Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

second Universalist.—By an Act of the General Court, Feb. 11, 1823, Calvin Brooks and others¹ were incorporated as the ‘Second Society of Universalists in the town of Cambridge.’ They held meetings for a time in a school-house on Third Street, between Bridge and Gore streets, and afterwards worshipped with the Unitarian Society in their meeting-house on Third Street. In July, 1834, the Society hired what was then called ‘Berean Hall,’ on the northerly side of Cambridge Street, between Third and Fourth streets, and occupied it until the early part of 1843, when it was purchased, enlarged, converted into a meeting-house, and was dedicated on the 5th day of December. In 1865 this house was sold, and the Society erected the neat and commodious church now standing on the northerly side of Otis Street, between Third and Fourth streets, which was dedicated Sept. 26, 1866.

This parish had no settled pastor until 1834, when Rev. Henry Bacon commenced his labors in November, and was ordained on the 28th of December. He resigned in the spring of 1838, and was afterwards settled at Haverhill, Marblehead, Providence, and Philadelphia. He was born in Boston, June 12, 1813, and died in Philadelphia, March 19, 1856. His was a busy life. Besides faithfully performing his pastoral duties, he was a prolific writer in various periodicals, the author of some small volumes, and editor of the ‘Ladies' Repository’ twenty years. Rev. Elbridge G. Brooks was ordained at West Amesbury, Oct. 19, 1837, and was installed here Sept. 16, 1838. He resigned early in 1845, and was subsequently settled in Bath, Me., Lynn, New York, and Philadelphia, where he is still actively engaged in the ministry. He has written much for various periodicals, and in 1873 published a volume entitled ‘Our New Departure.’ He received the degree of D. D. from Tufts College in 1867. Rev. William R. G. Mellen was ordained at Milford, May 17, 1843, and was installed here Oct. 26, 1845. He resigned in October, 1848, and was afterwards settled in Chicopee, Auburn, N. Y., and Gloucester; he served his country several years as a Consul in a foreign port; and has since had the pastoral charge of several Unitarian societies. Rev. Massena Goodrich was ordained at Haverhill Jan. 1, 1845, commenced his ministry here April 8, 1849, resigned in January, 1852, and was afterwards settled at Goff's Corner, Me., Waltham, and Pawtucket, R. I. In 1861 he became a Professor in the Theological School at Canton, N. Y.;