Ellie Gustafson director the West Congregational Church choir.
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Presentation at NECC
On Thursday November 29 at 2 PM I have been invited to present highlights of "Wheat & Weeds" at Northern Essex Community College as part of their Life-Long Learning program. The meeting is open to the public. There is no charge. There will be a Q&A at the end. Please come - spread the word among your friends. NECC's Haverhill campus.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
David Fletcher
David is a life-long resident of West Parish, having grown up on Liberty Street. He also purchased the original parsonage when it was to be demolished for the construction of I-495. He had the building relocated to Liberty Street where he restored it to its original specifications. I remember seeing the parsonage go past the church on its way to its new location. You do not see a parsonage blast by a church building very often! OK - it was a crawl. David writes:
Regarding Bradford Academy (later Bradford College), the book says: "The last preceptor was Benjamin Greenleaf, born in West Parish on September 25, 1786, the son of Caleb and Susannah Emerson Greenleaf. His boyhood home was four miles from the Haverhill center." (A preceptor is a head of a school, a principal).
Fletcher comments: His birthplace was Mahoney's house (35 Liberty Street) next door to yours (Gustafson's at 25 Liberty). It is known in the Haverhill Historical Records as the Benjamin Greenleaf house. And it is just four miles from City Hall.
Dave notes that the first stage coach ran in 1793 on the Derry Road, now North Broadway.
Not only were there shops making hats in Ayer's Village but another was located half way up Scotland Hill on the right (north) side (West Lowell Avenue).
Regarding newspapers, Fletcher notes the first newspaper (The Guardian of Freedom) was published form 1793-1798 and in the special collections section of the Haverhill Public Library, including several copies Dave donated in 2003. The paper lists the cargos of ships that docked on Water Street behind the present fire station.
Regarding Bradford Academy (later Bradford College), the book says: "The last preceptor was Benjamin Greenleaf, born in West Parish on September 25, 1786, the son of Caleb and Susannah Emerson Greenleaf. His boyhood home was four miles from the Haverhill center." (A preceptor is a head of a school, a principal).
Fletcher comments: His birthplace was Mahoney's house (35 Liberty Street) next door to yours (Gustafson's at 25 Liberty). It is known in the Haverhill Historical Records as the Benjamin Greenleaf house. And it is just four miles from City Hall.
Dave notes that the first stage coach ran in 1793 on the Derry Road, now North Broadway.
Not only were there shops making hats in Ayer's Village but another was located half way up Scotland Hill on the right (north) side (West Lowell Avenue).
Regarding newspapers, Fletcher notes the first newspaper (The Guardian of Freedom) was published form 1793-1798 and in the special collections section of the Haverhill Public Library, including several copies Dave donated in 2003. The paper lists the cargos of ships that docked on Water Street behind the present fire station.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Welcome to Haverhill's West Church
As the church's Historian, I welcome you on behalf of all who currently minister or serve the Lord at West Congregational Church, Haverhill, Massachusetts.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the church's history, please let me know.
We invite you to share your comments and questions, whether you are part of this vibrant congregation or not.
We have a fascinating history--the good, bad, the ugly and the glorious.
If you have memories or information relative to the church, please share. Please remember that this is a public forum. Be wise in what you say and how you say it. Our hope is that this will be a forum where people can connect or re-connect with many who may have lost contact over the years.
We know that this parish has often struggled with its calling to be the body of Christ in this place. As Pastor Dale Brown so colorfully puts it: we are a bunch of messed up people - but God is fixing us, and we are really happy about it!
Or perhaps the church is like an army field hospital - pretty chaotic, lots of mess. But the cause is just and the victory certain in the end.
Welcome to the History of West Church and to the people who call this community their spiritual home.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the church's history, please let me know.
We invite you to share your comments and questions, whether you are part of this vibrant congregation or not.
We have a fascinating history--the good, bad, the ugly and the glorious.
If you have memories or information relative to the church, please share. Please remember that this is a public forum. Be wise in what you say and how you say it. Our hope is that this will be a forum where people can connect or re-connect with many who may have lost contact over the years.
We know that this parish has often struggled with its calling to be the body of Christ in this place. As Pastor Dale Brown so colorfully puts it: we are a bunch of messed up people - but God is fixing us, and we are really happy about it!
Or perhaps the church is like an army field hospital - pretty chaotic, lots of mess. But the cause is just and the victory certain in the end.
Welcome to the History of West Church and to the people who call this community their spiritual home.
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