Orthodox Church Is Reborn In Canton

By 1828, the Puritan beliefs of our forefathers had fallen from favor among many residents of Canton. There were, however, a few remaining who desired to restore that faith and worship to the town.

With that idea in mind the minority group invited a Council of Churches to meet with them and advise them. Accordingly, on July 3, the group assembled at the home of Mrs. Katy Hartwell. Included in the gathering were seven area ministers of the clergy -- John Codman, D.D. of Dorchester; Ebenezer Burgess, D.D. of Dedham; Calvin Hitchcock, D.D. of Randolph; Calvin Park D.D. of Stoughton; Rev. Samuel Gile of Milton; Rev. Jonathan Curtis of Sharon; and Rev. William Cogswell of South Dedham.

It was a tiny nucleus, to be sure, but armed with hope, promise, and hearty prayers for their prosperity, they emerged from that initial meeting and organized into the Evangelical Congregational Church of Canton. For several months services were held in the home of Mrs. Hartwell. Their first church building was completed in March of the following year.

The first pastor, Rev. William Harlow, was a graduate of Yale in the Class of 1822. His ordination was conducted by the same seven ministers who had composed the Council at the foundation of the church. The Rev. Jay H. Fairchild preached that early sermon, a memorable delivery from the text, "What is Truth?"

In the following December, Mr. Harlow was dismissed from his charges, an action which resulted in a pulpit without a preacher until October, 1831. The next two decades found a great succession of ministers in charge of the Canton Church.

The list is headed by the Rev. Mr. Hathaway, whose term lasted for six months. He was immediately followed by the Rev. Mr. Farnsworth for shortly more than a year. Rev. John Turner filled the pulpit next, remaining until 1835.

Rev. Turner was succeeded by Rev. Erastus Dickinson, who ministered the congregation until 1837. For a year and one-half following the departure of Mr. Dickinson, no voice hailed from the pulpit.

Members of the congregation met and determined to open their house. In the absence of a clergyman it was decided that services should be conducted by laymen, and that a sermon should be delivered every morning and afternoon.

Eventually the Rev. Harrison G. Park was engaged, and with the assistance of other clergymen, continued to celebrate the Sacraments with his people. The steady flow of preachers continued at the Orthodox Church until 1859.

At that time the Rev. Ezra Haskell accepted an invitation to occupy the pulpit. It was largely due to his tireless efforts that a new church was erected. A year later the new building was dedicated and Mr. Haskell was ordained simultaneously.