SEA VIEW’S SCHOOL HOUSE

I have recently received  a three-page typed letter on some history of the Sea View School house.
This is in regard to the beginning of the Trinity Mission, noted by Mrs. Charles Randall of Summer St., Sea View, a member of the Episcopal Church, along with six other families.

The following  are excerpts from the letters.
When it was time for the Randall’s to have their youngest son baptized, they called on the Reverend Howard  Barton from Cohasset to perform the service in their home.
Episcopal Church services were held in each others family’s homes…usually on Sunday afternoons.
One member, Dr. Henry Nelson of Highland St., arranged to rent the former Sea View school to hold services.  In Aug. 1922, the School house and land was purchased  from the Town of Marshfield by the newly-formed Guild.

The Trinity Chapel, originally the Sea View School, corner of Summer St. & Seaview Ave. 

A number of different clergymen were invited to preach at the Chapel.  In 1923 it was voted by the members to establish a Sunday School for the area children.  A group of the ladies volunteered to teach on Sunday mornings.
After many years passed, the members deliberated over a new Church building (no reason given).

In July, a real Southern Barbecue was held at the farm of Dr. Edwin Dwight of Holly Hill. This event attracted people from all parts of the State and netted over $1000 towards the building fund.
Dr. Dwight offered land for the new building at the junction of Summer, Church, and Elm St.
Another offer was received by Luther Little to donate land on Summer St. opposite his residence.
However, the members decided to add on to the existing building….therefore not accepting either of the land offers.
On Sept. 25th, 1927, a dedication was performed for the new Chancel and kitchen.  Donations were received from the members, and many of them were “in memory of loved ones”.
Different members of the clergy preached at this little Chapel with the names noted.
Twenty-five years passed (now  1941) when a Holy Communion was held celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the mission….30 members attended.
On Nov. 1, 1945, the care of the mission was transferred from Mr. Philbrick to Archdeacon Johnson.
The building was moved from Summer St., Sea View, to 228 Highland St.  in 1948. This was the property of the Trinity Episcopal Church and the building was used as a parish house, dedicated to Archdeacon Johnson.

**Compliments of the late Mrs. Charles ( Mary) Randall, and  son, Philip, the late Mr. & Mrs. Earl Banner,  and daughter, Polly Banner.
A special thanks to Richard and Holly Dubois of Seaview.

A note of my experience at the Chapel:
I’m not sure  what age I began Sunday School at this Chapel….maybe from age 6, 1940, but  I went to Church, earlier with my Mom.
I remember when Archdeacon Johnson arrived with his wife.
I think it was the Christmas of 1945 and I was selected to play the part of Jesus in the pageant.  I remember the Chancel was decorated with the manger.  I was in the side room putting a robe on and a beard pasted on.  I was being instructed by Mrs. Johnson…. she was quite pushy and full of instructions!   She literally pushed me onto the Chancel and snapped at me for not speaking loud enough at Saturday practice before the pageant.  Well, I had enough of being pushed around!  I ripped off my beard and threw off my robe, ran out the side door, got my bike and rode home.  I arrived home, explaining in tears, that I didn’t like Mrs. Johnson and  I’ll never go back to Sunday School!!
Oh, yes, there was a telephone call. Dad answered and there was much silence by my Dad listening.  I could hear a loud voice coming from the telephone.  My Dad simply replied, “Thank you, I’ll take care of it”.  Oh, I thought I was going to really catch it!!  He said a few words that I can’t remember and let me off.  I never went back in spite of the threats from my Mother!

W. Ray Freden, Seaview/ Marshfield .  70 years.