THE ESSEX ANTIQUARIAN. SALEM, MASS., OCTOBER, 1897. No. 10. VOL. I. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN LYNN.* IN the first settlement of Lynn the people either attended religious services at Salem or social meetings at farm houses. Among the settlers was Christopher Hussey, whose wife's father was Rev. Stephen Bachiler. Mr. Bachiler was born in England in 1561, and received orders in the established church. He had acquired a good reputation, when he became dissatisfied with some of the religious ceremonies, and refused to observe them. He was then deprived of his benefice. Following John Robinson, he removed with his family and a number of his parishioners to Holland, where they resided for several years. Returning to London, they sailed for New England March 9, 1632, and arrived in Boston June 5th. They at once came to Lynn, and with such other of the inhabitants as chose to join with them they organized the first church in Lynn, which was the second in the county. Without installation, or invitation of the settlers even, Mr. Bachiler entered upon the duties of minister. This was all done by June 8th, just three days after Mr. Bachiler landed in America; and it indicates his vigor at the age of seventy-one. Mr. Bachiler immediately began the construction of a house of worship, which was built probably within the year. It stood near the northeasterly corner of Shepard and Summer streets, and was about twenty feet square, probably with a common pitch roof, without cupola or *In the preparation of this sketch the editor has been greatly assisted by Mr. Franklin Bacheller, of Lynn, who is better acquainted with the history of this church than any other person. bell. It stood in a small hollow, partly below the surface, having steps leading down to it, causing some persons to de MEETING HOUSE, 1632-1682. scribe it as a basement. This was probably done to protect it as much as possible from cold winds. After preaching here about four months, Mr. Bachiler's ways and manners became such that he was cited before the court, and forbidden to preach any more in public in the colony, "till some scandals be removed." He was finally dismissed at his own request; but immediately renewed the covenant with the six members who came with him, and continued his ministrations. The other members complained to the court, which forbade him proceeding, and later obliged him to leave the town, he having been in Lynn about four years in all. He removed, in February, 1636, to Ipswich, where he had some prospect of settling in the ministry; but some difficulties arose, and his opportunity was lost. In the rigorous winter of 1637, with some of his friends, he went on foot to Yarmouth, about a hundred miles distant, for the purpose of planting a town and establishing a church, but difficulties again forbade. He then returned, and took |