New Britain Herald Newspaper, June 28, 1915, Page 10

@ai1¢d regarding his successor, S D exercises, interesting and and entertaining musical nded the celebration of anniversary of - the Iighurch 'of Plainville ‘town ¥yesterday. The alists have the distinction ldest church organi- neighboring town and bers, of all the Protestant “Joined 'in extending felicita- ‘occasion of their anniver- . memorable event for ne af importance for ell'and large crowds were he exercises, both in the n fternoon. ithe various churches been organized since the § first erected a house ‘were in attendance d' messages of a con- _‘ from -their parish- .erection of a church nalists, Plainville fd in . Farmington ® -construction of a mtlding for religious jarters of a century " beginning of church- cé that time there chureh organiza- i mominations, all of Bunday in celebrating ? he mother church. o€ wete provided for the embsrs of' the church Carigregationalists, p ysical infirmities, ‘Attend. the exercises. Phoebe Cowles, nd the town’s oldest resi- W‘M Morse, a nono- in point of years of ’}i B4 ‘oltlest person affil- ] h. programs were r, and the musi. n pqryiees the singers Heautiful. Are the 1 church anthem & Plaiaville, according to 41 remarkable story of JAts. -beginning ~ was address; was admirably de @ smost favorable zhoohnlch lgél 1 the House of , the’ seventy- iyitlhe dedication of c:’wanmp, which took 1840, wwfi of Plainville i B f, of Farmington, mxduflxt and life of our .apd for more than fgnad in the Farm- tional church, ,it is of interest thq history of the 1 its establishment, 5 I(q Farmington was or- Ber -3th, 1652. The Rev. y ‘wcfi.me the first pastor. Newton, the Rev. ker was installed in July, tiiuing until his death, in 1697. For more than nine & thidreatter a serious controversy S0 it "the “authority of the urt became necessary, which that "certain ministers and ed for the ' purpose, ’ and ' further, * Mvod and paid until otherwise or until the e among themselves.” event of supreme im- ; the new settlement and engers were sent from to confer with Mr. ] wm-n as a possible candi- , Whitman was finally settled in Qlu*ln 1761, the year after t settlement on the M" or. Plainville, is sup- have been made. ,th.u; death a. call was sthe Rev. Timothy Pitkin, lled in 17532, Plain” Settled. t!}p time that the “Great e to be inhabited, it is ;‘ c in that Mr. Pitkin was ty: the of the Farmington ?ho’r:mo actively into con- Plainville and its people, deatn did not occur until he took an‘active part in the ‘of religious thought in this . Mr. Pitkin was a friend A sympathizer with Whitefield invited him into his pulpit. He & liberal in his views and despon- 710!' the abandonment of the 1 ce 'of “Ownng the Cove- The action of ‘the church in belns taken in 1781. ‘was succeeded by tl;e Allen Olcott, ordained in 188 ' 3 in 1791. ) Rev. Joseph 'Washburn suc- in 1795 and died in 1805. Rev. Dr. Noah Porter was or- the sixth pastor, November 5, continuing in his ministry for -ltlg years, dielng vn the 24th r, 1866, universally la- n 1826 Dr Porter espoysed the jo, of temperance, in the attempt 6 Detter a thén serious condition. “told that at that time, a hogs- a0 of rum was often sold in a day at the eight or ten dram by éminently respectable “in’"the town of Farmington. So ' did the doctor succeed that in “t‘ho bwnvotéd that none wmn{u jes might sell iquor. Favored ‘Abolition. - “anti-savery excitement fol- JUB] CHURCH A HISTORY-MAKING EVENT tion. This q\le!llnn sharply divided pastors ' and le tnrougnout Con- necticut. By Vote of the Farmington | church, a of resolutions were | &dopted, -making - this question a test of Christian fellowship and excluding from the ¢ommunion, such as could not free themselves from ~all .com- plicity with slavery. Dr. Porter ‘was asked to announce this action at each tommunion service but stoutly re- fused, being backed up by our own townsman Roderick Stanley and in the end commended for the stand he had | tuken. Dr. Porter was ciosely identified with Plainville. From the beginning i of his pastorate down to 1840 he min- istered to the needs of our people in all that pertained to their religious life and assisted in organizing the first church in this place With Dr. Porter’s ministry we leave Farmington and deal directly with the Congregational church of Plain-/ ville, but before .referring at length to this church’ as a separate institu- tion, let us go back for a moment and see how and where our: first set- tlers worshipped. The first meeting house in’Farm- ington: was erected soon after 1640 i end used untii 1714, when the second square, was, finished, occupying a site a little northwest from the present building. 3 The beating of a drum called the congregation together until 1781 when a bell was secured. In 1761 such Indjans as ‘“had been Christianized” were allowed to build ;themselves a seat in this house, in the corner over the stairs. The 'present meeting house was finished in November, 1772, and one of our townsman, Merrills, by name, a carpenter, whpo had built and was ‘then living in-the old house at “White Oak,” later owned by Leonard H. Lin- ccln, assisted at the raising of the building -and was killed. By way of compensation, the society afterwards voted his widow 6 pounds. The present meeting house and the one that preceded it, have both been the church: home of many of our towns’ people prior to 1840. 5 The dwellers on, the “Great Plain” walked or drove to church or jour- reyed thither by canal, dafter that was opened in 1828. Travel between here and Farming- ton was often impossible during the winter and ‘occordingly, “winter priv- ileges,” so called, ' were ‘allowed, whereby the Plainville parishioners ‘were relieved from ' paying churc rates at the center and permitted to employ a minister for the time be- ing. Anctent ‘School House. Prayer meetings and preaching ser- vices ‘were often held here in town at other seasons of the year, at some of the dwelling houses or in the'school house after its erection, at about the house of worship, a building fifty feet { F PLAINVILLE CONGREGATIONA! house as soon as possible and adjourn- ment was then taken to January 15, 1839. At the adjourned meeting thirty-one men were present, twenty-five voted for and six against the resoution— “That the meeting house to be erect- ed by this society shall be located be- tween the dwelling house of William A. Ives (where Deacon E. A. Free- man now resides) and the canal, upon the most favorable and suitable ground, to be decided by the buflding committee.” Messrs. Stanley and Whiting, Rulus Cowles, Eli Barnes and Lucas H. Car- tions. On the 22nd of January, it was pro- posed to build, at an expense to be determined “By the amount of money already raised and that can be raised hereafter.” The resolution to that end was tabled and the former yote con- cerning location and committees re- scinded. In substitution, £. H. Writ ing and W. A. Ives were appointed to solicit subscriptions and it was de- cided to leave the matter of location to the oounv.y court Hs,rttard county. 3 On January 24, the gednd Mont day in October in each ye@v and se- lected as the date for annual meet- ihgs, and Messrs. Stanley, Whiting, Ives, Hills and Cowles were named as a new conmittee to contract for and build a meeting house at an expense equal to the amount subscribed, which then aggregated $1,274 in money and labor. On ‘March 26, Mr. Stanley’s diary records the fact that on that day he went to Hartford to petition the court ‘—to locate the meeting house. Noth- ing came of this action as on April 23 the society voted to rescind 'its former vote concerning location. It has doubtless been observed that the meetings thus far held were meet- ings of the society. The church had not at that time been organized. With a meeting house in prospect, the desire for a local church organiza- tion ‘quickly took form and on Feb- ruary 27, 1840, we find Roderick Stan- ley in Farmington with a petition, signed by eighteen imen and women, residents of Plainville—and membérs of the Farmington Congregational church, “Praying to be set off as’'a church of Christ” and to be known as “The Second Congregaitonal church of Farmington.” This petition was acted upon March 5, and while grave doubts were expressed as to the wisdom of so do- ing, a fatorable answer was returned and on March 16, 1840, a council was convened at the home of Rufus Cowles (later the home of R. A. Barnes) on North Washington street. Of this council the Rev. Noah Porter was moderatoz, the Rev. Elisha Jones; scribe. ‘The! petition, ‘a. ¢onfession ol faith and a form of covenant, written, by ‘Roderick Stanley, were by him pre- sented and the council organized by the new church under the name of ““The Second Congregational church of close of the Revolution. This an, cient building stood 'at the junction of what are now Broad and South ‘Washington streets. It was a low, plain structure, with a stone chim- ney and a fire-place large enough to burn cord wood. ‘' The interior was ceiled with boards until 1814, when the 'ceiling was arched, the walls | plastered and a Franklin stove in- |stu.lled Just back of the teacher's |table was an opening into an entry iway, kept closed during the week by a movable partition, so hinged ,that on Sundays it might be swung up fo accommodate the worshippers, many of whom occupied the entry way. The benches were planks from Sam- uel Demming’s saw mill, these. sup- ported by legs at the four corners with an extra leg at the center of each to keep it from sagging. An occasional evening service was held in the school house, at which every family attending, was supposed to carry a light, either a candle or, after they came into use, a whale oil lamp and when notice of an evening' service was given in advance, it was| in this wise, “There will be a prayer meeting on such-and-such evening at early candle light.” At these school house meetings the | singers sat on a bench at the east end, the minister stood at the teach: er’s table in the west. ecarly preachers who came here, aside from the’ Farmington ministers, were ; ford,. a Mr. Curtis and Dillon Wil-, liams. New Meeting House. On January 10th, 1839, the' desire for a separate church, to be located in Plainville and to be independent of Farmington, took definite form at a citizens’ meeting held at the school ; house. This meeting was' called o order by Roderick Stanley, who was clerk. Mr Stanley announced that the object of the meeting was take into consideration the propriety house in ' Plainville.” It was then voted “That we now proceed to the for- mation of a Congregational so- ciety to be known by the name Jof the Plainville Congregational society.”—and also voted— “That we the subscribers, being desirous to support the preaching of the gospel in Plainville,~ do hereby ‘agree to - assoolate our- selves together, as a Congrega- tional society and in all respects conform ourselves to the statute law of the state.” This last resolution, reduced to writ- 'ing; was signed by the forty-seven men present. The meeting then ad- journed and thereupon the first meet- ing of the newly formed society was called to order. Mr. Stanley was made moderator, Willlam A. Ives, clerk; Harmanus M. Welch, treasurer, and Rufus: Cowles, Mr. Stanley and hDf, Porter came to | Mr. Ives .wointed a society’s ‘com- mmmnx “within his ‘the cause of aboli- mittee. 5 11t was oom to build a m.m,,, Farmirngton. The newly organized church as- sembled at the school house with Rufus Cowles as moderator and Jehial C. Hart, clerk. Twenty-one persons were there recelved into mem- | bership by letter from the Farmington March 17, on which date, Rufus j Cowles and Roderick -Stanley were elected the first. deacons, Jehial “*C. Hart, was made treasurer and rules relating to membership were adopted. The first communion service was held at the school house April 12, 1840, Thus the Congregational church and society in Plainville came into be- ing. With organization perfected, the next business was to secure a pastor, provide a meeting house and arrange for the support of both. As we have already seen, there was a difference of opinion as to the loca~ Mr. Horner, Mr. Isham of West Hart. | nomination 'of = Christians, clected moderator and Adna Whiting, | et 1) of building a Congregational meeting ; tion of the meeting house and uncer- tainty as to its cost. In view of thig it appears that William A. Ives, Rod- |erick Stanley, Lucas @ H. ' Car- ter, Chauncey Morse ' and Rufus Cowles, wisely took matters into their own hands, erected a meeting house at their own expense, on the lot now owned by James A. Eaton, at the cor- ‘ner of Main and Canal streets and of- fered the use of it to the church free, ,upon condition, that the society must Some of the, agree to keep the building in good re- pair and ‘{Provide a minister of the Congregational or Presbyterian de- in good standing with pastors and churches of i his own denomination.” Deacon Sledded Stonec. From Deacon Stanley’s diary e read that on March 23, 1840, he was ! sledding stone for the new builfling, that on March 28 the frame -was ! raised by Elias Hills, Bryan Churchill and Timothy Porter, the contractor. | This plain, one,story building with a {cupola and a bell weighing 150 ! pounds, brought from New Haven by Captain Romanzo Neal on his canal boat, was practically finished by the 1st of Jone and on the 13th of that month Hiram Camp, in behalf of the society, entered into an .agreement with the owners, whereby the. new “Cnoference House,” as the structure | was called, became the first building in | Plainville devoted exclusively to re- | ligious worship. i On June 25, 1840, the new meet- ing house was dedicated in manner befitting the importance of the event. The attendance was so great that all could not be accommodated inside and consequently the windows ‘were taken out, an awning put up and seats arranged outside s¢ that everyone present might hear and take part in the service. .On this occasion the first anthem ever heard in Plainville and entitled, “How Beautiful Upon tho Mountains,” was sung. On the day following, sale of seats took place.’ 2 A revival took place during the winter of 1839 and 40 and at ' the close of 1840 a membership of seventy persons ‘had been enrolled. * While the first ter were appointed to-solicit subscrip- j to employ Chauncey D, Cowles Farmington for one year, to date from | June 1st, but it was not until March' church and,adjournment was taken to . Dt gpje,,wtshrdluhrdlumfwypmhmhm | H. A. CASTLE- thp churgh -had made a vigerous wih duping its first year, no pastor ad Been ' gettled. As a possible choice the Rev. Dillion Williams had been considered but the efforts made to secure him were without success. $400 a Year for Parson. On June 13th the society decided of 22 1841 that he was Invited to settle oyer ‘this parish at a salary of $400 per ygu,r. At this time the society changed its title to ‘“The Second Congregational society of Farming- ton,”. to conform with the legal tifi of thé church, and it was agreed, that the collections taken on the first Sun- day’ of each ‘alternate month, be- ginning with February, should be de- voted _to benevoient objects as fol- lows.— ‘The Seaman’s friend society. Home Missions, The Sabbath school union, the. Tract society, Foreign Missions, the Bible society. and further, that the.collection taken on the first Sun- day in January in each year, should be devoted to paying the expense of communion-and for incidentals. On April 9 the church concurred with' the society in the call to = Mr. Cowles .On June 9 he was duly ex- amined and on Thursday, June 10, 1841 he was ordained and installed. During his pastorate here, the Rev. My, Cowles built and occupied the House, now the home of Deacon S. P. Williams, and it is said that Mrs, Cowles was the happy possessor of the first piano owned in Plainville. Owing to ill health Mr. Cowles re- signed in 1843, was dismissed and preached his farewell sermon, on April 186, The, Rev. William Wright was at once gecured .as supply and was 1 stalled. pastor November 8, 184 Again Dr. Porter took part in _ the gervices and preached the' sermon and the foymer pastor, Mr. Cowles offered the openingf prayer. Feared End of World. The year 1843 is made memorable in the annyals of this church, by = revival, | twenty -one members and by reason of the activities of loyal Adventists. The preachers of that denomination who came here, had pointed out the fact, that Fébruary 15 would see the end of the world and accordingly, seme df our town’s people prepared their ‘ascension robes, stopped work and awaited the general dissolution of Plainville and all things contain- ed therein, | Later in the same year, on, August 13, Decon Stanley rec- ords the faet that such a Sabbath as I have never be- fore seen. There are thousands driv- ing and walking to and fro on ac- count ‘of a Second Advent meeting held a mile west and a large num- ber of persons have been plunged in the:Cana] Basin.” In 1844, §150 was raised, on the basis of a stock issue, fifteen shares at $10 each and the money used to pay for an addition to the meeting house whereby two more rows of seats were provided. - With the opening of 1849 the de- sire for a larger and more attractive house ;of worship took form. The old building had served its purpose for nine years and while still sound it could not well be further enlarged por did its design and interior ar- rangement meet the requirements of its design and interior arrangements meet the requirements of the growing church. In the old original meeting house, the choir loft was at the rear and during .the singing of the hymns the congregation arose and faced the singers. As the hymn was named, the chorister, Hiram Hills, announced the“tune and page. While the read- ing ‘of the hymn progressed, ~some member of the choir would draw a green curtain, suspended on a wire in front, thus permitting only the heads and shoulders of the singers to show above it. With these pre- liminaries over, the chorister would strike his tuning fork on the back of is pew, hold it to his ear and sound the key for each part. Captain Played Clarion. In a letter written by the late Rev. Alonzo N. Lewls, we learn that Cap- tain Willlam Wheeler made music for these services on a “Clarion” an ancient instrument, a relic of the Farmington church. This, with a bass viol and a melodian, “Made a joyful noise unto the Lord,” while the choir joined in under the leader- ship of Mr, Hills. The ' well-to-do members of the church' now agreed to be helpful in securiig a new meeting house and on Octobér 29th, 1849, when offers of morney wére actually forthcoming the gociety met and decided that work | er meeting was son called, at which, + work. "honor of President Polk (Now church 'to two parts, one becoming the John ! moved to the coiner of Canal 11880 and built their presenthouse of f resylting in the addition of } 4,5 ohoaged for the work by the .aside "should begin immediately under the direction of Henry L. Welch, Hiram Hills, and Edward N. Pierce who were authorized to expend $3,500.00 for a building, to be located on land ) belonging to William A. Ives, pro-| vided he would agree to give this piece of property for the purpose. Dr. George A. Moody, George T. Steele and Levi Beach were to act as a sub-committee, secure plans, an es- timate of cost and make report On November 12th. all this was re- scinded and the meeting adjourncd without date, 3 Regardless of this set-back, anoth- practically the same votes passed as before, except that it was now decided to expend $4,500.00 and ! the original comittee of three men were authorized to proceed with the Mr. Ives was prevailed upon to give the land, which he deeded to the sbelety, July 13, 1850. The one acre so given, was originally a part of the Ives farm, then being divided and sold. Polk street, named in were | street) had just been opened and two houses,the Asa Blakeslee place, and the home of F. B. Manchester had been built by Mr. Ives, in teh hope 6f increasing the value of his land and inducing the townspeople to build upon it. The new meeting house was begun without further delay and on Aprit 10th, 1850 we find arrangements be- ing made, to accept an offer by Prof. Olmstead to lecture here and apply the proceeds on the building funl; to borrow money to cancel the church debt upon completion of the building and to arrange to accept a new bell that the Ladies Benevolent ' soctety ‘had provided. The old building now became a meeting place for the Baptists who organized a society in 1851, it was moved shortly after to what is now Canal street, where it was sawed in- P. Trowbridge the other, and Broad streets, was used as a school- house and as a chapel by local Meth- odists who organized a church in house, worship in 1881. The Methodists in turn sold to Deacon Lucas H. Carter who moved the old relic onto our church lawn where it again did duty was then added. In 1861, on March 4 and 6, a new Covenant, together with new Articles of Faith and rules for church government were adopted. Events of national importance werc | n-w ogcupying the attention of our people and ir. 1863 the Rev. Mr. Smith | wus drafted into the army, refusing | tc accept the substitute that was of- | 17th of Septem- leave year— fered him. On the be he was gronted of absence for one a vote of thanks given tie church debt, and the Rev. J. W. Huabbell was secured as supply, fol- luwed in 1864, by the Rev. Mr | D:mock. On July 30, 1864, and again a few waeke later, Mr. Smith sought to re- s’gn, believing that his enforced ab- sence would seriously hinder the grow:h and prosperity of both church and society. replies were sent, urging him to re- in with the army until sk.ould be over, agreeing hit_salary and to reinstate him upon s return. To these appeals he as | During his term of ser- | last agreed. vice in the army, Mr. Smith was chaplain of the 8th Connecticut resi- r:ent and at the close of the war served in behalf of the “Freedman’s Lureru,” with command over four coanties in Virginia, with headquar- icrs at Danville, until discharged from service, October 22, 1865, when he returned to Plainville. Hn Januasy 8, 1867 the church set avnart the tkird Sunday evening of carh month for the discussion of tem- perance, & subject of unusual interest in Plainvilic at the time and one that afterwards filled the columns of The Plainville News for more than ten years following the establish- ment of that paper in 1871. In 1868 the church withdrew from the Hartford South Congregational association but continued its mem- bership in the Central Conference, with which it had affillated thirteen years before. At the morning service on Sunday, February 23, 1869 the Rev. Mr. Smith resigned. While this action was greatly deplored and acceptance refused, the council that was called on March 11, following, decided to dismiss him and his farewell ser- mon was delivered March 31, 1869. as a schoolhouse and Congregational chapel; from here the “Good Tem- plars” lodge moved it to the head of Canal street, on Main, where it was torn down a few years since. New Church Built. On July 31st. 1850 the new meet- ing house, this present building, was dedicated. The Rev. William Wright - preached the sermon, taking his text from Psalms 116, Verses 18 and 19, and the Congregational ministers of . Farmington, Unionville, Southington, and Newington, took part in the ser- vices. The expensés incurred in tais im- provement had been heavy paymnts on the subscriptions slow and accord- ingly we find Deacon Roderick Stan- ley going about Plainville and vicin- ity at the close of the 1850 soliciting society at $1.50 per day and necs-‘ | sary expenses. One June 30th, 1851 the society di- rected its Prudential commtitee to 1 ; confer with the Rev. Mr. Wright and “Ascertain if it would be agreeable for him to resign.” This action did not meet with unanimous approval and on July 7th. we find the society attempting to smooth over their act in a resolution, saying, “That whereas “This has been ithe resolution of June 30th. has been generally understood as expressing dissatisfaction with our pastor and whereas it was no design of tais so- ciety to make any such expression it i resolved to withdraw and annul our former act.” Notwithstanding this, Mr. Wright resigned and was dis- missed September 16th. 1851. Succeeding Mr. Wright, the Rev. Joel L. Dickinson of Northfield was installed pastor June 9th. 1852 and dismissed owing to ili healta, No- vember 8th. 1858. During the latter years of his life he traveled extensively, spending some time in missionary work in Constantinople, returning finally to Plainville, where he died, July T7th, 1867. As the fourth pastor of this church, the Rev. E. Livingston Wells was called, but the council that convened, refused to install him, on the ground that his Congregationalism was unsound. Episcopalians Organize. On September 22, 1859, the year in which the Episcopal church was or- ganized in Plainville and three days after the corner stone of their House of Worship had been laid, the Rev. Moses Smith was ordained and in- stalled as our fourth pastor. Mareh 17. 1860 was celebrated by this church as the twentieth anni- versary of its organization. As the original service took place at / the home of Deacon Rufus Cowles, this service was held at the home of his widow, who was then living with her son-in-law, Captain William ‘Wheeler, in the stone house on North ‘Washington street. No especial ob- servance of the event was planned, from the Scripture lesson, which, as on the day of organization, was read from the Second Chapter of Ephesians. There were a few ap- propriate words from the pastor and a list of those present, thirty-nine in number, was preserved, of whom, but three are now living. During the month of June in this year, the meeting house was enlarged by the addition of galleries and, as nearly as I am able to determine, the original part of the prcsent chapel The Rev. Charles L. Ayer succeed- | ed as acting pastor and it was during nis ministry, in 1870, that the church received its largest accession of mem- bers in any one year, fifty-nine per- soL8 Parsonage Bought. In 1871 the present parsonage was purchased at a cost of $1,760 which property ha. since been the home of the pastors of this church, notwith- stanc'ng tk: unsuccessful attempt made in 1844 to dispose of it and purchase or build a more modern residence. Succeeding Mr. Ayer, the Rev. Alexarder Hall of Collinsville was in- sialled pastor July 1. 1873. With his coming, the subject of better music began to receive atten- tion and in 1874 the present organ wos purchased and erected where it now stands. Tt is also of interest to note the statement made by Deacon Titus Dar- row at the annual meeting in 1879, to the effect that valuable historical records had that day been deposited with him by Jehial C. Hart. This reference Is to the original record book of the church which gives us in cepted by clected and May 7, Céngregational fully organized and equipped to on its work. Ph Backus, thereafter, seats was discontinued ~and Sror vears the subscription and pledge tem substituted him | for his efforts in the cancellation of | M€ | who was ordaind and To both of his letters, | the war | to increase | IN THAT TOW the church, trudflees ¥ 1894, saw church of Plainvi The Rev. John Edward He D. was installed, succeeding’ February 20, 1895, o the old plan of selitn Dr. Hermann was spcceeded | Rov. Cloment George 10 installed 1900, dismissed March 7, Trumbull Donated., Tt was during Mr. Clark’s pe that the meeting house was rep! and re-decorated and plans made re-finishing the parsonage at a 21, | aggregating $3.800 of which sum ladies contributed $1,200. In the. of remembrance, be it also recol that the electric wiring and ligh fixtures were then installed Ly late lamented townsman, lsasc T} bull, who lost his life ip the L ia disaster but a r&w weeks ago. Succeeding Mr. Clark, our p; pastor, the Rev. Frederick G was instglled January 81, ¥ Of the more prominent org tions auxiliary to this church, Laides’ soclety, now known as Ladies' Benevolent society and Missiopary association,” s the est. “The Woman's Foreign lhul soclety,” was organized as aw to “The Woman’s board of M at the home of Mrs. Dr. Geo Moody, . May . 22, 1874, with the Mrs. Lester P, Buell as preside Miss Henrfetta L Good; ch,’ ecrel and treasurer. 2 While the Lon(n:l school was oiganized in 1818, under the prulzcw‘ o Noah Porter, and many Pl " children recefved instructions it was not at that time a part ‘of] church. nor did it come und care of the church unfll '1 “Mm, # The first Sunday schs h cording to Deacon m was organized at the scl May 19, 1839, and held its first | sion on May 28, with & memb of 63 pupils and 13 Cornelius Blakesle she was one ‘of 'the ol 63 dren in attendance, early ords of the school were oy fire many years ago and of the church give but little A tion of the school in its early Of the society of deavor T can’' say but early records are lost. Iy ized in the spring of 1885, during| early ‘days of Dr. Backus' m! It has: accomplished good work among the y: b This my friends, is in brief, t ord of this church di its seventy-five -years. y shall be hidden from ¥ Dr. Porter's opening words or five years ago today— - ““Thou ‘shalt keep Wnton‘ statutes, and His ma which T command thee this ll'. it may go “well. with thee, and" thy children after thee, mayest prolong thy d upon earth, ‘which the thy giveth thee, forever.”—are h then the future, like the past, be bright and beautiful into th of time and worthy of emmilutio all men. ¢ A cantata, “Faith and Praise,™ dered by the. cholr, and add the pastor of the Cong me ey detcil, the only existing account of its | church in Parmington and organization, all carefully —recorded by Mr. Ha-t and now preserved by the present clerk. 1878 and 9 were years of financial embarrassment and so matters become, that the Rev. Mr. Hall proposed a reduction of $200 in|after the choir his salary. This generous offer was accepted and so thoroughly appre- ciated, that the society immediately o s ok el “"'&‘K.’ exercises. Rev. Quincy Blakely serious did |was the first of the ml duced by the pastor, M rendition of the :::b!‘l“t? ’ ™ Blakely told of the hardshifs by the Congregationalists, when) reduced him another hundred—it Was |years ago, they erected in irdeed, to receive.” society. This suggestion was not avell “more blessed . to give than|ton a building of worship and a fort as In 1879 it was proposed that wom- | contrasted the condition: en be admitted to membership in the |with the present, speaking ly on the progress mad which -mp L3 "t hes received, and until it was diseolved, | sons taught during the ;i.‘;” the society was an organization men only. of | religious advancement. Harry Pindar lwkm v What has been said of the society | chureh, _which ‘was o with reference to the women, cqually true of tho to the ballot, was |and church in respect | ple he represented. until January 5, 1883, |politics caused a split among ended greetings from s In 1859 when R. A, Barnes introduced a reso- |gregationalists of Plainvijle &nd i lution granting equal suffrage. While |year the Episcopal parish existence, this resolution was tabled at the time, N3 For the membe¥s the women voted at the meeting and |Church of Our Saviour, the n on April 4 of the same year, they|lected by the Imml‘-u’u for Burton, () were placed on an equal footing with | church, R tor, extended’ hllclt’tlonl The Rev. Mr. Hall resigned on Jan-|ton expressed the bell uary 7, 1583 after having served faith- | wounds caused over the fully and well for twelve years and |of He was dismissed on | tended the well' wishes of his the occasion of the anni a | mother church. the men. nine months. the 20th of February following. After the dismissal of Mr. Hall, long and careful search was con- R, H. th had been healed, and Rev. A, A. Houck spoke [ ducted, in the endeavor to find a pas- | Methodists, who organiged herd tor who might be relied upon to ad-|the purpose of erecting chu vance the growth of the church in all | which members of that denom its work. The Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Fackug of Rockville was selécted and engaged as acting pastor. The choice made, fully justified the highest ex- pectations Dr. Backus began his pastorate here October 1, 1883. He resigned De- cember 31, 1894. In 1886 the present chapel buift and improvements made cost of $5,000. From 1863 to 1894 was a time of marked prosperity. The ckurch building had been thoroughly modernized and pastor and people were of ore accord in the work, On April 22, 1894, the merging of gociety and church in a single insti- tution was begun. The. property of way the society was transferred to and ac-/ could worship, in 1881, Christian_church, the yo ligsous organization in Plainvill represented by the pastor, Rev. Denton. at a | The