The Press., 1909-06-16
A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
 PARISH OF GRACE CHURCH,
STAFFORD SPRINGS, CONN.
AFTER THE RENOVATION. 1909.
BY REV. R. M. D. ADAMS.

Through Wisdom B a house DultoeoS aaa Dy S-"eA l stanAiax it is established. ."-Proverbs A:3.
 This paper is 8 sketch " of the history, that is, it is not history, or a detailed account of the growth oi the parish, but rather an outline of the principal events in it's founding. growth and life Neither is this 2 biographical account of the men and women, who have been so much iu this labor and it's results, except as 1t makes mention of certain dates aud important facts which are of such value as tO require their insertion. Il would be a pleasure to hear more of these lives. and, perhaps, sometims. someone may c, mpile real history oi the church in Stafford. hut it is inl- possible to include, within the com. pass of the length of a sermon. such a quantity of dates, statistics and anecdotes as would be necessary properly to introduce the real his also, that [ shall fail to bring nut points that ought to be included in the scope of this outline, but this, l assure you, will not be from intentional slight, but from not know ing the relative importance, or, per haps, in some cases. even the facts of some things, for any and all of which omissions I offer my regret in advance of the offense So far as the sources of information at hand. up to the day of writing, of which knew, are concerned, I think that all the greater items are to be presented, remembering always the limited ex- panse of the paper. Moreover, this sketch concerns itself with the ma. terial evidences of parochial life and growth. leaving the greater side of the story, the quality and the en. during spiritual influence of lives tc the broader scope of history.
 The first recorded instance of the ministration of this branch of the Apostolic church in the town o1 Stafford was the response of the Rev. Charles R. Fisher of Hartford, iE coming to administer holy baptism al the request of several families, pre- vious to 1872. A few years before this date John Dobson and family had moved from Providence, R. to 8 farm in the northern part of Holland, not far from the locality known tc us by the name of "Buff Gap. Though. as we understand, MT. Dob. son was expecting to find 2 ohursil n this vicinity, he did not alIoW tht absence of one to separate him from sacraments aud worship, for it be- came the custom of the family to gc to Grace church at Broad Brook once month at least. This being dis tance of nearly eighteen miles, eacl way, the beginning of services al Rockville reduced his travelling dis tance to eight miles, and gave the privilege of attending church mucE more frequently. After a while, in consultation with Mr., later Rev Wm. B Buckingham, who was theI lay reader at Rockville, Mir. DobsoI and he discussed with the bishop the possibility of starting 8 mission al Stafford Springs. The bishop advised canvass of the village, to find our if there were communicants of the church, and the average wages of tht possible supporters of church worl here. But two communicants anC little interest being found, the under taking was postponed until somG time later, when some other oondi. tions made a start more favorable May 29, 1872, MT. Buckingham wal ordained deacon. Having, then. be gun services here in the afternoon having first officiated at Rockville soon after his ordination he came her: to live, and held his first servict thereafter, in Central Hall on Junt 23, 1872, at 6 p. m. It is worthy of remembrance that Mr. Dobson, o some member of his family, had mad, the weekly trip to Rockville to bring MT. Buckingham over and to carry him back. The mission grew rapidly in strength, and was augmented by the addition of several families whC came into the church at this time Beginning July 7th morning servioel were begun here, and MT. Bueking ham went over to Rockville in the afternoon. The following September the mission changed it's location tC Mission Hall," in the Baker 6 Heald block, room fitted up for it own use, and here in this hall MT Buckingham was advanced to the priesthood Dec. 9th, and celebrated the holy communion in Mission Hal for the first time here, on ChristmaI day, 1872. He finished his laborl here February 2, 1878.
 The Rev. George M. Stanley sue ceeded him in March, remaining till Easter, 1874. A year of infrequent services followed his departure.
 The Rev. Fletcher John Hawley took charge on the first Sunday aftel Easter, 1875. Meantime, interest in building a church was increasing, and lot on Main street, adjoining Mission Hall on the east, was pur. chased.
 The business depression and tn, panic" of 1873 caused delay, bu the matter was taken up again ii 1876. and considerable sum wa soon promised, and Bishop William issued an appeal to the diocese cor dially and earnestly endorsing tn,