No label
1737 - 1750
The earliest records show that the first church was a crude building in the vicinity of the former Hapgood School. It was built on the north bank of Mill River and existed from 1737 to 1740. This was the first house of worship in Athol.
A safer location on East Hill, now Pleasant Street, was the site of the second meeting house in 1741. It was during the 30 years that this building was used that the Rev. James Humphreys served as pastor.
Around 1773, a third meeting house was built on the uptown common and stood for 54 years before being destroyed by fire. After the loss of this building, the people built the beautiful building in 1828 which still stands at the corner of Main and Liberty Streets and is the present home of the Athol Historical Society.
Rev. Joseph Estabrook
1750 - 1830
Rev. Humphreys was followed by Rev. Joseph Estabrook and their two pastorates covered the period from 1750 to 1830.
It was at the close of Rev. Estabrook’s ministry that, due to theological discussions and disagreements, a split developed in the congregation. Those who held to the original faith of the church left the Meetinghouse and formed the Evangelical Society of Athol in October 1830 and so our present church began. In 1833, the present church was built.
Rev. John Norton
1831 - 1860
During the ministry of the Rev. Beckwith (1831 – 1834) there was quite an increase in attendance and membership due to a period of religious awakening, climaxed when Evangelist Horatio Foote conducted meetings for awhile.
The building became too small to hold all those who wished to attend. In 1838 a larger vestry was built over the audience room. This larger room was adequate for their needs for about 20 years until finally the building was raised and the present vestry, or Fellowship Hall, was built underneath. The first pipe organ was installed in the singers’ gallery in the rear of the church.
Rev. John Norton
1861 - 1882
Rev. John Norton was the leader of the Church during the Civil War years (1861-1865). There were many important changes made in the church structure during this time. The whole front of the church was changed and the steeple was built to replace the old belfry.
The pastors during this first 50 years of the Evangelical Church were: Reverend B. B. Beckwith, Reverend James F. Warner, Reverend R. N. Chipman, Reverend John F. Norton, Reverend Temple Cutler, and Reverend Henry A. Blake.
By the end of the first 50 years the Church membership had gradually increased to 282.
Rev. Edwin Gould
1883 - 1896
The Reverend H. W. Stebbins served as pastor from 1883 - 1888. The most notable event during his pastorate was the establishment of the Young Peoples’ Society of Christian Endeavor in 1887.
The Reverend Edwin S. Gould - a kindly Christian gentleman, loved by all, fulfilled his high calling as Pastor and teacher during his six years in Athol. Mrs. Gould is credited with getting the various Women’s Organizations of the church merged into one – “The Ladies Union.”
Rev. Rolla G. Bugbee
1897 - 1904
Reverend Rolla G. Bugbee was a graduate of Dartmouth College and Yale Divinity School.
In 1900 the Church was invited to participate in the 150th anniversary of the First Church Unitarian of Athol. Rev. Bugbee gave the address. These two churches, formerly one and the same, again joined hands for this important event.
On May 1, 1902 another long-standing custom was changed when the church accepted an individual communion service from the Young Peoples’ Society of Christian Endeavor, thus giving up the Common Cup which had previously been used.
Sanctuary in 1905
1904 - 1905
Reverend Warren J. Moulton was a very scholarly gentleman who left after just one year to become the head of the Theological Seminary in Bangor, Maine. He had many degrees bestowed upon him at the Bangor Seminary until his retirement when he became President Emeritus.
Rev. Charles O. Eames
1905 - 1919
One of the first things the Reverend Charles O. Eames did was to organize a young people’s choir that sang at the Sunday night services. He also organized a Men’s Club which held monthly meetings which featured various programs followed by a lunch. In 1915 a new organ was installed in the front center of the Sanctuary at a cost of $2,800.00.
Mrs. Eames worked long and efficiently in the primary department of the Sunday School. Her methods and songs were used for many years.
Rev. Elliot O. Foster
1919 - 1924
Reverend Elliot O. Foster came to the Church right after WWI. He established the first Church Council, later called the Church Cabinet. He also helped form the Religious Education Committee in 1920.
Rev. Benjamin A. Wilmott
1925 - 1930
Reverend Benjamin A. Wilmott organized a Girls’ Sanctuary Choir which grew to about 40 girls. This group, together with a group of adult singers, brought the quality of the church music to a very high standard which won for our church the title of “The Singing Church”.
It was during Mr. Wilmott’s pastorate that several organizations which had previously run the church were merged and incorporated under the name of the Athol Congregational Church.
In 1929, extensive repairs and renovations were carried out including heating/lavatory upgrades, new stained glass windows and lighting upgrades. All this took about four months and cost $12,000.
At the 100th anniversary of the erection of the church building celebration one of the highlights was a 100 voice choir. All former singers of the church who could be reached were invited to return and participate.
Rev. Dr. Daniel I. Gross
1931 - 1945
Although Rev. Dr. Daniel Gross’ pastorate was first marked by the depression years of the thirties and later by those of World War II, he kept the church at a high level of efficiency and active in all departments. Mrs. Gross kept service records of all the young men and women from the Church who responded to their country’s call in World War II.
Two noteworthy events happened in 1938 – the Church was painted and with the coming of the automobile, the old horse sheds were removed.
During the war period when it became necessary to conserve fuel and lights, the annual meetings were held in the church auditorium on Sunday afternoons, by special vote of the church.
After a period of illness, Dr. Gross passed away in September 1945. He was the only Pastor of the Church to answer the “Higher Call” while still on active duty as Pastor at the Church.
Rev. Leonard W. Fowler
1945 - 1957
Rev. Leonard W. Fowler served as interim pastor briefly after the death of Dr. Gross. On December 8, 1945 he accepted the call to be the Pastor. During WWII he served in the Navy as Chaplain.
The Country Fair was organized for the first time in 1951, a tradition which has continued to the present time. Proceeds from the annual church fairs were set aside to enable a Parish House to be built.
During Rev. Fowler’s tenure more emphasis was placed on religious education, resulting in a consistent gain in enrollment in the Sunday School.
The 125th anniversary of the Church was celebrated during his tenure and the Congregation voted to join the United Church of Christ.
Rev. Arthur S. Blowen
1957 - 1966
Under Rev. Arthur S. Blowen’s guidance and leadership a complete renovation of the ground floor of the Church was carried out at a cost of $50,000, including a new kitchen. The Liberty Street parsonage was sold and the house at 383 Pleasant Street was purchased for $23,500 as a new parsonage.
In 1958, for the first time in the church’s history dancing was allowed in Fellowship Hall so that our young people would not leave and join other organizations where dancing was permitted as part of their social evenings. Also, it was voted that the regular Sunday morning Worship Service would be held at the hour of 10 o’clock and this is still in effect today.
The Jennie Lawton property next door to the Church was purchased to make room for parking and for the new Parish House. In 1964, the final plans were completed and the Parish House at last became a reality. It was dedicated on Sunday, March 7, 1965. Due to the Country Fairs and the pledging of the congregation, it was only necessary to borrow $50,000 to complete the building.
Rev. Harold O. Wilson
1967 - 1970
Reverend Harold O. Wilson was one of the youngest Pastors to serve the Church. He was deeply rooted in modern theology and brought to the Church an outstanding preaching ability, rarely using notes or the pulpit while preaching. Changes were made in the Worship Service and the Christian Education program during his pastorate. He had weekly programs for Sunday School teachers and provided an outstanding Youth Mission ministry.
Rev. Howard P. Horn
1970-1978
During Rev. Howard P. Horn's pastorate, on January 22, 1973, a prayer service for Christian Unity was held in our church and it is noteworthy for this history because the principal speaker was the Rt. Reverend Bernard J. Flannigan, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Worcester. To this writer’s knowledge, this has been the only time in our history when a Roman Catholic Bishop has appeared in our pulpit. The service was well attended and was an Ecumenical success. Our church has frequently been a leader in helping to bring the different churches together for these types of services.
Rev. Jeffrey Johnson and Ann Johnson
1979-1987
On April 29, 1979 the Church called the Reverend Jeffrey Johnson and Ann Johnson to share in a flexible team ministry.
On January 25, 1981, we experienced the catastrophic event of having the ceiling in the Sanctuary come crashing down. The incredible thing was that it happened at approximately 10:15 AM on a Sunday morning, the one hour of the whole week when the Sanctuary is in use. However, choir members who were rehearsing heard creaking sounds and saw a crack appear in the ceiling so they cleared out and took hymn books and Bibles and whatever else they could carry. The Building Inspector was called and he was overhead checking the situation when the entire ceiling crashed down on top of the pews. Church services were underway in the parlor and they heard it happen as there was a rushing sound when the air was forced out of the Sanctuary. Work proceeded throughout the year and a rededication service of the new Sanctuary was held on Christmas Sunday 1981.
In 1985, the Deacon/Deaconesses sponsored our first photo-directory project and 175 families took part. It was considered a great success.
Continuation
1988-1994
During Rev. Jeff Johnson’s tenure as Pastor, he was a mentor for students at Andover Newton Theological College and our church benefited with a series of Student Ministers coming to train with Rev. Johnson.
On Homecoming Sunday, 1988, we made our first attempt at making our sanctuary wheelchair accessible.
In 1989, the Board of Deacons/Deaconesses instituted the Stephen Ministries program. Also in 1989 was the forming of a handbell choir.
In 1991, we expanded the Parish House for more office space and Sunday School rooms, and made our church fully handicapped accessible with the addition of the lift up to the Sanctuary and handicapped bathrooms. We dedicated our new building in May with another special dedication service on September 1992.
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson and Pastoral Assistant Dr. Ann Searing Johnson ended their “team” ministry in June, 1993 after serving our church for 14 years.
Interim pastor Rev. Stephen Alspach accepted the call from the church and began his duties around the first of September 1993. Rev. Alspach served through 1994.
Rev. Barbara Kline-Seamon
1995-2000
Rev. Barbara Seamon started her Pastorate on January 15, 1995. Rev. Seamon has the distinction of being the first Woman Pastor to be called to serve the Athol Congregational Church as Pastor and Teacher. On May 16, 1999, the new Memory Garden was dedicated after many fundraisers and donations by members.
Interim pastor, Rev. Mary E. Giles began serving the church in November 1999.
In June 2000, The Duke of Atholl, Scotland visited Athol along with his private army and as part of their activities, a special service called “The Kirking of the Clans” was held in our church.
Rev. Harold V. Lloyd Jr.
2001-2009
Rev. Harold V. Lloyd, Jr was called and began his Pastorate October 1, 2001.
Rev. “Skip” Lloyd and Mrs. Lloyd were active with community outreach. Rev. Lloyd was instrumental in the resurgence of interfaith spirit in the community. He was the convener and host for the Athol Clergy Association meetings.
He was well known for his keen sense of humor and quick wit. He often dressed up as “Skippy the Clown" for the country fair. One of his special talents was the ability to remember people’s names even though he had met that person only once.
During his pastorate the Church celebrated its 175th anniversary.
Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor
2011-2019
Dr. Rev. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor came to the Church as our Interim Pastor on February 28, 2010. As interim pastor she began working with the Congregation to revise our by-laws and to come up with a vision of where we wanted the Church to be in the next few years.
The Congregation began to thrive under her leadership and we were thrilled when Rev. Beverly accepted the call as our settled pastor on January 1, 2012. Rev. Beverly introduced drama in many of her sermons. Healing services were also held several times a year during worship. She also organized special worship services to honor the Veterans/Military in the community on special holidays.
Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden
2017-Present
Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden was first called to the church as a part-time Family and Outreach Pastor and served in this capacity while also serving another church until 2020. In March of 2020, two weeks before the Coronavirus Pandemic shut down the physical church, she was called as the full-time senior pastor.
An initial highlight of Rev. Candi's ministry was the on-location sermons she and Rev. Cindy filmed during the pandemic. These messages and their creative presentation kept the congregation together (while the doors were shuttered) and even brought in new members. She has brought increased creativity and drama to worship and continues to find ways to more visually present the faith message in modern-day terms.
Under her leadership, the church is undergoing a resurgence in attendance of all ages, a shoring up of the endowment, and a revitalization and expansion of the music ministry. Enhanced technology has also been implemented to provide live-streamed services and a greater social media presence.
Rev. Cindy LaJoy, Outreach Pastor
2023 - Present
Rev. Cindy LaJoy began her ministry with us as a volunteer filming on-location sermons with Rev. Candi during the pandemic while attending seminary. Once the pandemic eased and the church re-opened, Rev. Cindy stayed on with us in an unofficial capacity until after her ordination as an Interfaith Pastor when the church officially called her as the part-time Outreach Pastor in 2023.
Her ministry began with leading the church in the Year of Kindness, a program she developed and ran through a grant. In addition to brainstorming and inspiring creative worship themes, she leads book groups throughout the year, has created a Mom's Group for the young mothers in the congregation, and is currently beginning the Athol Kindness Connection, a social service organization which will serve the seniors in the Athol community.
