The Newtown bee., 1909-09-10
Brideewater.
A CENTURY-0LD RURAL CHURCH FROM THE CONGREGATION ALIST.

. On August 10, one hundred years
 ago, the grcat-great grandparents of the present editor of The Congrega-
 tionalist united with a company of
 rural folk in forming a Congrega-
 tional church in the south part of
 the township of New Milford, Conn.
 This district was known as the Neck,
 and is now the towE of Bridgewater.
 The editors kindred TOT four gener-
 ations have been members of this
 church, and he accepted with plea
 sure an invitation to share in the
 celebration of the completion of its
 first century's life. Bridgewater is
 a typical New England rural com
 muni.y. The editor, who knew it
 thoroughly 50 years ago, was glad | to avail himself of this opportunity
 to spen4 a few days comparing the
 present with the past. he had
 heard not little of the increasing
 degeneracy of the hill towns of | Connecticut and the spiritual de-
 cline of the country churches. His
 observations may have some value
 as contribution to the so-called i
 problem of the rural community. 1
 Bridgewater has strictly farming l population, and it has fewer inhabi-
 tantS now than it had 50 years ago. 1
 Then there were proDably about $50 | persons. In 1880 the census showed ! 70S and now there are $50. Th5
 Congregational and / Episcopal
 churches stand near each other at
 the Center, and either edifce would
 easily accommodate both the usual
 congregations. There are those who think they should unite, and perhaps
 they are nearer to a union now than
 ever before, though the religious
 peace of the community is as yet
 safeguarded by the maintenance of
 two parishes. The relations between them are amicable, and the rector
 took part in the centenary exercises. A historical paper by Henry c. San ; ford, an officer of this church and a , Yale graduate, brought out an honor able record of a hundred years This was further emphasized by interest z ing "reminiscences from L. D. San ford, now of Bridgeport, who joined this church GA years ago and has kept in toucn with it ever since. The mother church of New Milford sent lively greetings by Deacon William c. Green. An address in the after noon by the writer of this article was followed by greetings from seven former pastors, Messrs Doolittle, At wood, Palmer, Wallace of the Madura G mission of the American Board, Il Raymond and Evan Evans, ' with speech by Sec. Joel Ives. The only disappointment was the absence. y because of a sudden illness, of the present pastor, Rev Harry Daven- II port, who had worked with enthu- a siasm to arrange for the meeting. This little town is hardly surpassed n beauty of situation by any other n New England. From the church steps one may look on the lower 'ange of the Berkshire hills against E. he Western horizon. FrCm some ~ points the CatskiA Mountains are h risible in clear weather Fertile Il arms spread through fair valleys and T 'ver green hlllsides. The village II society has created ". hady avenues and broad lawn in it he center of the town. Many other ol awns surround homes which had an II II, lnkept look 90 years ago. Immi- e, rants from Sweden, Germany, Po- s. and and other lands across the sea R ave replaced some American - antilles that have died out CT moved so way, but they seem to be of sturdy H tock and the names of them appear W n the church roll. Automobiles are so nding their way through deep IT IT Tooded roads, past pretty little lakes Jc nd beside the picturesque Housa- H onic River. Such scenery, so ap- N reciated and improved, doesn't wit M ess to degenerate families. Tie Sc hurches, the schools, the public Bl brary and the grange provide social N enters. The choir of 20 voices fur 0' ished for the anniversary music, = hose dignity, sweetness and ap- \ would be worthy of ny church in the land. The typical
 ew England edifiee, as the picture lows, is attractive ard inviting
 ithout. Its renovated walls within aft re restful and cheerful. The people so link we'll and speak well of one nother. There is a sense oI unity l the town, of friendliness and eighborliness, which were some-
 hat lacking in the older time. This tile church is worthily represented