The Newtown bee., 1900-12-28

DEDICATION OT THE METHODIST EPIS- ooPAL CHURCH IN SANDY HOOK, CONN.,,
 sEPTEMBER 25, 1900.-BY JOSEPH o.
 HUNsON.
 Rev L.. D. Nickerson had inau lrated the plan of building church. Etother Nathaniel c. Lewis was permitted to see 1t completed and dedicated. It cost about 43300. About $2300 was collected and paid down. For several years the eo- ciety paid interest on about $10OO. Dur ing the pastorate of A. McAlister an ef- fort was made to extinguish this debt. It was nearly all subscribed but portion remained unpaid till 1859 when the soci. ety determined to build parsonage and the old debt was finally wiped out. Dur. the building of the church the society suffered . severe loss in the deash of the faithful class leader, William Hayes.
 From the beginning the church was we'll filled, especially on the Sundays when the pastor preached. On the d. ternate Sundays various local brethren filled the pulpit. The one who was most frequently drafted into service was Tommy Clingan, . genial warm hearted Irishman, . great reader and an interest," ing preacher. Brother Brett, an exhortor, rendered good service till he removed when the cotton factory suspended oper- ations. Brother Connolly, man of pro found erudition, true and stanch Meth- odist, led the week evening class. Broth- er Patch led the Sunday noon class.
 Brother Connolly was quiet and reserved. Brother Patch was hearty and genial. His laugh was infectious and was often near the fountain of tears. Later Brother
 William Hall, a sweet singer and worthy man, became leader. My father, H. ". Munson, was the first Sunday school
 superinte ndent in the new church.
 Brother Lewis was succeeded by Will
 liam Fl. Bangs, an excellent pastor and an evangelist who worked untiringly to
 bring sinners to Christ. A large number were brought into the church during his ministry. Theodore A. Loveioy, . man
 of sweet spirit and a good preacher fol.
 lowed. He was succeeded by Alexander
 4cAlister, 6 young Irishman with a metaphysical mind. Brother McAlister
 was unmarried at his appointment, but
 he found in Miss Margaret Connolly |
 true helpmeet. The Rev Henry Gidman.
 . local preacher recently from England,
 rode the circuit in 1857. He was an elo. quent man but unfortunately he lived in Sosthville, seven miles from this village, and worked his circuit at great disad-
 vantage. Rev Benjamin Bedford was the next pastor. He was . good man,
 who in everything by prayer sought help of God. In '59 and 50 Rev R. K. Key.
 uolds stirred up he people to get what
 had long been necessity, a parsonage.
 A fine location on top of Wells' hill was
 secured, a pretty and convenient house
 was erected at a cost of &lsOO. During the pastorate of s. H. Platt the remain
 der of the debt amounting to nearly &10OO was raised and the church proper. ty was without incumbrance.
 The period of 15 years from 1850 to 1865 was the most remarkable in the his tory of the church and of the village. For nearly 10 years of that period the
 church had good degree of prosperity. It was the only Protestant church in the
 village and had 6 constituency large enough to i'll it on extraordinary occa-
 sions. But business changes removed many valuable members. The small manufacturers removed or closed up their business. The rubber works em.