Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1897-02-12
TAE EPIscopAL cnuRcn

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Among the earlier population o
Bennington county, we look in vain fot
the trace Of any considerable number
Of EpiscopaIians. Being settled al
most wholly by immigra is from tn,
older States, where very different
views Of religion prevailed, this dis
trict Of the country would not then b,
likely to show, except here and there,
any individuals reared in the doc
trines and litdry Of the Church Of
England. However such as we're here
were hardy pioneers who, for various
reasons, wsSes disposed to try their
fortunes and rear their families in
this then wild region, far from the
religious associations of their early
life, always hoping that the time
would come when they could enjoy the
'ministrations Of the church they
loved To-a great extent these hopes
we're realized. In 1867 Rev. Samuel
Andrews, missionary at Wallingford,
Conn, of the English Society for Il G
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts, made a three weeks journey
through this section Of the country,
preaching, lecturing and baptizing,
whenever such ministrations were ac-
ceptable. "The two most re- owns
visited we're Abingdon" be wrote,
%and Sunderland " 1.-THE settlers
have been in Arlington three or four
years. | am the first clergyman that
has been among them. Howeyeg /
found that they had constantly at
tended the services of the church at
the house of Captain Hawley, ard he
has read prayers for them ever since
they have been settled there, by
which means a sense of religion is
preserved among them. Arlington is
happily situated to be the seat Of a
mission. In Manchester is another
convenient place for q church. II one
were built in each of these towns, the
situation is such that the inhabitants
of four different towns might conven-
iently attend at these two churches,
and one missionary supply them
To later generation this seems proph-
etical.
In the year l763 Rev. Richard Mans.
field, a missionary, at Derby, Conn. ;.
Of the same society, made a like jour
ney as far north as Pownal. Arlington
and Manchester. Again in 1860, Rev.
Harry Munroe, the Society's mission
airy to St. Peters church, Albany,
came 70 Arlingtnu. And 80 ITO Rev.
Samuel Peters, likewise q missionary
at Hebron, Conn, came up along the
course of the Connecticut river and
crossed the mountains to Manchester
and Arlington.
Rev. Gideon Bostwick, missionary
at Great Darlington, Mass, mads
eight distinct visits to this county
during the years from 1772- 1889, and
appears to have been the main depend
ence for official services during that
time. Parishes we're organized at
Manchester and Arlington soon after
the first settlement Of the county.
The parish at Manchester was organ
lied by some immigrants from the
western part of Connecticut and the
adjoining part of New York. The
original document gives the date of
October oath, 1852, signed by twenty
four men who placed themselves under
the care of the Rev. Gideon Bostwick.
The parish at Arlington was organ
lied by Mr.. Jehiel Hawley and con-
sisted of immigrants from Newtown
and New Milford, Conn, and was sus-
tained by lay reading and occasional
visits from missionary clergymen.
The troublous times succeeding and |
following the Revolutionary war drove
many families away from both these |
again declared they were barely in ex-
However, they mustered |
and resumed lay-reading. Ia
1896 we find Rev. James Nichols set
lied at Arlington and Rev. Daniel
Barber at Manchester.
During the years Of 1856 and 'S7, a
,hurch was erected at Arlington, the
,xterior alone being finished, although
L was fitted with movable seats and
lsed for public worship. This was
he first attempt to build a church in
be county. At Sandgate, near the
lose of the century, we find record of
little band Of church people. At
Dorset tradition relates Of the or
Ianization OF parish that was minis.
cred to for time by Rev. Daniel
barber, on one Sunday in month
In September, $780, was held at Ar
ington, the first ecclesiastical conven-
ion Of the PARISHES and societies OF
be church in Vermont a this con-
ention there were present from this
ounty delegates from Arlington, Man
hester, Saudgate aud Dorset. Before
be close of Che century delegates from
,upert, Sunderland and Bennington
Iere recognized in the General Con-
ention, showing the presence OF
nufcn people IN thtab tOWns. AflDg-'
,n was at this time without rector,
,ev. James Nichols having resigned,
is pastorate not giving satisfaction. {
D 1892 Rev. Russell Catlin was in
tailed as rector His pastorate con-
nued for about four years, but does :
OF reflect credit to him.
In 1902 a young man visited BEN !
ington county whose name Ahra-
ani Bronson, will ever be held in
onor. 10 subsequent years Of much {
epression, uncertainty and conflict 9
ith the civil power, his name to {
hurchmen was a tower OF strength. 8
be church in this county owes to no
ne so much gratitude as to him.
" his prudence, zeal and calm decis.
,n. be led Il safely through many
ificulties, and had the satisfaction IN
5000. q ..oofnfr 20 garslg aef-k