Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-10

Stewardship. GrgedS earnestly the i'm
portance of faitffrlness in attendance
ut all church and Bible school services
as one important way in which the du-
ties of Christian stewardship could be
discharged
Some matters of unfinished business
were taken up, among which-,H was
voted, on motion of Rev. Mr.. Thayer.
seconded by Rev. f. e. Turner, Leila
nonl that the constitution be amended
to require church clerks to sepd' in to
the clerk of the association their report
not later than Aug LIST.
History of First Baptist Church.
A paper that was Of more than
usual interest and had been pre- pared
by Rev. Mr.. Thayer was then read by
him, giving the history of the First
Baptist church for the 109 years of its
existence. In brief it was as follows:
Meetings of a Baptist character were
held in Norwich as early as 1770. but
in 1890 the first regular services were
held, generally at the home of Ephraim
Story and Elijah Herrick in West
Chelsea. The dominant Congregation
alism was strongly hostile. but the
meetings were successful and. many
were turned to the Baptist thought
In 1897 the people were recognized as
branch of the Kingston. p. l.. church
They met then in the ropewalk two or
three times a year and observed the
Lords supper.
Among the early converts was John
Sterry. printer and bookbinder. whose
piety was soon recognized and he was
destined to be leader in spiritual af-
fairs. as he was appointed to lead their
meetings. At council on July 18th,
1900 the new congregation was recog-
nized as the first Baptist church. 1t
had % members and John Sterry was
elected minister and Dewey Bromley
deacon. Dec. Path the same year the
minister and deacon were ordained by
the council the ceremony taking place
in the Second Congregational church.
Rev. Walter King having invited them
to his church more through respect for
the. two men than from any desire to
recognize the Baptists.
In 1902 thew We're worshipping in a
partly finished edif1ce on a lot on High
street given by Mr.. Hail. AS their
money ran out they applied to the leg
islature for permission to conduct a
lottery after the practice of the Con-
gregationalists. but were refused on
religious and political grounds. In
consequence money was raised without
recourse to the lottery scheme and the
church completed in 1907. In 1917,
when they Joined the New London as
SOCldllOll, the C0urCn' 0dO d0QSQ ABOUT
200 persons to it's membership since or
ganization. Pastor Sterry died in 1923
and in 1888 a new edifice was built in
the pastorate of Rev. William Palmer.
1S24-1S34. In the succeeding years the
following were the pastors: Rev. S. s.
Mallery, -1S34-1S36, Rev. Josiah M
Graves. 1S36-1S3S: Rev. Russell Jen-
nings, 1888. --
Sept 1st 1910, letters we're granted
to sundry members to form another
church more centrally located and the
next day the Central Baptist church
was organized. Things were at very
low ebb in the original church and
they sold their meeting house to can
eel a debt of 81, 500. From this condi-
ton they were rescued by the return
of Rev. William Palmer, who was re-
called 1841-1S45. One of the greatest
religious revivals came in 1843. when
Elder JabeZ Swan was engaged as an
assistant. the elder himself baptizjng
over 100.
Pastors who succeeded this time were
JAMES NJ. Coley ls49-ls52: Rev. A. II.
Tayl6F. 1s52-iS5s Rev. J. II. Holman
=. D., 1854: Rev G. 5 Weaver. 1885,
Rev. j. IT.. Parks. 1S69-1S70 Rev. A. f.
Spaulding, lS7O-1S76, and Rev. William
James. 1S76-1s77.
the church voted to disband and
Curtis Keeney. who secured Rev C.
1879. Rev. Mr.. Frost stayed until