
    • c/o Samuel Shillady +1922+ (b. 1858 Drumgooland, Co. Down, Ireland - d. 1931 Boston, MA)
      • wife (1883): Margaret "Bessy" Bingham Shillady (b. 1852 Drumgooland, Co. Down, Ireland - d. 1934 Roxbury, MA), daughter of Joseph Bingham (b. 1819 Ireland - d. 1905 Banbridge, Ireland) & Anne Jane McGaffin Bingham (b. 1824 Drumgooland, Ireland - d. 1916 Glasgow, Scot.); Bessy was a mantle maker in 1881 @ Glasgow. Her parents were married in 1850 @ Banbridge, Ireland.
      • apprentice ship carpenter @ Blackfriars, Glasgow, Scot., boarded with the Burgham family +1881+; emig. 1888 @ NYC on the Devonia as carpenter; ship carpenter @ Winthrop, Suffolk, MA in 1900; In 1911, he was a railroad carpenter, still living in Winthrop. By 1913, he had removed to Boston (with his mother Elizabeth and siblings Jacob & Mabel), as a railroad carpenter, and retired by 1930.
    • c/o William George Farquhar +1922-1941+ (b. 1882 Insch, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1955 Stoneham, MA), son of William Farquhar (b. 1851 Insch, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1925). The senior William Farquahar was employed in 1891 as a carpenter. W.G.'s great-grandparents were James Farquhar (b. 1779 Monymusk, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1862 Insch, Scot.) & Anne Forbes Farquhar (b. 1777 Kennethmont, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1840 Insch, Scot.).
      • wife: Margaret Ann Summers Farquhar (b. 1877 Cruden, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1944 Brighton, MA), daughter of Andrew Summers (1848-1928 Cruden, Aberdeen, Scot.) & Elizabeth Ritchie Summers (b. 1852 Pitsligo, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1916 Cruden, Aberdeen, Scot.). Andrew was employed in 1881 as a fisherman.
        • Elizabeth Ritchie Summers' parents were Andrew Ritchie (b. 1827 Pitsligo, Aberdeen, Scot. - d. 1899 Rosehearty, Aberdeen, Scot.) & Elisabeth Downie Ritchie (1832-1916 Rosehearty, Aberdeen, Scot.).
      • emig. 1908. Lived in Brookline, Norfolk, MA in 1910, worked as a general contractor. By 1920, he had moved to Boston, still self-employed as a carpenter which he did thru 1940. Lived in Brighton in 1926.
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one assembly in Suffolk Co., with 107 meeting in an owned hall (worth $150) with a capacity of 200.
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 199 in fellowship (61 men, 138 women) including 22 S.S. teachers, presiding over 203 children (for a total of 502 in 1926). The Hall was a rented facility (with $3,209.09 in expenses), and $2,888.63 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.
  • Hyde Park Meeting Room, MA (EB) +1878-1884 (G-EB) 1884-1912+
    • c/o C. Cran +1880+; J. Cran +1894+; c/o J.B. Jackson +1912+
    • @ C. Cran's @ Charles St. +1880+
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated two PB-I (Grant) assemblies in Suffolk Co., with 78 meeting in rented halls, out of a total capacity of 154.
  • Walnut Street Gospel Hall, MA (OB) 1941-2022+
    • East Boston Gospel Hall (Italian OB) 1920's-1941+
    • @ 142 London St. +1941+
    • c/o Frank Procopio, 22 Byron St., Malden +1941+

Worcester County (also Worcester metro)

Auburn

Hardwick

Holden

Leicester

  • Leicester Assembly, MA (OB) +1941+
    • @ home of C.J. Gleason @ Pleasant St.
    • mailing address: 265 Main St., Worcester

Worcester

  • Bible Truth Hall, Worcester, MA (Grant EB) 1884?-1890+
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one PB-I (Grant) assembly in Worcester Co., with 18 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 30.
  • Grandview Gospel Hall, Worcester, MA (OB) +1922-1941+
    • Central Gospel Hall, Worcester +1922-1936+
    • @ 119 Chandler St. +1922+; 544 Main St. +1926-1936+; 21 Grandview Ave. +1941+
    • c/o Jonathan Dalzell +1922+, +1936+;
    • c/o James Scott +1926-1927+
      • @ 31 King? St. +1926+; 721 S. Bridge St. +1927+
    • c/o F.L. Shaw @ 12 Intervale Rd. +1941+
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one open assembly in Worcester Co., with 7 meeting in a home. Unknown if this was that.
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 36 in fellowship (17 men, 19 women) including 3 S.S. teachers, presiding over 35 children (for a total of 71). The Hall was a rented facility (with $650 in expenses), and $275 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.
  • Worcester Gospel Hall, MA (Italian OB) 1938-1990's (OB) 1990's-2023+
    • @ 183 Shrewsbury St. 1938-1941+; 167 SW Cutoff ?-present
    • A hall was opened by Rocco Cappiello (who had recently moved to Worcester) in Nov. 1936 for the purposes of gospel meetings, and the assembly started on July 3, 1938. Earliest believers included Joseph Camarra (1911-1996) and his wife Antoinette Protano Camarra (1918-2002) and Antoinette's parents. According to T&T, Joseph Camarra was saved in 1932 by John Dewhurst & Rocco Cappiello in gospel meetings in Methuen. Antoinette was born in Italy, emig. 1929, and saved in meetings in 1937 held by Cappiello. Joseph & Antoinette were in the assembly for the remainder of their lives.
      • Antoinette Mashia Biscotti (1902-1997) was saved during the Lord's Supper at WGH in 1960 thru Louie Rosania. 1960-1990 in the assembly.
      • Frank & Laura Quitadamo (1930-2009). Laura was saved in 1939, her parents were saved shortly before she was born and were part of the Bristol assembly. When Laura married Frank, she joined WGH then to Manchester for their final 40 years.
    • c/o Rocco Cappiello 1936-1938+; Dominick Protano @ 34 Chilmark St. +1941+; Joe Camarra ?-present
  • Worcester Meeting Room, MA (EB) 1878-1884; (TW-Lowe-Raven EB) 1884-1889; (TW-Lowe EB) 1889-1908+; (TW-EB) +1951+
    • c/o Charles Wood @ 171 Grafton St. +1880+; C.E. Haskell @ 19 Home St. +1880+
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one PB-III assembly in Worcester Co., with 15 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 50.

Providence, R.I. / Warwick, MA metro

Bristol County

Attleboro

  • Attleboro Assembly, MA (OB) +1941+
    • @ 3 Knight Ave.
      • 1939: home of Ernst Johan Qvarnstrom (b. 1871 Sweden, emig. 1891, d. 1945 Attleboro, MA); Wife (1899 @ Attleboro, MA): Mabel Wilmarth Shaw, daughter of Joseph Blossom Shaw (b. 1859 Fairhaven, Bristol, MA - d. 1913 Attleboro, MA) & Emily Bicknell Shaw (b. 1859 R.I. - d. 1950 Attleboro, MA). In 1899, E.J. co-founded a plated jewelry manufacturer known as Carter, Qvarnstrom & Remington, which employed 75 operatives, and specialized in lockets, as per a 1930 history on jewelry businesses in Attleboro.
      • 1942: home of Howard Earl Vaslet (b. 1909 Pawtucket, R.I. - d. 1991 Attleboro, MA), son of George J. Vaslet (1881-1956) & Carrie M. Corrigan Vaslet (1885-1977); Wife: Loretta Cardinal Vaslet (b. 1914 CT - d. 2012 Attleboro, MA).
      • No phone books available for 1940-1941.
    • c/o Arthur Ord Stebbings (b. 1908 Bradford, Manchester, Eng. - d. 1999 Attleboro, MA), son of Osborne Henry Stebbings (b. 1874 Suffolk Twaite) & Mary Elizabeth Dixon Stebbings (b. 1874 Bradford, Manchester, Eng. - d. 1951 Central Falls, R.I.). Wife: Ceinwyn Wheatley Stebbings (b. 1908 Pawtucket, R.I. - d. 1998 Attleboro, MA), daughter of Joseph Henry Wheatley (b. 1884 Derby, Eng. - d. 1959 Johnston, Providence, R.I.) & Margaret Ellen Hunt Wheatley (b. 1886 Llwynpia, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales - d. 1920 Pawtucket, R.I.).
      • Arthur & his brother Frank Matheson Stebbings (b. 1906 Bradford, Eng. - d. 1997 Warwick, Kent, R.I.) owned the Hope Printing Co. which printed stationery, commercial and job printing, advertising cards, and office supplies. It was located at 126 Union in 1942, which is where Arthur lived. In 1939, the Hope office was at 149 Pine, Arthur lived @ 287 S. Main, and Frank @ 217 Lowden, Pawtucket, R.I. Frank's wife was Edith May Shelburne Stebbings (b. 1916 Chicago, IL - d. 1982 Providence, R.I.)

Fall River

  • Fall River Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1904-1941+
    • Rodman Street Gospel Hall +1904-1941+
    • @ 1249 Rodman St. +1904-1941+
    • c/o James R. Reid +1922-1941+
      • @ 1249 Rodman St. +1922+; 450 Cambridge St. +1926-1927+; 1138 N. Main St. +1936-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 13 in fellowship (4 men, 9 women) including 5 S.S. teachers, presiding over 37 children (for a total of 50 in 1926). The Hall was worth $2,000, with no debt owed, with $253 spent on hall expenses, and $289 towards the Lord's work.
  • Fall River Meeting Room, MA (EB) +1878-1889+
    • c/o J.B. Jackson @ 21 Stafford Rd. +1880+
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated a PB-I (Grant assembly) in Bristol Co., with 2 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 12. It also said there was a PB-III (TW-Lowe EB) assembly with 10 meeting in a home.

New Bedford

  • New Bedford Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1890/1897-1941+
    • Fourth Street Gospel Hall +1904+; Purchase Street Gospel Hall +1922-1941+;
    • @ 287 Fourth St., rear of Rivet St. +1897-1904+; 105 Purchase St. +1922-1941+
    • c/o David McGill @ 193 Blackmer St. +1922-1927+; William Marsden @ 20 Pleasant St., S. Dartmouth +1936+; David Simpson @ 101 Bonney St. +1941+
    • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one open assembly in Bristol Co. (probably New Bedford), with 30+ meeting in an owned hall (worth $500) with a capacity of 100.
    • 1926 USCoRB indicates that in 1927 there were 150 in fellowship (75 men, 75 women), including 12 S.S. teachers presiding over 100 students (for a total of 250 in 1926). The Hall was worth $20,000 with no debt.
    • WiS 1912-12: "Mr. Thos. Black has returned from an extended trip to the Canadian Northwest. He says that most of the Assemblies are nice and hearty going forward in Gospel testimony. The country is young and there is much need of pioneering; blazing out the way so to speak. Young men willing-hearted and clean in life, and not above sleeping occasionally in the humble Sod-house of the prairie farmer will find plenty of opportunities of witnessing for and preaching Christ. Gentleman preachers able to the meeting Sunday night and sit down or loaf around during the week are not wanted there."

Western MA

Berkshire County

Pittsfield

  • Pittsfield Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1941+
    • @ 20 Dalton Ave.
    • c/o Dr. Earl Latimer Johnson (1885-1961 Pittsfield, MA). Dentist. Son of George Henry Johnson (b. 1856 Richmond, Berkshire, Eng. - d. 1909 Pittsfield, MA) & Harriet Pierce Johnson (b. 1860 Stephentown, N.Y. - d. 1942 Longmeadow, MA). Wife: Henrietta A. Ferris Johnson (b. 1882 MA - d. 1957), daughter of John Ferris (1853-1929 Albany, N.Y.) & Sarah J. Buswell Ferris (b. 1853 NYC, N.Y.). Grandparents: John Ferris (b. 1816 Co. Antrim, Ireland - d. 1896 Albany, N.Y.) & Janet Wilson Ferris (b. 1822 Innerwick, Lothian, Scot. - d. 1899 Albany, N.Y.).
      • worked @ Berkshire Life Bldg.

Springfield metro

Hampden County

Chicopee

  • Chicopee Gospel Hall, MA (OB) 1907-1927+
    • Chicopee Gospel Hall 1907-1927+;
    • The Finch family also operated "Christ's Mission" @ 22 1/2 E. Court St., in Springfield in 1927, which had Sydney Finch as a correspondent, and a mailing address of 129 Grape St., Chicopee, where the sisters lived.
    • @ home of James Finch 1907-1926; home of Sydney C. Finch, 236 Springfield St. 1926+; 22 1/2 E. Court St., Springfield +1927+
    • c/o James Finch 1907-1926 (b. (ca.) 1844 Co. Armagh, N.I. - d. 1926 Chicopee, MA)
    • c/o Sydney Clibborn Finch +1927+ (b. 1885 Co. Armagh, N.I. - d. 1951 Chicopee, MA), a local grocer. He was a son of James Finch (1844-1926) & Jane McCullagh Finch (b. (ca.) 1842 Co. Armagh, N.I. - d. 1921 Chicopee, MA). In 1901, the family lived at 38 Charlemont Square, Camlough, Armagh, N.I. Sydney had three elder sisters: Lizzie Finch (1877-1965), Jane "Jennie" Finch (1877-1964), and Margaret Finch (b. 1882). After James' death in 1926, Lizzie & Jennie lived at 129 Grape St., for the duration of their lives. James was employed in 1901 was a yarn bundler, Jane was a homemaker, the three daughters worked as linen weavers, and Sydney was an apprentice yarn bleacher. James & Jane, and their four youngest children were all registered as PB in 1901, and they emigrated to Chicopee, MA in 1907 so that would suggest the PB existed in Chicopee as early as 1907.
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 6 in fellowship (3 men, 3 women). $115.50 was spent towards the Lord's work.

Holyoke

  • Holyoke Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1904-1941+
    • Main Street Gospel Hall +1904+; High Street Gospel Hall +1927+; Suffolk Street Gospel Hall +1936-1941+
    • @ Main St. +1904+; 303 High St. +1922-1927+; 40 Suffolk St. +1936-1941+
    • c/o Robert Oliver +1922-1941+
      • @ 408 High St. +1922+; 235 Elm St. +1926-1927+, +1941+; 274 Oak St. +1936+
    • c/o John McEwen +1927+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 38 in fellowship (15 men, 23 women) including 4 S.S. teachers, presiding over 30 children (for a total of 68). The Hall was a rented facility (with $550 in expenses), and $675 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.

Springfield

  • Springfield Gospel Hall, MA (OB) 1914-1941+
    • Main Street Gospel Hall +1922-1927+; St. James Avenue Gospel Hall +1936-1941+
    • @ 148 Main St. +1922+; 1910 Main St. +1926-1927+; 9 St. James Ave. +1936-1941+
    • c/o William James Gourley 1914?/+1922-1941+ (b. 1895 Mullaglass, Co. Armagh, N.I., emig. 1914; d. 1957 Springfield, MA), son of Samuel Gorley (b. 1859 Co. Armagh, N.I. - d. 1915 Newry, Co. Down, N.I.) & Annie McCollough Gourley (b. 1867 Co. Armagh, N.I. - d. 1950 Chicopee, MA). Wife: Florence Louise Morrow Gourley (b. 1901 Providence, R.I. - d. 1985 Chicopee, MA), daughter of George Morrow (b. 1868 Lisburn, Antrim, N.I., emig. 1891, m. 1892, d. 1953 Providence, R.I.) & Margaret Jane Bushell Morrow (b. 1867 Lisnaskea, N.I., emig. 1891, d. 1951 Providence, R.I.). Children: William George Gourley (b. 1938 Chicopee, MA); Anita Marilyn Gourley (b. 1927 Salem, MA), married James Edward Carroll (b. 1928 Varick, Seneca, N.Y. - d. 2004 Largo, Pinellas, FL); Dorothy Louise Gourley (b. 1922 Beverly, MA - d. 1999 Danvers, MA), married Lester Curtis Alboth (b. 1919 Lynn, Essex, MA - d. 1959 Danvers, MA).
      • By 1911, William and his parents, siblings, and paternal grandmother were all registered as PB, and previously all were Church of Ireland in 1901.
      • In 1947, he was credited in Letters of Interest for his leadership at a semi-annual New England Sunday School Workers' Conference at the Pawtucket Gospel Hall in Rhode Island, presided by James Stirling, and spoken at by T. Ernest Wilson & Andrew Stenhouse.
      • According to Aug. 1957 T&T, William was saved at the age of thirteen, and received into fellowship in N.I., and presumably in fellowship at the Springfield assembly. He was credited as a "lover of the Word, a shepherd of the flock and had a real heart for the Gospel." The "very large" funeral was shared by J. McCullough and J. Govan. Prayer was requested for his widow and "two unsaved sons". "His was a triumphant end, following a life spent in seeking to serve the Lord and His people, and for the upbuilding of the testimony."
      • (?) William Gourley of Springfield, MA (b. 1894 Bessbrock Co., Armagh, N.I. - d. 1965 Springfield, MA) was in the Jan. 1966 T&T: "... born again May 13, 1906, after a long period of soul trouble. He was a quiet unassuming brother who did work for the Lord in a way that left its mark; he enjoyed reading the scriptures to the prisoners in the jail, and eternity alone will tell the results. He loved to pray, and it can well be said of him, "for he was a good man"; very faithfully filling his place in the assembly in all of its activities. A large company gathered at his funeral to hear the Gospel, and comforting words for those who sorrow "not as those who have no hope". He will be greatly missed in the assembly as well as in the home. He had the privilege of seeing all his children in the Lord and gathered "Outside the Camp unto Him", he was heard to say many times, "God has been very good to me, and I can't understand why". L. Pearson preached the Word at his funeral."
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 25 in fellowship (10 men, 15 women) including 4 S.S. teachers, presiding over 47 children (for a total of 72). The Hall was a rented facility (with $498.52 in expenses), and $306.24 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.
  • Springfield Italian Gospel Hall, MA 1942+
    • Italian brethren started visiting this city in 1937, and C. Patrizio & L. Rosania pitched a tent in the summer of 1939, some were saved and others "separated from denominations". Another tent was pitched the subsequent year and others were saved. On Nov. 22, 1942 the Italian assembly was started.

Westfield

  • Believers Meeting Room, Westfield, MA (OB) +1926-1941+
    • @ home of W.G. Emmerson, Room 8, Commercial Morrissey Bldg., Elm St. +1922-1941+
    • c/o Clifton A. Noble @ 21 High St. +1922-1927+; Richard L. Bosley @ Granville Rd. +1936-1941+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 3 in fellowship (1 man, 2 women). The Hall was a rented facility (with $250.00 in expenses), and $150.00 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.
  • Springfield Christian Assembly (KLC-EB) +2016+
    • @ Westfield
  • Westfield Gospel Hall, MA (OB) +1904-1927+
    • @ 146 Elm St. +1904+; 29 Elm St. +1926-1927; Room 16, Commercial Bldg., 33 Elm St. +1927+
    • c/o W.G. Emmerson, Room 8, Commercial Bldg., Elm St. +1922+; W.H. Emerson, 15 or 115 Madison St. +1926-1927+
    • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 8 in fellowship (2 men, 6 women). The Hall was a rented facility (with $81.94 in expenses), and $35.00 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work.

Hampshire County

Ware