107 



meetings from time to time, convening with the various 

 families and members who worshipped on the Sabbath 

 with Bio. Lamson's church. 



East Gloucester at this time was very sparsely settled, 

 but as business increased, dwelling houses w 7 ere rapidly 

 erected, stores w r ere opened, school houses were built. 

 The friends of Zion feeling called upon to make an or- 

 ganized effort for the moral and spiritual good of their 

 growing village, a union sewing circle was formed ; but 

 it being ascertained that the prevailing sentiment was 

 Baptist, it was decided to erect a chapel. 



In the year 1858 a small building was erected 50 feet 

 by 36. It was dedicated the fall of the same year, the 

 sermon being preached by William Lamson, D. D., text, 

 Joshua, v : 15. 



Previously (in 1855) there had been a small Sabbath 

 school organized in the village and held in the hall of the 

 engine house, and also one on what is known as Rocky 

 Neck. This school met in the house of Bro. David Smith, 

 and Avas under the charge of Sister Susan E. Wonson. 



As soon as the chapel was dedicated and opened for 

 meeting, these schools were transferred to this place and 

 given in charge to Bro. Geo. Parsons, who is still the 

 superintendent. 



At first the people were supplied with preaching by dif- 

 ferent persons occupying the desk. In 1858 Father Lisle 

 was invited to become their preacher (we cannot say 

 pastor, for this enterprise was nothing more than a branch 

 interest — a mission of the first Baptist church.) 



In 1861 Bro. Cheever of Manchester was invited to 

 assist Bro. Lisle in a series of meetings. A powerful 

 reformation followed, but there being no church organ- 

 ization most of the converts joined other churches. 



Father Lisle left, and in the spring of 1863 the society 



