The Newtown bee., 1909-08-13
BRlDGEW WATER. Centennial Celebration of the Congregational
 Church. A NOTABLE EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE
 TOWN.

Ideal temperature, smiling skies, large, inspiring and interested audi ences combined to make the Centen- nial exercises of the Bmdgewater Congregational church a memorable event in the history of that beautiful hill town. The Congregational peo- pie under the leadership of Rev Harry Davenport, their pastor, had beautified the church edifice inside and out. The improvements were made at an expense of about 5000, which included new metal ceilings, the redecorating of all the walls and new paint on the outside. The effect was very pleasing, and H. w. Treat, the chairman of the society's commit tee, was heartily congratulated on the pleasing result. Only one thing marred the pleasure of the day, the absence of Rev Harry Davenport, who was taken suddenly ill with an eye difficulty, and by the advice of his physician, went at once to Bridgeport for treatment. The sing ing, under the direction of J. Van Canny, was an enjoyable feature of Conney, was an enjoyable feature of leading. They were highly compli- mented on all sides. A male quartet and a double male quartet was heard with pleasure. Above the pulpit platform on the wall with a back ground of green were the figures, "1S09-1S09" in gold. During the intermission a fine dinner was served in the chapel by the ladies of the church, to which all dld justice A bevy of pretty girls waited upon the tables. Rev MT Wallace pre- sided at the morning service in the absence of Rev MT Davenport. The attendance at the morning service was about 25O and at the afternoon about 400. The order of service for the day was as follows:
 MORNING. V" Organ prelude. Gloria, Mozarts 18th Mass Welcome, N Pastor Historical paper, Henry c. Sanford 70 Give Thanks Unto the Lord,'
 Chorus, Russell King Miller Greetings from Church of New
 Milford, Dea William c. Green "The Wondrous Cross" Male quartet "Reminiscences, Lorenzo D. Sanford Hymn, Coronation,
 Edward Perronet Benediction.
 AFTERNOON. Organ prelude.
 Devotional Service; Rev G. D.
 Pond, Rector St Marks church Hymn, Samueli J. Stone "Brideewater-Past, Present, Fl.
 ture, Rev A. E. Cunning, D. p Praise ye the Father"
 Double Male Quartet Greetings by former pastors.
 Great and Marvellous" Chorus,
 Wm J. Kirkpatrick Doxo'ogy.
 Benediction, Rev Evan EVars
 The address of welcome, written by Rev Harry Davenport, was as fol- lows: One hundred years of church Change? Yes. Tran sition? Yes. Yet a glorious con tinuity. Many have joined the church triumphant but the church militant goes marching on. marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Bridgewater is the only town in the state in which Congregational church will have a centennial in 1908. Are we not justly proud? And for this day we have made extensive preparations. The Hartford Daily Times, Of Tuesday, January 12, 1909, contained ar arti- cle entitled, Centennial in August Brief History of Congregational Church at Bridgewater-Dates of Pastorates." Early last spring church meeting was held. We de- cided to celebrate. In certain sense we had to. We were in the po- sition of the young man whc read in the daily paper that he was engaged to be married. The report was false. But he at once proceeded to get en- gagged in order to make it true. And we have worked hard. To renoyate the interior and paint the exterior was no insignificant task. But we have learned something; the fellow "h'p of self-denial, the meaning of the word cooperation. And now we welcome you to our church home. At