It is not often that a man rises to the top of a single profession, and then gives it up to prepare for others. Yet this what happened to the Rev. Harlan Page, D.D., who was Pastor of our Church from 1906 to 1925. In 1889, at the age of 28, he was made editor of the Boston Daily Advertiser, then a leader in its field, after a career which had carried him from an assignment with the Haverhill Gazette. Previously he had been reporter, managing editor, and chief financial writer for the Boston Commercial Bulletin. But in 1880, when the dictates of reason and practicability would have called for adherence to a course which had already brought him high honors, Dr. Page yielded to the call from the Master which led him to resign his position and enter the ministry.

Frederick Harlan Page was born in Haverhill, Mass., on December 18, 1860, the son of Benjamin and Lucy Page, and the youngest of four children. Both of his parents died when he was 12, and then 16 years old. Family finances did not permit him to carry his education beyond High School.

Upon leaving the Advertiser, he covered the equivalent of a college course, including the study of Greek, in a few months at Harvard Summer School, and thereupon entered Andover Seminary. He studied under Professor Ropes, and graduated in 1893. For three years he was an associate to Nehemiah Boynton at the Union Church in Boston, and was Pastor of Trinity Congregational Church at Lawrence, Mass. until he was called to our Church in 1906. While at the Lawrence Church, it became apparent that his experience as a newspaper editor was in evidence. He was a prolific writer and speechmaker on many political and social issues. While in Lawrence, he was an influence to be heard and recognized. In many instances, he included biblical references to make a point, which seemed to make his editorials more like sermons. Many of his sermons actually found their way in the Lawrence Daily American. Some of the titles were: "How to make Lawrence a Better Lawrence", "The Low Tide of Municipal Politics", Dr. Page Condemns The Lax Methods of the Police", Dr. Page Attacks The Administration", "Dr. Page Gives a Refreshing Sermon on 'The Struggle for an Honest City', with a text from Proverbs 24:1".

Dr. Page married Grace W. Conant in 1885, and he accepted a call to our Church, and preached his first sermon on September 2, 1906. Twenty churches were represented followed by a reception at which 600 persons were present. He and his wife, Grace, took up residence at 16 Harvard Street. His first priority was to arrange a schedule for Church member visitations, which were carried out all over the city, riding on a bicycle. The first streets selected were Adams, Alder, Appleton, and Ash. He averaged 500 visitations each year and kept an account of them in his records. When Mrs. Page came to Church for the first time, she asked her husband, "Why did not you tell me there were so many nice people here? During his ministry, Dr. Page demonstrated a genius for organization, a power of expression in the pulpit, and a solicitude for the spiritual and mental welfare of his flock that endeared him to all men, women and children, not only in this Parish, but in the city of Waltham as a whole.

His Men's Class, held in the kitchen (down stairs!) received the benefit of intense study on his part during the week. The Baraca class for young men attracted many members. The Young Peoples Christian Endeavor Society, The Circles of King's Daughters, The Missionary Society, and The Golden Rule Brotherhood were all the fruits of his leadership. For the greater part of his ministry, he arranged for teachers in the Sunday School and for Choir Members. Invigorated by the warmth of his personality, the Church flourished and grew. During his 19 years as pastor, 590 members joined the Church. There were 172 deaths, 178 dismissals, 549 funerals, and 244 marriages. As might be expected, Dr. Page continued to write, and to present many sermons on a variety of subjects, which were published in the Waltham Evening News, and Free Press Tribune. Among them were: "The City that Hath Foundations", referring to the History of Waltham, with Hebrews 11:10 as his Text, "The Challenge of Industrial Workers of the World, and How to Meet It", "The Reckless Spirit of The Time, the Cause of Titanic Disaster", with Scripture from Genesis 42:21.

On a historical note, it was during his first year as Pastor that our Trinitarian Church became incorporated to become the First Congregational Church of Waltham. Previously, it had been governed by two bodies, the Church Parish, and the Church Membership. The duty of the Parish was to account for the financial affairs, while the Membership elected the Deacons, and looked after the religious interests. Following the formation of a legally recognized Corporation, all business was conducted under one body, in which all members became incorporators, delegated to elect officers, and to make appropriations necessary to cover annual expenses. The very first Sunday Bulletin bearing the name "First Congregational Church of Waltham, was on April 22, 1906. It stated", Whoever thou art that enters this Church, remember, it is the House of God. Be reverent, be silent, be thoughtful. Leave not without a Prayer to God, for those who minister, and for those who worship here".

Following his retirement in 1925, at the age of 65, he and Grace continued to live in Waltham, and they remained active in many endeavors in the Church and elsewhere. He continued to deliver occasional sermons, and to present talks before the Women's Association and the Golden Rule Brotherhood. Grace was active in The Sunday School, and the Women's Association. He organized the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society in Massachusetts, and was its President for nine years. Back in 1909 he had been elected a Trustee of Andover Theological Seminary. In 1922, he became chairman of the Executive Committee, and in 1927 was elected president. Following an unsuccessful attempt to establish a joint relationship with Harvard Divinity School, Dr. Page looked to his Alma Mater, Andover Seminary. He studied thoroughly the theological, legal, and financial principles involved and emerged with a plan so complex that it required the approval of the Massachusetts Supreme Court to reach a decision. It resulted, however, in a merger of the Congregational Andover Theological Seminary and the Baptist Newton Theological Seminary to become the present Andover Newton Theological School. Among his other activities was as a Trustee of Wheaton Junior College, and the founder of St. Mark Social Center in Roxbury.

Thus, it was said when he reached the age of 85 years' that Dr. Page had accomplished a mission involving three careers, each having been built upon the other, and together creating an edifice reaching toward heaven. He passed away in November 1961 at the age of 91.

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Trinity Church
(First Congregational Church of Waltham)
730 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Copyright 2002