History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Churches 115
he then passed the book to one of the deacons (those officials
then occupying elevated seats near the pulpit,) and he read a
line or couplet; after that was sung he read as much more, and
thus the alternate reading and singing continued to the end of
the hymn.
At one time there was dissatisfaction on the part of several
members because the majority "would not approbate women's
pubHc speaking in the church by way of exhortation." The
church censured those disaffected members, but subsequently
the censure was by unanimous vote expressly revoked.
As was the custom also in the Puritan meeting-houses in
the former days, the sexes occupied opposite sides of the
audience-room.
The congregation early built or otherwise obtained a house
of worship, for in 1719 a parish-meeting was held "in the
meeting-house near William Wood's," and before the end of
that year it was proposed to "make some addition to the
meeting-house. " This project was not carried into effect, but
"soon after" a new house was built. In the Puritan Churches
of New England there was (even within a time quite recent)
a strong prejudice against kindling fires in a house of worship.
But the builders of the meeting-house of 1720 did not share
that superstition. Two platforms of brick were constructed,
each surrounded by a row of bricks turned up edgewise (with
no outlet for smoke or gas), and in cold weather charcoal fires
were kept burning upon them. The house was built of oak and
chestnut, and stood until the church edifice now used was
occupied. In the " September gale " (1815) the roof was blown
off. The building was square in form, and when the roof was
replaced it was so turned that what had been the ends of the
house became the sides. At one extremity of the audience-room
there was a pulpit large and high, flanked by the "deacon's
seats. " These were not merely for ornament but use, for it
is recorded^that at a regular church-meeting for the transaction
of business two brethren were chosen deacons, but as some
members were absent, that action was submitted to an
adjourned meeting on the following Sunday, when unanimous
approval was expressed; the deacons-elect (although t^ be
"ordained" on a subsequent occasion) "then took their seats.
What better example can be found of a recognition of both the
rights of voters and the dignity of office? At the rear end of
the room and on both sides were galleries capacious enough to
accommodate a large part of the congregation.
The spacious and pleasant edifice now occupied was
dedicated April 10, 1833. The noted Luther Baker preached.
All the clergymen who participated in the services have passed
"