Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 13.

The chairman stated that he would guarantee the erection of a meeting-house if a church organization could be effected. In reply to a question, Mr. William McLean, a Methodist, said he had no knowledge of any definite action to be taken by the Methodists.

It was unanimously decided that immediate steps ought to be taken to form a Congregational church. Messrs. Phipps, Fuller, Ackerman, Norton and Brown were appointed a committee to prepare a creed, and they reported on March 5, recommending the Articles of Faith and Covenant of the Broadway Tabernacle Congregational Church of New York City, and the report was accepted. Mr. Norton was authorized to circulate a paper for the signatures of those who desired to unite in organizing on this plan.

It was also voted that steps be taken to organize a society to co-operate with the church. On April 8th committees were appointed to visit the pastors and prominent laymen of the neighboring churches, to explain our situation, and secure their goodwill and assistance in erecting a meeting-house. Mr. Phipps read a written statement at the April meeting of the Woburn Conference, in regard to the importance of having a church in West Medford, and Mr. Brown made a most earnest appeal for the endorsement of the Conference.

Opposition was manifested on the part of some who considered that, with two Congregational churches in Medford, if West Medford needed a church it should be of some other denomination. The matter was referred to a committee with power. This committee, after due consideration, concluded that West Medford, with its excellent railroad facilities, was likely to become an important residential suburb, independent of Medford in