James Visbeck, from Isaiah Thomas Books and Prints, a book store in Cotuit, recently gave the present minister of the West Parish church the remnants of a bound log book and an old spiral notebook that had come into his hands.
Both contained a wealth of information about the early life of our congregation. In the log book were two sheets of paper folded in half and placed between the middle pages.
They were very old and fragile but I was able, with much care, to open and separate them. They revealed that during the pastorate of Rev. Henry Goodhue (1863-1883) West Parish established a high school.
Rev. Goodhue was the Master.
Apparently, many papers representing years of effort by the scholars were discovered when the plaster was striped during restoration.
Among them was the following advertisement in "The Barnstable Patriot":
In the Town Meeting of March 6, 1871: To know the Town will comply with the Laws of the State in establishing a high school as provided in the Second Section of Chapter Thirty-Eight of the General Statutes.
Then the following advertisement appeared in the "Barnstable Patriot" on July 1, 1871:
High School
At a meeting of the School Committee of the Town of Barnstable this day holden, it was voted that the school taught by, Rev. Hen. Goodhue in the vestry of the church at West Barnstable be fixed and designated as the school required by the Second Section of the 38th Chapter of the General Statutes for the benefit of all inhabitants of said Town and scholars from any part of the Town desired of attending such school to pursue any of the studies will be admitted.
Nathaniel Hinckley, Chairman
Aaron S. Crosby, Secretary
March 12, 1872: On Friday afternoon came the examinations of the High School. Nine scholars have been studied the Latin Language during the year. They have made rapid progress. Six pupils have not been absent - John Bursley, John Cronan, Samuel B. Jenkins, William F. Jenkins, Marcia A. Crocker and Florence S. Crocker. The plan of having one session works especially well with advanced pupils.
How's that for separation of church and state?
Robert Russell
Former Historian
