Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-22

the Rev Joel Rannie Arnold appointed pastor and installed July 26, 183l Under his charge the church entered upon new era of prosperity Between September, 1851, and September, 1So4, no less than 1O1 persons joined the church. His pas torate terminated on June ', 1886 Henry N Day, his successor, ordained and installed pastor NO vember 9, 1856. He remained here four years During his pastorate a church. the fourth house worship built on the lot, the site of the pres ent grounds. The editce was dedicated on March p, 1S4O. The Rev David Root was installed pastor May 1S41. He is said to have been one ot the most eloquent that ever lived and preached in this city He continued as pastor until August 27 1844. After interval of 16 months the Rev Henry Bond Elliott called to the pastorate In 1845 the Ladies' Benevolent society, organized in 1SS was reorganized. He resigned in 1851, but not until September 20, 1852 was new pastor select ed He was the Rev William Walter Woodwork, A house Leavenworth street. built by Aaron Ben edict, F. w. Carter and Philo Brown was purchased in 1855 for a parsonage. It occupied as such until November 5 1855. The term of his pastorate extended until May ?, 1858. The Rev George Bush nell was pastor from August 19 1850, to November 1, 1864.
 On February 12, 1865, the long pastorate of the Rev Joseph Anderson, the present pastor, began. For 3S years Dr Anderson has labored i'll the re- ligious field in this city with remarkable success gaining the love of his parishioners the respect es- and admiration of the people in general, ire spective of class and creed. He is of the most beloved and influential clergymen in the state He is the type of clergyman who is valued and hon. ored leader of any church and citizen of any com munity Many and wonderful have been the changes in this city since the coming of the Rev Dr Ander- son, but he has kept abreast of the times
 Shortly after pr Andersons acceptance of the pas torate, it voted to build new church to cost not less than $1O0O0O But the project did not meet with success until two years later, when $S0CO) subscribed for the building. Among the subscriptions received were tho fOllowing Deacon Aaron Benedict. $25, GOO; also 5000 memorial his wife, who had died recently; Hon Greene Ken drick, $10,OOO; A. F. Rice S1,J0O Green Kendrick, X. F. Rce l.. S. BronSon E. l.. Bronson and & l.. Terry, Jr, appointed building committed.
 The corner stone of the church. begun on in 1883. In 1860 a parsonage property purchas- cd North Main street
 The membership had increased much from 1Stj5- 1875 that church had to be built The prop erty East Main street sold in 1876 to the Immaculate Conception parish for $2J,OOO The present church building erected at the of North Main street and Abbott a lot given free to the church, at cost of S4 OOO The pastors April 1, 1873, laid July 15 1873, and the church dedicated March p, 1875. The church stands on West Main street the north side Of the green and is an imposing brick edifice The entire cost Of the church, organ, iron fence. concreto walks and repairs, So1,457OG In this the parsonage property Leavenworth street was built Prospect street. It was occupied for the first time during Thanksgiving week. 1893. The house and lot cost $135OO. Recently a new parson- age has been built Prospect street.
 The growth of the First church during the Rev pr Andersons long and successful pastorate has been slow but steady. It is the wish of the entire community that Dr Anderson will be spared to ad- minister to the members of the First church for tO