Connecticut western news., 1894-11-29
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 1894
1744 ANNIVERSARY
[ 1894

I'll URSDAY NONEM 5Eh ZS, loSt
 1744 ANNIVERSARY 1894 The Congregational Church of Salis- bury, Conn.,, Celebrates its 15Oth. Anniversary on Friday, Nov.23 1894.
 Friday Nov. B is memorable day in the town of Salisbury. On that day 15O years ago the Congregational Church of Salisbury was formed, and on Friday Nov. 23, 1894 the Church celebrated century and half of es- tablishment and progress. Elaborate preparations for the anniversary had been made and the order of exercises was very interesting. Tbe interior of the church was tastefullv decorated with evergreens and flags, and bank of flowers and foliage plants extended across the entire platform in front of the desk. In the upper hall of the Town Hall building (directly opposite the church) was large collection of historical relics, and portraits of persons formerly identified with the congrega- tion This collection was viewed with deep interest by all who attended the anniversary, and right here it is proper to state that four hundred or more persons were present.
 THE MORNING SERVICES
 commenced in the church at II o'clock by singing the hymn. 70 where are Kings and Empires now?" The Rev Lewis Fl. Reid D. D. Ex-Acting Pastor, Hartford, led the scripture reading from Psalms S7 and 122. Prayer was offered by The Rev A. Gardner, of Warren, Senior Minister in Litchfield North West Conference. Music-J Jubilate Dec. The pastor, The Rev John Cal yin Goddard. delivered the address of welcome. The Rev A. G. Hubbard, of Goshen, spoke on "Then and Now; Christ Ever Supreme" Mir Malcolm Day Rudd, grandson of the late Gov Holley, read paper on "The History of the Meeting House." MT John L. Merwin, the Senior Deacon of the Church. read The Ancient Covenant of the Church" Then was sung the hymn. II Love Thy Kingdom. Lord"
 INTERMIssIoN.
 From noon until nearly two o'clock dinner was served n the lower rooms of the Town Hall. About 100 persons The re was great abund ance and variety of tempting food, and 400 or more persons were fed. More than twelve baskets full remained, and just here it is proper to state that about 5 o'clock supper was also served for all who came from the east by train and returned at 6 36 o'clock.
 THE AFTERNOON SERVICES
 commenced at ? p. m Nearly every seat in the church was occupied. The choir sang 70 be Joyful" The Rev l.. H. Reid ID. delivered a very affection ate address and mentioned in very tender manner his services as Acting Pastor few years since. The Rev c. l. Kitchel, of New Haven, pastor from 1877 to 1883, was unable to be present but he sent very kind and impressive Greeting" which was reed by MT Thomas. L. Norton. The choir sang the anthem ''It came upon the Mid night Clear" The pastor, the Rev J. o. Goddard, then delivered "An His torical Discourse" giving a complete re- cord of the Church from its formation in l744 to the present date. It was a very interesting, comprehensive, witty and. complimentary discourse. Some idea of its scope may be gleaned by mentioning the fact that it covers 23 closely written pages of manuscripts. In the midst of the discourse Mir God dard rested while the choir sang, 70 Come let Us Worship" At the close of the discourse the choir and con8rega- tion sang the hymn which was written
 
 Centennial Celebration of Salisbury in 1876 MT Thomas l.. Norton made an impressive and patriotic off hand ad- dress taking for his theme "Our Church in War Time Robert Reid M. D., now of Newton Center, Mass., youngest son of the late Rev Adam Reid D. D., made an off hand but very tender address and reltaed incidents of his boyhood and his recollections of the men of those days He paid beautiful tribute to the Union volunteers who went out from Salisbury in defense of their country. He congratulated the Church on fits record and present prosperity. The choir and entire congregation join- ed in singing, America The Rev l. H. Reid D. D. offered prayer and pro- nounced the benediction.
 The names of the pastors of the Church since it's organization are: Rev Jonathan Lee 1744-1788 Rev Joseph Warren Crossman 1797-1812. Rev Lavius Hyde 1818-1822 Rev Leonard E Lathrop D. D. 1825-1833. Rev Adam Reid D. D. 1837-1S78 Rev Cornelius L. Kitchel 1877-1SS3. Rev John Calvin Goddard 188l-date.