Hi my name is Ciaran Maher, I am a scout in Troop 306, I am will be working on a service project with First Parish in Arlington this summer 2023. I will be constructing a bench and Pew that will be placed on the church grounds.

It is a common misconception that Massachusetts was a free state. While it is true that the state of Massachusetts abolished slavery many years before others, it still had a long history of chattel slavery. It is crucial to not deny our history so that we are able to move forward. Those who originally helped to finance the first building of First Parish in Arlington were enslavers, and the people they enslaved were buried in the church's cemetery, however those graves were not marked. This project is intended to acknowledge chattel slavery in Massachusetts history and specifically those who were left forgotten the church's history. 

The Pew being located in the Sanctuary holds historical significance.  Those who helped to finance the original church were given dedicated pews for them to use during services. These pews symbolized the members’ connection to the church and would commemorate them for many years. The construction of a pew dedicated to the enslaved people who were forgotten is meant to memorialize them and make them a part of the church for many years to come. It also helps to reintegrate them into the church community by placing it in a public space where everyone gets together to worship. 

The bench will serve as a way to reintegrate the enslaved people with the deceased members of the congregation. The bench is to be located in the Memorial Garden, where parishioners have and continue to place the ashes of those who have passed away.  I feel that this is a very important step to take because in addition to acknowledging the fact that they were here it also acknowledges that they were members of this church and as such should be connected with the rest of our departed.