The little white church at the crossroads in North Blandford is the subject of this story.
Back in 1892, North Blandford was a flourishing village of many homes and boasting two meeting houses - one the Methodist Church which stood on the site of the present white church, and the other meeting in Union Hall, in the old hotel, across the way from the Methodist Church.
It was in the summer of 1892 that the Methodist Church was destroyed by fire. A citizens' meeting was called to make plans for a new church. There were in this group Baptist, Methodists, Adventists, Congregationalists and many non-church members.
A ballot was taken and the majority wished to become a part of the Congregational fellowship. The Congregational minister at that time was the Rev. J.M. Chrysler.
Plans were immediately made to erect a new building and ways to raise money for the same discussed. Mrs. Josephine Porter gave the first twenty-five dollars used toward purchasing the ground on which stands the present edifice. Mrs. Porter is well-known to Blandford people for her gift, in the name of her son, of the Porter Memorial Library.
Stones for the bank wall were hauled by Mr. Charles Babb and his ox team for the fabulous sum of $1.50 a day. Bricks for the foundation and the chimneys were hauled by horse team from the Russell Brick Yard. Timbers and lumber used in the building were purchased from and delivered by Mr. Steven Bodurtha from his mill, then located in the vicinity of Blair Pond.
The chief carpenter was Mr. James Justin, assisted by everyone who could donate a day's work, and he never lacked helpers.
The mason work was done by a Mr. Albert Chase of Becket, who was ably assisted by the citizens and the boys from the village school - after school hours, of course.
When the plastering stage was reached, the weather had become cold, but not so the enthusiasm of the builders. Fires were kept burning night and day to keep the plaster from freezing. Men from the basket shop and Waite's cardboard shop served as fire stockers on alternate nights.
The bell used in the belfry was donated by the Boston and Albany Railroad, and was originally used in the round-house at West Springfield.
When the ground was ready for the grading, Mr. Edward Uhl, who then owned the present Peck Lumber place, donated the use of four pair of mules and his men for the work. Mr. Charles Cross, the foreman, came along and acted as cook when it was time to serve meals.
The church was finally ready for dedication on July 3, 1894. But still much hard work was left to be done.
The vestry was not finished at the time the rest of the church was ready. Eventually the time was right to start on this part. Levi Harger was the head man assisted again by the interested citizens and boys from the village school. Lumber for this work was taken from the old cheese factory - the boys assisting with this.
The debt for erecting the church seemed enormous to the citizens of North Blandford, as indeed it was, but everyone was willing to work hard.
The group deserving of the "lion's share" of the credit for lifting this and assisting with the furnishings and other necessary expenses, had been the Burden Bearers Circle of King's Daughters - started through the efforts of the pastor's wife, Mrs. J.M. Chrysler, on May 24, 1892. It had ten charter members.
Ever since that date, this Circle has worked hard and long to help pay the expenses of the church. It was through their efforts that the mortgage was finally paid in November 1900. A grand jubilee supper and entertainment was held to celebrate the fact that their church was at last out of debt, and it has stayed that way ever since.
The King's Daughters have quilted an endless procession of quilts, made other homemade products, including cooking and serving the chicken pie and coon suppers in the fall, which have made North Blandford cooks famous. In the summer time there were the ice cream socials. Sugar eats and oyster suppers were served, too.
No more suppers are served now, due to the lack of helpers, but the King's Daughters still carry on, earning money in any other way available to such few members, the tacking of a few quilts and the making of aprons being the chief occupation.
One could say "this is the end of the saga of the little white church," but such is not the case built as was the great cathedrals of Europe - the frame raised by the men of the village, and finished and furnished with the help of the young and the old. It is indeed a house of God, into which has gone the work of willing and loving hearts and hands.
And still the little white church at the cross roads in North Blandford stands and beckons to all who would come and worship, and please God, it will continue to do just that as long as willing hands and hearts can make it possible.
***
NOTE: This church was de-dedicated August 21, 1965. The American Legion occupied it for some time. At present, it is a private home.
Back in 1892, North Blandford was a flourishing village of many homes and boasting two meeting houses - one the Methodist Church which stood on the site of the present white church, and the other meeting in Union Hall, in the old hotel, across the way from the Methodist Church.
It was in the summer of 1892 that the Methodist Church was destroyed by fire. A citizens' meeting was called to make plans for a new church. There were in this group Baptist, Methodists, Adventists, Congregationalists and many non-church members.
A ballot was taken and the majority wished to become a part of the Congregational fellowship. The Congregational minister at that time was the Rev. J.M. Chrysler.
Plans were immediately made to erect a new building and ways to raise money for the same discussed. Mrs. Josephine Porter gave the first twenty-five dollars used toward purchasing the ground on which stands the present edifice. Mrs. Porter is well-known to Blandford people for her gift, in the name of her son, of the Porter Memorial Library.
Stones for the bank wall were hauled by Mr. Charles Babb and his ox team for the fabulous sum of $1.50 a day. Bricks for the foundation and the chimneys were hauled by horse team from the Russell Brick Yard. Timbers and lumber used in the building were purchased from and delivered by Mr. Steven Bodurtha from his mill, then located in the vicinity of Blair Pond.
The chief carpenter was Mr. James Justin, assisted by everyone who could donate a day's work, and he never lacked helpers.
The mason work was done by a Mr. Albert Chase of Becket, who was ably assisted by the citizens and the boys from the village school - after school hours, of course.
When the plastering stage was reached, the weather had become cold, but not so the enthusiasm of the builders. Fires were kept burning night and day to keep the plaster from freezing. Men from the basket shop and Waite's cardboard shop served as fire stockers on alternate nights.
The bell used in the belfry was donated by the Boston and Albany Railroad, and was originally used in the round-house at West Springfield.
When the ground was ready for the grading, Mr. Edward Uhl, who then owned the present Peck Lumber place, donated the use of four pair of mules and his men for the work. Mr. Charles Cross, the foreman, came along and acted as cook when it was time to serve meals.
The church was finally ready for dedication on July 3, 1894. But still much hard work was left to be done.
The vestry was not finished at the time the rest of the church was ready. Eventually the time was right to start on this part. Levi Harger was the head man assisted again by the interested citizens and boys from the village school. Lumber for this work was taken from the old cheese factory - the boys assisting with this.
The debt for erecting the church seemed enormous to the citizens of North Blandford, as indeed it was, but everyone was willing to work hard.
The group deserving of the "lion's share" of the credit for lifting this and assisting with the furnishings and other necessary expenses, had been the Burden Bearers Circle of King's Daughters - started through the efforts of the pastor's wife, Mrs. J.M. Chrysler, on May 24, 1892. It had ten charter members.
Ever since that date, this Circle has worked hard and long to help pay the expenses of the church. It was through their efforts that the mortgage was finally paid in November 1900. A grand jubilee supper and entertainment was held to celebrate the fact that their church was at last out of debt, and it has stayed that way ever since.
The King's Daughters have quilted an endless procession of quilts, made other homemade products, including cooking and serving the chicken pie and coon suppers in the fall, which have made North Blandford cooks famous. In the summer time there were the ice cream socials. Sugar eats and oyster suppers were served, too.
No more suppers are served now, due to the lack of helpers, but the King's Daughters still carry on, earning money in any other way available to such few members, the tacking of a few quilts and the making of aprons being the chief occupation.
One could say "this is the end of the saga of the little white church," but such is not the case built as was the great cathedrals of Europe - the frame raised by the men of the village, and finished and furnished with the help of the young and the old. It is indeed a house of God, into which has gone the work of willing and loving hearts and hands.
And still the little white church at the cross roads in North Blandford stands and beckons to all who would come and worship, and please God, it will continue to do just that as long as willing hands and hearts can make it possible.
***
NOTE: This church was de-dedicated August 21, 1965. The American Legion occupied it for some time. At present, it is a private home.