Early Roots

The roots of Methodism in New England trace back to at least 1789.  In that year, Bishop Francis Asbury asked Jesse Lee, a pastor in Baltimore, to introduce Methodism to New England.  A year later, Jesse Lee asked Bishop Asbury for assistance in New England and young George Roberts was appointed to begin work in Connecticut.  By 1794, Lee and Roberts were superintendents of seventeen thriving Methodist circuits in New England.[1]

In early Methodism, a circuit (sometimes called a “charge”) was a series of local churches serviced by a travelling preacher.  These preachers became known as circuit- riders, or sometimes, saddlebag preachers.  They traveled light, carrying their belongings and books in their saddlebags and preached whenever and wherever they could, often in local homes, court houses, meeting houses, or outdoor forest settings.[2]

Miss Rebecca Bradford is credited with introducing Methodism to Massachusetts’s Blackstone Valley.  Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, Miss Bradford came to teach the school near the Friends’ Meeting House.[3]  In 1828, Bradford secured Methodist preaching for the community and invited her former pastor, Rev. Osgood, to preach, which he did at the home of Rufus Bennett, near the Friends’ Meeting House.  As a result of this, and other meetings, a revival of religion followed and a number of persons were converted.  Among the converts were Rufus Bennett, Amasa Benson, Amos White and Lyman Aldrich, all of whom became pillars in the church.[4]

These early Methodists had no regular meeting house in which to worship.  As a result, they held their services in homes and school houses.  The first communion service was celebrated in the old stone school house at Plummers Corner, on the Worcester-Providence Turnpike.  Many later meetings and communion services were held in the new barn of Amos White, located in the east section of Whitinsville, and the members were soon known as the Methodist Society of the Blackstone Valley.[5]

Bishop Elijah Hedding presided over the session of the New England Conference that met at Lynn, Massachusetts on July 23, 1828.  Bishop Hedding was the 14th Methodist Bishop in the United States, ordained in 1824 by Bishop Francis Asbury.[6]  During the conference, the “Northbridge Circuit” was organized as part of the New London District.  The circuit was covered by two preachers, or “circuit riders”, Rev. J. Lovejoy and Rev. Joseph Ireson.

Over the next few years, the districts and circuits were reorganized several times.  In 1829, the circuit became Milford and Northbridge, with Charles Virgin and Joseph Ireson serving as preachers.  In 1830, the circuit was assigned to the Providence District.  Rev. J.A. Merrill was presiding elder (district superintendent) of the district and Charles Virgin and E.G. Scott were the preachers.  In 1831 the preachers were Amasa Taylor and Joseph Ireson.  In 1832, Amasa Taylor and Harrison Walden served as preachers.  In 1833, D. Darchester was presiding elder with Harrison Walden, S. Palmer and Joseph Ireson as preachers.  In 1834, Orange Scott was presiding elder and B. Paine was the preacher.  In 1835, B. Paine and E.F. Newell reported 106 members in the village of South Northbridge, now known as Whitinsville, in honor of the Whitin Machine Works and its founder, Paul C. Whitin.[7]

In 1836, Northbridge moved into a district with Grafton, and the North Uxbridge District assumed responsibility for the Whitinsville area.  D. Kilbown served as presiding elder and H. Walden and William H. Richards were the preachers.  In 1837, William H. Richards reported 60 members.  In 1838, the district encompassed Grafton and North Uxbridge, with the appointment reading, “and Whitins is to be supplied.”[8]  In 1839, Bartholemew Osterman was presiding elder and W.S. Simmons served as the preacher.

About this time, there were camp meetings held on the Benson Farm in the grove just below the red house, but in wet weather, the long sheds were used as a preaching place.  In 1840, the circuit became “New England Village and Northbridge” in the Worcester District with Phineas Crandall as presiding elder and William A. Clapp as preacher.  From 1840 to 1846, no records have been found.  From 1846 to 1849, the district was included with Farnumsville.  In 1846 and 1847, Hames Parter was presiding elder and J.H. Mudge, preacher.  In 1848, Jefferson Hascall was presiding elder and Kinnsman Atkinson was preacher.  In 1849, Thomas Brown was preacher.

1850 – Founding of Two Churches

1850 was a watershed year for Methodism in the Blackstone Valley.  That year, Charles Taylor, a butcher living on Northbridge Hill, secured the first Methodist preacher dedicated to Whitinsville.  Rev. Joseph W. Lewis came from Webster and preached to the Methodists in a hall that had just been erected on Railroad Avenue.  Whitinsville took its place in the list of appointments at the time that the New England Conference met in Boston, April 24, 1850, under Bishop Thomas A. Morris.
On January 23, 1850, the Presiding Elder, J. Hascall, organized the 1st Quarterly Conference.  Amos White was secretary; Charles Taylor, Smith Bruce, William Smith and Libbens Leach were elected as Stewards; Smith Bruce A.C. Batchelor and J.H. Cole were elected to the Estimating Committee.  Charles Taylor was District Steward and William Smith was Class Leader.  At the second Quarterly Conference, a year later, the Sunday school had 11 teachers and 100 scholars.

From 1850 to 1851, Whitinsville Methodists worshipped in the Hall at Railroad Avenue, now a private residence at 88 Linwood Ave.[9]  In 1851, Pythian Hall, at 76 Church Street, became the Methodist meeting place and continued to be the place of worship until 1875.[10]  In 1866, a parsonage was bought at Church and Prospect Streets.  In November 1872, the church trustees purchased the Spring Estate, where the current church and parsonage still stand, and sold the parsonage on Church Street. 

About eight miles to the south of Whitinsville, thirty-four Methodists in the community of Millville came together under the pastorate of Rev. Daniel Filmore and, in 1850, formed the Millville Methodist Episcopal Church.  Twenty of these members were a break away group from the Millville Methodist Reform Church and they were joined by fourteen others who had been worshipping in Slatersville, Rhode Island.  For two years, this group met and grew in number and spirit as they held worship and fellowship in the T.T. Smith building on Central Street in Millville.

Seeking a place to call their own, this small band of worshippers were moved by the Spirit to take possession of the then unoccupied Village Congregational Church.  The church had been built in 1838 as an Orthodox Church.  That church, on Prospect Street, served as home for Millville Methodists for 112 years, from 1852 to 1964.

By 1855, a mere five years after the start of the new church in Millville, membership had grown from the original 34 to 112.  At that time Millville was a part of the town of Blackstone, and boasted a population of 800.  During the Civil War era, approximately one out of every seven citizens of the town was a member of the new Methodist Church.

Many of the early leaders of the Millville Methodist Episcopal Church were also leaders in the community.  John C. Scott owned and operated a mill in the community.  Dr. Moses Southwick was the town’s first resident physician, as well as the first state senator from 1865 – 1866.  Both of these men, in addition to many others, valued the importance of serving as teachers and leaders in their church.[11]

Emergence of the Uxbridge Congregation

In September 1874, just a few miles to the north of Millville and south of Whitinsville, a group of Christians came together at the Uxbridge home of Mr. E.J. Talbot for the purpose of forming a Methodist Fellowship.  As this “House Church” grew in size and spirit, they moved their worship and meetings to what was then known as “Taft Hall”, just a few hundred feet north of the eventual church location.  Arrangements were made with Rev. W.T. Merrill, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Whitinsville, to preach in Taft Hall on Sunday evenings.  Rev. Merrill continued his services up to February 7, 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. E.P.[12] Pomeroy of Shrewsbury.  Rev. Pomeroy remained in Uxbridge until April 1877.

In the autumn of 1875, a Sunday school and prayer and class meetings were initiated.  The mission was formally convened and organized as a Methodist Episcopal Church, with eight members, on December 19, 1875, by the Rev. Dr. Haskill, presiding elder of the Worcester District.

Mr. Hunter, of Boston University, succeeded Rev. Pomeroy, but soon left.  He was succeeded by Rev. John W. Collier on June 9, 1877.  Reported to be an “earnest, Christian minister, abundant in his labors”, he served successfully until leaving on June 23, 1878 to go as a missionary to Peru.[13]
In 1878, Rev. J.H. Thompson became the first pastor appointed by the bishop to serve the Uxbridge charge.  Rev. Thompson served as pastor until 1880.

Whitinsville’s New Church

Recognizing the need for a permanent place of worship in Whitinsville, on May 3, 1873, a Building Committee, consisting of George Benson, Carlos Heath, C.E. Trowbridge, Henry P. Brown and J.E. Ray was appointed.  They commissioned the building of a wood frame church, 100 feet long and 40 feet wide, with a sharp truss roof surmounted with a 115 foot spire.  The interior contained an auditorium that was 70 feet long, 39 feet wide, and 33 feet at its highest point.  The walls and ceiling of the church were tinted with light colors.  The Ten Commandments were painted on the wall to right or the pulpit, and on the left wall, the Lord’s Prayer.  The wall over the pulpit contained the inscription, “For the promise is unto you and to your children.”  Directly over these words was a carved harp representing a Bible, crown, cross and angel.  The windows were stained glass, and evening light was provided by two chandeliers, each with twelve oil lamps.  The cost of constructing the church and furnishing it was $16,616.60.

The new church, on Railroad Avenue (now 61 Linwood Avenue) in Whitinsville, was dedicated on Friday, October 22, 1875.  The dedicatory services began at 1:00 PM, with an organ voluntary by Stafford Clough, the church’s organist.  The church was completely filled, with much of the audience coming from neighboring towns and villages, including Worcester.  The choir sung the hymn, “And Will the Great Eternal God,” under the direction of musical director, Henry Brown.  Selections from Scripture were read by Rev. J.R. Thurston of the Whitinsville Congregational Church and Rev. E.A. Titus of Worcester.  Prayer was offered by Rev. G.M. Mansfield of Hyde Park, Massachusetts.  The choir then sang the hymn, “Great King of Glory, Come.”

The sermon was preached by Rev. A.B. Kendig of Charleston, who took for his text Isaiah 62:1: “For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.”  Rev. Kendig said that he considered the writings of Isaiah among the wisest and most profound of any in the Bible, and they were entitled to the greatest consideration.  Having spoken the words given in the text, the speaker asked his hearers to consider for a moment their meaning.  Dividing his subject into several parts, he discussed personal consecration to God, surrender of the will to divine influence, the heart’s love for God, the tongue to speak that love, the means to carry on God’s work and consecrated prayer.  

At the close of the sermon, contributions were asked from the people.  Of the church’s $16,616.60 cost, the remaining indebtedness was $10,790.59.  By 5:00 PM, $6700 had been pledged, including large contributions by Carlos Heath, Charles E. Trowbridge, the Ladies Aid Society, R.C. Taylor and F.W. Fenton.[14]  Within a few years, the debt was paid off.[15]  This wood-framed church stood as the home of the Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church for the next 35 years.

Taft Memorial Church

In 1737, Daniel Taft donated land to Uxbridge along the west side of South Main Street for a burial place. In 1795 and then again in 1855, the Town purchased parcels of land from Jonathan Farnum and Deacon William Capron for a new cemetery called Prospect Hill at 35 Mendon Street. The remains of the original 1737 burial ground, the site of the Town Hall area, were transferred to Prospect Hill between 1865 and1875 to clear the way for the Old Center School, Town Hall and the Methodist Church along south Main Street.[16]  In March, 1878, the Uxbridge Methodist Episcopal Church purchased a lot on the site of the Old Uxbridge Burying Ground from the town of Uxbridge.[17]

The building committee was faced with the challenge of raising $6000 to cover the cost of construction and furnishings.  They were helped greatly by an extremely generous donation by local bank president and philanthropist, Moses Taft.  Mr. Taft was a Unitarian, but church records show that his initial gift was not to be a one-time offering, as he continued to support the church for many years.  With the strong support the church had received in their capital campaign, they were able to complete and dedicate the Taft Memorial Methodist Church of Uxbridge, on 15 South Main Street, in 1880. 

In the fall of 1896, and for several months, Taft Memorial conducted its worship services and meetings in the Uxbridge Town Hall next door while extensive renovations, alterations and additions were done to the church’s structure.  Electricity was installed in the church building and electric lighting was installed in the sanctuary, Sunday school room and fellowship hall.  The location of the pulpit was moved from the north wall to the west end of the sanctuary and the seating was also changed to reflect this move.  The apparent reason for this change was the addition of the Gilbert & Butler pipe organ, the façade of which became a focal point in the sanctuary.  A small addition had to be constructed on the west end of the church to house the organ.[18]  This organ continued to serve Taft Memorial faithfully in their weekly worship services through 2006.

Three Thriving Congregations

Spurred on by regional growth and successful mills in the Blackstone Valley, the Methodist congregations in Millville, Uxbridge and Whitinsville enjoyed growth in numbers and spirit in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  The churches had active Sunday school programs and Bible studies and were active in the Epworth League, an organization of young people from the Methodist Episcopal Church.  All three churches were vibrant points of contact in their respective communities.

Rising from the Ashes

On Sunday, February 27, 1910, the Methodist church in Whitinsville was destroyed by fire.  At 9:45 AM, a small ring of smoke was detected by members of the church quartet, who were rehearing in the auditorium.  Although fire companies responded within 15 minutes, the wood-framed church, fire fanned by the wind, burned rapidly.  The roof of the church fell at 10:40 AM, and five minutes later, the big bell, which was given to the church in 1895 by Charles E. Trowbridge, fell through the belfry floor and down through two other floors to the cellar.  At 10:50 the steeple, which stood 60 feet higher than the church, toppled and fell into the middle of the cellar.  Finally, at noon, the remaining three brick chimneys collapsed into the ruins.  Fireman continued to work on the fire all afternoon and some were kept on the scene all night.

Damage to the church was initially estimated at $25,000.  Besides the original cost of the church, $3000 in remodeling was performed in 1908.  The organ was valued at $2000.  At the time of the fire, the church was insured for $7000.  The fire caused minor damage to five nearby houses, but the church’s parsonage, built in 1904, was unharmed.  All of the occupants of the church escaped unharmed and no one was injured by the fire.[19]

Two days after the fire, church trustees called a public meeting to discuss the advisability of rebuilding the church.  Not a dissenting voice was heard, and all agreed that a new church must be built.  Church members, friends from other churches in the area, as well as friends without any church relationship, freely pledged towards the new church, some of them with much sacrifice.  In a demonstration of the support received from other churches in Whitinsville, Rev. John R. Thurston of the Village Congregational Church made the first pledge.[20]

Members of other churches in town generously offered their churches for a place of worship for the Methodist society until the new church was built.[21]  However, Joseph A. Johnston opened his hall to the church, allowing them to meet and worship from 1910 to 1911.  Mr. Johnston refused to take any rent, heat or light money for the use of his hall.[22]

Members of the trustees quickly appointed a building committee, consisting of George E. Trowbridge, chairman, Harmon O. Nelson, secretary, B.L.M. Smith, treasurer and Joseph A. Johnston and J.J. Van Steensberg.  After studying about 30 of the best modern churches, the committee secured Edwin T. Chapin of Worcester as the architect.  Mr. Chapin designed many churches and synagogues in Worcester County and the surrounding area.  William Williams of Providence was selected as the contractor, and Murphy & Millson of Boston supplied the stained glass windows.

The church was designed to be substantial, beautiful and as fireproof as possible.  It was built of stone from the Blanchard Brothers’ quarries.  Trimmings were of terra cotta.  A steel framework formed the arch of the auditorium and supported the pitched roof.  The building had a capacity of 350 people; seating 250 in the auditorium, with 60 seats available in the Ladies Parlor and 40 seats available in the gallery if needed.  The church building was equipped with steam heat and electric light.  Sunday school rooms and toilet facilities were located in the basement.

Work on the new church began quickly.  Contractor William Williams began excavating on November 8, 2010 and, less than a year after the fire that consumed the Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, the cornerstone of the new church was laid on the site of the old wood church on February 4, 1911.  Weighing 2600 pounds, the cornerstone was inscribed on three sides.  On its northeast face, the cornerstone contains the Christogram, chi rho; Greek letters for Christos the Christ.  The southwest face of the cornerstone contains a cross and the southeast face is inscribed with the dates 1874 and 1910.

The cornerstone was laid in an impressive ceremony, with pastors from other community churches taking part.  Although the weather was inclement, and most of the exercises were held in Johnston’s Hall, a large congregation assembled at 2:15 PM that Saturday afternoon.  Several pastors from other area churches took part in the cornerstone laying ceremony.  Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church pastor, Rev. A.B. Tyler offered a few introductory remarks.  Rev. Samuel Hodgkiss of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church and Rev. J. W. Moulton of Northbridge Centre Congregational Church announced hymns, Rev. Thomas Huston of the United Presbyterian Church read Psalm 132, Rev. John R. Thurston of the Village Congregational Church read the scripture lesson, Rev. Charles M. Melden, PhD. of the Newton Centre Methodist Episcopal Church gave an address and district superintendant, Rev. Dr. John Galbraith, offered prayer.  The church quartet, consisting of A.J. Brown, Richard Hargraves, Mrs. Harmon O. Nelson and Mrs. John A. Redmond, accompanied by organist, Le Roy S. Foster, led the congregation in singing “I was Glad” and I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord.”   

A hermetically sealed copper box, measuring 10 by 8 by 8 inches, containing relics of the church and the era in which it was built, was placed in the cornerstone by building committee chairman, George E. Trowbridge.  The cornerstone was placed in position by architect Edwin T. Chapin and James Carr, representing the contractor, William Williams.  Then Dr. Galbraith pronounced the stone was laid in conformity with the rites and usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church.[23]

Construction of the church building proceeded rapidly, with the church ready for dedication the weekend of October 19 – 22, 1911.  The weekend began with a dedication service held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 19, led by Bishop John W. Hamilton, the resident bishop of New England.  Lunch and Dinner were served, and after-dinner speeches were given by former pastors, citizens and other pastors of Northbridge.  Dedication day concluded with evening worship at 7:30 PM, with a sermon by Rev. Lauress J. Birney of Boston.

Reception Day was held on Friday, October 20, 1911.  From 3:00 – 6:00 PM, the officers of the Ladies Aid, Miss L. J. Trowbridge, Mrs. D.B. Aldrich, Mrs. Ella J. Trowbridge, Mrs. Grace E. Johnston and Mrs. Jennie Heath provided tours of the new church to the general public.  The day concluded with an organ recital at 8:00 PM.  Charles H. Grout of Worcester, assisted by Leroy S. Foster of Whitinsville performed on the new M.P. Moller organ at the church.  Miss Anna C. Cambridge, soprano of Boston and Mr. Charles F. Hacket, tenor of Boston, performed during the recital.
Consecration Day was held on Sunday, October 22, 1911.  A regular Sunday service was held at 10:30 AM and a Grand Rally Service for Young People was held at 7:00 PM.[24]  Methodists in Whitinsville were again worshipping in their own church.

The Millville Church

In 1927, the Millville Methodist Episcopal Church’s two chimneys were removed and replaced by one larger new one.  The “heating stoves” were removed and replaced by a central heating system.  At the same time, the old “straight back” pews were replaced with others, which were donated by the Laurel Hill Methodist Church of Bridgeton.  On Christmas night 1927, the Epworth League presented the church with an Estey Organ, which served the church for many years.

Millville Methodists continued to worship in the church on Prospect Street.  In April 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Protestant Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South forged a national union and became the Methodist Church.  In 1950, the Millville Methodist Church, realizing problems in leadership, began to focus their attention on a federation with the Covenant Congregational Church.  However, by 1955 it was apparent that the spirit of united worship was failing and the two congregations separated.  The flood of 1955 caused damage to the Millville Methodist Church, but the damage was repaired and worship continued, apparently with little disruption.  While the church was struggling in some aspects, their spiritual life and witness to Christ remained strong.  This is evidenced by the fact that at this time, nine members of the Congregational Church decided to join the Methodist Church.  Also, out of that congregation, three individuals answered the call to go into the ministry.

The community of Millville had undergone many economic ups and downs over the years, but in 1960, there seems to have been an influx of local business and the economy was on the rise again.  The abutting property owner on both sides of the church was Mil-Lor Engineering Company, a company which was eager to expand its base of operation in the town of Millville. 

Some of the visionaries of the church at that time had started inquiring about the now vacant Lutheran Church at 63 Central Street.  The Lutheran congregation had built a new church in Woonsocket and had already moved.  As a result of this inquiry, the church entered into negotiations with Mr. John C. Lalor, president of the Mil-Lor Company, to sell them the church.  Mil-Lor bought the church property for $2000 ($400 for the land and $1600 for the building).  On April 22, 1964, the sale was approved by a vote of the quarterly conference to become effective at the time the congregation would vacate the building, on or about June 15, 1964.  The Methodist congregation would retain all the church’s interior property, including the altar and church bell.
On Sunday, June 7, 1964, a service for deconsecrating was held in the church that had been home for Millville Methodists for 112 years.  Norwich District Superintendent Rev. James Claypool, Worcester District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Leslie Johnson and the church’s pastor, Rev. William Burdick led the parish processional march to the congregation’s new home on Central Street.  A service of consecration was held on November 1, 1964.[25]

Whitinsville

The Village of Whitinsville, anchored by the Whitin Machine Works, enjoyed prosperity throughout the first three-quarters of the 20th century.  Founded in 1831, the Machine Works, known as the “Shop” to locals, became the center of life in Whitinsville.  Reaching its peak capacity in 1948, employing 5615 men and women, the “Shop” continued to be Whitinsville’s largest employer until its closing in 1976.[26]

The Whitinsville Methodist Church also enjoyed a vibrant, active congregation through these years.  On October 22, 1928, the congregation began a week-long celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the church in Whitinsville and the 17th anniversary of the current church building.  The celebration began with a 10:30 Communion service administered by the church pastor, Rev. Willis Layton on Sunday.  Tuesday, October 24 saw a banquet featuring a reunion of members and former church pastors, with the principal address given by Bishop William S. Anderson of Boston.  A special prayer service was held on Thursday evening, and the week concluded with a solemn vesper service on Sunday evening, October 29.

Music was always a significant part of worship in the Whitinsville Methodist Church.  Organists using the M.P. Moller organ included, Albert Reinstra, Roy Foster, Harold Miller (c. 1928 – 1939), Mary Bain (1939 – 1942), Mildred Carr McCurdy (1942 – 1944), Bertha Rogers (1944 – 1962), Fred Baker (1962 – 1970), Karen Plantings (1970 – 1974), Muriel Booth (1974 – 1986), David Box and Ralph Gilmore (1986 – 1987), Leonard Baldwin (1987 – 2001?), John Rondeau (2001?-2005?), Susan Markham (2005 – 2007), Todd Marston (2007 – 2010) and Marilyn Simoncini (2011 – present).

Psalm 100:1-2 commands us to, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”  Joyful songs were always in evidence at the Whitinsville Methodist Church, with the choir, quartets, soloists and the organ enlivening worship services.  Until the Second World War, it was not uncommon to have Sunday school, a morning service and an evening service on Sundays.  This was in addition to midweek prayer meetings, all of which incorporated favorite hymns.  Even to this day, music is an integral feature of worship in the Whitinsville church with a vibrant music ministry leading worship with a combination of traditional and contemporary music under the direction of Danielle Wilson (2010 - present).

On Sunday, October 18, 1936, the congregation held a rededication service commemorating the 25th anniversary of the building of the stone church.  The day featured a morning dedication sermon by Rev. Robert M. Pierce, the District Superintendant of Worcester and an evening service featuring an organ recital by Roy P. Bailey of Providence.  On October 28, 1962, a worship service was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the church (although it was actually the 51st anniversary) with former pastor, Rev. Dr. Willard C. Arnold providing the anniversary message.  An anniversary banquet was held on October 29, 1962, featuring six former pastors of the congregation and their wives: Rev. Mason Sharp, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Willard Arnold, Rev. L. Edwin Lacount, Rev. and Mrs. Glenn Glazier, Rev. and Mrs. Delphas Barnett as well as the then-current pastor, Rev. Prescott Grout and Mrs. Grout.

During the early 1940’s, the Whitinsville Methodist Church owned a house at the Sterling Camp Meeting Association.  This campground was a sixty acre tract, just east of Sterling Junction, which served as a summer colony for groups of Methodist Churches in the Worcester area.  When the campground was first established in the 1840’s, church members camped in tents for a week during the summer to participate in recreation and religious services.  In the decades following the Civil War, it evolved into a year-round community of 142 cottages.[27]  The house owned by the Whitinsville Methodist Church featured a large living room with a piano and organ, a dining room and kitchen on the first floor.  The upstairs area contained twelve bedrooms.  The house was rustic – it contained no bathroom facilities inside.  The young people’s group of the church would spend summer weekends at the campground.  Although the facilities were rustic, the youth enjoyed their outings to the camp.  To access the camp, the youth would take a bus to Worcester and then connect to the Fitchburg bus to Sterling.[28]

An active women’s ministry was always a feature of the Whitinsville Methodist Church.  Beginning as the Ladies’ Aid Society in the 19th century, the women’s ministry was chartered as the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) in 1940.  Typical meetings of the WSCS included a business meeting, devotions, a program or speaker, and fellowship and refreshments.  As the group moved into the 1960’s, program topics increasingly addressed social issues of the time, including alcohol treatment, the war on poverty, problems in the Holy Land, school drop-outs, juvenile delinquency and race relations.   

Outreach missions were also a central facet of the women’s ministries.  For many years, the WSCS supported educational missionaries in Mulingwishi in the Belgian Congo, Africa.  Following World War II, the WSCS supported a boys’ trade school in Korea, newly liberated from Japanese occupation.  In 1963, the WSCS sewed djellabas for Algerian youth lacking proper clothing and in 1966 participated in a “Blanket Appeal” for refugees and disaster victims.  It was common for the WSCS to support local hospitals and institutions, including the Grafton State Hospital, Morgan Memorial, Whitinsville Hospital and Cooper Center.  Many autumns and winters found the WSCS sponsoring a fall or Christmas Fair, with the proceeds benefiting multiple causes.   Although the WSCS faded away in the late 1980’s, its successor women’s ministries still engage in devotion, Christian service, study and fellowship.

Seniors were also well represented at the Whitinsville church.  The Young at Hearts group, consisting mostly of retired seniors, was established in 1970 and continued until 2011.  They met monthly for a luncheon, devotional time, business meeting and fellowship.  A typical year found the Young at Hearts engaged in a number of service and social projects.

From the 1950’s through 1983, the Whitinsville Methodist Church (renamed the United Methodist Church after the 1968 union between The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church) held summer union services with the Village Congregational Church of Whitinsville.  Typically, the two congregations would meet together for worship during eight to ten Sundays from late June to early September.  The congregations would meet for four to five weeks at the Congregational Church to hear services led by their pastor, and then would meet for four to five weeks at the United Methodist Church to participate in services led by our pastor.  These union services allowed us to further our ecumenical outreach and provided summer time off for the pastors of the two churches.

Renovations and improvements of the church property continued over this time.  On June 20, 1965, the chimes for the church organ were dedicated.  They were given to the church in memory of Mrs. Irene Harding by her husband, Charles E. Harding, her daughter, Helen, and her son, Charles E. Harding, Jr.

In 1958, the congregation purchased the Johnston House for use for Sunday school, church offices and a reception area.  A consecration service was held on September 28, 1958, with District Superintendent Ira J. Roberts and pastor, Rev. Delphas S. Barnett, conducting the service.  The mortgage for the Johnston House was retired and burned on June 2, 1963 before our regular church service.  The Johnston House continued to serve as the Whitinsville church’s Sunday school and offices until declining Sunday school attendance, aging furnaces and increased heating and maintenance costs caused the congregation to abandon the House and raze it on July 27, 1983.[29]  The land on which the Johnston House stood is now part of the parking lot in the rear of the church.

Uxbridge

Taft Memorial Methodist Church also enjoyed an active 20th century in Uxbridge.  The church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at the close of the First World War with a reception for the returning veterans, an evening of music and special activities that included the Robinson Family of Providence, Rhode Island.  At that time, it was decided to replace the organ’s hand pump bellows, which the church’s youth had faithfully operated, with a wind box operated by an electric fan.
About 1929, the congregation at Taft Memorial Methodist Church installed a “lowered” ceiling that obscured the original vaulted ceiling.  Reports indicate that this was done to conserve heat in the sanctuary during the winter months.

The town of Uxbridge was severely hit by the hurricane of 1938, and among the casualties was the bell tower of Taft Memorial.  After rebuilding the belfry and repairing the other damage caused by the storm, it was decided to install a new steam heating system to replace the old, less efficient system.  It is interesting to note that this new heating system cost very nearly the same amount to install as it cost to build and furnish the original structure ($6000).

The church offered a profound prayer of thanksgiving that at the end of World War II, all 30 of those who served returned to home and family in Uxbridge safe and sound.[30]

Merger of the Uxbridge and Millville Congregations

The economic climate of the Blackstone Valley changed dramatically in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Once the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, the aging textile mills and manufacturing facilities began moving to the southern United States in the 1960’s (and abroad not long after).  Communities in the Blackstone Valley were devastated as the revenue and job producing mills lay empty.  Shortly thereafter, Blackstone Valley communities began renovating their empty mills, attempting to attract a more diverse economic and tax base.[31]  Although there have been marginal successes in renovating local mills and attracting business, the economic climate of the Blackstone Valley is not nearly as vibrant as it was from the early 19th century through the middle of the 20th century.

With a declining area population and economy, in 1972, Taft Memorial began working in a “Team Ministry” relationship with a cluster of churches in the area: the Methodist churches of Uxbridge, Douglas and Millville and the Old Douglas Congregational Church.  This relationship lasted for several years and was modified and refined and involved only the three Methodist churches over time.
In 1990, after 140 years of service to God and the community of Millville and 116 years in the community of Uxbridge, these two wonderful churches chose to “follow the movement of the Holy Spirit into new directions and toward new opportunities for witnessing to Jesus Christ.”  On July 1, 1990, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church and Millville United Methodist Church merged their congregations and their assets to become one body in Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge.

Also, in 1990, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church and the First Evangelical Congregational Church of Uxbridge, in a spirit of ecumenism, proposed to join in union worship services during the summer months of July and August.  This tradition continued until at least 2000.

In 1991, the Blackstone Valley Parish, which was comprised of the Methodist churches in Millville, Uxbridge and East Douglas, was dissolved and Taft Memorial became a single charge church again.  Also in that year, the church building that served as home for the Millville Methodists for 26 years was sold to the New Hope Baptist Church.

Taft Memorial had an ongoing history of supporting both the Boy’s and Girl’s Scouting programs in the community.  In 1991, Russell Cates, a young man working toward his Eagle Scout award, proposed the construction of a handicapped accessibility entry for the church.  Russell had been upset that his Grandfather had not been able to be in worship with him on the day of his confirmation and decided that he would do something about that not being an issue in the future.  The people of the church rallied behind Russell, and Taft Memorial became the first church in downtown Uxbridge to have handicapped accessibility to its sanctuary.

In 1992, John Fairhurst, another young man working toward his Eagle Scout award, saw the need to address hunger in the local community.  To this end, John organized many volunteers from the missions committee of the church as well as others from the community and asked Taft Memorial to host a local SHARE distribution site.  SHARE was a community-based, non-profit food distribution program that depended almost entirely upon volunteer support.  For a cost of $13.00 and two hours of community service, participants received a parcel of food items valued at $30.00 or more.  The SHARE program served the Uxbridge community for several years and provided the impetus to create the “People First” food pantry that was housed next to the fellowship hall at Taft Memorial before moving to its present location at 7 Court Street.

In 1992, the Methodist churches of Southbridge, East Douglas and Uxbridge, Massachusetts along with Woonsocket, Rhode Island joined in covenant as one charge.  This attempt at covenant ministry, however, lasted only one year and in 1993 Taft Memorial again became a single point charge.

From 1995 to 1996, significant repairs and renovations were made to the Taft Memorial church building.  In 1995, it was discovered that the sanctuary roof had a leak when a section of the plaster wall in the rear of the sanctuary fell down.  During the month of August, when the church was in union worship with the Congregational Church, the sanctuary was stripped and completely refurbished by church members.  In 1996, a new roof was completed over the sanctuary and Sunday school portion of the church and the boiler providing heat to the church was replaced.  Also, that year, a bathroom facility was installed upstairs near the sanctuary, complimenting the handicapped accessibility of the sanctuary and church library.

In the year 2000, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge held its 125th anniversary celebration.[32]  Faced with an aging membership, an aging facility and a lack of parking facilities, membership in the Taft Memorial United Methodist Church began to dwindle in the 2000’s.  By 2006, membership was down to 20 members, and the church began planning to disband.[33]

The Creation of the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church

For 15 years before 2007, the Whitinsville United Methodist Church was considering the building of a new addition to provide a new fellowship hall, additional Sunday school rooms, a larger kitchen, a new church office and a new pastor’s study to relieve the cramped conditions in the church caused by the loss of the Johnston House in 1983.  There was also a need to provide handicapped accessibility to the church.[34]

After members of Taft Memorial began attending services at the Whitinsville United Methodist Church, a church official suggested merging the two congregations.  This would allow the assets of the two churches to be retained and merged into a single congregation.  Also, a merged church would allow true regional spiritual and social outreach to the entire Blackstone Valley.  In 2006, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church merged with the Whitinsville United Methodist Church to become the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church.  The merged congregation decided to use the church building in Whitinsville.  In 2007, the former Taft Memorial Church and parsonage in Uxbridge were sold, netting the church about $400,000.[35]

Needing additional space and recognizing the need to renovate portions of the building, the new Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church began a multi-phase building campaign.  Led by Building Committee chairman, Charles E. Thompson and Capital Campaign chair, Glenn King, the building began with repair work on the church bell tower, completed in April 2007, at a cost of $115,000.[36]
The church then began construction of a new addition, Faith Hall.  The addition was designed by Haynes, Lineck and Smith, Inc. and ground was broken by AHO Construction Company of New Ipswich, New Hampshire in August 2007.[37]  This addition, located behind the parsonage and connected to the church sanctuary by the east door, provided a new fellowship hall with seating for 135 people, a new kitchen, storage room, and handicapped bathroom on the sanctuary level.  A full basement below contained separate handicapped accessible restrooms for men and women, a large general activities room, a church office and pastor’s study.  A handicapped lift provided access to all portions of the church building.  The building is of wood construction, vinyl siding and asphalt shingles, all heated by a gas-fired furnace.  The new addition was built at a cost of $935,000.[38]

Initial tours of the new addition were conducted after the Easter Sunday service in 2008, and the new addition, Faith Hall, was formerly dedicated by Rev. Michele Ewers during a celebration service at 2:30 PM, Sunday June 1, 2008.  Music was provided by the chancel choir, and the church’s contemporary music groups, Resound! and Joyful Noise.  Pastor Rev. Michele Ewers, Building Committee Chair Charles Thompson, Board of Trustees Chair, Steve Shangraw, and Capital Campaign Chair Glenn King all spoke or read scripture before the church Lay Leaders, Lee Ducharme, Barbara Fortin, Dean Fortin and Bob Marseglia led the attendees in prayer.  Faith Hall was officially opened when longtime church members, Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Hanny, cut the ceremonial ribbon.[39]

Almost immediately, Faith Hall was put to good use.  Besides hosting fellowship hour after Sunday worship services, church committees, ministries and community organizations use Faith Hall for their meetings.  The church has hosted meetings for the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, Blackstone Valley Gardeners and other community organizations.  In 2009, the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church hosted its first annual free community Christmas Dinner under the direction of LuAnn Belseth and Dave Nadreau, with over 80 church members and members of the community enjoying a good meal and wonderful fellowship.  The free Christmas Dinner has become an annual tradition, with more and more people joining us for food and fellowship every year.

Church Building Centennial

From Saturday, October 8 through Sunday, October 9, 2011, the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church celebrated the centennial of their church building.  The festivities began with a church open house held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.  During the open house, guided tours of the church building were led by Centennial Committee chairman, Charles Thompson.  The tours culminated in the Activity Room of Faith Hall, where historical church photographs and artifacts were displayed.  The Activity Room also featured displays of all of the church ministries, with representatives of each ministry on hand to explain their missions.

At 6:00 PM, a banquet was held in Faith Hall, during which church members of fifty years or more were recognized.  The fifty year members included (with the year of their initial membership in parenthesis), Ralph Gilmore (1933), Leda Phoenix (1933), Beulah Borden (1934), Ruth Parsons (1935), Mary Vandersea (1941), Glenadine Gilmore (1942), Eleanor Harris-Jacques (1943), Margaret “Peg” Hanny (1944), Harold Gilmore (1944), Ruth Anderson (1945), Janet Bisson (1945), Myrtice Doble (1946), Sylvia Downing (1947), Doug Farley (1948), Walter “Ben” Brown (1950), Beverly Palmer (1951), Merrill McNelly (1952), Paul Wheeler (1952), Betty Spratt (1952), Ginny DeLang (1954), Jeff Allard (1956), Joyce Bergeron (1956), Elaine Berglund (1957), Dorothy Ellis (1958), and Grace Burns (1958).[40]

The centennial banquet was followed by a 7:30 centennial program in the church sanctuary.  After an initial welcome by Pastor Michele Ewers, Centennial Committee Chairman, Charles Thompson, led the congregation in a recitation of Psalm 122.  District Superintendant, Rev. Rene A. Perez, provided the invocation and then Glenn King gave a presentation on the History of Methodism in the Blackstone Valley.  Letters of recollections from former pastors, John Knight (1993-1994), Dick Davis (1985-1991) and Henry J. “Bing” Scherer (1969-1973) were read.  Throughout the program, video remembrances from longtime church members Grace Burns, Sylvia Downing, Glenadine Gilmore, Ralph Gilmore, Ruth Anderson, Beverly Palmer, Merrill McNelly, Doug Farley, Myrtice Doble, Paul Wheeler, Ginny Delang and Tom McKeown were shown.  The church’s music ministry team led the congregation in singing the 1911 "Dedication Hymn", as well as "The Church’s One Foundation", "Days of Elijah", and "They Will Know We Are Christians".  The program concluded with a slide presentation, Heading toward the next 100 Years, created by Bridget Murphy and Dean Fortin.

The church building centennial weekend ended with a worship service at 10:00 AM on Sunday, October 9, 2011.  The worship service was led by Rev. Michele Ewers and featured a sermon, Things That Will Last, delivered by District Superintendant, Rev. Rene Perez.  The church’s 1911 "Dedication Hymn" was again sung during the Sunday worship service, along with "Saints of God", "Holy Ground", "In His Time", "Worthy Is The Lamb/Crown Him With Many Crowns", "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" and "Freely, Freely".

Averaging over 100 worshippers at Sunday services (and always welcoming more!), and serving the communities of the Blackstone Valley in southern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island, the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church remains an active, supportive, spiritual and caring church family.  Through active men’s and women’s ministries, Sunday school, Bible and other religious studies, community outreach ministries and other ministries and leadership groups, the members of the Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, continue on into our next 100 years with the mission to “change peoples’ lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ!”

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[1] Faith Richardson, “History of The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church, 1796-1995” (The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church, 1992).  http://neumcsite.brickriver.com/page.asp?PKValue=74 (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[2] Dr. Robert Simpson, “The Circuit - Riders in Early American Methodism” (The United Methodist Church General Commission on Archives & History, 2008).  http://www.gcah.org/site/c.ghKJI0PHIoE/b.3828779/k.87C4/Circuit_Riders.htm (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[3] It is not known if this is the Friends Meeting House on what is now Route 146A (Quaker Highway), Uxbridge, or another area.  There is a Friends Cemetery on the intersection of Quaker Street and Church Street in Northbridge, but there is no record of a Friends Meeting House at this location.
[4] “Historical Record”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[5] Clara Dyer, text of the remarks of Clara F. Trowbridge during 100th Anniversary Service of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Whitinsville, October 21, 1928, (unpublished manuscript, 1967).
[6] “United Methodist Bishops, Ordination Chain, 1784 – 2008” (Madison, New Jersey: The United Methodist Church General Commission on Archives and History, 2009).  http://www.gcah.org/atf/cf/%7B9ffcd624-0cb2-4eb6-9d68-68e9775a36da%7D/BISHOPS.PDF (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[7] “Whitin Machine Works” (Wikipedia). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitin_Machine_Works (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[8] “Historical Record”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[9] Linda Bock, “The tie that binds; Merged church balances tradition, modern needs”, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, November 25, 2007.  http://www.articlearchives.com/society-social-assistance-lifestyle/religion-spirituality/572083-1.html (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[10] Clara Dyer, text of the remarks of Clara F. Trowbridge during 100th Anniversary Service of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Whitinsville, October 21, 1928, (unpublished manuscript, 1967).  The “Historical Record”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911, maintains that the members worshipped in the Hall at Railroad Avenue until 1875.
[11] “Our History”, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 125th Anniversary Celebration Program (Uxbridge, MA: Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 2000).
[12] Rev. Pomeroy’s initials were listed as E.P. in the Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 125th Anniversary Celebration Program, but as F.T. in Henry Chapin’s remarks.
[13] Henry Chapin, Address Delivered at the Unitarian Church in Uxbridge, Mass in 1864, with Further Statements, not Made Part of the Address, but Included in the Notes.  (Uxbridge, MA: Press of Charles Hamilton, 1881).  http://www.archive.org/stream/addressdelivered00chap/addressdelivered00chap_djvu.txt (retrieved 3/28/2009).
[14] “Historical Record”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[15] Clara Dyer, text of the remarks of Clara F. Trowbridge during 100th Anniversary Service of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Whitinsville, October 21, 1928, (unpublished manuscript, 1967).
[16] BlackstoneValley.com, “Uxbridge Walking Tour”.  http://www.blackstonedaily.com/Outdoors&Nature/WTuxbridge.htm (retrieved 03/28/2009. 
[17] Henry Chapin, Address Delivered at the Unitarian Church in Uxbridge, Mass in 1864, with Further Statements, not Made Part of the Address, but Included in the Notes.  (Uxbridge, MA: Press of Charles Hamilton, 1881).  http://www.archive.org/stream/addressdelivered00chap/addressdelivered00chap_djvu.txt (retrieved 3/28/2009).
[18] “Our History”, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 125th Anniversary Celebration Program (Uxbridge, MA: Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 2000).
[19] “Methodist Church in Whitinsville Burned”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[20] “Corner Stone Laid”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[21] “Methodist Church in Whitinsville Burned”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[22] “Corner Stone Laid”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[23] “Corner Stone Laid”, Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[24] Dedication Services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, October 1911 (Whitinsville, MA: Whitinsville Methodist Episcopal Church, 1911).
[25] “Our History”, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 125th Anniversary Celebration Program (Uxbridge, MA: Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 2000).
[26] “Whitin Machine Works”. (Wikipedia). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitin_Machine_Works (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[27] The Sterling Open Space and Recreation Committee, Town of Sterling Open Space and Recreation Plan, Year 2002 Update  (Sterling, MA: Town of Sterling, 2006), p. 4-27.  http://www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Boards/OpenSpaceandRecPlan2002.pdf (retrieved 4/27/2009). 
[28] Janet Bisson, note to Raymond A. Talke, Jr., April 26, 2009.
[29] Clara Dyer, “I Remember” (unpublished recollections of her time at the Whitinsville Methodist Church, 1967 – 1987).
[30] “Our History”, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 125th Anniversary Celebration Program (Uxbridge, MA: Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 2000).
[31] Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, “Valley History”.  http://www.blackstonerivervalley.com/navigator/valleyhistory/ (retrieved 3/29/2009)
[32] “Our History”, Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 125th Anniversary Celebration Program (Uxbridge, MA: Taft Memorial United Methodist Church of Millville and Uxbridge, 2000).
[33] Linda Bock, “The tie that binds; Merged church balances tradition, modern needs”, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, November 25, 2007.  http://www.articlearchives.com/society-social-assistance-lifestyle/religion-spirituality/572083-1.html (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[34] Charles E. Thompson, “Report of Church Building Committee”, Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church Annual Reports 2007 (Whitinsville, MA: Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, 2008).
[35] Linda Bock, “The tie that binds; Merged church balances tradition, modern needs”, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, November 25, 2007.  http://www.articlearchives.com/society-social-assistance-lifestyle/religion-spirituality/572083-1.html (retrieved 3/27/2009).
[36] Glenn King, “Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church Capital Campaign 2007”, Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church Annual Reports 2007 (Whitinsville, MA: Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, 2008).
[37] Rev. Michele Ewers, “Pastor’s Report”, Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church Annual Reports 2007 (Whitinsville, MA: Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, 2008).
[38] Charles E. Thompson, “Report of Church Building Committee”, Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church Annual Reports 2007 (Whitinsville, MA: Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, 2008).
[39] “Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, New Addition Celebration & Dedication Program, June 1, 2008 (Whitinsville, MA: Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, 2008).
[40] “Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, Centennial Celebration of Our Church Building, 1911-2011, October 8 – 9, 2011 (Whitinsville, MA: Blackstone Valley United Methodist Church, 2011).