The Owner of This Card Has Purchased One Brick in the People's Church, Boston, Mass., ca. 1880

The Rev. John William Hamilton was founding pastor of the People's Church in Boston, where he served from 1875 to 1884. He was later elected as a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

This fundraising card provides evidence of the ambitious building program that took place during Hamilton's tenure at the church. According to The Centennial of New England Methodism (Boston, Mass: Crawford Brothers, 1891), ed. George A. Crawford, the construction of the People's Church took about seven years. "The corner-stone of the chapel and parsonage was laid May 27, 1877.... The corner-stone of the church-building itself was not laid until July 3, 1882, and the building was not opened for worship until Sunday, February 10, 1884" (pp. 508-9).


The Owner of This Card Has Purchased One Brick in the People's Church

Cor. of Columbus Avenue and Berkely St., Boston. The Rev. J. W. Hamilton, pastor.

The edifice combines three buildings in one: the church, parsonage, and chapel. The main auditorium will seat 3000 people; the chapel opens into it, greatly increasing its capacity. No expensive tower or costly ornaments, and the church will be free.

The Rev. D. W. Couch, financial agent. D. E. Poland, pres. and treas. board of trustees.

"The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all." [Proverbs 22:2.]