Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-29
Anniversary at Mortified.

The semi centennial anniversary Of the Con-
grcgatonaI church in this village took place on
Tuesday Of this week. and was Of the most in
tercsting character.
From the excellent historical sketch by the pas
tor, Rev WIN. s. llazen, we CLEAN the following
facts The church was organized May 9Th,
1899, and held its first meetings in the little
yellow church," 30 called, at the Center, having
a right by permission so to do on the fifth Sab
bath Of every month, on each month in which
there occurred fifth Sabbath. At its organza-
ton nine members were enrolled, only one Of
whom. Mrs. Betsey IIolion, is now living, aged
so years. The first convert was Sarah Shipman,
Feb 90, 1923. 10 the first ten years there were
nineteen (l9) members admitted, and the church
at that time numbered 90 Their meetings were
held at different places, in the schoo-housc and
in room in Gov. Paine's factory, until 1896.
when the church now occupied by them was
built, and offered n their use by Gov, Paine.
which was dedicated Dec. / 1896 This church
was occupied six years, when they built one at
the Center, which was dedicated August 3, isi3.
In 1854, they bought the church now occupied
of the heirs of Governor Paine, and have since
ANN ohN iNhNitu W. hui hhN hioA Ath jour
there was no settled pastor. only occasional
preaching. 10 1885, Rev Calvin Granger was
called TO the pastorate with salary Of 5000 In
1912, by advice of the Council be was dismissed
Between l6i2 and 1917, the pulpit was sup
piled by several preachers, among others Rev
Thomas Hubbard and Rev. Mr.. Claggett but on
the 18th day Of january, 1917, Rev. j. II. Bur
ton was settled as pastor Of the church with
salary Of $500, he assuming risk of 500.
lie was installed in 1913, and in l9i0 was dis
missed by advice of Council In 1850, March %,
Rev. Ambrose Smith was called to the charge and
continued pastor until 1858, when the relation
was dissolved. From 1853 10 1855, Rev. G. A.
Tracy was acting pastor, and from the last date
to 1863, Rev. l.. II. Stone supplied the pulpit.
Ia 1863, the labors Of Rev. William 5. liazen,
the present pastor began.
There are on the clerks book 100 acting mem
bers. and 236 names in all. Only two extensive
reyyals have occurred in the church since its or
ganization, and these two occurred in the winter
of 1856 and lsil-2.
The first Sabbath school was established in
1896, and Samuel Denny was its superintendent
The church has paid in the last nine years over
$4,000 church debt. This is hasty and very in
complete resume Of a very excellent and finished
history Of this hurch.
Rev. DR.. Lord, of Montpelier, occupied the re-
mainder Of the forenoon in discourse upon the
comparative merits and excellences of the Con-
gregationalist Church Polity, which discourse it
need no, be said was scholarly and mastery
production.
The afternoon exercises were very interesting
and consisted Of sketch Of the former members
Of the church by Deacon Samuel Denny, remarks
by Rev. Caleb Winch, former resident and COIN
municant of this church, and by Rev. John Stone
now of Berlin. and formerly Secretary Of the
Missionary Society, and other addresses and re-
marks, the whole agreeaby diversified by excel
lent music and singing.