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

Churches 119
Warren, always made it a point of honor to support and attend
with his family this less flourishing church; and this high
principle of devotion, characteristic of that old church family
was faithfully exemplified in Mr. William H. Pearse, who came
in time to take the place of his uncle.
Mr. John A. Wood, though never a communicant, was
devotedly attached to the services of the church, and for many
years voluntarily assumed the care of the Lord's house without
compensation, and was always particular that it should
be comfortable and in order. And, after his decease, his son,
Henry 0. Wood, immediately succeeded him as a vestryman,
and has ever since served the parish, as warden, 1870-1877;
treasurer and clerk, 50 years; with a faithfulness worthy of his
father's example. His son, Mr. John R. Wood, is the third
generation representing the family in the parish; and his son
Otis A. Wood is of the fourth generation.
Mr. William Henry Pearse, at the time of his decease, had
been "identified with this parish as vestryman 35 years, as
junior warden for 11 years, as senior warden 22 years. He was
a devout and regular communicant, a cheerful and consistent
Christian, fond of society, 'given to hospitality.'
Mr. Benjamin H. Chase, when about 40 years of age,
prepared for the ministry and work of the church, to which he
was ordained by Bishop Eastburn in 1854. The parish record
under date of June 20, 1897, has the following testimonial:
*' Mr. Chase was identified with this parish from the time of its
very beginning until the day of his death, a period of over 50
years. He was, while still a layman, one of the most zealous
promoters of the organization of the parish and active in the
erection of the present church edifice. He was elected clerk of
the parish in 1848, and served until 1851, when he left the
town to pursue his studies for the ministry. His devoted life
as a clergyman in the church took him to other fields, but his
interest in the parish, which he had helped to found, never
abated, and when, after more than 30 years of self-sacrificing
work, he retired from the active ministry and returned to
Swansea, his one great enthusiasm was for the welfare of this
church. He was elected a vestryman in 1886, junior warden
in 1888, and in 1890 was elected senior warden, which position
he held at the time of his death. This church is largely
a monument of his life."
Christ Church, Swansea, was duly organized as a parish
under the statutes of this Commonwealth on the 7th of
January, 1846. The first officers of the corporation were
as follows: William Pearse and John Mason, Esq., wardens:
John A.Wood, Joseph D. Nichols, Preserved S. Gardner