The Christian Mission Holiness Church

789 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

History of The Property

The Christian Mission Holiness Church started life as Union #2 firehouse.

The early history of the engine house lot is connected with the first efforts to develop Cambridgeport in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The engine house property stands just at the edge of Pelham’s Island, a small area of high ground in the Charles River’s tidal marshlands at present-day Lafayette Square. The property came into Leonard Jarvis’ possession in the mid-1790s and was part of his efforts, with Judge Francis Dana, to drain the surrounding marshes with dikes and canals, thereby opening the area for development. Jarvis’ holdings were seized in 1798 for failure to pay a $40,000 debt to the U.S. government and were sold at auction in 1801. In 1830, the inhabitants of the town of Cambridge purchased the engine house land from Eliphalet Davis of Cambridge, a soap boiler whose house was located next door to the engine house at the corner of Windsor Street. Two years later, the Union 2 engine house was constructed on the lot for the Cambridge Hook and Ladder Company.

The present brick building, built in 1852, replaced the first, wooden, engine house, which burned ca. 1851. It remained in use as the Engine #2 fire house until 1894, when it was superseded by the present Engine #2, a brick Renaissance Revival station (Condon and Greco, 1893) built at Lafayette Square (378 Massachusetts Avenue). By that point, more up-to-date fire-fighting facilities were needed to protect the burgeoning industries of Cambridgeport and the obsolete 1852 engine house was sold. The building passed in quick succession from Thomas Warren of Cambridge to the Harvard Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows, which made “general alterations” to the building in 1894. The Harvard lodge sold the property to the Cambridge Benefit Association in 1901, which in turn conveyed the engine house to the Christian Mission Holiness Church in 1916. In 1918, the church made additional alterations to the building, which has remained in their ownership since then.

1917 – 1951 Rev. Alfred E. Cragwell

In the early 1900’s the late Rev. Alfred E. Cragwell, his wife Estelle, and their family, left the Island of Barbados, British West Indies, and migrated to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although brought up in the Anglican Church he became interested in the Holiness movement while listening to white missionaries who came to the Island. Three years prior to his coming to this country he went into training for the propagation of the faith under the ministry and training of the late missionary Elder George R. Penny, who founded and established the Christian Mission Church in 1890 on the Island of Barbados, West Indies. Out of this Church came this vibrant young minister to begin preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Boston, Massachusetts. After three months of successful preaching at various missions composed almost wholly of his West Indian brethren, he decided to start a church in a room on Harvard Street near the Negro section of Cambridge, Massachusetts. His success continued and caused him to move to larger quarters on Front Street. Here the congregation grew rapidly and was able to collect enough funds to purchase an abandoned Fire Station House on Main St. It was here that worship began in the year 1916. Thanks to God, through Rev. Alfred E. Cragwell, Bro. John Blackman, and Bro. Hubert Alleyene, a charter was obtained from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in March 1917.

This church became a firehouse and soul-saving station for the people of God. Many souls were saved and healed and ministers ordained to carry the Gospel in the United States, as well as to the West Indies. Affiliations were now mainly in the United States and fellowship was entered into with a newly formed council-the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Inc. On March 28, 1919, the Constitution and By-laws of this council were drawn up and published, with its headquarters and general offices at the Christian Mission Holiness Church, 789 Main Street, Cambridge, Mass.

Rev. Alfred E. Cragwell served as treasurer of the organization. Over the years people from all walks of life attended conventions and missionary services. Pastor Cragwell was an outstanding clergyman who served the church and community well for over thirty-five years, and was called from labor to reward in the year 1951. The reigns were picked up by Rev. Gordon Ward, newly installed Pastor.

1951 – 1969 Rev. Gordon Ward

In the year 1917, Elder Gordon Ward was converted under the ministry of the founder, Elder Alfred E. Cragwell. He was baptized in water baptism and became a member of the Christian Mission Holiness Church. The Lord used him mightily and filled him with His blessed Holy Spirit. He served as senior deacon. After his untiring service in this office, he was ordained to the ministry as an Elder and became the assistant pastor. It was during the illness of Elder Cragwell that he ministered and kept the church alive. After Elder Cragwell’s death in 1951, Elder Ward officially became the Pastor. He lifted up a standard for God and the church thrived. Pastor Gordon Ward was highly esteemed and well loved by all.

It was under his administration that the church was brought back as a member into the United Pentecostal Council Assemblies of God, Inc. Joining fellowship with our sister churches in Cambridge and this well established Council, brought about a widening of our borders once again. Pastor Gordon Ward later served as Vice President of this organization. He labored untiringly for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This church was filled with a quorum of elders and deacons who worked faithfully for the upkeep and spiritual duties. Pastor Gordon Ward departed this life suddenly in March 1969. Elder H. Niles, the assistant pastor, was physically incapable of carrying on the work. After a long illness, he departed this life in September 1969.

1969 – 1994 Rev. Clayton M. Ward, Sr.

Rev. Clayton M. Ward, Sr. was born and brought up in the Christian Mission Holiness Church. After serving his country in World War II, he returned home and committed his life to Christ. He had a great love for the work of the church. He ministered with his father, Rev. G. Ward, and many other Elders. Later he was ordained as deacon, youth minister, Reverend, and also served as Associate Minister. He was a dedicated worker to the life of the church serving in every capacity. During his tenure the church grew and ministries was restored, such as Sunday School anniversaries, young people’s revivals, conventions, and Evangelistic services. Due to the sudden death of his farther, Pastor Gordon Ward, and the illness of the assistant pastor, Elder H. Niles, with the help of the Almighty God he held the reigns and pressed forward.

It pleased the Lord to call these two stalwart Elders from labor to reward in the same year of 1969. Rev. Clayton M. Ward, Sr. was installed in October 1969 as the third pastor of this church in seventy-five years. He served in this capacity for twenty-five years. During this time he also served as President of the New England District of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Inc. He was led to retire from pastoring in the year 1994.

The mantle fell on his son, the Rev. Clayton M. Ward, Jr., whom he installed as Pastor, now serving. Elder Clayton M. Ward, Sr. departed this life in the year 2000.

1994 – current Rev. Clayton M. Ward, Jr.

Rev. Clayton M. Ward, Jr. accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 16. From that time on, he has been actively involved in the work at the Christian Mission Holiness Church where he is now the Pastor. In October 1970, he was ordained Deacon and served on the trustee board. Assisting the treasurer with administrative functions, ministering to the sick in hospitals and homes, and helping out on various building projects, were some of the duties he has performed in the church. He has also served as Sunday school teacher and Youth leader.

Rev. Clayton has not only been active in the local church, but he has also served in many areas for the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Inc. He has served as Foreign Missions Treasurer, New England District Treasurer, New England District Vice President, and currently National Treasurer.

Rev. Clayton was ordained to the ministry in 1990. In May 1994, he graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in Christian Education. In October 1994, he was installed Pastor of the church after the retirement of his father. He and his wife, Angela live in Waltham, MA. They have 4 children, all saved and serving the Lord, Clayton III, Coleen, Christopher, and Alex, two daughters in-law, Lynisha and Carla, and three grandchildren, twin sisters, Jaylin and Addison, and grandson, Clayton IV.

Sources:

Courtesy The Christian Mission Holiness Church, 2025.
The Cambridge Historical Commission.

Some images from Christian Mission Holiness Church: