History of the First Universalist Church in Somerville, Mass. Illustrated; a souvenir of the fiftieth anniversary celebrated February 15-21, 1904

The present church year, beginning in September, 1903, has been a red-letter one in the annals of the parish. The people have again reached the point where work, and lots of it. has no terrors for them.

During the summer of 1903 the interior of the church was thoroughly renovated, and when, on September 22, the Massachusetts Universalist Convention convened within its walls, our people had the satisfaction of welcoming these visitors from all over the state to a church home of which they might well feel proud. For four days the convention was cared for, and the delegates fed and entertained in the way that Cross-street knows so well how to entertain.

Mr. Maxwell conceived another unique plan, which was carried out on Sunday, November 15, when, by his invitation, the Somerville and Cambridge congregations united in a ‘Neighborhood Rally’ at the East Cambridge church, which for the past few years has been having a hard struggle for existence. It was fitting that our parish, which, in its early days, had received encouragement from the then strong East Cambridge church, should do what it could to strengthen and help our weaker sister, now that our positions are reversed.

But to resume. One great accomplishment was not enough, for, no sooner was the convention over, than all thoughts turned to the Biennial Fair, which was to be held December 8-12. It is needless to record that when the time came, everything was ready, and one of our usual (but what other parishes consider phenomenal) successes was accomplished. Still the people were not wearied with well-doing, and the glorious fiftieth anniversary celebration, which this volume commemorates, is now an accomplished fact.

We have to-day a religious plant second to none in the city. Every facility for social life, that essential part of the work of a modern church, is here. We have a