Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-11-12
GARFIELD AND ARTHUR.
Old Church and Academy at North
Pownal, the Scenes of Their
Early Struggles.


Early Struggles.
Shut in from che outer world by the
spurs and foothills of the Green noun.
tains; Nesting, as it were, in a pictur-
esque valley, through which runs the
HOosac river, with the lofty and green
clad hills of Vermont, memorable in
song and story, on either hand, is situat-
ed the pretty village of North Pownal.
North Pownal is noted for its manu-
facture of cotton and wooden goods; it
is noted for it's social features, for its
generous, whole souled people; for its
hospitality, and, above all, for its noted
buildings. Here, in the home of Judge
Danforth and James Fish, jr., Nesting
among the tall elms and naples around
it, is situated the old Congregational
church. The passenger on the Fitch
burg road, going from Troy to North
Adams, as he approaches the station at
North Pownal has but to glance out of
the window on the left to obtain good
view of its tall, white spire peeping
above the tree tops. Many do not know
it, some have mover heard of it, yet,
never the less. in the basement of this
old church, Chester A. Arthur and
James A. Garfield taught the young
idea how to shoot" and did it so we'll as
to enable many of their students to be-
come shining lights in the State and Ma
tiou.
The old church has history. Along
in 1S49 Blackman E. Brownell, prosper
Gus farmer of North Pownal, conceived
the idea that his native village stood in
need of a church and an academy; that
one should be built forthwith, and to
save expense the two should be joined
together under one roof. He broached
tie matter to several friends, and inter.
ested thcm to such All extent as to having
a meeting called and committee ap-
pointed TO solicit subscriptions in aid of
the enterprise. As result 81 POO was
quickly pledged by the people of Pownal
and North Pownal and work was COM
menced.
The new edifice was to be 4OX5O feet,
with an auditorium capable of seating
$50 people. The basement, divided into
two rooms, was fitted up with seats,
desks, etc, for school room or academy.
The steeple WAS square, was about 20
feet above the roof (the present steeple
being added in 1880, when the church
was repaired), the main entrance being
in the centre of the front, now at one
side in the tower; the choir loft was
built over the auditorium, now over the
side entrance, and, in various ways, bore
not the slightest resemblance to its pres
ent magnificent proportion and beauty.
1t was supposed that the 81, 200 pledged
would prove sufficient, but as the work
progressed it became apparent that dou-
BILE that amount was needed. As the
church was originally intended to be of
the Baptist persuasion, the people ma.
turally felt as though they ought to ask
those of that faith at Pownal to help them
out. They did, but the assistance did
not come. In this dilemma a school
teacher at North Pownal, who, by the
way, was member of Congregation
al church, suggested that there was a
CongregatiOnalistf financier at Williams
town, who might loan the money if he
were asked. They acted on the hint,
got the 81 200 balance, work was pushed
and finally ended.
The fact that a member of a different
faith was so good as to loan the money
and help them out of their difficulties
when members of their own faith would
not or did not, was talked over and thor
oughly discussed by the members of the
new church. Finally a meeting was
called and, after hearing arguments for
and against the proposition, by nearly
unanimous vote, it was decided to dedi.
cate the church as a Congregational
church or nothing And this, too, was
done. On April 4th, 1851, the new
church was finished and on October 2lst,
1851, its first pastor, Elihu Loomis of
Bennington, was ordained and installed.
The pastors who assisted at the installa-
ton were: Rev. A. NJ. Beveridge of
Hoosick Falls, Rev. A. Peters of Will
Jamestown, Rev. A. Loomis of Benning-
ton father of the pastor), and B. F.
Mather, a layman, of Williamstown.
President Hopkins of Williams College
preached Cne ueulCdJOry sermon. Inc
board of trustees at that time, who were
also the promoters of the scheme, were
Horatio Blanchard, Green Brimmer,
Blackman E. Brownell, Eddie Perkins
and Andrew Whipple, Jr. These men
held a meeting and voted to fix the pas
tors salary at $500.
Until 1873 Rev. Mr.. Loomis served the
people faithfully. In this year he re-
moved to another place and was succeed
ed by Rev. Chas. Peabody of Williams
town, under whose administration the
church was cleared OF debt and many
souls added to it, In 1856 he was SUE
cecdcd by Rev. DR.. Bascom of Williams
town. who proved himself 20 bustlor.
Three services each Sunday ha gave Jho
people, from 1856 to lSGl He was
man of great oratorical ability, was pop
uiar, and when he left TO take another
charge, testimonial Of his work, pre-.
sented by the congregation, went with
him. Succeeding him came Rev. DR..
Durfee of Williamstown. He served the
people from lS64-67. DIR. Durfee's sue
cessor was Elder Cook, Methodist min-