Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-22
St. Johns P. K. Church

The members of the EpiscOpalian faith the second religious denomination establish a church in Waterbury, St Johns church having been esab- lfshed here in 174O. Many years before ing missionaries began to preach the Episcopal doc Urine in this city. Daniel Brown who removed from New Haven to Waterbury in 1722, is said to have been the first member of that faith to reside here. The first child to be baptized in that faith was the infant son of Nathaniel Gunn The men administered in 1734 by the Rev MT John son. For several years after 1737, services held this city by the Rev Jonathan Arnold Mir Johnson of Stratford, NIT Beach of Newton and the Rev Theophilus Morris. They were followed by the Rev James Lyons, who abored here for about four years. About that time there big accession to the Episcopal ranks. Dr Bronson says: "The pros perity of the Episcopal church in Waterbury dates from about TAO" Mir Lyons successor was the Rev Richard Mansfield, who labored here and in other parts of the state for ten years.
 In 1743 the town gave the church E12 with which to procure site. lot secured from John Judd at the corner of West Main and North Willow streets, where Charles Mitchell's house stands and church erected thereon. It was known as St James's church. rectory built at this time from money subscribed It was erected on land given by Oliver Welton, near where r. l.. Curtiss's house North Willow street is now
 In 1759 the Rev James Scovil succeeded Mr Mans field and became the first resident rector. He min lstered the affairs of his several charges success fully until the disturbances of the Revolution cut the assistance of the society in England. Then fol- lowed a period of great hardship He resigned +he pastorate in 1775. He was followed by the Rev Solomon Rlakeslee, the Rev Chauncey Prindle and the Rev David Foote, each of whom remained for SHOft ulne 1He Key Seth Hart the next clergyman to oficiate here, being appointed in Oc tober, 179I He owned and occupied the place next south of St Johns church, including the ground where the church now stands, and several acres Of adjoining land After his departure his DroDnrtv was purchased by several persons, presented 1t TO the church. It was afterwards sold and the present site repurchased in 1S47
 The church and its people now prosnering The old St Johns church had become too small and Tn 1I9o a new edifce erected near where the Soldiers monument stands. It was consncrated Il b BiShOn Mir Harts departure the needs the local church were partially administered for time hv the Rev Alrx- ander V. GriSWOld. and the Rev William Green Tn December, 1791 the Rev TillOtson Bronson became rector and was succeeded by the Rev Virgil Horace Barber, who remained here June 1907 to May G. 1874. In 1914 the Rev Apheus Greer was ap- pointed rector and labOred successfully in local field until 1S3O
 The Rev Mir Greer was the last of the Waterbury to his ministerial work The Rev William Barlow who succeeded to the rectorshp on July 1Q 1>}D devoted all his time to the needs of the growing Episcopal parish. He closed his connection with the church in October. 1882. His successor was the Rev Allen c. Morgan, who remained here for three years In 1885 the church purchased organ, whoch was the first church organ in Waterbury.
 The Rev J. l. Clark began his long term as pastor in February, 1897. Here he labored with splendid until his death, January 2G 1877. It is said that no in this city well known or uni versally esteemed. On the afternoon of his funeral business suspended throughout the city and the whole population poured forth to do honor to his memory. It was such spontaneous tribute to q life of goodness as gives renewed confidence in his fellow
 During the Rev Mir Clarks pastorate St Johns