The first meetings of the Universalist Society in Foxborough were held as early as 1838 in Sumner Hall, which was situated where the Union Block used to stand. Services were held there every Sunday by Hosea Ballou, Thomas Whitemore, a Mr. Davis, and other ministers who were pioneers in the Universalist Church.

In 1843 the present building, situated at the head of Bird Street, was erected on land given by Willard P. Turner.

Early in October 1843 the church was dedicated and the first settled minister was installed, the Rev. Charles W. Mellen, who served the parish three years. The names of Carrol, Carpenter, Belcher, Doolittle, Lane, Morse, Pond, Plympton, Sumner, Turner, and Warren are found in the list of those who dared to withdraw from the early orthodox church and accept this then unpopular faith. In those days it took men and women of strong wills and firm convictions to withstand the criticisms of their neighbors and friends.

Originally there was a spire on the church but during a severe gale in 1853 that was blown off. During the pastorate of Rev. C. A. Bradley, 1860 to 1865, the society suffered severe loss from a fire that damaged the auditorium and ruined the organ. Interesting incidents of the fire was the heroism of Albert F. Belcher who crawled in on his hands and knees and dragged out the small organ, and Lewis Pond who rescued the pulpit Bible, runnning his fingers along the edges to put out the fire. The Society, undaunted by this disaster, bravely repaired the damages. The minister, having learned the mason's trade in his youth, replastered the church himself.

Nothing of importance was done to improve the building until 1890, when the auditorium was newly decorated and remodeled. These changes were a new ceiling of wood, new windows, more comfortable pews, and a new carpet. The organ was removed from the platform to its present location. So much was done at this time that a re-dedication service was held. The Rev. Levi M. Powers was ordained and installed at this service.

On October 16, 1896, the church and society was incorporated under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, the legal name being the Foxborough Universalist Church. Later it was voted to have parish members.

On September 21, 1938, the church was again severely damaged -- this time by the great hurricane; the tower and bell crashed through the roof, wrecking everything in its path. Fortunately, the Vestry, which had just been redecorated by the men of the parish, was unharmed. The outlook was indeed bleak but a meeting was held the following Sunday and plans were made to restore the church. Money from members and friends of the church began to come in and work was started. The following spring, on Good Friday evening, the first service was held in the restored auditorium. Great credit is due to the men of the church who gave their time and strength to bring this result.

Although early records concerning the Sunday School were unobtainable, there was a large and flourishing one as early as 1848. Miss Sarah B. Doolittle, who was superintendent for many years, said at one time there was a membership of 117. The first Sunday School concerts held in the town were given by this school under the direction of Miss Doolittle. The present school may be small in numbers but it is large in its spirit and broad in its teachings.

In 1855 at the home of William Young, Central Street, the Union Social Circle was formed by the men and women of the church who, to quote from their constitution, "were desirous of enjoying Christian fellowship of cultivating a social spirit and promoting the interests of a liberal faith". Although the name has been changed to the Ladies Social Circle, the same spirit prevails. Eighty-years of regular meetings and regular contributions to the support of their church is a record to be proud of.

Other social organizations have been formed and flourished for a time, then as the congregations changed they faded away and a new one was started. At the present time we have the Unity Class which formed a little over 14 years ago. This group of women has done a great deal for the church, socially and financially. One of the outstanding things being paying off the debt caused by the hurricane.

Special mention must be made of the music, which had an important place in the Sunday service. This church has the honor of having the first pipe organ in the town. The day the organ arrived was indeed a red-letter day. The school children came in during recess to look at the great organ. This organ, called the White Organ, was later damaged by fire. The present organ was purchased during the pastorate of Rev. James H. Little, which was in the eighteen seventies. The bass viol, violin, flute and other musical instruments assisted the large choir which occupied the entire gallery. This was truly a volunteer choir; for example, one man, Mr. Edmund Carrol, was leader for 21 years. Others, whose names might be mentioned if permitted, gave their services as freely and generously. To quote a lady who was in that choir, "and when we sang an Easter hymn, you could feel it". But alas, this good music caused one poor girl an extra walk. She went out of her way in coming into town, so as not to go by the Universalist Church, as it was so much like a theater. Times and people have changed since those early days, for now the congregation is composed of people of all denominations who sometimes go out of their way and come early to attend our Vespers.

This brief history would not be complete if mention was not made of the able and consecrated ministers who served this church and town. Rev. William Shaw White, who was pastor in the eighteen-nineties, served the town on the school board and also went to the State Legislature as the Representative from this District. From the first minister, Rev. Charles W. Mellen, to the present pastor, Burchard A. Royce Jr., there is a goodly list. Some of these men afterward achieved national fame in the denomination.

Although the Doolittle Home for the Aged People is really not connected with the church, it seems a part of it as it was a member of this church, Miss Sarah B. Doolittle, who made it a reality by the gift of her home in memory of her father and mother. Also, it was when Dr. Charles Conklin was pastor of this church that he became President and Founder of the Home.

This church has sometimes been down but it never was quite out. There was always a live spark left that only needed a little encouragement to rekindle. Consecrated men and women who had faith in Him who said "Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," made the Foxborough Universalist Church what it is today -- a church with a liberal faith free from debt and with a heroic and honorable record.

Written by: Anne W. Turner (on the 100th Anniversary of the Church)

Copies of the Original text available from the Foxborough Universalist Church.
Copyright© 1838-present Foxborough Universalist Church.