HISTORICAL BUILDING, “THE PONKAPOAG CHAPEL” RESTORATION PROJECT
Canton, Massachusetts
History
The Ponkapoag Chapel originated in 1878 when a group of religious men and women united to form a Sunday school and house of worship in the Canton area. The group’s religious base was nondenominational, emphasizing Sunday school teaching and Bible lessons for children in Ponkapoag. As the years passed, worship also became a strong focus.
The first meetings of the society were held outdoors in Cabot’s Grove, with permission to use the then-Ponkapoag School. Following the construction of a new school building, the old building was officially given to the church and moved to Washington Street.
On August 6, 1894, the Ponkapoag Christian Union Society of Canton was formally created, and the building was officially named the Ponkapoag Chapel. As the members declared:
“We, the undersigned, a part having united in Sunday School work in the School House at a place known as Ponkapoag for fifteen years…and believing in the moral benefit to ourselves and the community of the public worship of God and of a familiarity with the teachings of His word, especially that part called the Gospel, do unite ourselves as…The Ponkapoag Christian Society of Canton.”
The purpose of the church was for Sunday school, Bible study, and public worship on the Sabbath. The society declared itself nondenominational, “but loyal to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” though membership was open to all persons of good moral character.
Despite its small size, the Chapel presented an appealing location for Protestant families. In the days before the automobile, other Protestant churches were a significant distance from Canton. The Chapel’s proximity allowed families to attend services and send their children to Sunday School far more easily.
Many prominent Ponkapoag families have been identified over the years with the Chapel, including Cameron, Davenport, Gerald, Hunt, Lowry, Horton, Tinkham, Homans, Kendall, McKeen, Stoddard, Sturrock, Rawding, and Upham.
The church has been blessed with ministers who were unselfish and dedicated. Many also served as pastors of other, often larger, congregations, yet they gave generously to their Ponkapoag flock. Their ministerial affiliations included Congregational, Methodist, Baptist, and Episcopal traditions.
The longest-serving minister was Dr. George Owen, who led the Chapel from 1911 to 1938 while also serving as pastor of the Hyde Park Congregational Church. Many ministers were Methodists, as the Chapel maintained a connection with the Boston University School of Theology, a Methodist seminary that supplied temporary ministers to Ponkapoag.
Some of the Pastors have been:
- Dr. George Owen, 1911–1938
- Richard Warren, Pastor First Parish Congregational, Brockton
- Richard Evans, 1961–1962, assistant at Parkway Methodist, Milton
- Robert Smith, 1962–1965, assistant pastor at Parkway Methodist, Milton
- Philip Lamar, Methodist, 1965–1966
- William Ravenscroft, Methodist, 1966–1969
- Thomas Courtney, Methodist, 1968–1969
- William Barney, Methodist, 1969–1970
- Raymond Tucher, Methodist, 1970–1971
- Mickey Drown, Methodist, 1971–1972
- Niel Carter, Methodist, 1973–1974
- Gary Spraker, 1974–1976
- Raymond Crane, Lay Minister, 1976–1977
- Everett Sherwood, Baptist, 1977–1990, Pastor Mattapan Baptist
- Dr. Terry Scherf, Methodist, 1990–1992, Director of Placement, Boston University School of Theology
- Dr. Tovita Poloka, 1992–1993, Methodist, from Tonka in the Polynesian Islands
- Dr. Samson Gitau, Episcopalian, 1993–1995, from Kenya
There is a bond among the members of the Ponkapoag Chapel that is almost filial, and the church remains, as it was founded, a house of worship for the citizens of Ponkapoag. Daniel Webster said of Dartmouth College, “It is a small college, but there are those who love it.” So too is Ponkapoag a small chapel, yet there are those who love it.
Special thanks to David and Shirley MacKeen, Harriett Stoddard, and Barbara Tinkham for their assistance on the Chapel story.
Sources:
- The Ponkapoag Chapel – Canton.org
- Ponkapoag Chapel – Canton MA Historical PBWorks
Present Day
Today, what was once called the Ponkapoag Chapel continues to be a house of worship for Christ’s Ambassadors’ Ministries. After a quiet period, in 2008 the Church’s doors were reopened for public worship of God and the teachings of His word.
Pastors Dr. Solomon and Dr. Patricia Babajide have continued to spread God’s LOVE through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. For over seventeen years, Christ’s Ambassadors’ Ministries has served the community by providing resources, counseling, and a welcoming house of worship.
The rich history and significance of Ponkapoag Chapel have been recognized by the Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC), which has provided funding for its preservation. We are now reaching out to the community and beyond to seek your generous support in restoring this beloved historical building.
Restoration is crucial to preserving the heritage and legacy of the Ponkapoag Chapel, ensuring it remains a beacon of faith and hope for generations to come. Funding is needed to:
- Upgrade aged plumbing
- Create a child-friendly learning space
- Expand outreach resources and counseling services
- Maintain a welcoming house of worship for all
Your contributions will make a meaningful impact in achieving these goals and continuing our mission of spreading God’s LOVE through the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
Donate NowLearn more about Ponkapoag: Where the Town of Canton Began – Canton Mass. Historical Society, Canton Bicentennial Book, Chapter 1