The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-11-23

closed with a membership of one
hundred thirty-four enrolled as the
Bennington contingent. This was an
increase of about 100 which was mar
velous, considering the time and cir
cumstances. However, it demon
strated from the letter of Brother
Ayres that Religion is a very sood
thing TO run church with"
Following the pastorate of Rev.
Weaver. Rev. Wright Hazen was sent
to this circuit. He was well adapted
for the place. From the commence
ment of his ministry a large atten-
dance thronged the services at Ben
nington-so much so that there was
forced upon the Society the problem
of immediate church erection. There
were those in the young society who
were equal to the emergency.
On July 2S, 1881 subscription pap
ers were drawn preparatory to the
building of the Methodist church.
The contractors were Calvin ellison
and Smith Montague. The contract
drawn is still in existence. showing
what each party was obligated to do,
when payments were TO be made, and
every particular specified The edi-
flee was to be 44X64 feet, outside
measurement. The land was pur-
chased of Jonathan Pratt, on which
the edifice now stands.
We have no record of laying the
corner stone or of the beginning of
the work except that of David Rock
wood who affirmed that he helped
roll the first stone to it's position.
The work progressed for two years
and II days from the date of the sub
scription papers the edifice was
ready for dedication Aug. Is, 1888.
At this time the following notice APP
pears in a Vermont gazette:
Dedication.
"The Methodist church In Benning-
ton east village will be dedicated to
the service of Almighty God on
Thursday, the 18th of August Ser
vice to commence at 10:30 q. m. In
habtants of Bennington and its vi
entity are respectfully invited to at
tend"
At the time of dedication the bills
on the church had been paid, amount
ing to a little more than $1,000. The
church had cost enough more than
was paid in to leave balance un
paid, which proved a serious embar-
assment to the membership and the
church was saved to the congregation
only by the self sacrifice of Mason c.
Morgan. who mortgaged his own farm
that he might save the church. This
mortgage proved an embarrassment to
the church for many years.
The society progressed with "A lit
tie interruption until 1856. when Rev
John +. Bowen was appointed TO this
charge At this time the pastors of
the Protestant churches visited the
entire population of the town to con-
verse with them on the subjects of
the sin OF Sabbath desecration, the
Importance of church attendance and
personal religion. They carried with
them religious tracts on these topics.
While this was in progress a grac-
ious revival broke out and hundreds
were converted to the churches. The
Methodist church received 224 per
sons on probation. Many of these
probationers were in the vicinity of
Hinsdilyile and Shirkshire. This re
suited in places OF worship being es-
ldDiiSHtu dl tdtli VI lliCoN HOAhAos
In 1858 Rev. c. B. Morris was APP
pointed to Bennington. He proved
worthy successor of Mr. Bowen and
carefully cared for the probationers
left by his predecessor and added
other members. This large increase
in the church required a larger audi
forum and in 1858 an addition of 20
feet was built on the north end of the
church In 1869 Rev. John +. Bowen
was appointed to Bennington for the
second time. This time he remained
three years and was succeeded by
Rev. B. Hawley i'm 1872. He brought
the church to an excellent religious
experience and during his time the
church enjoyed a season of great
spiritual and financial prosperity. In
1879 during the pastorate of Rev.
Horace H. Grant, the Troy Annuai
Conference held its Attn session in
Bennington, beginning April 23ro.
The Conference was Hospitality and
pleasantly entertained without regard
to denominational lines.
At this time the church enrolment
amounted to 305, the Sunday school
303. In 1880 Rev. Marvin ID. Jump
came and remained three years. Dur
ing his passionate fine pipe organ
was put into the church at a cost of
1880
At this time by the action of the
general conference the appointments
in the state of Vermont were placed
in the Vermont conference. The ac-
ton was contrary to the desire of
the churches in Burlington district
and great excitement prevailed The
protest was SO unanimous and en-
phatic that the territory was returned
During Mr.. Jumps pastorate occur
red the death of Marcus G. Seldom
and his wife, Laura Seldom, who left
their home on the corner of Pleasant
and School street for parsonage.
AS soon as arrangements could be
made, the house was moved to one
side of the lot and a parsonage build
ing erected with modern convent
ences at a cost of $4,000. Many resi-
dents now living are acquainted with
the successive pastorates Of Merritt
Hubbard, T. c. Potter, Nation Tator,
F. Widmer, VIM. j. Chapman and A.
d. Heaxt.