The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-08-21
LAYING OF CHURCH
CORNER STONE
At DORSET
Postponed Exercises Took Place
Friday Afternoon.
SOCIETY is 1875 YEARS OLD
Historical Sketch Prepared by Allen
Bourn Of Yonkers, N. Y, Read
by Judge E. 3. Kent

Manchester Aug. 21.-The laying of
the corner stone of the new Congre-
gational church at Dorset, to replace
the building which was destroyed by
fire nearly two years ago, occurred at
2 o'clock yesterday afternoon with in
teresting exercises, having been post
poned from Tuesday afternoon on ac-
count of rain. In addition to the peo-
pie of Dorset and East Rupert who
are erecting the building, many were
present from surrounding towns
The Rev. Charles l.. Carhart. pastor
of the church, presided at the eXer-
cses, which opened with the singing
of the hymn. The Church's One
Foundation" by a special choir and
chorus. This was followed by greet
ings by the Rev Charles r. Seymour,
pastor of the Congregational church
at Mount Vernon Heights, n Y, who
is former pastor of the Congrega-
tional church at Bennington, and by
the Rev. Vincent Raw, pastor of tae
Congregational church in Manchester.
A history of the church written by
Allan Bourn, elder of the First Pres
byterian church in Yonkers, n. Y,
who has long been a summer resident
in Dorset was read by Judge c. b.
Kent of Dorset
After an anthem by the choir adj
dresses were delivered by the Rev.
George II. Gilbert of northampton
Mass, and the>Rev. Carl NJ. Gates,
pastor of the West Congregational
church in Portland, Me-. both of
whom were ordained in the old church
at Dorset The Rev. Charles L. Car
nart then offered prayer and this was
followed by the laying of the corner
stone by Gilbert NJ. Sykes, who has
been deacon of the Dorset church
since 1861 After the hymn, How
Firm a Foundation the exercises
closed with benediction by the Rev
Frank Macdonald, pastor OF a Baptist
church in Baltimore.
TIE corner stone is inscribed with
the dates of the organization of the
church and the erection OF the present
building, 17S4-1909, marking this as
the one hundred and twenty-fifth an
niversary of the year of the founding OF
the CHURCH. Within the corner stone
was placed a metal box containing
Bible. a copy of the history of the
church. picture of the old building,
list of the donors up to date and an
other list of subscribers toward the
new church, besides other objects OF
interest and significance. The box
was sealed with in the corner stone to
remain as long as the building stands.
The new building is to be of Dorset
marble. 1t is being erected by Nor
cross Brothers of Worcester. Mass
who have quarters in Dorset at cost
of SIS. 400, exclusive of heat, light and
furnishings. The architect was
Jordan Green, of New York, and the
building will resemble its predecessor
in general plan.
The earliest building used as
church in Dorset, of which there is
any information. was erected on the
old lot now a part of the cemetery It
was removed to a site opposite that
on which the new building is being
erected where it was destroyed in
1882 by fire supposed to have origin
ated from the ashes of foot-warmers.
Mrs. Oliver Gilbert, who died since the
fire That destroyed the later edifice,
we'll remembered the earlier one. The
next building was dedicated in Feb
ruary, 1888, and renamed, with ex
tensiye alterations in 1860, until it
was destroyed by fire Sunday morn
ing November "a, 1907.
The Rev. DR.. George II. Gilbert of.
Northampton. Mass, and the Rev
Carl Nj Gates, of Portland. Me, are
both natives of Dorset Mr.. Gilbert
was ordained in the church there in
1886, while Mr.. Gates, ordination oc-
Cured there in 1903. The historical
sketch is as follows
We have gathered acre today to
place in its prepared sarcophagus the
records of the past of this church ana
of this village and town. The village
and town because they are so intim-
ately connected with the church 1ne
future is still before us and will be eX-
actly what we make it. But unless
our actions second our prayers what
can we expect but repetition OF the
past failures and regrets.
This house of marble, now here in
its beginnings of beauty and strength,
must be only the expression of our
desire to worship our God in the
beauty of holiness.
Then let us draw near, and at this
time pledge our emulation of the faith
ers who came here to Dorset so many
wears ago, and from the spoil of for
est and of soil gave, as they were able
to build up the community with the
worship of God, with Jesus Christ, as
The Chief Corner Stone.
The town of Dorset was chartered
Augurt 20, 1861 By George III, King
of England, by and with the advice OF
Benning Wentworth. Esq, governor OF
New Hampshire. and of the King
Council of the Province of England.
six miles square from the northwest
corner of Manchester.
The first town meeting was to be
held on the fourth Tuesday of Noyem-
her, 1851, and thereafter on the sec
ond Tuesday of February. Every
grantee to cultivate FIVE out of every
frtv acres. Five hundred acres Wee
reserved for Governor Wentworth.
All the best pine timber was reserved
for masts for the Royal Navy. One
whole share of the Corporation was
reserved for the incorporated society