1831-1914
Adoniram Judson Padelford
Baptist Pastor New York/Maine NY/ME
Adoniram Judson Padelford was born 26 July 1831, in Galway NY. His mother was Martha Crane and his father was appropriately named Sedate Padelford. In 1858 he graduated from the University of Rochester (NY) and stayed on to finish seminary there in 1860.
The databases provided 185 newspaper articles that carried his name reporting that he performed numerous weddings and attended even more denominational meetings. The oldest of these articles reported that,
An ecclesiastical council convened with the First Baptist Church, Fall River, in the afternoon of the 22nd inst., to examine Bro. A. J. Padelford with reference to his ordination to the work of the ministry as an Evangelist… The candidate gave a full, explicit and satisfactory statement of his religious experience, call to the ministry, and view of Christian doctrine. The council voted to proceed with his ordination in the evening…[1]
Thus, his ministerial career began at the First Baptist Church, Fall River, MA, where he served 1861-1862 before moving to Providence, Rhode Island, to serve Jefferson Street and Third Baptist churches concurrently 1862-66.
Rev. Padelford next led the Baptist Church, Amherst, MA (1866-68) followed by Portland Street Baptist Church, Haverhill, Essex Co., MA (1868-76) where his ministry was obviously productive.
The Portland Street society, Baptist, appears to be in a thrifty condition under the pastoral care of Rev. A. J. Padelford. Last Sunday the rite of baptism was administered to seventeen, nine males and eight females, a very large assemblage of people witnessing the ceremony. Last evening, at a meeting of the society, it was voted to enlarge the church by adding to it 10 feet in length and 20 feet in width. The estimated cost will be $10,000, of which sum $4000 were subscribed at that time.[2]
Adoniram Judson Padelford was too busy with blessings, baptisms and buildings to do much writing but I did discover one published piece from Haverhill in a section of the local paper called “Sunny Side.”
My people have put me on the Sunny Side in a very sensible and pleasant way, by adding $300 to my salary. Our society have just closed another year very successfully in a financial view—and we have received many spiritual blessings, which have made our hearts glad in Jesus.[3]
During this busy ministry in Haverhill a cheeky newspaper editor wished to support the preaching of Adoniram Judson Padelford.
Rev. A. J. Padelford will preach at City Hall on sabbath morning at 10-15 and in the afternoon at 3 o’clock, subject: “Fast Women.” We only wish our paper circulated more extensively in Lawrence. The hall would be crowded.[4]
The Rev. Dr. Adoniram Judson Padelford died 28 September 1914, the same day as R. W. Sears, founder of Sears, Roebuck & Co. He was survived by two sons, Rev. Frank W. Padelford, Educational Secretary for the Northern Baptist Convention, and Frederick Martin Padelford, head of the department of English at the State University in Washington.[5]
His longest pastorate, 32 years, was at Second Baptist Church, Calais, ME (1877-1909) where he also served as school superintendent, 1885-1895. During this ministry he was granted an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Colby College in Maine.
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[1] “Ordination in Fall River,” Christian Era (Boston, MA), February 1, 1861, p. 2.
[2] “A Writer,” Christian Watchman (Boston, MA), April 27, 1871, p. 7.
[3] “Sunny Side,” Christian Watchman (Boston, MA), April 18, 1872, p. 8.
[4] Daily Evening Bulletin (Haverhill, MA), August 26, 1871, p. 3.
[5] “Obituary,” Evening Bulletin (Providence, RI), September 29, 1914, p. 6.