The Newtown bee., 1895-02-22

granted in 1766 and new society incor- porated called South Britain, the ssmoun- tains' forming the division line between the two parishes. The territory of the Southbury society was reduced to about one half of it's former size and of course greatly reducing the membership of the church.
 The meeting house was fiually complet. ed about the beginning of 1772 and was probably dedicated during that year. The place of it's location was farther south than the old house, being in the small park nearly opposite the road lead ing down to what was then the new cem- etery.
 THIS BUILDING IS DESCRIBED
 as tone of the largest and most expensive churches in this region and was an imita- tion in it's architecture of one previously built in Litchfield.' This new house was occupied for public worship for more than 70 years and until the present edifice was built. The first minister to preach in this second church was Mir Wildman, who continued the pastor until his death in 1872, the whole period of his pastorate being more than 45 years, and including the period of the Revolutionary war. He was native of Danbury, Conn.,, and a graduate of Yale college in the class of l753. He is described as a man of noble bearing in stature, manners and mind an active and faithful pastor, a preacher or thodox, instructive, animated, able and popular" He is also represented as a very genial and witty man. He died at the age of 76 years. More than 100 per- sons were added to the church during his | long pastorate. It will be seen that the | first two pastorates over this church cov- cred period of almost 80 years. Minis ters were settled for life in those times.
 The next minister who preached in the second church was the Rev Elijah Wood, who was ordained pastor in 1913, but his pastorate was very short, being only | about two years, when he was called up his ministry there was revival of relig- | ion and 20 were added to the church. He l is described as Ia good man and devot- ed christian
 | In 1916 Rev Daniel A. Clark was set- | tied over the church but was dismissed in 1819, having pastorate of little less than four years.
 HE WAS THE FIRST MINISTER
 dismissed from the pastorate of this church after it's organization 87 years be- fore. It is said that ''he had few equals as vigorous writer and eloquent preach er.'
 From 1919 to 1926 the church had no settled pastor but was supplied during the time by different ministers. Calls were extended to several ministers but l for some reason none of them accepted. Among those called were Elan Clark, Henry Jones and Carlos Wilcox, who is called the eloquent Carlos Wilcox and who supplied the pulpit for time. Oth- CT ministers who supplied the pulpit for a short period were John Hendricks and Levi Smith. An extensive revival occur red in 1921 aLd p added to the church. In 1926 Rev Thomas l.. Shipmap be- came pastor of the church aud continued to hold this relation until 1886. when he was dismis ed, He was graduate of Yale college in the class of 1918 He is described as an ''intelligent, fairhful and successful minister" A great revival took place during his ministry and 36 were added to the church as fruits of the revival.
 The last minister who preached in the old second meeting house was Rev Will liam H. WhitGemore, who was installed over the church in 1887, soon after the dismission of MT Shipman. His ministry continued until his dismission in 1850 and included the period of the building of the present church edifice. During the early part of his ministry, while preaching in the old house, a great revival of religion occurred and as result of this revival 2S were added to the church.
 IT IS SAID THAT DEA FREDERICK PERRY first publicly suggested the building of a new house of worship, at a prayer meet ing, and that he quoted the passage of Scripture, ''Is it time for you, ye to to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste" The first reference which I find in the society records in re. spect to building new church edifice is in the record of a meeting held November 6, 1S43, when the following votes were | taken:
 "That committee of three be appointed to decide on location for 6 house of worship. That Seth Thomas ot Plymouth, Bennett Bronson of Waterbury and Samuel Pick ot Woodbridge be appointed as & committee by | this society to decide a location. That a committee ot three be appointed to dratt subscription paper and circulate the same. John Moseley, Simeon Curtis, Jun, and Henry Johnson were appointed.
 At meeting of the society held Janu- ary ?, 1S44, it was voted ss6hat commit tee consisting of Henry B. Stiles, David k. Hinman, Col Charles Hcock, Ira Strong, Simeon Curtis, Jun., William L. Fabrique, Jedediah Hall, Henry I. John son and sherman Futile be appointed to wait on the committee of location on Tuesday, January 9, and to give them all necessary information respecting the To- cation for house of worship" And at meeting held February 3 two more were added, Erastus Osborn, Esq, and George F. Shelton. to assist in giving informa- tion to the committee of location on Feb- ruary l9, at which time that committee was to meet.
 This committee to locate the building