Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-12-05
CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, ETC.
CONGREGATIONAL Church.

Congregational Church.
The Congregational church was or
ganized in 1889, numbering among its
members Asa Bond, Enos Smith, Sam
uel Linkon and Ivory Douglass. For
the first ten years of its life there was
no settled pastor, but there was occa-
sional preaching by ordained ministers
and reading of sermons by members Of
the society. As early us 1895 the town
made provision for occasional preach
inc, the services being held in dwelling
houses and barns in different parts of
the town, until the erection of the pub
lie building" in 1896, after which the
upper arched room, spoken OF in con-
necton with the county seat sketch,
was used. In 1911, Christian society
was organized under the pastoral care
Of Rev. Frederick Plummer, and dis
pute arose between the two sects as to
the use of the upper arched ROOM
To this controversy we are indebted for
the present church edifice, which was
begun in 1871, and completed by Ma
than and Harry Hale in 1913. Orioi-
nally the audience room was on the
ground floor. with wide galleries over
head on three sides. The building has
been repaired several times. and was
radically remodeled in 1876. The audi
forum is now on the upper floor, the
lower floor being divided into rooms
for prayer mectingand social purposes.
A handsomer or better-fitted church edi-
flee cannot be found in another town of
this size in the state. Its approximate
value is $4,000.
The first settled pastor was Rev. La
throp Thompson, who was installed
November 20, 1899, and who continued
in this relation for six years. From
here he went to Southold, l.. L., where
he remained until 1926, when he re-
turned to Chelsea to live with his only
daughter, who was the wife of his sue
cessor, Rev. Calvin Noble. He died
July 10, aged 80. Rev. Mr.. Noble came
here in 1907 and was ordained Septem-
Der 9TH Of that year. The prosperity of
the church dates from his pastorate In
1909, AZ persons were added to the
church, AZ in 1919 and 73 in 1881. In
1884, after q years of alduous and
faithful labor as pastor of the church,
MIR. Noble died consumption, sincere
" mourned by all. His successor was
Rev. James Buckham, Il native of Scot
and, educated in England, who was
Installed rs pastor February 25, 1885.
After six years he resigned and was
dismissed February 16, 1911.
After Mr.. Buckham's dismissal, the
society was without IA pastor for six
cen months, but during this period the
most remarkable revival in the history
If the church took place under an evan
,elist named Parker, resulting in the
reception of 81 persons into the church
II July, 1912, and several more in Sep
cmbcr. Rev. Benjamin B. Newton
vas installed as pastor June 20, 1913,
md was dismissed March II, 1916. He
entered the ministry of
he Protestant Episcopal church, and
lied the assistant rector of a church in
Brooklyn, n. Y, January IL, 1875.
Rev. Thomas s. Hubbard came here
S acting pastor in January, 1917, was
Installed to the pastorate February 10,
$40, and dismissed August 81, 1854.
lie is still living, residing at Stockbridge.
lr. Hubbard was succeeded by Rev.
ames c. Houghton, who served as act
NC pastor from February 1, 1857, to
lpril l, 1865. He died at Montpelier,
lpril 20, 1880.
Rev. Salem Nj. Plimpton commenced
opreach here January 1, 1866, and the
eginning Of his service was full of
romise, but was early closed by his
cath September 14th of the same year.
ev. William A. James next became
aston Of the church, this being his first
arish. He was ordained May /, 1867
nd dismissed December 20, 1869. He
led at Los Angeles, California, Janu-
ry 10, 1892.
Rev. Edward +. Herrick, a native of
andolph, commenced preaching here
| May, 1870, and was installed pastor
ebruary IA, 1871. He continued as
lch until the reluctant acceptance of
is resignation, April 2, 1889. He is
ow pastor ofthe Congregational church F.,
Milton. In the latter part of 1889,
ev. Barker b. Sherman of Wollaston
Fights, Mass, came here to preach
nd resultant call was extended to
inn January 4, 1890, which he accept
|. He was installed February 81, 1890,
ev. Austin Hazen, ID. d., preaching