Norwich bulletin., 1909-06-16
STAFFORD SPRINGS
Rev. r. M. ID. Adams Reviews History
and Progress of Grace Episcopal
Church,


Sunday morning at Grace church the
rector, Rev. r. d. M. Adams, s4ve an
interesting address in the nature OF a
history of Grace church since its or
ganization. Rev. Mr.. Adams is an en-
ergetic young man, brim full of enthu-
siasm, and has succeeded in arouslng
more of the religious spirit among his
parishioners than had been apparent
for many years previous to his coming.
Has One Hundred and Forty Com
munieants.
The church is today in a prosperous
condition, there being in the parish 70
families and lao communicates
Small Beginnings in 1872.
Previous to 1872 Rev. Charles r.
Fisher Of Rockville came here num-
her of times to administer baptism.
Mr.. Buckingham was at this time act
ing as lay reader in Rockville and at
the request of the family of John Dob
son frequently came to Stafford
Springs after the Sunday morning
services in Rockville. May %, 1872, ne
STAFFORD Springs to live, his first public
service being held in Central hall June
23d at o'clock p. m. ttHwas a small
beginning, but II was starter for the
Grace church Of today.
First Communion Service.
The following September the mission
was changed to Mission ham. Here Mr.
buckingham was ordained priest Dec
10, 1872. and celebrated holy COM
munion here for the first time on
Christmas day. 1872. He completed his
duties here Feb. 2, 1878.
Following him came Rev. George M
Stanley in March, 1873, who remained
| until Easter, 1874. Then came year
of infrequent services, which were not
very well attended. In 1875, the first
Sunday after Easter, Rev. Fletcher
John Hawley arrived to minister to the
spiritual wants of his people. 1t was
| during Rev. Mr.. Hawley's time that q
lot was purchased on Main street with
a view to erecting church A large
portion of the business district of Stat
ford Springs was wiped out blythe fiooe
| in 1877 and the church for some reason
or other then sold this lot and bought
the one on which the building is now
| located.
Cornerstone Laid.
The cornerstone of the present struc-
| ture was laid Sept. Z, 1877, Rt- Rev
| Bishop Williams officiating. The frs
service was held in the basement Of
| the church Dec. 9Th of the same year
| and on Easter day. April 10, 1873, the
main body Of the church was used fol
THE first time. 1T was consecrated by
| Bishop Williams Dec. 8, 1878. Rev. Mr.
HawleY remained until the early spring
Of 1880.
The Rectors.
The other rectors in order have beer
Rev. B. Ellison Warner 1880. 1881; Rev
! David l.. Sanford, 1881; Rev. Walter
H Larum. 1S84-1S8T; Rev. Fred d. B
| Buckley. iss7-1sss: Rev. Walter H. B
Allen. 1sS9-1S91; Rev. John A. Rem.
| ington. 1s91-1s92; Rev. Edward r
Brown, 1S92-1S95; Rev. Theodore d
Martin, 1ss7-19O2; Rev. William Nor.
rell. 1s02-1907. Rev. Mr.. Adams, tn,
present rector. came here Jan. LIST
| 1908.
Handsome Memorials.
Among the memorials which hav'
been given to the church are the alta
given by the parish n memory Of Mis-
Ella Baker, who had charge of a larg,
Sunday school class; altar lights, givel
| by parents Of Byron Mix in memory o
| their IL year old son; organ, in mem
DRY of Lyman Walbridxe Crane by hi
wife, Harriet Swift Crane; chance
windows and silver chalice, m memor,
of Rev. E. R. Brown by Mrs E. r
Brown and daughters; window nea
baptismal font, in memory of Jane
Franklin Chamberliu. given by hi
wife; brass processionaf cross In man
DRY of Mary J. Hartlon by her mother
altar railing. in memory of John Dob
son. by his children lftany desk, II
memory Of Rev. William Mprre4. &nea