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

‘ [325] whom, being residents of this place, had been previously connected with the Hanover Street Church, Boston, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D.’¹ The society connected with this church consists of the pew-owners, by whom ‘all questions of taxation are decided.’ In the settlement of a pastor, ‘it is the right and privilege of the church to nominate, and of the pew-holders to concur or non-concur; and upon their non-concurrence, the church nominate anew, until the parties agree.’² Their first meeting-house was dedicated Sept. 20, 1827; it stood on the southerly corner of Norfolk and Washington streets, and ‘was held by the Deacons in trust for the use of the religious society worshipping in it, but subject, with certain restrictions, to the ultimate and entire control of the church.’³ This house was of wood and was several times enlarged, but still proving too small, and not sufficiently convenient, it was sold,⁴ and a much larger brick house was erected on the westerly side of Prospect Street between Harvard and Austin streets: the corner-stone was laid July 29, 1851, and the house was dedicated June 30, 1852.

The first pastor of the church was Rev. David Perry, D. C. 1824, who was ordained April 23, 1829, and resigned October 13, 1830. He was succeeded by Rev. William A. Stearns, who was born at Bedford, March 17, 1805, H. C. 1827, D. D. 1853, was ordained December 14, 1831, and resigned December 14, 1854. ‘The pastoral connection was dissolved, that he might accept the Presidency of Amherst College, to which he had been elected.’ His pastorate was distinguished for energy and success; and it is understood that his presidency was equally energetic and successful. He died 8 June, 1876. Rev. Edward W. Gilman, Y. C. 1843, who had been settled at Lockport, N. Y., commenced preaching here in July, 1856, was installed on the 9th of the following September, resigned Oct. 22, 1858, and was succeeded by Rev. James O. Murray, B. U. 1850, who was installed May 1, 1861, resigned Feb. 6, 1865, and became pastor of a church in New York. He received the degree of D. D. from Princeton College, 1867. Rev. Kinsley Twining, Y. C. 1853, formerly settled at New Haven, Conn., was installed here Sept. 12, 1867, resigned April 28, 1872, and took charge of a church