The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-01-17
Bristol and Paris Congregational
Church Celebrated its Semi
CentennieI Wednesday.
OLD PASTORS SEND GREETINGS.
Church Was Organized In 1851 and Took
an Important Part in the Stirring
Times of the Civil War.

to1 and Paris Congregational church
was held on the 9Th inst, in connec-
ton with the regular annual meeting
of this church and society.
The weather was not altogether pro-
pitious, yet over fifty gathered at the
church at II a. m.
The pastor, Rev. Edwin N. Andrews,
called the meeting to order The
hymn, 81 Love Thy Kingdom, Lord"
was sung. The pastor then repeated
Psalm 122, and after a brief prayer,
Clerk, also the report of the Treasurer,
Mr.. r. F. Roberts. Mrs. Newbury re-
ported as treasurer of the Ladies' Mis-
sionary society and showed that this
was live auxiliary of the church.
Rev. Andrews then gave an address
upon the occasion of the fiftieth ami
versary of the organization of the
church. The people were congratulate
ed on the coming of this event and on
the history of the past years.
This church is we'll known in the
Congregational denomination as COM
posed of an unusually faithful, sub
stantia1, liberal and talented member
ship, though not large. Some items
from the old record of the church were
given, showing the firm stand taken
in 1853 upon the anti-s1avery question
of those days ante-be11um.
Several resolutions, we'll considered
and passed in those days, that ''tried
mems SOULS" were quoted as showing
the conscientiousness of the Gathers"
who had descended from New Eng
land, upon all moral questions of the
day as affecting the whole country.
A solo was rendered by Miss Stella
E. B1ackman, which was followed by a
very interesting communication by
Mr.. r. F. Roberts, who was himself
unable to be present because of illness.
Mr.. Roberts witnessed the raising of
the huge timbers of The old fashioned
church and gave a vivid description of
the 'Heave O's'' at the time, also re-
ferring to leading spirits who have
long since passed beyond.
A poem was read by Mr.. Andrews,
written for the occasion, which was
1ASlCAASO W WILL 1ulC1GSls
After Gstet, Gently, Lord, o Gen
thy, Lead U.s." sung by Miss S. e.
B1ackman and Mr.. Andrews, music by
Gounod, communications were read
from ex-pastors of the church who
could not be present. Those letters
were from Rev. Francis Lawson, now
at McCook, Nebraska; Rev. II. M.
Corsbie, Salem, Iowa; Rev. David M.
Ogi1vie, Ionia, Iowa, and Rev. J. A.
Cameron, now at Pewaukee, Wis.
Mr.. Lawson was pastor from April
6, 1856, to April IA, 1869; Rev. Corsbie,
April 4, 1880, to April 4, 1886; Rev.
Ogi1vie, May 6, 1888, to Jan. %, 1898;
Rev. Cameron, March, 1898, to August
%, 1898.
Ali these letters were full of interest,
but cannot be reproduced here. A
hearty vote was passed thanking all of
the above for their communications
which added much to the interest of
the occasion.
AT about 1:2O p. m. one of the good
ladies who had been active in the prep
aration of the collation., up to this
point of time, now l1iuted at the wants
of the inner man, whereupon, as with
one consent, and with good degree of
hunger all took their seats to receive at
the hands of chosen and fair looking
walters, an exceptionally good dinner,
such as the wives and daughters of
this beautiful section know how to
prepare.
At the society meeting which fol
lowed, called to order by Secretary
Chas. Marsh, L. S. Fowler was chosen
| Chairman. The latter was elected to
succeed himself as trustee, Dwight
Burgess to succeed Henry L. Bu11a-
more, and Fred B1ackman to succeed
r. F. Roberts, resigned.
After reports were presented the
meeting voted to adjourn.
Two were specially missed, who
were detained by illness, and who
could have given many interesting
"reminiscences of the church and soci-
ETY. as to events which took place some
time before this church was built in
1858. It's organization dates from
January S, 1851.