The Newtown bee., 1890-01-24
ded and the interior of the church was

painted. The present ofllcefs are: Wardens, Theodore E. Beard, James Ed ward Palmer.
 Clerk, Reuben w. Linslcy.
 Treasurer, Charles G. Burr.
 Collector, Frederick W. Beard.
 vestrymen, z. L. shelton, J. D. Shelton, R. W. Lnsley, l.. J. Wheeler, E. l.. Walker Charles G. Burr.
 Chorister, Frederick w. Beard.
 THE CONGREGATIONAL. CHURCH.
 The church was organized with 92 members from the Stratford church, Feb ruary F, 1724 and the pastor, Rev Jede- diah Mills, was ordained the same day. In connection with the call and settle ment of Rev Mir Mills, the following vote was passed:
 Without contradiction of any person.t to give Mir Mills eighty pounds toward building his house, forty pounds of it in money and forty pounds of it in work and in the beginning iii ty pounds salary a year, and atterward rising as God shall enable us and as Mir Mills shall stand in need and as this society shall think fit and also one hundred acres of land already given by the town of Strattord.
 The house here mentioned stood few rods southwest of the location of Edgar B. SheltOn's.
 The first meeting house was probably erected about l720 and stood on what was called Fanton hill, about so rods north east of the present site. Before his house was ready, Rev Mir Mills boarded with a family named Blackleach that lived in hn IT1fnrJ hnn,a Illustrative of Connecticut's blue laws, 'tis told that, one Sunday morning, good MT Mills found, upon gaining sight of the meeting house, by the number of people there gathered, he must be late, there being in those days of simplicity no bell to call the worshippers. Hurry ing on, he leaped fence, instead of de- voutly climbing over. For this, he was by the church.
 The following are the nanrs and dates of pastorship of the different clergymen
 Rev Jedcdiah Mills began his ministry l724; died l776.
 Rev Dr David Ely began his work here in l773; died lSl6.
 Rev Thomas F. Davies ordained here in Isi7; dismissed in ISIS; died at Greens Farms, 1865.
 Rev Thomas Punderson settled here ISIS; dismissed is44; died in Huntington August l. lSiS.
 Rev Charles \. Seymour, ordained pastor of church in Huntington lS44; dismissed ls4T.
 Rev Dr Eliakim Phelps was engaged in lS47 to supply the pulpit for one year.
 Rev William B. Curtiss was installed pastor here in 1850; dismissed 1857.
 Rev John Blood was here from 1858 till 1862.
 Hev William D. Morton preached here from 1884 till 1869.
 Rev Loring B. Marsh came here in 1869 and until 1872
 Rev Allen Clark preached in Huntington from 1873 to 1874.
 Rev Lucius II. Higgins preached in Hunting ton from 1875 to lsST
 Rev Bella N. Seymour from 1883 to 1887.
 Rev Andrew J. Park began his work in this town in March, lSSS.
 The following are the present officers of the church and society:
 Pastor, Rev A. J. Park.
 Dcacons, George D. Nichols, Oliver G Heard, Lewis J. shelton.
 Superintendent ot Sunday school. George D. Nichols.
 Church clerk, Edward s. Hawley.
 Society's committed, Oliver G. Beard, Edgar s. Wooster, George D. Nichols.
 Society's clerk, F. \. Potter.
 Treasurer, Daniel A. Nichols.
 The number of members is nearly 100.
 Among the incidents in the history of Lhe Congregational church are the fol- lowing: The so called Half Way coven- ant Was used by the church until 1877. In l743, David Brainerd was expelled from Yale college, ill part "because he had disobeyed orders in attending pro hibited meetings of those who were at cached to the preaching of Whitetield and Tennent." Rev Mr Mills, regarding his treatment as unjust, received him into his family and, under his instruction, he studied theology and, thus fitted, went forth as missionary to the Stockbridge Indians.
 During Dr Eiy's ministry, there were additions by profession every year ,Xcept six. He was member of the of Yaie college and about 100 young men were fitted for college under him.
 During Rev Mr Punderson's ministry of 2G years, 2l4 were admitted to the church.
 Dr Phelps had some notoriety in con- nection with the 'Stratford knockings." He was father of Rev Austin Phelps, D. D., of Andover theological seminary. Massachusetts.
 During the Winter and Spring of 1877, there occurred one of the most marked works of grace that had been witnessed for generation, as one result Of which nearly 40 united with the church.
 In 1881, the inside of the church was entirely papered, giving very neat eff feet.
 THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
 The First Baptist church of shelton was organized October G, 1882. The present membership is %. The success sive pastors have been:
 Rev John Naylor.
 Rev W. L. Giles.
 Rev James C. Ditmirs.
 This church is flourishing, the church edifice occupying one of the best sites ill the borough. The present officer, are
 Deaeons, E. F. Leach, W. E. TomIinson, E. \. Barret.
 Trustees, L. s. Young, Sylvester Rounds, J Nj. Gilbert.