Litchfield enquirer., 1869-03-11
WHOLE NO. 2896
ST. PAUL's CHURCH, BANTAM.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, BANTAM.
 This Parish had it's origin in the disaf. lection of portion of the members of the First Episcopal Society of Litchfeld, which led to the secession of these from the Mother Church. .5-..
 On the 18th of November, 1794, the Rev. MT. Butler became rector of the ori- ginal parish, and the members in the west part of the town disliked the choice so much that they determined to withdraw from the Society. In October, 1797. the disaffected party petitioned to be released from paying taxes to the First Episcopal Society, and also for permission to organ ize separate parish. On the 9th of No- vember, this petition was granted, and on the 14th of the same month. the Second Episcopal Society of Litchfeld was duly organized, with the following ofice.:-
 Society Committee. David Kilbourn, John Landon, Sylvanus Bishop. H 5-
 Caerk.-James Kilbourn.
 Treasurer. Stone.
 The Church was erected on the height directly north of the burying-ground, on the opposite side of the road. It was de- signed and built by MT. Giles Kilbourn, who, dying soon after, was the first person whose funeral services were attended with in it's hallowed walls. This Church was 50 feet long by S6 feet wide, and was sur. mi fod hxyo nd ck1
 A legacy of e10O was given by Mir. Na- thaniel Bosworth of Washington, for the purpose of procuring bell This amount, with some other contributions, was expen- ded in the purchase of the excellent, sweet-toned bell, now in use.
 The Rev. MT. Butler resigned the charge of St. Michael's Church, on the 21st of February, 1799, and, shortly after his re- signation (the 9th of June following), the West Parish applied to re-unite with St. Michael's Church, which application was accepted, and articles of union were en- tered into on the 10th of September, 1799, in which it was agreed to unite, and that two-ffths of the clergyman's services should be performed at St. Michael's, two- two-ffths at the West Church, and one- fifth at Milton. ser E 5' .HiElg
 At the request of the worshippers, on the 21st of February, 1s4S, it was voted to take down the Church, which had become quite dilapidated. This was accordingly appointed Rector, the Rev. O. 0. V. Hast man. On the succeeding day (Christmasl' serviees were held, and afterwards Parish Meeting passed vote to call the Church St. Paul's. 'l3@ -.
 IT. was consecrated on the 1st of Novem her. 1s44, by the Right Reverend Thomas Il c Brownell, D. D., the consscration ser
 mon having been preached by the Rev. A Cleayeland Coxe, DOW (1S6e) Bishop O : Western New York.
 The former Church had never received 2 name other than St. Michael's, and 1t ], ha,ieved that it was never consecrated. l. The Churches at Bantam and Milton SUI Q continue component parts of the FITS
 Episcopal Society of Htchfieid, naVln
 never been legally nor economically separ'
 ted. They have, nevertheless, for sever
 voors conducted their concerns ID the a. own, way, as independent parishes Ln A H practical separation of the two pari'n' tt took place in the year 1926, when Soci + tvs Committee was appointed for this fs isb consisting of Putnam Kilborn, Si ,dn phen Russell and Miner Potter. In lSs rA the first appointment of Wardens a n ,a' vestrymen, was made as follows:- ' Wardens.-Thomas Goodwin, AD' to Landon. .ol, a Vestrymen. .-Enos Stoddard, Putnam rert bourn, David Keeler, Norman AiiDourn zen rha succession of Rectors is as follow