Connecticut western news., 1912-06-20
MRS. MARY GRIKIE ADAMS "sKETCH OF
 PILGRIM CHURCH."

IHR eAIraGGS.
 Time was, not so long ago, when tn Mother church in East Canaan drew many from this town. We can think back and with memory's eye see the big wagon MT. George Gillette used to drive up to the old church in East Canaan each Sunday, all the seats filled with those who loved to worship there.
 But as one and another of the older members passed away, whose lifelong traditions and habits of thoughts were twined about the service in the old church and who looked forward to the Sunday meetings with friends whom they seldom saw between whiles, the younger generation who "knew not Joseph" as their elders had. were more readily moved to see a needs be for change. So it came to pass that as this village grew many who loved Congrega- tional polity lived here and found the drive to East Canaan growing longer with their years, listened to the plea for church of their own faith nearer home, and the Pilgrim church we love SO we'll came into being.
 After much thought and many meet ings together, of those interested, it was decided to call a council of Congrega- tional churches, by pastor and delegate. and lay the whole matter before them. Nine churches were represented. Of those who took part in this advisory council only two of the pastors called are still our neighbors Rev. MT. Goodepough, of Winchester, and Rev. MT. Goddard, of Salisbury.
 The proceedings were marked all through by expressions of the klndliest feeling toward the Mother church and ear- nestness of purpose, ,and was commend ed by the Council. The whole question was most thoroughly talked over, the reasong fully given for the strong desire to be formally recognized as church. This first meeting was at 8 p. m., June 15, 1887. In the evening the Council met again and proceeded with services appropriate to forming and recognizing the Pilgrim Church of North Canaan. At this time 25 members were received and by the time the first communion service was held that number had in. creased to 63. Rev. MT. Goddard offer d the prayer of recognition Rev. MT. DePeu gave the charge to the people, the benediction being pronounced by the Rev. D. 0. Stone, who had been preaching to this newly formed church for some weeks in the Village Improve ment Hall. Later Mir. Stone vas asked to supply the pulpit, accepted the call and was duly installed as pastor. The question of building a church edif1ce had been pretty thoroughly canvassed by this time and it was found that the necessary money would be forthcoming, conld suitable building site be secured. Three lots were available-the one where the church and parsonage now stand, the so-called Foot lot on Church street and the so.called Reed lot on Reed street. The matter was voted on aud the prop erty we now own, purchased from J. L. Bragg.
 Committees were appointed, MT. LOT rain being architect and the work began. In September, 1888, this church was dedicated and it is of interest to note that Rev. MT, Goddard and Rev. MT. GoodenouRh were again among those who assisted at this beautiful and inn pressive service. Rev. pr. Eddy preach ed the dedicatory sermon and the "little Pilgrim church," as we remember he called it, entered into larger life. In 1890 one Sabbath evening just after the close of the service a chandelier fell, instantly the oil was ablaze, the fire was soon subdued, but not before much dam- age by heat and smoke had been. done.
 July, 1891, our organ was in place all paid for and ready for recital, which was given on that date.
 In '92, MT. Stone resigned from i'll health and Rev. O. D. Milliken was called as pastor and ordained later by a council in which 13 churches were repre- sented and three other clergymen being present by request. January, '96, par sonage fund was begun and by April the amount contributed was found suf- hcient to warrant building.
 Again the work was intrusted to MT. Lorrain and the result of his services as architect is the connections and pleas ant home in which we shelter our min- ister. It is worthy of note that both church and parsonage were dedi- cated and occupied free from debt. fact both instructive and interesting This same year MT. Milliken resigned and the Rev. S. A. Burnaby, of South bridge, Mass, accepted a call to this church. At our July Communion ser vice there was used for the first time a beautiful communion set given to the church by Mrs. A. A. Wright and her daughter, Mrs. s. w Barnes.
 The first three pastors of this church aach served ms five years MT Purnabv