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UNITARIAN CHURCH, PLEASANT STREET

The church was formed in 1806, incorporated as the Second or West Parish 1808, now called "Unitarian". The church building was erected 1806; dedicated 1808.  Rebuilt 1866, and rededicated April 25, 1867.  The old building was torn in pieces, only the frame remaining.  The large timbers were cut out and the roof raised eight feet higher.  The spire was carried out front eight feet and raisedfifty feet above it's fomer elevation.

The church formerly fronted on the south.  The new one was built facing east, some seventy-five feet from the old site.  The total cost was $19,000, (nineteen thousand).  The pastorates commenced as follows:

Rev. Asa Packard - 1808
Rev. Seth Alden - 1819
Rev. Wm. Morse - 1834
Rev. Horation Alger - 1845
Rev. W. C. Tenney - 1861
Rev. Eugene DeNormandie - 1865
Rev. Calvin Stebbins - 1869
Rev. J. H. Wiggen - 1873
Rev. R. A. Griffen - 1876
 
 

FORST HALL - RUSSELL & ALLEY'S FACTORY, LINCOLN STREET

The Hall was erected about twenty-five (note: would be about 1854 - webmaster) ago by H. H. Bigelow, now of Worcester.  It came into possession of Mr. H. O. Russell, the present owner in 1863.  He has since made large additions to it, and the present firm Russell & Alley, (Wm. A.) occupy the whole of the building, except the stores in the front and basement.

The Hall proper, in the upper story, was formerly a popular resort for the elite of the town for dances, concerts, lectures, etc., but increasing business led Mr. Russell to utilize it for manufacturing puposes.

In political times, the Forest Hall was in former years the scene of earnest discussion, in which some of the noted statesmen of former years have taken part.

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