The September 13 story headlined “First Parish in Lincoln gets a dynamic duo” incorrectly said that Rev. Kit Novotny’s parents founded a UCC church in Wellesley Hills (they joined one but did not found it). The article also misstated Rev. Nate Klug’s college major. He studied English, while Novotny majored in theater and anthropology. The story has been corrected.
First Parish in Lincoln gets a dynamic duo
Nate Klug and Kit Novotny, co-ministers at the First Parish in Lincoln.
The First Parish in Lincoln began enjoying a two-for-one deal when Rev. Nate Klug and Rev. Kit Novotny — high school sweethearts who grew up in Wellesley — started their dual ministry in August.
Though both have an affinity for the arts, they came to their religious careers by slightly different routes. Novotny calls herself a “cradle Congregationalist” — her parents were lapsed Catholics who later joined a United Church of Christ (UCC) in Wellesley Hills. “The church was our community with a lot of my best friends growing up,” she said. “My parents were super involved and I was a pretty spiritually interested kid.”
Klug, meanwhile, grew up without any religious tradition. “It was quite a surprise to me,” he said. “I kind of stumbled on faith on college.” After a friend’s father was killed, “I was just asking a lot of big questions… I got this germ of faith which was quite weird for my family.”
Both Klug and Novotny went to the University of Chicago, After graduating with a degree in English, Klug was interning for a literary magazine in Chicago when his editor invited him to a church service. “I was blown away by the sermon,” he said. “Eventually I was at a moment where a spiritual commitment was something I was ready for.”
Novotny, who majored in theater and anthropology, was involved in theater and improv in Chicago and was an intern at the famous Second City comedy club in that city for a year after she graduated. She also worked at comedy club in Iowa during her first ministerial job after grad school. “There’s definitely sermon fodder in standup,” she said with a laugh.
After they graduated from Yale Divinity School and were ordained in the UCC in 2013, they applied for a few jobs as a couple but eventually wound up serving as ministers in separate churches in the San Francisco area. A couple of years ago, they began looking for jobs back east so that they and their preschool-age daughters could be closer to their families (“we have four very enthusiastic grandparents in the Boston area,” Novotny said).
Because of the pandemic, Klug could continue his other work in California even after they moved to Massachusetts about a year ago and began looking for church posts locally. A poet and essayist as well as a minister (his latest book is Hosts and Guests: Poems), Klug teaches remotely in the MFA program at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif., and in the creative writing at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Novotny is also a writer and a certified yoga instructor with training in trauma-sensitive yoga.
As seminary students, both had mentors who’d worked as co-pastors, so when they learned about the FPL opening, they approached it as a team. “We kind of introduced the idea to the search committee here,” Klug said. “They were really rigorous and diligent about finding out what it would be like. It was a real process of discernment on both sides [in asking] does the church want to take a leap of faith on both of us and vice versa?” They found that FPL is “a really creative place, a community church with a big spiritual tent — it seemed like a place that might be open to this kind of creative ministry model.”
As for the division of labor, the couple will split most things 50-50 and trade off preaching. “You can come to it a little more fresh when you don’t have to do it every week,” Novotny said. “The community will get a little more diversity of voice since we have slightly different styles.”
Both will do pastoral care visits and adult education. “This congregation is very interested in learning and are voracious readers,” Klug said.
They also have a few ideas for new approaches and events to engage the community. Klug will lead a group called “Poetry for Seekers” while Novotny will lead “Coffee and Compassion,” where she and participants can reflect on what requires compassion in the world and learn about tools for connection and emotional resilience. The pair is also co-authoring a blog, and they’ll take turns hosting “Theology on Tap” discussions at the Tack Room each month, with the first one scheduled for September 23. The events are open to all, including those who aren’t church members or who don’t live in Lincoln.
“Our first priority is building relationships and connections,” Novotny said. “Religion has a lot of baggage, some of it well deserved, that might keep people from walking through the door. There was a loneliness epidemic happening even pre-Covid, and religious institutions have been declining in popularity. I think there’s a longing where people aren’t all getting those needs met, so hopefully the church can keep reinventing itself” to foster those connections.
News acorns
Apply for Cultural Council grants
The Lincoln Cultural Council is accepting proposals for programs that serve Lincoln residents. Register here for a Massachusetts Cultural Council webinar for new applicants on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. The application deadline is October 17. Click here to learn more about local grant priorities and how to apply. Questions? Email Meg Ramsey with any questions at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.
Library hosts banned-book discussions
To recognize Banned Books Week, there will discussions about banned books at the Lincoln Public Library:
- Readers in grades 4-6 and their families: Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register.
- Readers in grades 7+ and their families: Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. Email sfeather@minlib.net to register.
Kids’ dance classes for LincFam members
LincFam (the Lincoln Family Association) invites new members to join the group and participate in a series of free classes for children ages 1-5 led by Lincoln resident Margie Topf, founder and artistic director of the Topf Center for Dance Education. Classes take place on four Saturday mornings: September 17 and 24, and October 8 and 15. To learn more, see this LincFam web page or email info@lincfam.org.
Cronin lecture at deCordova
The Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum will take place at the museum on Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 6:30–8 p.m. The event is a conversation among leading museum figures Candice Hopkins, executive director of the Forge Project; Julie Decker, director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum; and Jane Winchell, director of the Art & Nature Center and leader of the Museum Climate & Environment Initiative at the Peabody Essex Museum. The panel will share ideas with one another about the relationship of art and arts organization to climate change discourse. Panelists will reveal ways in which their organizations are forging connections between cultural, artistic, and natural resources. Moderated by Jessica May, artistic director at the deCordova and managing director of art and exhibitions for The Trustees. Click here for more information and to register.
Police log for Aug. 29–Sept. 7, 2022
August 29
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (5:11 p.m.) — 911 calls about a car fire on Route at the Lexington line. The car was in Lexington, whose fire department was on scene and the Lincoln Fire Department call was cancelled.
Page Road (8:16 p.m.) — Caller reported wires arcing on the pool area. Fire Department responded and turned off the power to the pool area. Homeowner will contact an electrician.
August 30
Paul Revere Lot, North Great Road (1:53 a.m.) — Officer checked on a party on the Minuteman trail. The person was walking home to Bedford and was fine.
North Great Road (5:19 p.m.) — Caller reported hitting a traffic sign earlier in the day. Officer checked the area and was unable to locate; he’s following up with the caller.
Ridge Road (7:51 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported that he received a delivery which did not include all of the items purchased. The party was advised to contact the delivery company or the vendor.
August 31
Highway Department, Lewis Street (2:27 a.m.) — Officer noticed the fence at the cell tower was open. He checked and everything appeared to be secure (apparent neglect).
Concord Road (7:58 a.m.) — One-car crash involving a guard rail Route 126 near Walden Pond. No injuries, one vehicle towed.
Paul Revere Lot, North Great Road (8:56 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle in the lot. Everything was OK and the parties were on their way.
Silver Birch Lane (9:47 p.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor’s dog was barking. Officer responded and spoke to the owner, who was taking the dog in for the night.
September 1
Doherty’s Garage (4:07 a.m.) — Officer found a bus door open. It checked out OK; appeared to be neglect.
Windingwood Lane (4:29 a.m.) — Emerson Hospital called to see if the residence was unlocked as the resident was being discharged and didn’t have their keys on them. An officer followed up with the caller.
Hanscom Drive (7:18 a.m.) — Car vs. bicyclist crash. Minor injuries; patient refused transport to the hospital.
Cambridge Turnpike Westbound (8:22 a.m.) — Caller reported someone threw hotdogs on their driveway.
Concord Road (12:58 p.m.) — Caller reported a party sitting on the side of the roadway near Winchelsea Road. An officer checked on the party and they were OK.
Codman Road (3:50 p.m.) — Request for a well-being check on a resident. Officer checked and the resident wasn’t home.
South Commons (5:27 p.m.) — Court paperwork delivered to the resident.
Silver Birch Lane (6:55 p.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor’s dog was barking. An officer called the owner, who was bringing the dog in for the night.
North Commons (7:55 P.M.) — Resident called regarding suspicious activity that occurred a couple of days previously. An officer followed up with the resident.
Silver Birch Lane (9:10 p.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor’s dog was barking. An officer responded and spoke to the owner of the dog regarding the ongoing issue.
September 2
Lincoln Road (5:54 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a party who was hanging around the mall area; the caller thought the person may have needed services. An officer responded and spoke to the party, who stated they were all set and not in need of any assistance.
North Commons (6:02 p.m.) — An officer followed up with a resident regarding the earlier report of suspicious activity.
South Commons (8:19 p.m.) — Court paperwork was delivered to the resident.
Wells Road (11:46 p.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor’s TV was very loud and causing a disturbance. While an officer was en route the caller reported the TV had been shut off.
Wells Road (11:59 p.m.) — Caller reported 2 people hanging on the doors of a building. Officers responded but were unable to locate anyone.
September 3
Hartwell Lot, North Great Road (2:31 a.m.) — An officer checked on a party in the lot. Everything was OK and the party was on their way.
Lincoln Road (12:20 p.m.) — Caller reported a party was lying down and blocking one of the walkways. An officer responded and asked the party not to block the walkway.
September 4
Concord Road (6:58 p.m.) — Caller reported texting the wrong number by accident and they’re now receiving threats. An officer responded and spoke to the party and took a report.
South Great Road (9:13 p.m.) — Caller reported a party walking along the sidewalk and appearing to be in need of assistance. Officer responded and found the party and brought them back to their residence.
Tower Road (11:41 p.m.) — Dispatch received a call of an erratic operator on Route 117 who turned onto Tower Road. An officer checked the area and came across the party on Tower Road. After an investigation, officers arrested Mestjana Mustafaj, 33, of of Manchester, Conn., for OUI–liquor.
September 5
Nothing of note.
September 6
Tower Road (8:32 a.m.) — Caller asked to speak to an officer about where their landscaper can park their vehicle.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (6:01 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle on Route 2. The operator’s vehicle is disabled and they had AAA on the way.
September 7
Tower Road (8:19 a.m.) — Caller reported two goats in the roadway. Dispatch called the owner, who was coming to get them.
South Great Road (9:31 a.m.) — Caller reported a problem with the railroad gates. An officer followed up with the MBTA, who investigated and found that the gates were working properly.
Lexington Road (1:23 p.m.) — Caller reported a sick coyote in the area. Animal Control was notified.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:01 p.m.) — Caller reported an outside odor of natural gas. National Grid was notified.
Donelan’s Supermarket (6:53 p.m.) — Caller asked to speak to an officer regarding suspicious activity in the area of the mall. An officer responded and spoke to the party.
Silver Birch Lane (9:11 p.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor’s dog was barking. An officer responded and spoke to the owner of the dog and also followed up with Animal Control.
James Cunningham, 1949–2022
Jim Cunningham
Flags on town buildings will be lowered to half-staff next week to commemorate James F. Cunningham of Lincoln, who died at age 73 on Friday, September 2, 2022. Jim passed away peacefully with the assistance of hospice after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Claire Cunningham and Robert M. Cunningham, and he has left behind his brothers, Peter and William (Billy).
Jim had great love for the town of Lincoln, for his alma mater Cornell, and for Kent Island off the coast of Grand Manan in Canada.
Born, raised, and educated in Lincoln, Jim was a devoted community volunteer. He single-handedly organized, implemented and managed the town’s local cable television program, helping to increase access to the activities of town government and other community events. Jim possessed a keen engineering mind and a small-town sensibility about managing budgets, and he served for decades completely without compensation.
The Select Board used the occasion of the March 2022 Annual Town Meeting to honor Jim by presenting him with the annual Bright Light award for singlehandedly launching and maintaining Lincoln’s local cable program. In its presentation, the board said:
”Each year we present the Bright Light award to a resident or town staff member whose contributions to our town deserve to be celebrated. Now if you have ever come across Comcast channel 8 or Verizon channel 33 on your television, you will quickly realize that Lincoln has its own vibrant cable TV channel. We owe this great viewing alternative to CNN, Fox News or ESPN to our own Jim Cunningham.
“Jim was appointed to Lincoln’s cable committee way back in 2002 and has served as its chair for most of this time. As chair, Jim has been our point person for license negotiations with our cable providers. More importantly, Jim has built our local cable channel from the ground up. An electrical engineer by education and training, Jim designed and helped install our cable programming infrastructure. He not only manages the technology and equipment, but also does most of the filming and production that allows the town to broadcast many key meeting (such as Select Board and School Committee meetings), special events, and lectures, providing a truly valuable service to the town. Jim spends many hours each week recording and broadcasting this town content for our enjoyment.
“We on the Select Board are especially appreciative of how Jim always manages to film us from our good sides! Jim’s technical know-how and passion for what he does, which he has provided free of charge for many years, has saved the town thousands upon thousands of dollars, as other communities have needed to create full time employee positions for this work.
“Born, raised, and educated here, Jim is immensely proud of his Lincoln roots. And we could not be more proud and grateful to you, Jim, for all that you have contributed to Lincoln. Please join me in giving Jim Cunningham a round of applause as this year’s bright light award recipient.”
Additionally, working closely with Save Our Heritage, Jim was project manager for the restoration of the Barrett house in Concord.
Jim graduated from Cornell University with undergraduate and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. As an undergraduate student, he was business manager, photo editor and editor-in-chief of the yearbook for two years. Since graduation, Jim has remained involved as a volunteer, advocate and donor to Cornell. He served on the advisory board for Systems Engineering and spent time teaching students about systems engineering and its tools. In recent years he established the James F. Cunningham ’71 Assistant Director of Student Project Teams in the College of Engineering with an endowed gift. Mostly Jim talked about his time working with students and fellow Cornellians with great affection.
Jim Cunningham’s perseverance and talent brought the Kent Island’s weather station into modern times. What his father started in 1938 continues today, available to the world on the web, thanks in great part to his son.
A private graveside service will be held at Lincoln Cemetery. Jim’s public memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Concord Funeral Home. Click here to leave a message or remembrance.
Onerva Kohonen, 1921-2022
Onerva Korhonen
Onerva Miriam (Watka) Korhonen age 101 of Lincoln passed away on August 11. Onerva faced the world in a positive fashion right to the end, smiling and appreciative of everyone who helped. She was predeceased by husbands Edwin (1919-1987) and Edward (1920-2008), mother to Wayne (Margaret), Cynthia, and Dana (Patti); grandmother to Adam (Morgan), Rachel (Keith), Kathryn, and Ethan; great grandmother to Wesley, Cooper, and Nathan; and aunt to many nephews and nieces.
Onerva was always involved in her community: she volunteered in the schools, at church, and on the Council on Aging. She still sang in the choir at age 99. She worked with the 4-H Club. She was a reader. She spoke Finnish fluently and she loved to paint. She loved her neighbors. She believed in women’s, LGBTQIA, and immigrant rights and said so out loud. She cross-country skied with the “ski group.” She will be missed and remembered.
Burial was in Lincoln Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of Concord Funeral Home. Click here to leave a remembrance.
News acorns
Codman Estate arts fair on Saturday
The annual Codman Estate Fine Arts & Crafts Festival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 am. – 4 p.m. Now in its 40th year, the event features the work of nearly 100 local artisans. Work includes painting, woodworking, food products, jewelry, photography, glass, clothing, metalwork, and more. Enjoy live entertainment, a food court, and first-floor tours of the Codman Estate. Member tickets are free; nonmember tickets are $5. Click here to buy tickets.
Author talk by Anita Harris
“The View from Third Street: Anita Harris and the Harrisburg Independent Press: is the title of an author talk at the Lincoln Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. The View From Third Street is an unconventional memoir draws on Harris’s experiences as cofounder of the Harrisburg Independent Press, a weekly alternative newspaper that covered the 1972 trial of the Harrisburg Seven — nuns and priests stood accused of conspiring to kidnap Presidential Advisor Henry Kissinger and blow up underground heating tunnels in Washington, D.C. A limited number of autographed copies will be available for purchase. Refreshment will be served.
Lyric opera concert at Gropius House
The Gropius House will host “Lyric Opera Revisited: A Musical Evening with Ben Schwendener and Carley De Franco” on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 4:30–6:00 p.m. The Gropius family enjoyed a wide variety of musical genres including innovative interpretations of classical music. Enjoy an evening of music with opera singer Carley DeFranco and pianist Ben Schwendener, whose sounds combine lyrical operatic improvisations based on natural geometric design, contemporary poetry, and Bach are some elements serving their inspired sound. Click here to buy tickets (members $65, nonmembers $75).
Sing in the First Parish choir
Residents are invited to sing for the First Parish in Lincoln choir, which meets every Thursday night from 7-8:30 p.m. in the parish hall (stone church) and Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. The choir welcomes those of high school age and older from all religious backgrounds and abilities. The anthems draw from diverse genres including sacred harp, gospel, Renaissance, baroque, contemporary, jazz, and folk. Singers use masks unless they take a rapid test at the start of rehearsal. For more information, email mirandaloud574@gmail.com.
Emily Beekman
Lincoln’s Beekman wins recognition
Emily P. Beekman of Lincoln was included in the 2023 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for her work in elder law, litigation – trusts and estates, and trusts and estates. She was first listed in 2021. Beekman is an associate in Mirick O’Connell’s trusts and estates group with a focus in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax planning.
Locke awarded deCordova’s Rappaport Prize
Steve Locke is the winner of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s Rappaport Prize. Spanning painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation, Locke’s artistic practice critically addresses the history of western art and interrogates the connections between desire, identity, and violence. Locke has exhibited extensively, including solo exhibitions at the Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, where he showed Three Deliberate Greys for Freddie: A Memorial for Freddie Gray (2019). Locke, a professor of fine art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2020. A free lecture is planned at the deCordova in spring 2023.
Police log for August 21–28
August 21
Cambridge Turnpike (9:36 a.m.) — A resident called to report a suspicious item had been left in his driveway. Police are investigating.
Baker Bridge Road (4:12 p.m.) — A complaint was called in for vehicles parking on the side of Baker Bridge Road. Police responded to the area.
August 22
Ballfield Road (2:57 p.m.) — An officer observed an occupied vehicle on the school campus. A check of the vehicle showed it to be a Lincoln resident.
Ballfield Road (8:41 a.m.) — An officer assisted with traffic while the temporary modular classrooms were being moved off campus.
South Great Road (1:05 p.m.) — Railroad gates were stuck in the down position. An officer arrived to assist with traffic. A short time later, a Keolis representative arrived and resolved the issue.
Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (5:11 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with a motorist.
August 23
Hartwell Lot, North Great Road (2:32 a.m.) — An officer checked on an occupied vehicle at the Hartwell Tavern lot. Both parties were identified and sent on their way.
Todd Pond Road (4:00 pm., 6:10 p.m., 9:47 p.m.) — Attempts were made to serve court paperwork. The attempts were unsuccessful.
Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (4:43 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with a civil matter.
August 24
Barksdale Street, Hanscom AFB (1:00 p.m.) — An attempt to serve court paperwork was made. The paperwork had already been served by Bedford police.
South Great Road (3:26 p.m.) — A request was made for a well-being check of a resident. The resident was fine.
Food Project Field (8:16 p.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle parked in the lot. The vehicle was locked and unoccupied.
August 25
Brooks Road (9:16 a.m.) — Police and fire units responded to the area for the report of an odor of outside smoke. The area was checked but no fire was found.
Hanscom Field (9:55 a.m.) — Massport called for fire assistance but canceled the call shortly thereafter.
Conant Road (1:19 p.m.) — An officer observed a dumpster situated in the travel lane of Conant Road. The dumpster company was contacted.
South Great Road (2:20 p.m.) — Weston police called to request assistance with an individual. An officer responded to the area.
Stonegate Gardens (2:33 p.m.) — The Lincoln Fire Department was called to assist with a transport.
South Brook Road (3:28 p.m.) — A resident wanted to speak to an officer regarding a scam.
Goose Pond Road (7:59 p.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle pulled to the side of the road. The motorist was lost.
August 26
Todd Pond Road (1:54 p.m.) — Court paperwork was served.
North Great Road (8:10 p.m.) — A caller reported hearing what they believed to be gunshots in the area. An officer responded and confirmed that the noise was coming from a professional display in the town of Bedford.
Sunnyside Lane (11:56 p.m.) — An officer was requested for a potential parking problem. Upon arrival, there was no parking issue.
August 27
Bedford Road (9:59 a.m.) — A caller reported an injured raccoon on the roadway. An officer checked the area and was unable to locate the raccoon.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (5:44 p.m.) — Report of a motor vehicle crash in the area of Route 2 and Bedford Road. Lincoln fire and Massachusetts State Police were notified.
August 28
Baker Bridge Road (1:04 p.m.) — A report of vehicles parking on Baker Bridge Road accessing Walden Pond. An officer responded and issued a parking violation.
Virginia Road (1:26 p.m.) — An officer was called to a dispute between a motorist and two bicyclists. The officer spoke to all parties. A report was issued.
Bypass Road (2:20 p.m.) — A resident called to report a possible break-in. An officer responded and determined that the damage appeared to come from an animal.
Ent Road, Hanscom AFB (3:14 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with locating an individual on base. Officers responded to assist.
Ridge Road (9:22 p.m.) — Officers assisted a resident with a well-being check.
Town gets grant to create Climate Action Plan
Lincoln will have its own Climate Action Plan next year, thanks to a recent $100,000 grant from the Baker-Polito administration that will fund a consultant to create the plan.
The municipal climate resilience grants administrated by the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program support cities and towns in identifying climate hazards, developing strategies to improve resilience, and implementing priority actions to adapt to climate change impacts including sea level rise, inland flooding, storms, and extreme temperatures.
Lincoln is one of 73 projects to have received action grant funding in the latest round of applications. With this year’s awards, 97% of Massachusetts cities and towns, or 341 municipalities, are enrolled.
“This grant application was a monumental group effort, thanks in large part to the 27 letters of support we received from citizen groups, individual residents, and town officials and departments,” the Planning Department said in a statement.
Climate Action Lincoln, a subcommittee of the town’s Green Energy Committee, has been advocating for the development of a Climate Action Plan for several years. In 2021, Climate Action Lincoln conducted extensive outreach to 12 town boards and committees and presented at the State of the Town Meeting in November 2021 and at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting on the urgency to plan and prepare for climate impacts and mitigate carbon emissions. Lincoln residents responded by unanimously voting to embark on a process to develop a Climate Action Plan for the town.
The plan will build on the town’s 2019 MVP Community Resilience Building Workshop, which identified seniors, low-income residents, and people living alone as more susceptible to extreme heat and other climate risks. The workshop and corresponding data analysis also identified flooding, severe storms, and droughts as top hazards. The planning process will center on inclusive and equitable community engagement to identify priorities, goals, and strategies for the town to rapidly build community resilience, adapt to these climate impacts, and develop actionable strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Anyone who has questions or would like to be included in the project’s mailing list may email ClimateAction@lincolntown.org.
“Did You Know …” About the battle over hymn singing in Lincoln’s first church?
By Donald Hafner
When Lincoln formed its first church in 1746, the hymn singing at Sunday services must have been dreadful.
One of the deacons would stand before the congregation and read a line or two of the psalm that had been selected for the day. The parishioners would sing the one or two lines and then stop. The deacon would read the next lines, and the congregation would again sing those and stop. There were only a few hymn melodies used at the time, and they were not attached to specific psalms. The deacon might propose his favorite melody, but since few parishioners did any singing at all, except at church, we can imagine the “tune” sung by many of them was an off-key warble or a droning monotone.
In May 1770, some parishioners had a better idea. They proposed that rows of seats to the front of the church be reserved for “those persons who have taken pains to acquire some good degree of understanding of the rules of singing.” This was a radical proposal, because seating at the front of the church had always been assigned according to the wealth of the family, not their singing ability. Nonetheless, the proposal was adopted. The following March, town meeting approved a list of 25 men and 15 women who had proved their skill in “the rules of singing” and were granted this privileged seating. Many were from the town’s prominent families, but a few were from the poorest.
This change did not sit well with some parishioners. In town meeting on May 17, 1771, a few disgruntled sorts proposed that the singers should be ousted from their seats at the front, and if they wanted to sit together, they should be sent to the back corners of the building.
The battle was joined, and there followed a rare event in Lincoln’s history. Up to this point, town meeting records were terse and bland. The town clerk wrote down each proposed warrant and whether the vote was “in the affirmative” or the negative. No record at all of the points of debate or the tally of votes, yea and nay. But not this time.
In clear handwriting, the clerk recorded: “Voted on the fourth article that it be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.” Take that, you disgruntled sorts!
For a more complete history of hymn singing in Lincoln, the Reverend Charles M. Styron’s The First Parish in Lincoln: History of the Church 1747-1942 is available in the Library.
“Lincoln’s History” is an occasional column by members of the Lincoln Historical Society.