[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E385-E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING OLD FIRST CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I would like to commemorate 
the First Church of Christ, Congregational, located in Springfield, MA, 
commonly known as ``Old First Church.'' The congregation first 
established on the banks of the Connecticut River in 1637, conducted 
its last service on Sunday, December 31, 2007. Its steeple bells tolled 
for the last time after the service was concluded and rang out over 
Court Square and downtown Springfield in its entirety. Its closing 
should not go unreported.
  Old First Church was founded by settlers, including William Pynchon, 
who came to the banks of the Connecticut River from Roxbury, MA, in 
1636. The settlers began worshiping in settlers' homes in 1637 with the 
Reverend George Moon. The First Meeting House was built in 1637, the 
second in 1677, the third in 1752 (during the ministry of the Reverend 
Robert Breck), and the fourth, and current, Meeting House was built in 
1819. The dedication of the building took place on August 19, 1819. 
Three thousand people, essentially the entire population of Springfield 
and the surrounding area were in attendance.
  Old First Church is the ``mother church'' for 15 ongregations 
throughout the Connecticut River valley and over 30 churches can trace 
their roots to Old First Church. Several of the churches were 
established for reasons of theological difference and sometimes because 
of differences relative to a particular pastor's style and perspective. 
Among the active ``daughter'' churches are: First Church of Christ, 
Congregational, Suffield, CT; Enfield Congregational Church, Enfield, 
CT; First Congregational Church UCC, West Springfield, MA; Wilbraham 
United Church, Wilbraham, MA; First Congregational Church, Brimfield, 
MA; First Congregational Church UCC, Chicopee, MA, First Church in 
Ludlow UCC, Ludlow, MA; The Thirds Congregational Society; South 
Congregational Church UCC in Springfield, MA; and First Church in 
Longmeadow, MA. The members of Old First Church hope that their legacy, 
which includes a commitment to social justice and to serving the people 
of Greater Springfield in countless ways, will continue through the 
members of those ``daughter'' congregations.
  The current Meeting House was designed and built by Captain Isaac 
Damon, with a steeple alter the manner of Christopher Wren. Captain 
Damon originally traveled to Western Massachusetts from Weymouth, MA, 
to work on the First Church of Christ in Northampton. Subsequently he 
worked on additional projects in the Northampton area and it was his 
work in that area that caused the members of Old First Church to seek 
him out.
  From its position atop the steeple of Old First Church, the Rooster 
weathervane (which was first placed on the third Meeting House in 1768 
and on the current Meeting House when fully constructed in 1819) has 
been a witness to Springfield's rich and important New England history 
including: George Washington passing by on June 30, 1775, to take 
charge of the defense in Boston; the travel of Henry Knox and his train 
of artillery on January 26, 1776; the selection of Springfield as the 
site for the first United States Arsenal; General Burgoyne's army after 
its defeat in Saratoga, New York in 1777; and the defense of the 
Springfield Armory from rebel forces lead by Daniel Shays in 1787. In 
more current times, it has gone on to witness community celebrations 
and commemorations, demonstrations and festivals. It has remained 
steady and devoted to the City of Springfield and its citizens, just as 
the members of the Congregation of Old First Church have for hundreds 
of years.
  There are many events and activities of note which have taken place 
at Old First Church over the centuries, which include the

[[Page E386]]

body of President John Quincy Adams laying in state, and the famed 
Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind, performing at the Church in July 1851. 
Samuel Chapin, the subject of the St. Gaudans ``the Puritan'' statue, 
was an early deacon of the Church. Old First Church played a role in 
the Underground Railroad. In fact, Reverend Osgood brought in leading 
abolitionists from England to give speeches advocating against slavery. 
Daniel Webster attended Old First Church on more than one occasion.
  The church also organized and annually hosted a series of musical 
presentations called ``Music at First'' which featured individual 
artists, chambers music, ensembles and choral groups. The New England 
Academy of Academic Artists was also annually provided with a venue for 
its Juried Show.
  Old First Church, until its closing, hosted the largest and longest 
established Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Western Massachusetts.
  Beginning in 1977, Old First Church began to house ``Open Pantry'' 
the largest food distribution service for the needy in the Greater 
Springfield area. It also hosted and regularly staffed ``Loaves and 
Fishes'' providing two meals for the homeless each Saturday and Sunday. 
In recent years, during the winter months, the Church opened its door 
to ``The Warming Place'' supplying emergency shelter to the area's 
homeless.
  Public Vigils to raise consciousness surrounding the issues of AIDS, 
domestic violence and other social issues have regularly been held at 
Old First Church as well as memorial services for the New England 
Association of Fire Chiefs.

  The members of the congregation embraced and actively participated in 
``Walking United'' a program designed to gather and distribute unused 
prosthetic devices in the United States to a clinic it established to 
aid the people of Nicaragua who suffered as a result of land mine and 
other catastrophic injuries.
  Despite its conservative New England roots, Old First Church has been 
among the most socially progressive churches in Massachusetts. It has 
been a church which has paved the way for other congregations to follow 
and one that has always provided unconditional resources and support to 
those in need within and beyond the City of Springfield.
  At the ``Celebrations of the Life of Old First Church 1637 to 2007'' 
those in attendance were invited by the Reverend Dr. J. Thomas Gough, 
the 23rd settled pastor of Old First Church, to come forward and accept 
``packets of seed'' while offering this prayer:

       ``Gracious God, Creator of earth and sky, author of all 
     living things, spirit of hope and grace and promise, be part 
     of us now as your people here at Old First Church prepare to 
     offer themselves as seeds of your love. Bless these packets 
     of seed as symbols of your intention for us that we might 
     venture forth into the world bearing what is necessary to 
     grow in other soil.
       ``May it be your breath that blows us to other places. May 
     it be your call that leads us to go forth from this place to 
     be your people scattered in the world. May we follow in the 
     paths you set before us and take root where next you plant 
     us. Help us, above all, to flourish in new places and to 
     bring the fruit of Old First Church to ripeness in other 
     communities of faith. Let what we have learned in this place, 
     what has given us life and meaning and purpose, create new 
     and holy spaces wherever we are taken in your name.''

  Madam Speaker, it is my hope that Old First Church will continue to 
remain a historic landmark and preserved, as it is truly one of the 
most significant buildings in the city. The parish house has potential 
valuable uses for the city and it would be a tragedy if we did not do 
everything in our power to preserve this building. The memories made at 
the church will continue to live on in the hearts and spirits of the 
members.

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