The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-05-03

Notwithstanding the unpleasant wealth.
er, Sunday 22d ult. there was a good-sized
congregation present both morning and
evening at the re-opening services of the
Baptist church. 1t had been our inten-
tion at first to give complete history Of
the church, but the limited space afforded
by a newspaper denies us that privilege
The church was organized in 1909, being
the oldest church organization in the town
Of Stafford. The "Bloss' family, who
built and occupied at that time the yellow
house still standing, just north of the
Central mill, at the Springs, were mainly
instrumental in its organization. A son
of the family, Samuel Bloss, Jr., was the
first church clerk and also the first pas
tor. For some years after this the socie-
ty was without church building, meet
ings being held In different localities, until
a union was effected with the Universal
lists and church building erected on
Stafford Street, just little south of the
present residence of Mrs. George Adams.
Jasper Hyde, the most prominent busi-
ness man in town and Universalist in
faith, was the principal factor in building
this church and its strongest supporter.
The Baptists had the use of this church
one-quarter Of the time, an arrangement
which only lasted about two years, when
in 1884, It was decided to build the pres
ent church edifice, Rev. Albert Cole be-
ing the first pastor Following the Rev.
Samuel Bloss, whose pastorate extended
from 1909 to 1916, the different pastors
have been as follows: Rev. Benjamin M.
Hill, 1818-1821; Rev. Samuel Bloss, 1928
1924 Rev. John M. Hunt, 1827-182S
Rev. Amos Smell, 1S33-1834; Rev. Albert
Cole, 1886 1889; Rev. Washington Nun
ger, 1839-1844; Rev. Bella Hicks, 1874.
1916 ,<Rev #. Z. Batchelder, 1845-1s46
Rev. George w. Pendleton, 1s46-1s49
Rev. Thomas Holman, 1851-1853; Rev.
Charles FL. Pierson, 1863 1854; Rev. F.
l.. Batchelder, 1S54-1860; Rev. Isaac
Woodbury., 186O-1S62; Rev. Wilfred Il.
Dean, 1862 1865; Rev. F. L. Batchelder,
1865-1899; Rev. George A. Williams,
October, $780, In the fall of 'S8 Rev. F.
L. Batchelder. on account Of increasing
infimities of age, went to Boston to spend
the winter with his son, and the pulpit
was supplied that winter by Rev. John
Cameron of Hampden, Mass. Mr.. Cam.
eron was strong, forceful preacher and
worker. Under his administration the
church received a start which has never
been allowed to lag. Rev. George A.
Williams was called to the pastorate o1
this church last October, and the society
could not have made a better selection
By his work, In and out of the pulpit, he
has placed the church in the front rank
of all the churches In town, and with pos
sibly one or two exceptions, he has the
largest congregations In town. Not only
in the church, but also in the Sunday
School has his work met with good re
suits. During the whole of last year thu
entire collections amounted to $31, will
balance In the treasury at the end o
the year of SLIGO. For the first quarte
only of this year, ending April 1st, tn
collections amounted to $26 "a, with ,
balance In the treasury at the end of thu
quarter, after paying all bills, of over $40
Twenty two new members have been add
g. to the school since January first.