Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1897-02-12
NUMBER s.

of 1885 location was selected and
work begun. When the walls were
raised six or seven feet, two or three
of the men doubted the practicability
Of continuing, and finally Succeeded
in passing a resolution To arrest furtb-
er progress. Immediately the rector
left the place. At this point we read
Before the expiration of week an
urgent and united call was sent him to
return. 1t was accompanied by the
statement that the importunity of the
ladies OF the society, who gave their
husbands no peace, had succeeded in.
raising sufficient funds for the comple-
tion of the church. Therefore, had it
not been for the energy and dispatch
of the ladies, this church might have
been left for later generation to
found.
In 1869 the parish OF Zion church
was divided, and another parish called
st. Johns church created. A very
pretty chapel was built there. Owing
to removals. and various changes, it
was unable to support a rector and
was at times ministered to by the rec
tor of Zion church and others. About
two years ago II was constituted
mission. ! have now spoken of all
the organized parishes in the county.
To them all, as theyea have passed,
have come difficulties aud seasons Of
depresson, but under a Dirine Pfovi-
deuce, thel nrro-AGlaF = 2, ,.,.,l
overcome such trials as l530sive
TO growth and strength
For several ears a general mission
ary sent out under the auspices Of the
Vermont Branch of the Wolnen's Aux.
iliary to the Board Of Missions. has
visited the different towns in the
county, looking up and visiting the
scattered communicants and others
eyincing an interest in the church.
also holding services in school houses
and other places wherever opportunity
offered The rectors of the different
churches have held services in school
houses in outlying districts, remote
from the churches. In South Shafts
bury, North Bennington and Pleasant
Valley, services have been conducted
by the rectors of st. Peters church.
In the summer Of 1887, Rev. Mr..
Flanders held services in the Union
church at East Dorset for three
months, and in the summer Of 1889 be-
gan holding services at a scho house
IN Sunderland, which he continued
until his removal from. Manchester in
November of the same year, when
Rev. Mr.. Soaring, rector of st. James
church, took charge of them, having
service every other Sunday. During
that time Union church was built
there. Upon Rev. Mr.. Searing's re-
moval from Arlington, Rev. Mr.. Car
nahan continued the services, and
also revived services at Bethesda
church, West Arlington, which have
been continued until the present
month";
The Rector of Zion church, in addi-
tion to his own parish, has charge OF
st. Johns mission, where services
have been held, and, with the help OF
an assistant, has conducted services at
West Dorset for three months during
the I.ast summer. Thus we End the
different churches in a.state of aetiv-
ity, and that in all ages and in all
pursuits, with few exceptions, betok-
ems prosperity. In closing l viii give
statistics copied from the "Con, en-
5ion Journal for 1896, showing the
present condition of the church in
this county.
ot- James Church, Arlington.
l39 communlcants, ~ male, 81 fe-
males. 80 families comprising $50 in
iivi1uals, property the church and a
'ectory. This church at the present
line is undergoing repairs ard having
recess chaucel added to it.
St Peters Church, Bennington.
l67 communicants, 80 males, III fc.
males 80 families, comprising $40 in
lividuals; property tho church aud
eQtory.
Zion Church, Manchester.
80 communicates, 26 males, 50 fe-
oales, this number includes some re.
iding in other townsl; 81 families,
100 individuals; property
church and rectory.
ST. Johns Mission.
Z communicates, 3 males, 5 females:
families, comprising 20 individuals;
roperty- the church.