In writing these pieces, I recognize that buildings present in my earlier years are no longer there. One such edifice is the First Methodist Episcopal Church, which was located at the northeast corner of Appleton and Elm Street.
The story of this church originated in South Hadley, where the Methodist Church of South Hadley Falls sought to expand its presence to nearby Holyoke.
Services were held in Lyceum Hall in the Exchange Block on High Street in May 1853. In the autumn of 1853 and into 1857, services were conducted in the Gauledet & Terry Building. A further move found the congregation's services were held in Chapin Hall until a church was finally built in 1969.
In 1866, the church officials decided that a church was needed. Holyoke Water Power offered the church a choice of building lots on the southeast corner of Maple and Dwight St. or on the southeast corner of Main and Appleton St.
The church initially chose the former and started work digging the cellar. However, recognizing that the population resided closer to the mills, it changed course. It opted for the corner of Main and Appleton St. A deed conveying this real estate to the church was recorded on June 18, 1866.
Construction of the church was delayed two years due to the lack of funds and necessary leadership to propel the construction project. The new church vestry finally opened on July 4, 1869, and the church was dedicated in March 1870.
With an expanding church membership, a chapel was built at the southeast corner of Nonotuck and Lincoln St. in 1885. The Highland Methodist Church, dedicated in March 1889, served the residents living in that area.
By 1886, Church officials recognized the city's westward movement of people. An estate became available at the corner of Elm and Appleton St. The church's vision was to move the eighteen-room estate to another location and to build a church on the vacated land.
Land was purchased on Beech St between Appleton and Suffolk St. The estate was moved and situated. This was used as the church parsonage.
G.P. B Alderman drew the plans for the new church. The cornerstone was laid on October 2, 1989, and the church was completed the following year. It was dedicated on June 25, 1890.
In 1895, the former Methodist church at Main and Appleton Street was sold for $12,500.
The final service at the Highland Methodist Church was held on June 27, 1926. The First Methodist Church merged with the Highland Methodist Church, and services were consolidated into the Appleton St. Church.
In 1926, the First Methodist Church members authorized the sale of the former Highland Methodist Church to the Holyoke First Church of Christ Scientist.
By the mid-1960s, discussions of a merger between Holyoke, South Hadley, and Granby Methodists had begun. The merger plans were completed and accepted in March 1966. The Holyoke and South Hadley church locations would be used alternately for their services while a new church site in South Hadley was sought. At the time of the merger, the Holyoke church had 225 congregants, and South Hadley had 200.
In 1967, the First Methodist Church of Holyoke changed its corporate name to the Trustees of the United Methodist Church of Holyoke, South Hadley, and Granby.
The church building at 341 Appleton Street was sold on June 8, 1970, and its contents were auctioned on June 13, 1970. In September 1970, the church was demolished to make way for a national chain restaurant.
In 1972, the Holyoke Transcript-Telegram reported that the leaded glass windows were salvaged. The glass was used in an old schoolhouse on Poland Rd. in Conway, Mass., being converted into a residence.
The circle was complete as the church returned to its original roots in South Hadley.
Sources:
Source of news articles: Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript and Transcript-Telegram; Publications dates are shown.
Story of the Holyoke Churches, prepared and published by Rev. G. C. Goodson, 1890, Transcript Publishing Co., Holyoke, Massachusetts
Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts
First Methodist Episcopal Church; northeast corner of Elm and Appleton St.
First Methodist Episcopal Church; northeast corner of Elm and Appleton St. (view from Chestnut Street)
Highland Methodist Church; corner of Nonotuck and Lincoln St. (Note the street car tracks)
Highland Methodist Church; corner of Nonotuck and Lincoln St.
(Built 1885/dedicated March 1889/ last service & sale 1926)
Methodist Church Parsonage on the west side of Beech St. between Appleton and Suffolk St. This estate was relocated from the Methodist Church site at Elm and Appleton St.
June 18, 1866 Deed conveying real estate at Appleton and Dwight St. from Holyoke Water Power Co. to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
