The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1892-09-16
OLIVET CHURCH.
Dedication Of the New Olivet Church.


Pleasantly situate at the corner of Main
street and North avenue stands the new
church building of the Olivet Congrega-
tional society, which was dedicated and
formally opened to the public, Sunday.
The structure is of brick, with granite
and brown stone trimmings and, archi-
tecturally, is very pleasing to the eye.
1t forms pleasant contrast to the long
line of low and ungainly buildings which
border Main street from Bulls Head to
North avenue. On the outside wall neal
the main entrance is large tablet bear
ing the inscription, "Olivet Congrega-
tional church, organized, November 16,
1870" and the date 1891 stands boldly
out on the large granite blocks that sup
port the tower. Once inside, the large
and handsomely appointed dome shaped
auditorium, seating about 500 persons,
with the new pipe organ and choir loft
just above the pulpit platform, and the
handsome memorial windows attract at
tention. The larger of the memorial win
dows at the end of the building repre-
senting the wise men, ascension and ma
tivity was the gift of Hon Stephen Mich
OILS. z The names of himself, wife and
grandchildren are inscribed upon it. The
windows at the side represent Sowing
and Reaping. One bears the names OF
Rey and Mrs +. X. Holden and the other
was given by Mrs Sarah Hall in memory
of her daughter, Louise S. Hall. just to
the left and shut off by sliding doors
which can be opened or closed is the Sun
day school room, with smaller rooms in
the rear for the advanced and infant
classes. These smaller rooms are also to
be used for prayer meeting and similar
services. Here, too, are the toilet rooms
and the many conveniences so necessary
to the modern church building. North
from the new church, but set back, is
the old building, remodeled into an en-
tertainment hall, to be used by the diff
ferent societies of the church. The par
sonage comes next and is nearer Main
street. Olivet people are to be congrat-
ulated on having so complete plant for
doing aggressive Christian work.
Olivet church was organized, Novem-
Der 16, 1870, and grew out of mission
Sunday school started under the care of
the North Congregational church. It's
experience has been interesting and var
led. At times, it would seem to be
fiourishing, when some sudden calamity
would befall it and it was only by the
kindness and help of friends that it was
sustained. Prominent among its staunch
supporters are Rev DIR Palmer, Mrs F.
w. PARROT, Rev b. b. Beardsley and, in
these latter days, Hon Stephen Nichols
has been guardian angel. The church
first met in what was known as Olivet
hall, on the corner of Grand street and
North Washington avenue, but, in 1877,
the old church was erected and was used
for 10 years as place of worship.
Sunday witnessed the grand triumph
of their labor and prayers and they were
able to dedicate the new church to the
Lord, nearly free from debt.
In preparation of the event, the church
had been handsomely decorated with
potted plants and flowers, which added
to the attractiveness of the already at
tractive and tasteful interior.
The services of the day commenced at
10 30 in the morning with short session
of the Sunday school in its new rooms.
The school numbers about $50 scholars
and, after a short praise service, remarks
by Rev DR. II. II. Meredith of Brooklyn,
Rev Il. X. Holden and the superintend-
emit, DR. f. l.. Smith, showed how thor
oughly they appreciate the goodness OF
God in giving them such a pleasant and
comfortable dwelling place. The most
important and impressive service was
that held in the afternoon at O'Clock.
Long before the hour of service, the seat
ing capacity was taxed to its utmost and
many had to stand during the entire SER
vice. The following gentlemen occupied
the platform: Revs E. X. Holden, DR.
C. Ray Palmer, w. j. White of Bridge
port, Rev Joel Ives of Stratford, Rev w.
f. White of Trumbull, Rev F. S. Child
of Fairfield, Rev A. j. Park Of Hunting
ton, Rev Mr. Daniels and Rev DR. X. H.
Meredith of Brooklyn. After the open
ing anthem, ''Sing to the Lord of Har-
vest" rendered by chorus choir under
the direction of J.. N. Burr, Rev Mr. Child
read the Scripture lesson, Rev Mr. White
leading in prayer. Another anthem by
the choir, then Rev DIR Meredith preach
ed the sermon of the day. He took fol
his text, Matthew VII, IL, "If ye, then
being evil know how to give good gift:
unto your children, how much more shall
your Father which Is in Heaven give
good things to them that ask Him." His
discourse was very able and exceedingly
interesting. The financial statement
given by w. w. Porter, treasurer of the
society:
COST OF THE CHURCH:
There have already been paid for
constructing, $23,s92 ls
There are notes and bills still unpaid, S,4O3 6s
To this add cost of carpets, cushions
and pulpit furniture donated or
provided for, 1,ls5 90
Making total outlay, 1913 ,4so "
Deduct from this for moving and
fixing up old chapel, 79l ID
s32,s3s So
The architect very generously do
mated the very elaborate and most
excellent plans and his services in
supervising the building and they
are not reckoned in this cost.
The additional lot given by Hon
stephen Nichols, $loooo oo
$4348o 49,
This amount may vary little
when all bills have been audited,
but the variation cannot be great.
THE INDEBTEDNESS OF THE SOCIETY
Cost of building and grounds,
besides architects work, $3.50 So.