The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-04-24
TOWN TOPICS
AND CELEBRATION.
FROM THE ST PETERSBURG FLA.
TIMES.

Last Wednesday evening chronlcled
an important event in the history OF
the Congregational church..in this city
1t was the second anniversary OF the
pastorate Of Rev J. P. HOyt and was
made doubly interesting by the an
nouncement of the successful result of
the Forward Movement begun about
month ago, by which the church has
been rendered permanently self-sup-
porting and freed from all indebted
ness. This church, which is the Oldest
in st Petersburg, is now one Of the
few Congregations churches in
Florida maintained independently Of
Home Missionary aid, and with over
100 resident members and property
valued at many thousands Of dollars
entirely clear of debt, looks forward
hopefully to future of greatly en-
larged power and usefulness.
A large company of the members and
friends of the church gathered on Wed
nesday evening.to celebrate the attain
ment of this happy result. After open
ing exercises led by the pastor, the re-
port o. the committe in charge of the
Forward Movement was read, showing
total subscription of 1922, Of which
amount over 5000 had been contributed
by tourists. \ The treasurer of the
church, w. A. Coats, made brief re-
port, showing sufficient cash on hand
to pay off the entire Indebtedness OF
the church. This was followed by an
interesting account of the inception
and progress of the movement given
by the pastor and by the chairman OF
the canvassing committee, closing
with few words of greeting from the
last subscriber present, Dea Bird of
Bethlehem, Conn. An important fea-
ture of the evening was a paper by
Miss Emma Meeker, one of the charter
members of the church, which was
read by A. Norwood. This paper gave
a graphic account of the early religious
life on the Finellas peninsula. The
first regular preaching services were
held by Rev Mr. Watt Of England, in
1885 in what was then known as the
Miranda schOOlhouSe, on LakevieW
avenue. Mr. Watt labored faithfully
amidst many difficulties for some years
and finally in 1888 meeting was held
in one of the cars of the Orange Belt
Railway, at which the present church
was organized with Is members.
Since that time the church has receiv-
ed total of SO, 10000 from the Congre-
gational Home Missionary Society,
whose noble benefcence has made it
possible. After the church was organ
lied lot was purchased in the Baum
addition and temporary building
erected. Later through the generos-
ity of Mrs H. o. Armour Of New York,
who gave the church lot and $1,000. 90
in money, the pre- sent edifice was erect
ed.
Following this paper some reminis'
cences were given by Deacons Moffett
and Bell. DR. Gilmer in vigorous
speech spoke of the necessity for en-
larged spiritual power in the future.
Brief remarks were also made by Capt
Chase, and G. P. Hoyt of Philadelphia
and short reports by the Ladies' Soci
cites of the church, closing with silent
prayer and benediction by the pastor
The exercises throughout were inter
spersed with singing led by the excel
lent choir of the church.
Rev Mr. Hoyt and his faithful people
are to be congratulated on the happy
close of two years labor, during which
j Mr. Hoyt has not only endeared him.
self to his church but has won thu
warm esteem and friendship of tn,
whole community.