No regular pastor was secured until 1834, when Rev. George W. Briggs, a recent Harvard graduate, was ordained, and began his labors on Anawan Street. The following year the new building was completed and formally dedicated. This handsome edifice was located on the southeast corner of Second and Borden Streets, and cost, with the organ, nearly twenty thousand dollars. Unfortunately for the welfare of the society, before the completion of the house two of the most interested and wealthy members died, and their property, amounting to several hundred thousand dollars, passed to those belonging to other denominations, several more had removed from the town, and quite a number, during a period of religious excitement, which appeared to be directed against the new sect particularly, finally returned to the orthodox fold, leaving the society financially in a, crippled condition. Assistance, however, was obtained from other towns and cities, and money enough eventually raised to nearly pay off the debt. Mr. Briggs, who some years since received the honorable title of D.D., remained with the society until 1837. He was an able preacher and an excellent pastor, and his resignation was received with much sorrow and regret. Mr. Briggs was temporarily succeeded by Rev. Warren Burton, and in 1840, A. C. L. Arnold was installed. His services, however, not being acceptable, he remained but a short time, and was followed, in 1843, by John F. W. Ware…”

Reference Data:

History of Bristol County Massachusetts, Part 2, by Duane Hamilton Hurd, 1883, pages 906-7