Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-08-22
IN WINDHAM.

IN WlNDHAM.
The Tooth anniversary of the build-
ing of the Congregational church in
Windham in connection with Old
Home Week was celebrated Friday
with an interesting program in the
presence of about 500 people of that
town and adjoining places together
with former residents. During the
forenoon social gathering was held,
and at noon dinner was served In the
lower rooms of the church by the wo-
men of the village. consisting Of
variety of dishes which none but
country people can prepare. The
weather was fine and although the
farmers were more than two weeks be-
hind time in finishing haying they left
their work to help make the occasion
a success.
After dinner the regular exercises
took place in the church audience
room which was decorated with flags,
flowers, and evergreens The presi-
dent of the day was f. II. Jones and
Asahel Upham delivered the historical
address of the old church society and
building. The music was furnished
by large choir, with l.. b. Chapman
as director.
The Windham Congregational
church was raised July s, 1902, the
seating capacity being for 300 people.
The frame Is spruce and hard wood,
some of the timbers being sixteen in
ches square.
In July, 1902, the frame was raised
by one hundred men twenty being Sc
! lected from each of the towns of Wind
ham. Peru, Londonderry. Weston, and
| Andover. The men were all dressed
| in uniform and not a word was spok-
en- by any Of them during the raising
Of the frame except the foreman, and
soon after the frame work was all
put together n young man climbed to
the ridgepole and stood on his head.
A barrel of New England rum was
| furnished for the raising but none were
allowed 10 use It until every stick of
timber was in it's place.
The church society was organized
! by the Rev. William Hall and James
| Tufts with nine members. September
| 3. 1905. the Rev John Lawton being
its first pastor
The interior of the church building
was not wholly completed until 1925
| In 1850 a vestry and town hall was
| placed on the first floor and the audi
! forum raised to the second story
| The first steeple with four points was
replaced by the present tall spire In
1865.
1t is said that the building stands
| on an elevation higher than any other
church in New England. the surround
ing country being visible for a hun
dred miles.
The pastors of the church have been
as follows:
John Lawton, 1S09-1S19.
Selah r, Arms, 1S24-1834.
| Nathaniel Pine, 1S34-1S35.
Selah r. Arms, lS36-1S49.
Reuben Hatch, 1Si9-1S51.
| Royal Parkinson, IS52-1S54.
| George 8. Kemp, 1S56-1S60.
| Henry Hastings, 1S60-1S61.
Stephen Harris. 1S61-1S69.
Calvin Chapman, 1S70-1S74.
Mellen ID. Stone, 1S74-1S75.
Darius Goodrich. 1S75-1SS0.
Charles A. Perry, 1SS01sS1.
Amos Holbrook. 1SSl-1SSS.
George Beckwith, 1SSS-1S92.
c. ]. Harris. 1s93-1S94
Frank j. Grimes. 1S95-1S97
George Roger. the present pastor,
! since 1897.
Some of the early preachers receiv-
| ed their salary in rye at four shillings,
or wheat at five shillings per bushel.
Windham was incorporated into a
! township October 90, 1875, and among
| the early settlers were the Wood
| burns, Atkins. Burnaps, McCorm-
acks, Uphams, Goddards. Pierces,
and others.
The first house that could be called
a public one was that of John Wood
! burn, with whom most of the early
| settlers made their home until they
could erect log habitations.
The population in 1900 was 429, and
in 1920 there were 913.
John Akin was the first to repre-
sent the town in the legislature which
was in 1905 and Deacon David Wood
burn was the first postmaster
The chief address of the day was
| delivered by Rev. Geo Foster Prentss
| of New Haven. Conn, one of Wind
hams loyal sons. Short addresses
were made by Geo. Orrin Lanphear of
Boston, Edwin Hastings of Townshend
and A, A. Goodell of Windham.
The following selections were rend-
cred by the choir: An anthem, "Beauti-
full are thy towers" "Hurrah for New
| England" THE Old Oaken Bucket"
and Italia" An original poem was
written for this occasion by Mr.. Dun
can of Melrose, Mass. The exercises
closed with the singing of America by
! those present
Guests and old residents were pres
ent from Boston, New York, Philadel-
phia, Milford ~ H., Deerfield Spring
field, VT, Chester. Proctorsville, Brat
tleboro and all nearby towns.
OF interest to all was the loan ex-
hibit consisting of old fashioned paint
ings of residents of years ago. foot
stove, and also photographs of nearly
| all the pastors of this church and
other old residents.
On Friday evening a song recital
was given which was mich enjoyed
by good number of people.
IN DUMMERSTON.
The gathering in honor of Old Home
Week last Friday was one of the nlaas-